Valentine Sale @ RePop
/
|
Places to Eat with Kids: Anima
/As the new blogger on the topic of parenting in and around Clinton Hill, I’m launching a series of reviews of local kid-friendly establishments. Fortunately for the many families in the neighborhood, most restaurants here are laid-back and welcoming to families with kids. I should also mention that I’m entirely aware that not everyone wants to dine next to a baby or child, but I think it is possible to do it in a considerate, low-impact way. So, readers, please be thoughtful when you take your kids out with you—I know you will be! The first restaurant I’d like to cover is a neighborhood favorite of mine, Anima Italian Bistro. Anima is our go-to place for weekend brunch (love the French toast!), but their dinner and lunch options are also good. The food can be described as Italian soul food: simple, hearty and well-priced. In fact, “anima” means “soul” in Italian. Options include a variety of panini sandwiches, salads, pastas and burgers. Heartier entrees like branzino with a lemon risotto cake, stuffed pork chop with fontina cheese and a braised lamb shank with polenta are available too. And there’s a kids’ brunch menu, including chicken cutlet, risotto, and “pasta bambini.”
The atmosphere is casual—think Italian pop music and farm tables—and the staff are friendly and warm to all their patrons, including kids. Like typical Mediterraneans, they dote on Jasper the minute we walk through the door, and any stress about being “those people with the kid” quickly melts away. It also helps that the restaurant is spacious, so it has always been possible for us to sit far enough from other diners that Jasper and his overflowing gear won’t disrupt them. The food and service are prompt. The décor is attractive, with brick walls, a tin ceiling and rustic aged wooden bar and wine racks. All in all, Anima’s a great option for a fun and relaxing meal with the little ones. Buon appetito!
High chairs—Yes
Space for strollers—Yes
Kids’ menu—Yes
Food delivery—Yes
Baby Changing Area—No, but restrooms are large and clean.
Outdoor space—Maybe (the previous restaurant in this space had a great back garden, but it has not been re-opened yet during Anima’s time there—maybe Summer ’09?)
Potential pitfalls—The wine-bottle curtain—you’ll know it when you see it—is an irresistible temptation to the small and curious. We found that out the hard way!
Anima Italian Bistro 458 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly and Washington Brooklyn New York 11205 718-422-1122
Farewell to Tessan Boutique
/Just received a message that Tessan Boutique, at DeKalb and Clinton, will be closing. It's very sad news, as Aissatou is such a delightful shopkeeper and curator. However, running a business is not easy, and I respect her desire to destress.
Good Afternoon,
It was a difficult decision to make but it is official: Tessan Boutique's last day of business will be this coming Sunday, January 11, 2009. I would like to take this opportunity to thank customers, friends, family, neighbors, local businesses, bloggers and all who came and patronized Tessan Boutique. It was an amazing and rewarding experience. Please join us for Tessan Boutique's farewell party on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 4pm to 6pm.
A Xmas Gift to the Neighborhood
/Myrtle Minutes is reporting that the Walgreens on Myrtle is finally open! Hallelujah! Everyone make a mad dash for greeting cards, shampoo, prescriptions and sunscreen.
Buying Local: 10 INEXPENSIVE GIFT IDEAS
/I've been meaning to do a feature like this for the last few years, but now it's more important than ever to shop locally! I spent a few hours last weekend browsing local shops in search of unique (and inexpensive) finds perfect for rounding out the gift list. The criteria? Inexpensive and purchased in the neighborhood. Here they are:
1. Owa African Market, 434 Myrtle Ave: Wooden Giraffe (made in Kenya), $10
Giraffes are a favorite animal of mine, and are one of several wood carved items available here. Great for a bookshelf or side table!
2. Associated, 367 Waverly Ave:
Popsicle Molds, $1.99
I've been looking for popsicle molds for months now and was pleasantly surprised to find these at Associated! Great for those with a do-it-yourself attitude and people excited to make a healthier alternative to store-bought pops. Take this gift to the next level by including some popsicle recipes. (NOTE: THESE ARE NOT DISHWASHER SAFE. Don't make the same mistake I did and end up with a dishwasher full of melted plastic sticks.)
