The World According to Bitch Cakes

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 19: Joe Lentol!

2010-09-12T22:30:00.003-04:00

Attention Registered Democratic Brooklynites! It is super rare that I talk politics, but I have to mention this...

As you probably know, this coming Tuesday September 14th is the primary election. If you are a registered democrat, I urge you to get out this Tuesday and vote for our current Assemblyman Joe Lentol in the primary. In case you are not aware, Joe is our Democratic Assemblyman and represents the Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Fort Greene sections of Brooklyn.

Perhaps you've seen these ads in the local papers or your mailbox?

Did you look carefully to perhaps notice someone you may recognize? Someone like me? and my friend Sherry and even the Hello Kitty Cruiser?!

As a friend and supporter of Mr Lentol, I was thrilled when the super smart and lovely Amy from his office asked me to be a part of his upcoming re-election campaign! (me and Amy, at the Lentol headquarters last month-)

And how could I possibly say no?! I was of course more than happy to meet with, and take a few photos with Mr Lentol for the flyer that you see above. (Thank you, Mr Lentol and your wonderful office staff!)

But you're not voting for me, you're voting for him, so let me tell you just some of the things Mr Lentol cares about and works on for us at a local level that are near and dear to my own heart:

Public Transportation: As mass transit has suffered cuts Lentol has recognized the need for more options for New York City commuters including walking, biking and improving the existing transit. Assemblyman Lentol firmly believes in public transportation. According to his endorsement in the Greenpoint Gazette "Amid fare hikes and service cuts, he offered numerous solutions to the MTA to help protect North Brooklyn’s subway and bus service and led protests when the MTA tried to make cuts." He is a fierce advocate for the G. (I've mentioned him in my commuting blog a few times)

Healthy Eating/Greenmarkets: In addition to supporting community gardens Assemblyman Lentol is a proud supporter of Greenmarkets and other programs aiming to bring high quality, healthy foods into neighborhoods and is escpecially interested in programs that are linked to local growers and small farms allowing communities here in New York City to support farmers throughout the state.

Did someone say beer?! He has also taken the locally grown concept one step farther and taken steps to support New York State wineries and craft breweries. He actually created beer trails program which allows you to choose a region of the state or city and shows you how to visit local breweries, similar to Napa Valley's wine trails.

The Newtown Creek Disaster/Environmental Issues: Joe has been endorsed by the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters for his environmental record. He has helped advocate for the Superfund status of Newtown Creek, and been a consistent voice for clean up in the fight against the Exxon Mobil Oil Spill and the Meeker Avenue Plume, most recently helping to bring about health studies and obtaining vapor intrusion testing for homes near the oil spill to ensure the homes are free from potentially dangerous chemicals related to the spill.

Filming in NY: Assemblyman Lentol instituted the film tax credit which has had the number of film and television shows in New York triple giving more jobs to people who work in that industry. (Personally, I love that a ton of stuff is filmed in NYC!)
Dog Parks & Community Gardens:He is currently working to improve several of the dog runs in the neighborhood as well as a number of community gardens. (I don't have a dog, but I think this is great, and important for those that do)
Marriage Equality: When gay marriage first came to a vote in New York, Assemblyman Lentol was one of the leaders in ensuring that it passed the Assembly. (Unfortunately, however, it still has not passed the Senate.)
And probably my biggest passion: BIKING! He has worked to bring more bike racks to North Brooklyn, to bring bike lanes to bridges like the Kosciuscko and to support the Greenway. He has also worked, often in conjunction with transportation alternatives, to pass legislation in Albany that will protect bicyclists and pedestrians alike. Among these is the well-known Hailey and Diego's law which Assemblyman Lentol, as Chairman of the very prominent codes committee, shepherded through the committee system and to the floor for a vote. He also worked on a law which would mandate that drivers pass bicyclists at a safe distance and not just swoop by them. He helped put camaras on the fronts of buses to speed up bus commutes by catching those blocking bus lanes. Most recently when sanitation wanted to cut down ghost bikes, he stepped in to help ensure that wont happen. (something I feel especially strongly about considering my friend Rasha who was killed on her bike and has a ghost bike on Delancey @ Bowery)

And that's just a brief list of my own favorite things Joe supports and works on for us. But he doesn't just work on local issues - he is actually very well known for his criminal justice legislation and has done a ton of stuff in that arena also.

He's hard working, obviously cares about the community and people he serves, and on top of that, he's a super nice guy to boot - he even took a few minutes to pose with me for a birthday photo last month in his office.

So that's our Assemblyman, Joe Lentol, in a nutshell. I firmly believe we need to keep this man in office. It would benefit our district to allow him to continue doing what he's doing. Let's make that happen - get out there and vote for Mr Lentol in the primary this Tuesday so we can give him another chance to keep up the great work he does for our community.

And thanks for everything you do, Mr Lentol! You're awesome!

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 17: The Gutter

2010-02-10T21:25:00.011-05:00

One of my favorite places in Greenpoint is a place I don't frequent nearly enough: The Gutter. I've heard it referred to as being in Williamsburg - and it *is* located on the border - but with a 11222 zip code, I am counting this as a win for Greenpoint!

From the front door there's a great view of the Manhattan skyline - that's the Empire State Building in blue and white:

But let's go inside, shall we?

The Gutter is a surprisingly large bar that's a little dark and dingy - just the way I like my bars - with a great selection of draft beer. I don't have a photo of the taps, but I do have a photograph of just some of the liquor since I was trying to capture the marbled mirror tiles behind the bottles. We had those mirrored tiles in our house growing up, and so did a lot of my other relatives. I think it's a 70's Italian thing:

I *love* this bar. It has a ton of tables in addition to seating at the bar (my favorite choice). But The Gutter is so much more than just an awesome, well priced bar: It's a bowling alley! They have cool vintage bowling stuff decorating the place and then of course there's the lanes themselves. I remember reading that the lanes were brought over to NYC from an old bowling alley in the midwest - how cool is that?

And look at the neat-o old timey score keeping computers!

You may know that I'm bathroom obsessed, so I'm pleased to report that there are plenty of single stall restrooms... with sinks that line the walls of a separate room so they can be accessed without waiting for a restroom (genius!). And the stalls boast some of my favorite bathroom graffiti ever!

I've been here and bowled a bunch of times, usually for friend's birthdays. Here's Lainy's birthday in 2008:

Jordana's Birthday later that year:

My friend Joe Katz posed me for this photo. It's one of my favorite photos of me ever!

Erin and Me

My friend Michelle surrounded by Joe Katz, Josue & JJ

Joe Katz gives people what they want... the point!

Joe Katz is a legend:

And he brings his Connect Four to most events:

I actually bowl when I'm there (and win, but who keeps track of such a thing? *cough cough*)

My friend Theadora and me:

Did I mention there's foosball?

And if you're into candy (I'm a recovering candy junkie *sniff*), look at this beautiful old vending machine:

And besides, where else are you going to get a Zagnut so easily??

Now I know what you're thinking: "This place is &^!@%$# AMAZING! It can't possibly be real, affordable, and right here in Greenpoint!" And I don't blame you for thinking that. It does sound too good to be true. But it gets even cooler when you hear this... A scene from Flight of the Conchords was filmed in this establishment! I nearly fell off the couch when I was watching and saw the love of my life, Jemaine, in one of the barstools that I have sat in!!! (faint) Turns out it's one of my favorite songs of theirs too, "Friends". Enjoy!

Putting together this blog just made me realize how much I miss this place and need to go back there again. In fact, what are you doing on August 20th? I think I'm going to have my birthday celebration there this year. But I'm definitely going to hit them up before then, too. I love this place so much that I would hate to see it disappear from the hood. I want to support them. I hope you will too!

The Gutter
200 N 14th St Brooklyn, NY 11222 (718) 387-3585

www.thegutterbrooklyn.com/
(and if you want to see the making of The Gutter, there are some great photos here)

PS they have great ratings on Yelp!, too.

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 16: Filming

2010-01-09T18:17:00.004-05:00

One exciting thing about being in NYC is you are bound to run into film crews. Sure, it's an inconvenience when it's on your block and the lights and noise keep you up in the middle of the night, but I have not had to deal with that... yet.

