Recently in Neighborhood Category

Why should I write a huge roundup of places where you can get your craft on in Brooklyn when Brooklyn Based did it for me. Instead, I'll just link. Check out their Craft Class Fever piece, for lots of fun ideas, like the Urban Glass class, which we heartily reccommend in winter when you're cold, cause glass blowing is HOT baby.

Photo from the Red Heel Sock Monkey Shelter by Link Ray.

So, I've been a little tied up with baby (above), the holidays (also above) and other work projects, but one of my new year's resolutions is to bring the little blog back to life. And bring it back I will. Tomorrow, expect a lovely review of Buttermilk Channel ... my 10 word preview: order the oysters and fried chicken but skip the veggies.

If there was ever a good reason for me schlep all the way up to Atlantic when it's freezing cold outside (like, say, Sunday), it's Nicky Vietnemese Sandwich's pho. Even the iPhone found it alluring:

I took this photo of the construction at the old Donut House (314 Court Street) about a week ago, and since then even more progress has been made. Not sure what the difference between Donut House and Coffee Shop will be, but I like that they are keeping with the basic naming convention. The question is, since Donut House didn't have donuts, will Coffee Shop not have coffee? Thoughts to ponder on a rainy Friday morning.

Yep, the Trader Joe's has its signage up, window washers were out working on the windows and stock was piling up in side room. I say the opening is imminent.

Eton is a neighborhood restaurant that snuck right by me. When I first saw the awning on Sackett Street at Henry, I assumed overpriced boutique and went on my way. But oh how wrong I was.

No boutique, Eton is a dumpling shack that is serving up five fresh, hot dumplings per order--in a variety of flavors--for a mere $3.50. Did I mention these dumplings are huge? And tasty? And that the restaurant is open until 11:30pm? It's like I've died and gone to a more accessible version of Chinatown.

Yes, there's a bit of a wait for the fresh dumplings, but you can watch the skins being rolled out to pass the time. And, yes, the decor leaves a bit to be desired--do not lean onto the wall separating the entryway from the counter, it will violently wobble and threaten collapse. But there's a lot of love that goes into a neighborhood joint like this, and it shows in the customer-service details. On the day that I stopped by, the guy at the counter mixed me a to-go cup of sriracha and ginger-infused black vinegar that will be my go-to dumpling dipping sauce for some time to come.

I have yet to try Eton's other offering, shave ice, mostly because I'm so devoted to Court Street Pastry's ices, I hate to cheat, but the sheer number of flavors--and number of people walking out with colorful cone in hand--speak to Eton's popularity in the shave ice department as well.

OK. I am opening up the forum on the horrible little beasts that have been eating me non-stop for weeks now. I get bit on the sidewalk in front of my house, I get bit while walking down streets with no trees, and--of course--I get bit in our backyard unless I cover myself in toxic mosquito repellent.

I've heard it's bad this year because the city stopped spraying. Does anyone know why?

Also, any remedies besides the obvious? Am I the only one being sucked dry?

I've kept silent thus far on the "Is 'The Real World' coming to Carroll Gardens or not issue?" simply because it's been so back-and-forth. Today (again), Curbed supposedly has the word, which is that the show will be located in Red Hook and not Carroll Gardens or downtown Brooklyn. Red Hook certainly makes more logistical sense for the show, and it's also certain to make many in this neighborhood very, very happy.

On a related note, what's with all the filming in the neighborhood? In the past week, there's been a film shooting in front of the movie theater, a commercial on Smith Street and then today a whole crew was set up in front of the old Little Red Deli by the Cobble Hill Park.

Seems like every time I walk down Smith Street something changes. Flirt is no more on Smith Street, which is sad because it was one of my favorite neighborhood boutiques. The location in Park Slope is still active, however, so now I'll just have to schlep myself over to 5th Avenue. In better news, Refinery (a long-time neighborhood stalwart for great purses) is looking quite spiffy in its new space just a few doors down.