3. Root Stock & Quade, 471 Myrtle Ave:
Paperwhite Bulbs, $1.75/ea or 5 for $8
Just place these in a glass vase filled with stones and water, and watch them sprout! A great gift for an apartment-dweller with limited space.
4. Green Planet, 969 Fulton St: Yogi Tea, $3.99
The boxes are lovely and the variety is large. Buy a few for a stressed-out friend and make a zen gift basket!
5. J. Love Gift Shop, 485 Myrtle Ave: Plastic Dinosaurs, $3.99
A fun idea for both kids and your hipster boyfriend alike. Small plastic replicas of Jurassic animals will liven up any corporate office workstation!
6. Tessan Boutique, 280 DeKalb Ave: Gold Chain Necklace w/ Red Beads, $22
There's a whole table of reasonable jewelry to choose from, but this one stuck out to me!
7. Kulcha Lion, 926 Fulton St: Clinton Hill Chill T-shirt, $20
You'll pay a 100% markup by getting one at this Fulton retail shop (as opposed to the guys selling them on the street), but they sell a few other cool BK t-shirts, too.
8. Karen's Body Beautiful, 436 Myrtle Ave: Homemade Soaps, 3 for $15
These chunky soaps come in a variety of yummy flavors (including milkshake and jasmine lily). Plus, they're all made on site in the store's open kitchen!
9. Pratt Store, 550 Myrtle Ave: I Love Pratt Mug, $7.99
Show your love for a local institution and let the recipient show off some creative cred.
10. bodega, 971 Fulton St: Botanica candles, $1.79
Yes, they're ubiquitous with bodegas and NYC, but that's part of their charm.
BONUS ITEM(S): Greene Grape Provisions, 753 Fulton St: Fort Greene Park Conservancy Greeting Cards, $3/ea
My plan was to keep the list exclusively to Clinton Hill proper, but the folks at Provisions in Fort Greene let me know that they're selling totes, paperweights and git cards with local historic scenes (BAM, the park, etc.) All proceeds from sales of these items go to support Fort Greene Park (yes, 100% of sales price!). Also check out their retro temporary tattoos, great for stocking stuffers, and gift baskets.
Finally, when you spend $15 and mention Clinton Hill Blog, receive a free holiday gift wine box:
Where to Buy a Christmas Tree
/In Clinton Hill proper, I've located two xmas tree lots and one location to buy other xmas-related plant stuff. I visited all three this weekend to check on prices, quality and offerings: 1. Clinton Ave at Lafayette, in front of Cadman Church:
The overall selection here is very good. I usually visit this lot since it's closest to me, and because they often offer a variety of tree types. This is the only lot in the area that I've seen white pine/scotch pine longer-needle trees.
They have all sizes, and the trees are very robust.
It's not cheap, however. These babies are priced at $10/foot. If you have a fancy brownstone apartment and are looking to wow, this might be your best bet.
Also selling: wreaths, holiday berry bunches, maple syrup, pine branch bunches
2. Myrtle Ave between Washington and Hall:
The tree selection is large, but not as high quality as lot #1. However, the lot has a large staff on hand and is offering free local delivery! If you're looking for a tree with a little more "character," this is your place. They even have a few "Charlie Brown" style pines. Plus, you can't beat the price (ranging from $10-70). Due to the economic climate, I gave this one a try this year (even though it's a much farther walk -- though I suppose I could have asked for delivery!). I was able to pick up a fairly tall tree (6+ feet) for just $30! It's not as big around, but it fits nicely in the corner of my apartment.
Also selling: wreaths
3. Root Stock & Quade, Myrtle between Washington and Hall:
Don't want to deal with the hassle of getting a tree, or don't have the room? Root Stock & Quade is offering lots of holiday goodies for the home. Pine bunches in a variety of types will provide delicious seasonal scents, and pine garland ($12/yard) will look lovely draped on the mantle.
