Celebrate the New Prez

In addition to the exciting deals on DeKalb, other area merchants are having sales and special events to celebrate our new president:

• Greene Grape: we're sampling an inauguration cocktail from 5-7 pm at the wine store (765 Fulton) inauguration night (tues, jan 20).  The recipe is Inspired by the rumor Obama likes margaritas.  It incorporates lime, Tito's Vodka (an All-American spirit made in Texas as a nod to the outgoing President), pineapple juice (in tribute to Obama's Hawaii connection), a dash of bitters (recognition of the bitter economic pill we are taking) and triple sec (because just a spoonful of sugary orange liqueur will make the economic medicine go down, medicine go doooooown, medicine go down).
• Le Grand Dakar: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND AN  INAUGURAL BALL AT LE GRAND DAKAR ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, FROM 7 PM TO 3 AM.  Join the celebration which will herald in a new era of conscientious social & environmental awareness and humanistic considerations ­ a.k.a Our Wish for Change.  DJ Ayo will support a cast of live drummers with 70s social consciousness funk with Aniyikaye Yoruba Talking drummers and singers ­ Fuji, Juju, Apala, waka, and Jojo Kuo afro-beat trap drummer duo.  It will be fantastic. Le Grand Dakar Restaurant, 285 GRAND AVE, FORT GREENE (Lafayette Ave/Clifton, BROOKLYN, NY 718 398 8900 www.dakarcafe.net
• Tamboril: January 20, 2009 Doors open at 5:30.  Couldn't make it to washington?...then don't miss the inauguration day celebration at Tamboril!  Obama slama $6 cocktail special the whole night and our famous food sampler at reduced price of $12.99.  2 for 1s happy hour 5:30 to 7:30pm.  Watch inauguration coverage on any of our three flat screens.  Still time to reserve the lounge area but it won't last!  RSVP info@tamborilnyc.com, 527 Myrtle Ave.
• Bar Olivino: Inauguration celebration @ Bar Olivino!  Tuesday, January 20th - Yes we did!!!!!! Complimentary bar snacks all night long!  Bar Olivino, 899 Fulton Street (Between Clinton & Vanderbilt)

Tonight on Grand

Infrequent Seams Series::A twice-monthly series of edgy, creative music, co-curated by James Ilgenfritz and Julianne Carney $8 Suggested (but we're flexible!) 8 PM - 11 PM First & Third Thursdays* www.myspace.com/infrequentseams

December 18 Nate Wooley / Dan Levin A Mown Lawn: Jacob Wick / Judith Berkson / Curtis Hasselbring / Josh Sinton / Jessie Marino

*We're taking January off, so this is your last chance to visit Le Grand Dakar on Thursdays until February!

Some really fabulous musicians this month...stop by to support local music!

At Last! Choice Greene is Open!

After waiting months and months, Choice Market's first offshoot is open.

The inside is fairly spacious (meaning lots of room to walk around, unlike the cozily cramped Choice Market).  They're selling lots of fresh stuff!  Kinda reminded me of a (very) mini Fairway:

And my favorite section:

Lots of fresh herbs!  Yay!

(Choice Greene is Located on Greene Ave at Grand Ave)

Still for Rent

Choice Greene must be super close to opening by now, but the storefront next door (Greene just west of Grand) remains available for rent!  I think this is where I first heard the brick oven pizzeria rumor, but I guess whatever it was fell through.

Could be a good opportunity as more amenities sprout up here.

Live Music at Le Grand Dakar

This month... Infrequent Seams will resume in full force tonight, beginning a First and Third Thursdays schedule at Le Grand Dakar in Brooklyn.

And, next week, on Wednesday, a group of musicians from Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, India, Scotland, Kosovo, Serbia, Mexico, Colombia, and USA, will perform. We've been working together at Art OMI, a musicians residency upstate near Hudson.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 (8:00 pm - 11 pm) Artists from Music OMI Residency present an evening of improvised and semi-composed music www.artomi.org Ivo Bol, electronics + laptop + samples Vlady Bystrov, saxophone + electronics + clarinet Ziggy Campbell, guitar + laptop + electronics Julianne Carney, violin Monika Heidemann, voice + compositions Jasna Jovicevic, soprano saxophone + flute Udo Moll, trumpet + laptop

Thursday, August 21, 2008 (8:00 - 11 PM) Infrequent Seams Series::A new twice-monthly series of edgy, creative music, co-curated by James Ilgenfritz and Julianne Carney Pete Robbins Group James Ilgenfritz / Chris Welcome / Mike Pride Ideal Bread: Josh Sinton, music of Steve Lacy

Le Grand Dakar Restaurant www.legranddakar.com 285 Grand Avenue @ Clifton Place (near Lafayette), Clinton Hill, Bklyn. G train to Classon Avenue – head north on Lafayette, turn right on Grand; C to Clinton/Washington – head north on Washington, turn right on Lafayette, right again on Grand.

Book Store Coming???

Been hearing rumors that the mysterious former bodega on Grand and Clifton will be a bookstore! Commenters are already hoping they serve decent coffee, too, so they can avoid the line at Choice.

CHC posted some good snaps and hypotheses a few weeks ago.

Most intriguing, for me, is this children's drawing of a chameleon in the window:

Any significance?

A New Slice on Grand?

Took this sad shot a week or so ago. BUT -- I have two reports from readers that the sign now says it will be home to Luigi's Pizza. An offshoot or relocation for the pizza place on DeKalb near Pratt? Or a different Luigi?

(formerly 275 Grand)

Intriguing Loft Condos

There's a lot of action up on Grand between Myrtle and Park. Most intriguing is the "Retro Loft."

Unlike the other stuff flying up nearby, this building was already here and is being repurposed.

Directly across the street, we have this dorm-like building with a wonky awning and a nice parking lot:

What do these places look like on the inside???

(Brownstoner coverage here!)

Happy Birthday, Still Hip!

Used kids' clothing and toy store Still Hip Brooklyn recently celebrated their first birthday! Due to a crazy series of events, I was unable to attend, which is a shame, since they had one of the shin-digs in the new Choice Market offshoot space!

When I walked past today, it sure looked nice to see them thriving and colorful.

(Grand Ave bt Lafayette and Clifton)

CHB + CHC

On Friday evening, I finally met up with BK Nesto of Clinton Hill Chill. We decided to meet at Mirrors on Grand, given that I'd had yet to do more than step in and look around. The owner, Michelle, explained that the bar's name -- Mirrors -- is meant to symbolize the space being a reflection of the neighborhood. The crowd was pretty mixed and the scene was chill. Conversation flowed and four hours later, I was on my merry way home. BK Nesto is still feeling shy about sharing his identity, so we took a blurry, ambiguous photo:

We had a few good ideas, hatched over several rounds of cocktails, one being a monthly meet-and-greet for readers, maybe at Mirrors, called "Monthly Mirrors." The other was a photography show showcasing photos of the 'hood, past and present, with proceeds going to a local organization. Mostly, we just chatted about ourselves and the neighborhood.

Stay tuned for some CHB-CHC events!

Beloved Bar Closing

I have received word from TWO different sources that Grand 275 (located at 275 Grands, obvs) is closing. Fear not -- it doesn't seem to be an issue with poor business or rent increases, but more that the owners are ready to do something new (hopefully in the same space?).

Apparently these last few nights have been packed.  The final night of operation will be Friday. Get your drink on, one last time, at this super comfortable, friendly spot.

Yellow Brick ... Storefront

Maybe a neighborhood old timer can tell me what this yellow brick storefront used to be on Clifton and Grand. Bodega maybe?

This landmarks sign has been posted for several months now. What's going on inside?

Liquor and Wine on Grand

On a walk yesterday, I happened by the liquor store on Greene and Grand. I had remembered someone telling me several months ago that the place had really improved and was offering some good stuff. I stopped in to look around. I'm no wine connoisseur but I did find one bottle of this tasty white wine that I've been buying at Gnarly Vines:

I'm not even sure this place has a name and it's definitely not of the breed of new yuppie wine shops. But if you live nearby, service is friendly and selection seems decent.

Bag Sale at Still Hip!

From the Still Hip website:

A great time to stock up on bagfuls of goodies!

Still Hip Brooklyn 283 Grand Ave.

