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.)

Neighborhood Wishlist

As the area gets better and more and more residential developments are being built, I still feel that Clinton Hill is missing a few good quality shops and services. So here's my wishlist for the neighborhood:

• a good dry cleaner
• a CVS
• a Trader Joe's or a Wholefoods

I know there's a couple of small pharmacies and there's Karrots for natural goods but it's still not quite the same.

So what's on your wishlist for the Neighborhood?

[lesterhead's wishlist, in addition to the above:

• used book store
• garden shop
• upscale florist/flower shop
• most of all: BICYCLE SHOP. Ever seen the lines at the Prospect Hts shop on Vanderbilt for spring tuneups? This would make a real killing.
• hip hair salon
• Goldie + Mac store]

Polish Bar Brooklyn: The Review

The new chi-chi nail salon on Myrtle is OPEN. I had the day off on Friday, so it was the perfect time to check things out

I know I said I'd probably stick to Charming Nail on Waverly, but I may have changed my mind. PBB is absolutely gorgeous inside, complete with antique ceilings. The staff is awesome, and English-speaking. Price-wise, it's very reasonable. Mani-pedi combo is $30, plus an extra dollar for a nail kit that you keep and bring back with you.

The cleanliness is truly astounding. The technician opened a brand-new set of metal tools for cuticle pushing and cutting, and I saw another scrubbing down a pedi tub with bleach.

The atmosphere is relaxed, so don't expect to rush in and out like at a cheapo nail place. Also, make an appointment! Walk-ins are welcome, but you may have to wait awhile.

(Not that I mind a non-English speaking nail person, but I happen to have very ticklish feet, and it's nice to warn the technician before she starts scrubbing your foot and you jerk it away in a fit of giggles, frightening the crap out of her because she had no idea what you were saying.)

The bar offers several fun party packages as well, which include cocktails, snacks and makeup application. Fun! Clean! Go!

Read more about Polish Bar Brooklyn here.

Polish Bar of Brooklyn 470 Myrtle Ave @ Washington Bkln, NY 11205 718.622.5363 www.polishbarbrooklyn.com

New Goods on Myrtle

The days of "Murder Avenue" seem long gone. Might as well call it Marvelous Avenue. Jay notified me about some NEW openings, so Mallow and I did a walk-by last night. I really like Myrtle, much more than Fulton. I'm glad Jay's so close to Myrtle so he can keep an eye out for new stuff.

I noticed this sushi place -- Yamashiro -- a few weeks ago, but completely forgot about it until he mentioned it to me.

The menu and the inside of the restaurant look fairly generic, as far as design. But we all know that good design does not excellent food make! Jay and I will be trying this out asap and I will report back.

More exciting is Polish Bar Brooklyn. I'm not the only one who automatically assumed it was Polish, like the country. My new rollerskating friends from Rope thought the same. But no, it's pawww-lish, as in nail. It appears to be a trendy, upscale nail salon! Hopefully serving alcohol as well. It opens July 22.

I may end up staying true to my local cheap-o nail salon, Charming Nail (Waverly Ave. between Lafayette and Greene), depending on the prices. When it comes down to mani-pedi, convenience is key.

And now, one more supercute shot of Mallow: