Recently in Red Hook Category

Photo from Listen Missy on Flickr.

The countdown to the opening of the new Red Hook Ikea on June 18th at 9am has begun.

I know I'm not the first blog to report this, but I figure a new shop in Red Hook can use all the help it can get. And so, if you're wandering Van Brunt tomorrow (maybe say having a coffee and cupcake at Baked or brunch at Hope and Anchor), you should stop by metalwork and sewn-goods shop Metal and Thread at 298 Van Brunt, between Coffey and Dikeman streets. The work is the product of two artists, Denise Carbonell and Derek Dominy. See the Etsy store for a better idea of their stuff. The store opens at noon, and the party starts at 4 p.m.

Just got an email about the space was was formerly Lillie's in Red Hook. The word is that the chef behind Petit Crevette and Bouillabaisse (Neil Ganic?) will be serving food, and there will be an adjacent restaurant/music space, La Bouillabaisse. The spot will be named after Mordecai Gist ... That last bit of information makes me think "Is this for real?" Being that it's nearly midnight, a little too late to call for confirmation, but Gowanus Lounge makes an allusion to similar information in its July Red Hook quiz. I suppose why not Mordecai? (Makes me think of the biblical Mordecai in the book of Esther.) Good to see another bar opening in Red Hook.

Oh, I walked by Bouillabaisse 126 on Union Street Saturday night and it was dead. Anybody been lately?

Unfortunately, I took all my Red Hook photos on Saturday, before the What's the Hook photo project was supposed to start. If you're interested and a photographer, the peeps behind the group describe their mission thusly:

Open to locals and visitors alike, "What's The Hook" encourages photographers of all backgrounds to submit digital images captured during the week of August 12th – 18th. This week has been selected as it begins with Red Hook Old Timer's Day, an annual event at Red Hook Housing that has been going on for more than 30 years.

Again, these don't count, but I still like 'em :)

Check out my set on Flickr.

Finally did a walk-by on this, and the change to Rocky Sullivan's at 34 Van Dyke Street in Red Hook is complete on the outside. Love that the bar has its own Wikipedia page. We didn't go inside as we were rushing through Red Hook for our papusa fix at the ballfields. Anyone been?

Keeping up with all the outdoor stuff that happens in Brooklyn--much less New York--is nearly a full-time job. I cannot pretend to do an adequate job, but I can let you know the Red Hook Movies in the Park schedule, every Thursday from July 12 through August 16:

July 12: Rize at Valentino Pier
July 19: Happy Feet at Coffey Park
July 26: Mad Hot Ballroom at Red Hook Community Farm
Aug. 2: Kung Fu Hustle at Valentino Pier
Aug. 9: Akeelah and the Bee at Coffey Park
Aug. 16: When We Were Kings at Red Hook Community Farm

The screenings include a short film, some of which will be by Hook Productions, the non-profit group that supports film and media instruction for the area's youth.

Rumor has it that the Red Hook ballfields may be kicking off tomorrow. Unfortunately, rumor also has it that it's going to be bucketing rain. Those tacos are so tasty, however, that I'm doing my rain dance--which looks eerily like the Cabbage Patch. In other food news, Bubby's Brooklyn owner has responded to a fair amount of criticism about the slipping quality of his food by taking over his own kitchen. Anyone been recently? And though Cafe Chili--whose menu ominously lists both pad thai and linguine with clam sauce--seems to be near opening in the old Thai restaurant space on Court, there's not much word on the progress of Po and Jessie's Brooklyn Kitchen.