Sounds of Fulton

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Have you ever stepped off the Franklin ave. C train and wondered where those sultry sounds to the west were coming from?  Some might be surprised to learn it's a record shop.  It is owned and presided over by an extremely nice gentleman by the name of Israel.  The shop exists underground and has a vigil knight in armor guarding its steps.  The treasure trove of wax that awaits you at the bottom of the stairs contains a collection of Soul, Jazz, R & B, Funk, and Pop records to make any audiophile's mouth water.

I spoke to Israel about the shop and he explained that it started as a thrift store, but the records just naturally took over as full time merchandise.  The store has been open for 13 years and Israel has been in the neighborhood for 30.  His uncle used to own the building on top of the store and at one point that building was also where Israel resided.  The record store is operated by a true music enthusiast and it showed -- he was unable to tell me what some of his favorite records were.  I should know better by now than to ask a question like that but the temptation always arises out of an irresistible curiosity.

As a fan of Jazz, I couldn't help but gravitate towards an LP of a live session at the Village Vanguard that featured the likes of Chick Corea and Elvin Jones.  The shop has quite a range of material: Coltrane, the Eisley Brothers, Michael Jackson, and even a rare Batman (circa Adam West) soundtrack that Israel made sure I got a picture of.  This record shop is committed to nostalgia in an enticing way.  Israel has collected a tremendous amount of original pressings by buying other people's collections (the first collection he bought was his brother's).  He will let the other guys fiddle with reissues and compact discs.

I suggest that anyone with a phonograph, record player, turn table (or whatever you call it) to head over to Israel's shop.  It is located on Fulton street just west of the Franklin ave. C train stop.  It's open from 12-8 everyday except for Saturday and on Fridays it usually closes by sundown.  As Israel will remind you, just watch your head when leaving the shop.

Valentine's Day Prix Fix at Autour du Monde

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AUTOUR DU MONDE is a distinctive restaurant offering Brooklynites a savory refined meal at recession-friendly prices.  With a new chef and new menu, the french owners have been stirring up quite a buzz on the corner of Fulton St and Clinton Ave. Chef Frank Coe has created a mouth-watering 3-course menu with complimentary glass of champagne on Valentine's Day, February 14th for $45.  AUTOUR DU MONDE is located at 860 Fulton St in Brooklyn (p) 718.398.3500.

Bati -- Delicious New Ethiopian Restaurant Open in Fort Greene

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My husband and I just got back from dinner at Bati Ethiopian Restaurant, in Fort Greene, and loved the whole experience – food, ambience, and service. Bati’s atmosphere is inviting and cozy—dark wood, white brick walls, bright Ethiopian-themed artwork, and the service was very friendly, attentive and quick. The menu offers beef, free-range poultry, and a large variety of vegetarian dishes. (Note: All the vegetarian dishes are vegan as well.) We ate the Doro Wett (chicken stew) and a combination of vegetarian dishes, which were all fresh, delicious and hearty, with generous portions.

The Bati Platter

Even though it was busy, owner Hibist Legesse made time to talk with me about her restaurant. (Meseret Kibret is also a partner in the restaurant).

Why “Bati”? Bati, the name of the restaurant, refers to a region in North Central Ethiopia known for its sprawling market, to the famous Ethiopian song “Ere Bati Bati”, and to “bati”, a type of music originating in the highlands of Ethiopia. Why Fort Greene? Hibist, originally from Ethiopia, moved to the US in her teens. Trips to BAM when she was living with her family in Harlem sparked an attraction to the Fort Greene area, and she has dreamed of opening a restaurant here ever since. Can you describe the food? Traditional Ethiopian with a focus on nutrition and health. For example, by adding extra teff (type of flour) to the injera (spongy flatbread), we’re increasing the fiber and iron content of the bread. You can see the difference -- the injera is a darker color. And by featuring healthy ingredients, such as flaxseed. We also plan to expand our vegetarian options. Do you have a signature dish? The Ye Telba Fitfit is a special dish, made with lightly roasted freshly ground flaxseed in house dressing mixed with injera. It is packed with anti-oxidants and very good for you.

Who’s cooking in the kitchen? There are a number of chefs in the kitchen, all Ethiopian, and all, as is traditional in Ethiopia, female. This tradition is changing though, with many young men now learning to cook as well. The basics:

Address: 747 Fulton Street at South Portland (right next to Provisions), Fort Greene Phone: 718-797-9696 Hours: Open every day

Starting this week (week of Jan 26th): Lunch 12-5pm; Dinner 5pm-Midnight

Takeout available; currently no delivery

BYOB until further notice (which is not a problem with Provisions right next door and Greene Grape a few doors down)

Welcome to the neighborhood! We will be coming back very soon!

Changes on Fulton

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On Sunday, I discovered that Fulton Street is back to accommodating two-way traffic (after having to take an A/C shuttle bus).  FINALLY. The Times offered an interesting article on the state of the street's BID last week as well.  Many seem to think it's not needed, but you can't deny the success it's had on Myrtle Avenue.  Yet, a BID requires local businesses to pay into a community fund to help pay for street improvements.  After a few years of street construction and hard times, people aren't feeling so hip to spending more.

(I hope this post is coherent! I'm on vacation in Dubai and it's only 2:30 am EST.)

