The BEST Scoop Yet!

A few weeks ago, a reader tipped me off to a new TV show he caught on HGTV called Hammered. On the episode he was watching, the show's hosts were filmed walking into Sister's Hardware on Fulton. He implored me to investigate, so I did. I set the trusty DVR to record all episodes. After viewing a few, I saw the guys outside of what appeared to be Adelphi Station:

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WOW. It seemed fairly likely that the DiRestas' workshop was located in the area, but where??

After a few days of hard research, I made contact with Jimmy DiResta! And I was RIGHT: the workshop is located on Waverly between Fulton and Atlantic! And even more exciting: The DiRestas are going to do some interviews with us and fill us in on their new season, which begins taping in a few weeks.

Jimmy and John are both Brooklyn natives. Jimmy, an artist, designer and teacher, creates unique items tailored for their users. John, a former NYC transit cop, is a well-known stand-up comedian and actor, and has appeared in major movies as well as starred in his own UPN sitcom. I wonder what they'll make in their new season. This last season's projects included an art table for the Brooklyn Children's Museum, a mailbox shaped like John DiResta and a giant birdhouse for wood ducks in Prospect Park. It's cool enough that they work and film in the neighborhood, but even nicer that they're making creative products to be used in the area!

top clinton hill chef

i was on bravotv.com the other day, feeding the gaping hole left in my life by the fact that there was no new episode of project runway last week, when i saw that the page for the new season of top chef was up, so i jumped over and started perusing the contestants. and one of them looked familiar:

i clicked on her, and, lo and behold, she's from brooklyn.... i racked my brain and it finally came to me: she used to be the chef at maggie brown's! she is also a former professional football player. you can read her full bio here.

i'm hoping that once the new season of t.c. starts, bravo will give us a way to contact the contestants and i can try to get an interview....

A Letter to Adrian

adrian.jpg Dear Adrian Grenier:

Over a year ago, Brownstoner told us you bought a place in our 'hood!. Very cool. Looks like you've got a lot of reno work on your hands, considering you're insulating the house with used denim (thanks again, B'stoner). I knew you used to live in the 'Burg and all, but isn't it time to start being loyal to your new surroundings? You know, when you're not off in LA filming Entourage? A former boyfriend of mine once saw you eating breakfast at Academy Diner with a "hot" woman. That's cool, but that's Fort Greene. Perhaps you might enjoy Mike's, or Pratt Coffee Shop instead?

So, what gives? You going to be done anytime soon? Because we'd really like to see you hanging out at Grand 275 or Choice Market or something. We'll be polite, and just give a neighborly "hi," just like we do to everyone else. We're starting to feel kind of bad and neglected. Show us the love. And maybe you'd like to do an interview with us! Wouldn't that be fun?

xoxo- CHB

PS- I loved the Devil Wears Prada.