What's Up with Sushi D?

Something's been amiss at Sushi D on DeKalb Ave. They haven't accepted credit cards in weeks, but they keep pretending it's just for one night. It's becoming silly -- if you're not accepting credit cards, just say so. Don't pretend it's a one-night-only technical problem. Also, the service has been way off. During my last visit, we never even received water at the table, and my tea cup went unfilled for the entire meal until I waved someone down.

What gives? Management change?

UPDATE: Reader and contributor MizBrooklyn has the scoop!

Last time I went they said they were being investigated by a credit card company (at least I *think* that's what they said -- there was a bit of a language barrier)...apparently a customer has had problems with having his credit card number stolen and used. The woman I spoke with insisted that Sushi D only employs very reasonable people (she said her waitresses have been there for years), and that there are other businesses that may be the actual source of the lifted credit card numbers. But until then, their credit card privileges are suspended.

Not Me?

Merry Christmas Eve, dear neighbors. My Xmas Wish: If you are not me, do not post as me and enter an email address that is not mine but looks like it should be. The worst part is the fact that my impostor has mixed up "your" and "you're," and posted it under my moniker.

NOT cool.

xo, Lesterhead

gourmet kitchen: get it while you can

gourmet kitchen/402 myrtle ave. (corner of vanderbilt)/718-643-9423 i have been meaning to eat at the gourmet kitchen for, oh, about four years now. why it took me so long to make my way to a place that boasts of "pastrami and corned beef" on its awning, i have absolutely no idea. then a couple of weeks ago there was a post on our local parents' listserve about how gourmet kitchen was about to lose their lease. finally, i had the kick in the butt that i needed!

we traipsed in today, one loud small child and one harried mother and one rather large red wagon (we were out running errands), and nobody blinked an eye. in fact, they all smiled at us. i took one look around and instantly felt like i was back at the local lunch-counter spot that my grndma used to take me for lunch when i was a kid: formica tables, formica counter with stools, a couple of men sitting at the counter reading the paper and drinking coffee, and a stooped, white-haired guy behind the counter who looked like he'd been filling the same sugar containers for the past 50 years. it's the kind of place where all the customers get called "baby" or "hon". when someone comes in and places a to-go order, the waitress writes it down and then, without moving an inch, repeats it back to the kitchen at top volume.

we parked our wagon and took a couple of seats at the counter. i perused the menu, even though i knew that i was going for the pastrami. it's your fairly standard diner fare: burgers, gyros, big breakfast selection, sandwiches, salads. but a few things stood out: 1) grits! you can get them as a side with most of the breakfast dishes. i do love grits. 2) the hot pastrami/corned beef/roast beef selection, of course; besides the basic "on rye" variety, you can also get a reuben (mmmmmm), club sandwiches, and a combo sandwich with all three meats, which doesn't really appeal to me but i know it would make my husbands' eyes light up. 3) crab and salmon cakes, which are also touted on the awning outside.

i ordered up the pastrami from brenda, our fantastic waitress. you can get it on a roll or on rye; i opted for rye since brenda assured me it was free of caraway seeds, and said yes to mustard. brenda slid it on to the counter about two minutes after i ordered:

it tasted just as good as it looks. the pastrami is cut on the thicker side, as you can see. not what i'm used to in a pastrami sandwich, but i liked it, it made it more like a steak sandwich. the meat was tender and flavorful with just the right amount of fat. the bread was fresh and soft but held together till the last bite. absolutley just as great as anything i've had at katz's.

i asked brenda what the deal was with them losing their lease, and she said that the business had been there for 30 years, she's not sure when the end is coming, and that they were being forced out because "they want to knock down the building". when we walked out after lunch, i realized that gourmet kitchen was in a one-story building. ah-ha. yes, can't let that sit there when a 10-story condo tower could fill the space just as easily!

hell on earth: conditions improving

we all know that the adlephi post office (on fulton at the end of cambridge place] is a pit of despair. but! i went in yesterday to mail a package and was pleasantly surprised.... when we came through the door, we were faced, of course, with this:

but there were three (!!) tellers working, and i was up to the front of the line and out the door in fifteen minutes flat. not too bad. and the teller was friendly!

i have to assume, unfortunately, that this is extra holiday staffing and that they will return to their evil ways come the new year. but hey, i'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Mighty Expensive Breakfast

Spied this in the Pratt Coffee Shop window Sunday morning:

Really? Two dollars for a half grapefruit? Does it come with a side of diamonds?

Liquors Syndrome at Washington and Myrtle

Received this request for info from one of our readers:

Do you guys have any info at all about the ongoing condo development on Washington and Hall, just north of Myrtle (behind Kum Kau)? I'm a neighbor on Hall Street, and I have been watching the site with concern. It was presented to me as a 40-unit luxury condo project comprised of 2 towers around four to five stories tall. But since the old warehouse that used to be there was torn down in the spring of 2005, there hasn't been much action at all. Any clues?

Maybe there was a delay in development approval? This is not my forte, per say, but one of you out there may know who's behind this alleged development and its delay. (Again, why must everything be so pokey around here? Maybe this building's delay is for the best, but no one likes gazing at an empty lot!)

