News: January 2006 Archives

Ahh the NYPD. While I appreciate that our city has a cache of cops ready to head off danger at any sign, what I can't appreciate is why this danger includes bicyclists and people pushing shopping carts (or, for that matter, people who declare a pants-optional subway ride). Doesn't really give me a lot of confidence in the NYPD top brass when they think that shadowing and harassing citizens not out to harm anyone is a good use of police time. Has too much a touch of a "police state" feeling for me. Perhaps I'm just bitter because I showed up for the Idiotarod in Williamsburg, along with a handful of spectators and at least one shopping cart, only to learn that the event's starting point had moved to Fort Greene. In my blissful ignorance, I set out early to have a fab early brunch at Bonita in Williamsburg, without ever checking to see if the start point had changed. You can see Idiotarod photos on Flickr, but sadly, I have none. Gothamist also has some great coverage.

I did, however, decide to make a day of it in Williamsburg. Made stops at all my W-burg favorites: the fab used bookstore Clovis Press, the great Indian-influenced clothing and jewelry boutique Pema (225 Bedford Ave), the ever hip Mini Minimarket stuffed with appropriately ironic but not overdone T-shirts,  the uber sexy lingerie and bedroom store Sleep, the Golden Calf, which is where I'll shop when I finally have that $1million loft or brownstone to fill, Academy Records so I can stand around and watch my hubby buy records and Love Shines (249 Grand St) because there is no better place in New York to purchase goods from Peru and dance to funky disco all while saving 50 percent off just because the owner wanted to be nice and have a sale. 

Along the way, our crew stopped for several rousing games of outdoor pingpong at Iona, which is my new favorite Williamsburg bar. Cheap drinks (Boddington's on tap for $4! and $4 mixed drinks, too!!), friendly Irish bartender, decent music, chill patrons, and a cute backyard, perfect for those winter days where it's 50 degrees outside (wassup global warming).

We then hit up DuMont spin-off, DuMont Burger, where we sampled both the DuMont Mini ($7, background and left) and the DuMont Burger ($9.50, foreground). Order them done medium, topped with Gruyère, and enjoy the disparity between the charred outer coating and the warm, juicy inner core.  Though a side of fries does the job, I'd recommend either the amazingly sweet, thickly breaded and sliced onion rings, or--if you are feeling particularly guilty about all that meat--the generous side salad tossed in a rosemary vinaigrette. Of course, your diet doesn't really matter here because you're going to need to spring for the boat-load of mac and cheese ($10, easily split among five of us)--the spiral pastas happily drown in a creamy melted mess of cheddar, Gruyère and bacon and are delivered with a crust of toasted bread crumbs. Still not as good as the chipotle mac and cheese at Pioneer Bar, but nothing to be ashamed of.

Update: Brownstoner covered DuMont Burger previously.

Brooklyn Papers is reporting that the construction of Whole Foods at 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street in Gowanus/Park Slope has been delayed--again--by the slow removal of toxic gasoline storage tanks. Looks like they won't be outta there until March. The paper also delves into a bit of the site's glorious industrial history:

Going back to the 19th century, the land had hosted a lake, a coal yard, an oil-processing company and a radiator manufacturer. Oh, and it was also a junkyard at one point. Since excavation began in the fall, a lake of green water has overtaken the site, a consequence of digging below the water table.

This feels like a good time to remind Brooklynites that you should always have your soil tested before you plant edibles directly into the soil. I have heard that Columbia University will do this for a fee. Has anyone had their soil tested? If so, where?

"Paving" the way for a Brooklyn park NYTimes
Brooklyn Cotton Candy—but is it tasty? VVoice
The establishment notices Brooklyn Industries NYTimes
Coney Island to get volleyball tourney NYDaily
Is Brooklyn the next Hollywood? NYPress
NYPress does Gowanus, Red Hook, Park Slope, DUMBO, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Crown Heights, Williamsburg

Poor little ABrooklynLife has been feeling a bit under the weather. In an attempt to get back in the saddle, here are a couple of stories for your perusal.

Carroll Gardens hates ugly buildings Brooklyn Papers
plus a nice analysis of the debate  Brownstoner
What's this? Looks like many a spot near Gowanus...) Curbed
Moroccan eats in Carroll Gardens West/Red Hook VVoice
Dead iguana helps unearth old cannon shot NY Daily News
Indie film set in Gowanus plays at Sundance IndieWire
Gowanus, Red Hook to get broadband access? NY Business

And, one of my all-time favorite neighborhood time-wasters, The Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill Courier's police blotter where you learn that Red Hook has a methadone clinic and it was robbed, that an unidentified man coming out of a priest's closet isn't what you think, and that there's now a $500 reward for turning in graffiti peeps.