Friday Performances at Dakar

Infrequent Seams: A new twice-monthly series of edgy, creative music(Mostly improvised music by players whose backgrounds range from Classical to Jazz to Experimental)

Friday, February 8, 2008, 9 PM - 11 PM at Le Grand Dakar (285 Grand Ave) 9 PM ~ Saris: Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon) & Harris Eisenstadt (drums) w/ Robert Dick (flute) 10 PM ~ Julianne Carney (violin), Lathan Hardy (saxophones), James Ilgenfritz (bass), & John McLellan (drums)

Still No Mirror's on Grand

Not a peep out of this place. Are the plans for whatever it was supposed to be off the table?

(Grand, south of Lafayette)

Props for Brown Betty

Received this amazing email about Brown Betty from a reader:I'm writing to you about Brown Betty, purely I admit, out of self interest. My boyfriend and I go there for dinner at least once a month, which is about as often as we can because we're poor. It is amazing every time and we love it, but half the time when we go, we are the only people there. I think a lot of people know that they do breakfast and lunch, and I know there are sometimes lines and reservations for weekend brunch, but I think people don't know that they do dinner every night (I think) except Sunday.

I've sort of hesitated about saying something on any of the forums or blogs because we certainly like the fact that it isn't crowded at dinner, but I'm afraid that Cynthia will stop doing dinner if business doesn't pick up.

So if you have the time or inclination, you really ought to go over there for dinner one night and when you love love love it, write it up again. They're byob, which I rather like. Last night we had the most amazing brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes, catfish, and now they do this jerk pork chop that is insane and yeah, yum - sorry, I get a little ridiculous when talking about food.

So again, sorry to shamelessly write your ear off, but I really think this is exactly the sort of business we need more of at this end of Clinton Hill and I adore her food, so I want Brown Betty to do well.

I had dinner there ages ago, and it was indeed wonderful. It's easy to forget it's there, as it's so small and just south of Fulton, but DO check it out!

(Brown Betty is located on Grand just south of Fulton)

Vigilance Recommended!

Received this note from a reader, reminding us all to remain aware of neighborhood crime: I live in an apartment on Lefferts Place near Grand. I wanted to let you and your readers know about an incident that took place in our building on Friday night/early Saturday morning.

I left my apartment at 7:30 am on Saturday morning and found a puddle of urine and a used condom on the landing outside my door. There was some sort of drug baggie, cigarette butts, and a coffee cup on the stairs on other floors. The front door and gate were wide open when I left in the morning. I've only lived in the building for a year but there haven't been any incidents like this so it was obviously quite disturbing. Although I've been aware that there is a certain amount of drug activity, etc. in the neighborhood, I've felt safe living here and was really shocked by how bold this was. I was home sleeping at the time and it was pretty scary to think that this happened while a building full of people were sleeping.

I guess I just wanted to let some fellow Clinton Hill residents know as a reminder to be extra vigilant of security issues. I wouldn't want anyone else to encounter to a similar situation or worse if it can be avoided. It certainly was a wake up call for me.

Sale at Still Hip!

GET RED THIS BLACK FRIDAY!!! Still Hip is having it's first official sale! On November 23rd, black Friday, you can get 20% off everything with a red dot! Any item in the shop over 3 months will be on sale.

VOTE FOR STILL HIP! Was it you? Well it was some super cool customer that nominated us for City Search's 'best of' list and now we want to win! So get out there and vote...

Gossip Roundup

Received this tip-filled email from a reader: I was at a town hall meeting with tish james and heard from the pres. of pratt that they have taken over the kentucky fried chicken spot!!! It is going to be a 6 (or more) story building with retail on the ground floor. The space is actually still owned by the person that owned the KFC, but pratt worked some deal where they get the land and the owner gets the building... Don't quote me on that, I'm super tired and I definitely didn't give them enough attention. : ) The other bit of gossip on this front is that the owner wants some kind of pharmacy on the ground floor. Although I really hate box store pharmacies, this is something that area does need.

More gossip...

The bodega on the corner of grand and clifton is interviewing chefs for a brick oven pizza joint! I will probably be close to a year till they open, but worth the wait.

Terri, of Choice fame, is on hold with the spot on greene bec. of permit issues. They hope to open in the next few months.

The 6-story building sounds promising and not too tall. It IS amazing how much unused space exists on Myrtle (more on this later).