Mysterious Trash Can

This falls under the category "on the way to Clinton Hill!" For those of you who switch trains at Hoyt-Schermerhorn every night like myself, you may have noticed a peculiar garbage can near the back end of the platform. For a few weeks, it was surrounded by yellow caution tape, and most recently it sits covered in a giant black plastic garbage bag. Of course, most people ignore the covering and toss their trash on top.

WTF is up with this trash can?? Why has it been covered up for so long?? If there's something wrong with it, why can't it be removed and replaced? What in the world could be inside? Yes, my first thought was along the lines of corpse, but that would be pretty stinky by now.

Seriously, this annoys me.

Update on the House I WANT

Remember when I discovered this house for sale on St. James place and balked at the price back in August?Well, it's still for sale! Now it's down to $799k. Most interesting is the renovation next door that's taken place since.

THEN:

NOW:

All the houses on either side have completed this upgrade, with the tall stairway leading to a new "parlor-floor" door. I do like this new look overall, but the Buffalonian in me has a bit of an anxiety attack thinking about a long painted wooden staircase after a snow/ice storm. All I can do is picture myself slipping all the way down on my ass. (thump-thump-thump)

Anyway, I think the owners here are still smoking some of that 1980s crack with a price still that high for this one-family home in obvious need of mega-upgrades.

Crossing Guard Observation

Is it just me, or are Clinton Hill/Ft Greene crossing guards rather unfriendly? I pass by them every day and I automatically look at them to make eye contact and smile, yet they routinely scowl and look away. It wouldn't bother me so much if I hadn't befriended my local crossing guard in Sunset Park circa 2001. By the time I left the neighborhood, after just a year, I knew her name, about her family, etc. It was just part of my routine to say hi and chat with the crossing guard on my way to the R train.

Maybe that experience wasn't the norm, but jeez! Would it kill our crossing guards to get into the spirit of the Hill?

On My "you-know-what" List

BklnJay found a flyer for a new cafe in Clinton Hill called Head Over Heels Cafe! Of course we decided to check it out immediately. First, I visited the website.

The first thing that stuck out to me? The flash intro shows almost all Caucasian people dining! There's one Asian and one potentially African-American. Maybe I'm reading too into it, but for one of the most diverse neighborhoods in NYC, it's an interesting choice. The music is mildly irritating as well, and there's no way to shut it off!

Jay and I hopped on the Vespa, eager to explore a new haunt.

As we drove east, I realized that we had passed into Bed-Stuy. No, not THAT far, but still (and the site definitely claims Clinton Hill).

(irritation is building)

We arrive at DeKalb and Skillman, and see... nothing!! A few shuttered Mexican restaurants, but nothing else. No cute cafe, no signs, nothing.

Now I'm highly irritated.

Neither the flyer nor the website indicate that the cafe isn't yet open. Thank god Jay has the Vespa, because if I walked all the way there... grrrrr.

The upside is that the menu, which looks fairly tasty AND reasonably priced. I really admire that they're going to offer several breakfast options under $10. I can only hope if/when this place materializes it offers tasty comfort-breakfasts in a cute atmosphere. Another bonus: the HOURS! Sun-Weds 10am-midnight; Th-Sat 10am-2am. Halleluia!!

UPDATE: I just called them, and the guy who answered said they're open! Hmmm... wonder where they were at 11am this morning.

Anyone been yet? The man on the phone sounded superfriendly, so I'm willing to give it another go.

Head Over Heels Cafe 525 DeKalb Ave. (bt Bedford and Skillman) 718-624-4224

(the inconsistent opening times is a pet peeve of mine in the neighborhood. i prefer to patronize local businesses, but if i come by and you're not open when you say you'll be... annoying!

Hell on Earth: Adelphi Station PO

There are few things I hate more than visiting the Adelphi Station post office, for the 11238 zip code. If I can avoid it, I do, opting to send packages and buy stamps at the PO closest to my office (which happens to be huge, gorgeous and generously staffed).

As most of you have probably experienced, there are times when one MUST visit the PO in their zip code. Namely, when one received a large package, and does not have a doorman or a mailbox with capacity for anything larger than a magazine.

Sigh. Where to begin?!

1. HOURS I know PO hours are fairly standard, and this branch is no different -- 8-5 M-F; 8-1 Sat. However, how many people can actually get to the PO between these hours if they're working regular hours and have to commute to work? If you could get through the line quickly, that might work...

2. STAFFING I have never seen more than two employees working at the windows, when there are, in fact, seven or so windows that could potentially be used. This means that when anyone comes in for something other than stamps, it takes an eternity for the line to move forward.

3. PACKAGE RETRIEVAL My "favorite" thing is when the lone window attendant disappears for ten minutes to find one package, leaving the line at a complete standstill. On occasion, there will be a window dedicated to package pickups, but even then it crawls along. I suspect all registered packages are just dumped in one unorganized pile. Some sort of "system" might be more efficient.