Fulton Construction and Parking Problems

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Received this from a reader:I live in Clinton Hill at Washington Ave and Fulton St.  There has be a lot of continuous construction going on in this general area, making it very difficult to find parking.  Does anyone know if Alternate Side of the Street Parking has been temporarily suspended in the area due to construction?  I checked nyc.gov and there was no such notice posted.

That work's been going on for years now, and I've heard no such thing about parking rules being suspended because of it.  Wouldn't it be nice if they were, though? I never considered the effect this must continue to have on parking availability in that immediate area.  Is there a way to petition for this?

I do know that the alternate side rules are being reduced in the near future, from four days to two, in our community board district.  No word on when the change will take effect.

Skinny Condos on Fulton

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Last year, I briefly noted the new building of skinny condos on Fulton between Clinton and Waverly.  Now, they're ready for purchase! condos for sale

I couldn't imagine what the apartments must look like in such a narrow building, so I jumped at the chance to stop into an open house last weekend while walking by.

They aren't huge, but felt surprisingly spacious.  The model unit I saw even had 2 full baths!

However, I noticed one glaring problem.  The stairs leading up to the loft area were so narrow and steep that they may as well have been a ladder!  One too many cocktails and I'd come tumbling down immediately.  (Though at least the loft has a bathroom, eliminating the potential need to go up and down the stairs in the middle of the night.)

Fulton Rising?

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A few weeks ago, a reader emailed to tell me there was a new coffee shop on Fulton about a block from Outpost.  When I went looking, though, I couldn't find it!  Maybe that's because I was looking east, instead of west. Brownstoner posted about Desserts by Michael Allen last week, and this must be the place the reader was talking about.  It's at 1015 Fulton, between Downing and Grand.

michael allen desserts

I made it my first stop on a walking/photo trip Sunday afternoon, and it was absolutely wonderful. The woman behind the counter couldn't have been friendlier, and the interior is warm and inviting.  I met owner Michael Allen, too.

friendliest service ever!

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The blackboard menus were announcing that holiday catering orders are being taken now, and they had some wonderful gingerbread houses on display.

I took a custard cup and a mini-cheese cake to go (the cake was AMAZING).

tiny cakes

Also received these comments from a reader, which I thought I'd share:

"The mini (gratis) madeleines were yummy (and I'm not a huge madeleine fan) and the eclair - was one of the tastiest I've had anywhere. The croissants (plain and chocolate) looked perfect (will have to try them, um tomorrow!) and they also had soups."

Also, THEY HAVE BREAD.

Fort Greene Fulton Observations

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A few commenters beat me to mentioning the fro-yo on Fulton.  Houseowax says it was pricey and overly sweet. After a frustrating day at work the other day, I took the express train home and walked from DeKalb. I came across two interesting things: 1. The delicious but bizarre restaurant New Orleans seems to have closed! Based on the service I had there last winter, I'm amazed it stayed open this long.

2. Looks like Fort Greene is about to be home to a chi-chi fro-yo shop. I hope it tastes just like Eks at half the price. (just past Lafayette)

Hoping They're Still Open!

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On a long neighborhood walk, I attempted to visit 1001 Affairs -- the florist on Fulton near Cambridge) to pick up a small bouquet for the apartment. When I arrived the gates were down!

Their website says that they close at 3pm on Sunday, and I may have been there after 3. But I can't remember. Anyone know if they're still open?

The Never-Ending Construction Work

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I noticed this nicely-designed sign on Fulton and Putnam over the weekend, and I hadn't noticed it before: such a nice sign for such a shitty job

This is a shockingly pretty sign coming from the city. Additional irony is earned from the crappiness of Fulton Street and the ridiculousness of the street renovations that have been going on now for, oh, two or three years.

I have high hopes, now that we've been afforded a city B.I.D.

Thanks to the Pratt Area Community Council for their hard work on making this happen!

Bar Olivino

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It's open!!!!

I checked it out last week. The space is very teeny, but gorgeously designed. The bar was filled with a good cross-section of neighbors, and the wine list was descriptive.

For now, they are giving out free cheese plates but plan to have a more full cheese-meat menu soon.

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Fingers crossed that they do well. It's so close to the C train entrance! Very convenient for an after-work glass of wine. I know I need them often.

Open 5-12 5-1 Friday and Saturday Closed Tuesday

bar Olivino 899 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11238 t. 718 230 4675

Bar Olivino: Is It Open?!

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Brownstoner told us recently that Olivino was slated to open a new wine bar on Fulton! Looks like it's nearing completion:

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A few of you have emailed me, saying they're already open.  This seems odd, as I'm on their email list and I don't recall receiving any notice.  Maybe it's a soft opening?

The new bar is just a few storefronts west of Olivino's Fulton Ave location (between Clinton and Vanderbilt).

I, for one, am looking very forward to this.

New Restaurant on Fulton

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Boca Soul, on Fulton between Clinton and Vanderbilt, didn't last very long. The food was tasty, but it just didn't take. There appears to be something new opening in that space:

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Thanks to reader Brian for tipping me off. I might not have noticed otherwise, as the awning is the same color.

The website, shockingly, doesn't work. But I'll definitely check it out.

Props to the other businesses who've been holding their own on Fulton, despite the never-ending construction (Olivino, 'Cure, Fish and Crustaceans, Autour du Monde, etc).