I don't usually give much thought to the high-rise apartments on St. James and Lafayette, but they are kind of mysterious. You'll never see a sales listing OR a rental listing for this place! Via Google, I found out the buildings were completed in 1963, and that the buildings are grouped into the "University Towers."
A ha! Looks like these are Mitchell-Lama co-op apartments. I figured they might be owned, since some tenants have "spruced up" their balconies.
Kinda looks like it should be located in Chelsea or something. But I finally tried it this week and it was very tasty!
(Lafayette and S. Elliott)
Saw this on one of TWO trips to Adelphi Station this morning (more on that tomorrow):
Yikes. Anyone know what happened?
I can't even remember what used to be in this retail space:
But it's about to become a bagel shop! Maybe it'll give Tillie's some welcome competition?
A reader thinks it might be called "Bagel World."
Looks like that "reopening in the spring!" sign was finally taken down. So was the restaurant sign above the door. 
Now, there's a phone number hanging for rental inquiries.
The plot thickens.
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.
This is what I'm craving.
(taken during last year's record-breaking storm, I think on Vanderbilt)
Park Avenue in Clinton Hill runs along, and under, the BQE. It looks like it's been abandoned for 50 years or more, with all of the trash, fenced up lots and crumbling buildings. No one walks along the sidewalks there.
No one except ClintonHillBlog, that is.
I couldn't believe this gorgeous renovation on the corner of Steuben and Park!
Anyone know what this is used for? I want to live in here. Seriously.
Around the corner, a lone chair sits outside a scraggly building that looks like it might have life inside.
The most intriguing find? This interesting structure made out of an abandoned street sign post.
I wonder who made this, and how many people have come across it? It's hidden secrets like this that make me love exploring the less beaten paths in the neighborhood.
The obvious drawback to this area is the lack of transportation. With all the new developments going up nearby, I wonder how all the new residents will get around. Maybe they can all hop on the B61, which runs down Park, and ride over to Red Hook, another area with no transportation.
Someone is missing his shoes.
(Washington at DeKalb)
...Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Winter Solstice. I noticed yesterday morning that someone hung up several origami ornaments on the trees of St. James Place. Most of them looked like this:
Pratt student? Religious group? Random neighbor? No matter -- I really like them. Thanks to whoever hung these beauties.
I'll be posting this week, though on a lighter schedule.
Hope whatever you're celebrating is merry.
xoxo, CHB
A reader thinks she may have seen actor Daniel London in and around Fort Greene Park:
Can anyone confirm or deny? Do you think he'll be invited to hang at Adrian Grenier's denim-insulated house?
An anonymous Clinton Hill fan recently set out on a quest to discover the best coffee/croissant combo in the nabe (based on both pricing and taste). She's kindly sent us her analysis: When I first moved to Clinton Hill in the beginning of 2001, the only café in the area was Tillie’s. Now, there are a lot more options, so I decided to venture out for my morning calories and try some of them. My goal was to procure a croissant and a large cup of coffee and compare availability, price, service and taste.
Connecticut Muffin, Friday, 9:30am Availability: Yes. Price: $3.85. Service: Friendly staff. Taste: OK croissant and very burnt-tasting coffee, which is a shame because they give lots of it (20oz). Comments: No line.
strong>Choice Market, Sunday, 10:01am Availability: Yes. Price: $3.25. Service: They are too harried to say hello or even look you in the eye. Taste: Excellent and fresh for both coffee and croissant. Comments: As always, this place is mobbed! I don’t understand it. The food (sandwiches, pastries, etc.) is good but expensive, and they have sometimes messed up my order in the past. However, I am pleasantly surprised that my croissant and large coffee (160z) comes to $3.25, which I predict will be the lowest price of all the cafés. Except for the horrid line, I am very happy.
Smooch, Monday, 9:45am Availability: Yes/No. Price: $5.75. Service: Friendly, but very slow. Just because they are slow period doesn’t mean I don’t need to rush to work. Taste: Excellent and fresh. Comments: This newcomer has an earthy collegiate ambiance, so I am shocked at my total price for a muffin (they didn’t have croissant) and a large coffee. The coffee takes a while to make (and I was the only one in line waiting for anything) and is small (12oz) for a large size. It’s good coffee, though; it’s possible I was given an Americano. Even though it’s not what I wanted, they have interesting muffin flavors; I got granola-pear. Drink card—free coffee after you buy 10.