4. APATHY Once, this branch lost a package of mine for two weeks. I showed up at the window after waiting 30 minutes with my retrieval slip in-hand, and my parcel could not be found. The explanation? "I don't know what to tell you. Sorry. I'll call you if I find it." (say aloud in monotone voice) No one called.

Two weeks later, I receive another slip. Thankfully, this time they handed it over. But I still had to wait in that snail-paced line. Again.

5. FACILITIES Dirty, unattractive and unstocked. Don't expect the forms you may need to be readily available. Chances are, you'll have to wait in line (surprise) to ask for what should be sitting out at kiosks.

I always have to pick up packages before work -- I am fortunate enough to leave for work around 9:30. I have never once walked in to find a line that did not extend the length of the office. And I have been late to work more than once because of a trip to the 11238 PO.

Clearly there is an enormous customer base. Long lines are the standard, not the exception. WE NEED INCREASED STAFFING, NOW! It's just not acceptable to wait 30 - 60 minutes every single time.

I'm going to write letters to the manager of the 11238 PO, as well as the NYC and national headquarters (there must be such a thing, right?)

My suggestions:

• Triple the staff
• Dedicated window for package pickup, and expedited package retrieval
• Extended evening hours at least one night per week
• Dedicated window for international shipping (to help expedite the necessary customs forms and shipping requirements)
• Self-service package shipping machines (available at the WTC PO currently, and probably many other NYC POs)
• Staff ALL windows during busiest hours

I stopped in last Wednesday afternoon to test the waters during a time I'm never available to go. Here's what I found:

long lines, even during the middle of the day

not only is this kiosk void of materials, it's full of TRASH!

...and again, few supplies, but trash all around

11238 is the armpit of the postal service.

Mmmm...Toasty

There is this beautiful storefront on the corner of Grand and Myrtle. I was speculating on what it could become and had my very own wishlist going, hoping for something cool. Instead we got this:

Now I have nothing against Quiznos (except that I never thought the subs were that good, the whole "toasty" thing is way overrated and it's kind of pricey) but what a waste of a perfectly good location.

Ugh.

On the bright side, I walked past this store which is slated to open on September 4th.

"Who's Your Doggy", Premium Pet Food and Supplies, on the corner of Aldelphi and Willoughby Avenue.

Pet owners rejoice!

24-Hours in Clinton Hill

Thanks to those who brought the lack of 24-hour amenities to my attention via their comments in the last post. Funny -- this really bothered me when I first moved to CH from Hell's Kitchen, but I've become complacent and have forgotten how nice it is to have a place for drunken noshing (or, just noshing after you work late, etc). The amenity I most sorely miss is 24-hour pizza. I was thrilled to find Mario's pizzaria practically at my doorstop when I moved in, and boy was I disappointed the first night I cabbed it home drunk and hungry circa 3am.

I'm generally not much of a "night owl" myself, but the fact remains that after 10pm or so, there's not many simple services available. Food delivery also ends around this time. It's been more than once that I've gotten home late from traveling after a flight was delayed, only to find an empty refrigerator and no one willing to deliver. Bah.

What do you think we're lacking, as far as round-the-clock services?

(Or even extended hours services. Could the Associated on Waverly close any earlier, especially on Sundays?! By the time I decide what I need to make dinner, the gates are down. Damn them! Then I am reduced to unhealthy Chinese takeout, or a dinner of Triscuits and ice cream.)

Unique Amenities on Grand

A reader tipped me off to some new stuff going in on Grand, just south of Lafayette. Of course, I checked it out (after a stop for an iced coffee and scone at the beloved Choice Market!). I've been looking at the intriguing storefront across from the late Karrot for awhile now. Finally, there's some signs in the window!

Grand Avenue Workshop

I wasn't lucky enough to find someone inside, so I gave them a call.

After 24 hours of phone tag, I connected with Carl, the owner.

Grand Avenue Workshop does restoration and finishing on antiques and newer pieces. His clients consist mostly of architects and designers/decorators. Neighbors are often dismyed to find that he doesn't work on weekends when they might be around to stop in.

However, he doesn't do much work for local area residents -- that is, unless they've hired an architect to renovate for them. He works when the professionals work, and describes his business as "a strange hybrid that only resides in NYC."

Carl has been in business for twenty years, and has lived in the neighborhood for that long, too -- he's a "Pratt Kid who never left." His shop on Grand Ave has been there for the last five years.

He says that lots of people will pop in on their way home from work if they see him in the office to find out what exactly he does. He seemed pretty jovial about that, but warns, "I am NOT the neighborhood fix-it man! I will not hang your cupboards for you!"

Then, there's this:

(sigh)

I'm a bit of a grammar hound, and stuff like this sends me into a tailspin. Do they mean "mirrors," plural? Or the name of the store is "Mirror," and the store belongs to it?

PLURAL WORDS DO NOT GET AN APOSTROPHE.

Who knows -- maybe they'll actually sell cool mirrors at reasonable prices. Personally, I've been wanting a floor mirror for some time. If they're going to call the store "Mirror's on Grand," I don't think I can patronize. But I hope you will, and report back. (Sorry, personal quirk.)

Still confused? Check out the Apostrophe Protection Society.