Also available are mini poinsettias ($6) and mini potted pine trees ($12). Plus, being potted, they can last for months or years (provided you can keep them alive).
Also selling: tree ornaments and pine-scented candles
Tree locations outside CH boundaries:
- Tree lot on Fulton near BAM Harvey Theater (Fort Greene)
- Home Depot on DeKalb just past Bedford (Bed-Stuy)
Any more to report?
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)
Gifted: A Holiday Market
/My aim is to do my own CH Gift Guide in the next week or two. In the meantime, this looks like it promises to be a great one-stop locale for cool crafty stuff and vingate goodies. Among the participants will be local photographer Geralyn Shukwit - one of my favorites!
First Friday + Holiday Party @ RePop: Dec 5!
/From RePop: December marks the last month of the year and thus the final event in 2008 for RePOP. We are extremely pleased to feature fine new paintings by John Mathias as well as a fresh collection of jewels from his darling wife, the incomparable Miss Ellie.
In addition, RePOP will also be hosting our annual Holiday Ball. Most usually a Halloween event, we are decking the halls a little later this year by spreading some Christmas cheer instead.
Art opening and cocktail party will be held within the shop with after hours shenanigans to commence in the back room after 11pm. Quests are encouraged to dress festively and bring a bottle or a suggested $5 to contribute to the bar.
Event: First Friday Dec. 5: Fine Art & Fabulous Jewels by John & Ellie Mathias "It's a Holiday Ball! " What: Holiday Party Host: RePop NY Start Time: Friday, December 5 at 7:30pm End Time: Saturday, December 6 at 2:00am Where: RePOP 95% Recycled
Neighborhood Deals
/Holiday Sales abound! Collecther - Cool vintage store on Franklin south of Lafayette: NOV 29 Re-opening Saturday 12-8 join us for hot cider and 25% off
NOV 29-30 Saturday and Sunday 25% off your purchases
Tessan Boutique - tiny shop on Clinton at Lafayette that's gorgeously curated: Holiday Sale: Up to 50% off!
Fort Greene Artisan's Market - two indoor locations! Two Real Estate Offices have provided an indoors venue for Fort Greene Park's Artisan Market. The Artisan Market,an outdoor art&craft venue on the DeKalb Avenue sidewalk perimeter of Fort Greene Park,is the Fort Greene Park Conservancy's weekly fundraiser for the Park mid-April to mid-October. Natasha Harsh, a local artist, produces the Artisan Market and has organized the 3DaysOnly@2Locations Holiday Sale to promote both this seasonal fundraiser on the park plus create a sales opportunity for some of the artist and designer "regulars" during these very difficult economic times.
Come on over and support your local Artists/Artisans and Musicians. Free and open to the public. 3 Days Only @ 2 Locations– Nov.28/29/30 Crafts & Collectibles Holiday Sale in Fort Greene features Artist/Designers from Fort Greene Park’s Artisan Market: Angeline Roth, Kevin Barry, Citybitz, PJ Cobbs, Jacobs Eye,Jessica DeCarlo and others at Fillmore Real Estate, 75 Lafayette and Location/Location, 88 South Portland. Located just two blocks from BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) both locations will be open Fiday – Sunday 10AM – 5PM with Artists selling their original and unique creations at wholesale prices. 4PM Performance 11/28- SPOKE Jazz Quartet at Fillmore Real Estate, 75 Lafayette Ave. 3PM Performance 11/29- SPOKE at Location/Location, 88 South Portland. SPOKE’s latest recording of their original music will also be available for sale. For additional info call (718) 855-8175.
30% off at Cloth!
/
Cloth celebrates its 4th anniversary with a 4 day sale starting today November 13th through Sunday November 16th. Thanks for a great 4 years! Mention this ad and receive 30% off EVERYTHING in the store! Hope to see you soon!
138 Fort Greene Pl., Brooklyn, NY 11217
at Hanson Pl.
Two Years of Blue Bass Vintage!
/One of my favorite (and most complimented) handbags is a Blue Bass find! Check out their party tomorrow!