Tillie’s, Tuesday, 10:45am Availability: Yes. Price: $4.25. Service: Fair. Taste: Not so much. Comments: It’s been years since I ventured into Tillie’s for coffee purposes, so I am looking forward to trying them again, hoping to have a better experience. I am pleased that they have a choice of coffees that appears to change daily. I go for the house blend, because the barista says it is the darkest roast of the two they are offering. The total is $4.25. The croissant is decent. The large coffee is generous (20oz) but not good. (I’m beginning to see a trend, the larger the cup, the worse the coffee). Unfortunately, it tastes like watery dirt, even when I put cream in it. This is why I stopped going to Tillie’s for coffee in the first place. Drink card—free coffee after you buy 10.
Grand 275, Wednesday, 11:00am Availability: Yes. Price: $3.48 (normally $3.85). Service: Terrific, friendly and swift. Taste: Fair. Comments: The staff is always friendly and this morning is no exception. They’re out of regular coffee (they also offer hazelnut) and offer me a large coffee—that was missing about around an ounce or two of its 16oz size—at the medium-size price. So I pay $3.48 instead of the usual $3.85 for my breakfast. The croissant is fresh but doughy. The coffee is a good, solid cup, and before I leave, they top me off with some fresh brewed coffee. That’s some neighborhood “gets-to-know-all-their-customers” service. All-in-all, another happy coffee run.
Brown Betty Café, Thursday, 11:00am Availability: Yes. Price: $3.70. Service: Gruff. Taste: Fair. Comments: This place has a very appealing interior decor, but you have to wade through our local drug trade to get there. This actually sounds worse than it is, but if you’re female, I recommend wearing a coat that covers your ass for a more enjoyable stroll. 16oz large coffee.
Marquet Patisserie, Friday, 9:45am Availability: Yes. Price: $3.15. Service: Friendly and swift. Taste: Fair. Comments: Despite this café’s quaint name, good location and nice interior atmosphere with friendly service, the croissant and coffee (16oz for a large) are only average, albeit fresh. I expected more with such a set-up. But what pushes this place into my top three is the price, the winner in that category at $3.15.
There are other places I have yet to try: Pillow Café on Myrtle and Le Gamin on Vanderbilt, for example. But for now, I feel I’ve sampled the goods within the radius where I spend most of my time.
I am shocked at who I feel is the best overall place—Choice Market (perhaps this explains the lines). When they moved into Clinton Hill, I was unhappy because I felt their Soho vibe was out of character with the neighborhood, but now I feel they are a nice addition to the neighborhood.
If you’re a coffee-fueled foodie, you’ll probably enjoy Choice or Smooch. For value, try Marquet or Choice. For quantity but not taste, try Tillie’s or Connecticut Muffin.
However, for me, Grand 275 was my favorite. It wasn’t the cheapest or the best tasting. But their solid cup of joe, super friendly atmosphere and lack of frenetic lines make it my destination of choice for a coffee, either to go or to sit and sip. Thanks! I'd add Outpost Lounge to this list as well. Hopefully our coffee/croissant fan will expand this review in the coming weeks, esp once Pillow moves to its new location.
So I walked by Liquors tonight and noticed that all the appliances were out in the street being moved. Looks like something's finally going on in that space. Good thing too because that's a really nice space with a beautiful garden. Also noticed that the wine store next to Urban Spring, the corner of Dekalb and Carlton, has been busy. It was brightly light with some empty wine racks lining the wall. Looks very close to being opened for business. I'd say in about week or so?
Last but not least...The Smoked Joint now delivers! Unfortunately it's only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and only if you're fairly close by. Lucky for me I'm in the delivery range!
If anyone's got any additional information on what's going on in the Liquors space or the wine store let us know.
Parade of the Plastic Soldiers
A few weeks ago, I noticed this storefront on Myrtle. Now it's a jewelry shop! I took a peek in the window and was surprised to find the space shockingly small. What are they doing with the rest of the space?
Could this be a front for something?
Well, it looks like Little House on Clinton decided to be more honest about their opening, removing the "October" from their window sign. Still says "2006" though. They only have a few weeks left before they're going to need a whole new banner. At least they have an awning sign up, indicating progress.
I love this house on Hall Street by Myrtle Avenue. It seems they have inflatable dolls for every holiday.
It's here!
Looks like BOA is a few days away from officially opening.
I read on Brooklynian that Pillow Cafe's moving closer to the Associate on Myrtle. Could this be the new home for Pillow Cafe?
Not sure if this is the spot Jay posted about a few weeks ago, but it looks intriguing. It's on Myrtle between Washington and Hall.
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?
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