Blue Bass is 2 years old this week! And we are going to celebrate! This Saturday night - the 13th. We'll begin around 7pm and plan to be there all night reliving tales of vintage clothes past, present and future!
Sara and Meredith
-- Blue Bass Vintage Clothing 431 DeKalb Ave (enter on Classon) 347.750.8935
New Choice Outpost Readying for Opening
/
The sign is finally up at the new Choice Market venture, just around the corner from the original. Located on Greene near Grand, the new location will be more of an actual market, selling meats, cheeses, breads and even flowers (per the original news more than a year ago).
Looking good!
CHC Shirts On Sale This Weekend!
/Per friend and blogger Clinton Hill Chill, the much-coveted CHC t-shirts will be on sale this weekend at the corner of Clinton and Greene.
I stopped by yesterday but they didn't have my size. :( However, the guys were amicable about getting one for me in the next few days! That's what I call service.
(OK, no more posts for today! Have a great weekend.)
Friday Photo (late)
/Was on vacation Friday!
(clinton ave at dekalb)
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)
Fresh Fruit on Atlantic Ave!
/A few days ago, a reader sent me this intriguing email: as bizarre as it is, i just noticed that a fresh fruit and vegetable market is opening on atlantic avenue right around grand (towards classon on the prospect heights/crown heights side of the street). it's the produce equivalent of frank white -- meaning, they're putting a lot of work into the space and it's going to be really nice, but it will probably ultimately suffer from its atlantic ave location (zero foot traffic).
i can't understand why they wouldn't choose fulton for this very necessary place, i guess the rents are a lot cheaper on atlantic.
Readers, this is why I love you. Because I would probably never, ever be walking around in that particular area and this is a very exciting tip!
It was not easy to find. I walked down a very desolate section of Atlantic, populated only by auto repair and restaurant equipment retailers, all completely shuttered on a Sunday afternoon. But then, I saw it: two gorgeous wooden planters with green fern spilling over at a storefront on the south side of the street.
The beauty of the fruit (both standard and exotic), as well as the interior renovation was shockingly gorgeous. Where on earth did this place come from?!
The owner (whose name escapes me, since I didn't write it down), said he expects to be fully operational within the next few days. He is also open to suggestions on what people would like to see him carry!
People, check it out, NOW.
Atlantic Tropics Atlantic Ave. nr. Grand
Food Co-Op Meeting: TOMORROW
/All, The next co-op meeting is coming right up on July 9th. As decided at the General Meeting on June 17, this meeting will not follow the General Meeting structure and instead will take the form of a general discussion about the work of the various committees, cross-cutting issues, and what decisions are on the horizon. The Governance Committee would like to suggest that special attention be given to the question of working v. non-working co-op (although since it's not a General Meeting, there will be no decision-making process).
In anticipation of this meeting, we'd like to ask each committee to prepare a summary of what you have been doing and what you have planned for the coming months. These summaries will be compiled and distributed prior to the meeting. This will give everyone a chance to update themselves on the work of each committee and will leave more time at the meeting for broader discussion and collaboration.
Please send your written summaries to Nick Collins (nickdcollins@gmail.com) by July 3rd. Committees may also send other agenda items to Nick for discussion.
Meeting details:
Wednesday, July 9th, 7-9pm
Queen of All Saints Church, Vanderbilt and Lafayette
See you then,
Clara Presler
Interior Design Showcase
/Just received this from PACC:
The Hawthorne is that enormous building being renovated by PACC (more info on Brownstoner about the project). I can't wait to see what it looks like now, since less than two years ago it looked like this:
Plus, this is a great opportunity to check out the interior design services being offered by RePop!
The Flea: Diversifying!
/I swung by the BK Flea two Sundays ago. It was my first trip back since opening day and I'm happy to say that stuff seemed nicely diversified. In terms of vendors anyway. I saw a lot more random bric-a-brac this time around and some second-hand furniture with $20 price tags! I picked up a cool print of an old subway map for just $4, as well as a new wallet on sale for 25 bucks from Aissatou at Tessan Boutique (who was at the flea for the first time).
Anyone else have any feedback?