A shocking amount of TV and movies film in Greenpoint. Since I've been here (4 years), these are just a handful of shoots that I am aware of: Lipstick Jungle, Fringe, The Casualty, The Money and the Power (that 50 Cent show that was on MTV), 30 Rock, Life on Mars, The Black Donnellys, Rescue Me, The Departed and my absolute favorite show - Flight of the Conchords!

In fact, I got to watch them filming Flight of the Conchords *before* I had started watching the show. It's probably a good thing too - because if I was a fan at the time I stumbled upon the shoot, I may have risked life and limb to cover Jemaine Clement in kisses (I *LOVE* THAT MAN!). Here are the photos I took that night on Greenpoint Ave:

Look! It's Jemaine!! (He's in front of Chinese Musician restaurant on Greenpoint Ave- this is where I have Christmas dinner with my Dad)

My favorite show on network TV is 30 Rock. They film in Silvercup Studios (in Long Island City), which is only a few miles from here. But for one opening scene, they shot in front of one of the many 99 cent stores on Manhattan Ave. I was not aware of this until I was watching the episode. I recognized the store immediately because of the red 99 cents neon sign. Here is the storefront (between Meserole & Calyer):

And here is a still shot from the episode:

Lipstick Jungle was on Greenpoint Ave what seemed like every day for months. I never saw the actors, but I did get one of the crew to let me take a banana from the food table once.

Rescue Me filmed here often too. I've also seen their trailers, but never the actors.

And the show Life on Mars filmed here a lot too.

One night I took photos of the film crew and the parked cars on Calyer street -

And last spring/summer, a film called "The Bounty" with Jennifer Aniston filmed in Greenpoint for weeks. I loved what they did with some of the storefronts along Manhattan Ave and I watched them film the parade scene-

Although this entry is all about the reasons I love Greenpoint, I need to mention that when I bike around and see the "No Parking" signs, I am on a mission. First, I pull my bike over. Then, I make sure the coast is clear while I sing a little Judas Priest in my head "breakin the law! breakin the law!". I pull out my razor blade - which I carry for this exact purpose - and cut down a sign. What a rebel! I can't stop myself. I just love collecting them! But I am considerate about it, I do it only when there are multiple signs in one place, because I don't want anyone to get a ticket or get towed for not knowing about the restriction.

Here are the signs I've collected so far (these are from Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan)-

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any film crew signs in Greenpoint lately. But I'm sure it's just a matter of time. I wonder what will film here next!

Reasons I love Greenpoint: Part 15 - The Greenpoint YMCA

2010-01-02T12:45:00.005-05:00

Last week was my 4 year anniversary living in the great neighborhood of Brooklyn known as Greenpoint. I weighed about 185 pounds at the time I arrived. The following September, when I was close to 200 pounds, I joined Weight Watchers. And days later, I also joined the Greenpoint YMCA.

At the time, I had no idea at that time how dramatically my life would change as a result - that I would go on to lose 50 pounds, looking and feeling better than I ever have in my life, that I would challenge my fear of classes by trying out Punk Rope, only to become a devoted punk roper (evenually challenging myself further by doing yoga, pilates, interval training and total body conditioning), that I would improve my cardiovascular health dramatically, that I would become physically stronger and not coincidentally mentally stronger, that I would start to believe in myself, that I would make some of the best friends I've ever had in my life, that I would become an avid and enthusiastic cyclist, or that I would start running - something I have always hated and dreaded!

While I realize that I made all of those changes and am ultimately responsible for all the ways my life has improved since then, I can't help but wonder how different my life would be if the Y wasn't there. Would any of that have happened? Maybe some of it would have, but my life would not be what it is today.

Needless to say, I love my YMCA. I'm proud to be a part of it and I'm so glad it's there. So when I came across this postcard on eBay, I *had* to make sure it was mine - This appears to be a hand drawn representation of the building. (Anyone familiar with Greenpoint will likely recognize this as the corner of Meserole Ave & Lorimer St.) There is a handwritten note on the front of the postcard where I assume the person sending it was pointing out the room she stayed in.

Flipping it over, the postcard was actually filled out on March 12, 1911 and is postmarked with a Brooklyn stamp from March 13, 1911 - 99 years ago!!!

It reads:

"How is Ferndale? It seems very nice to have Aunt Bessie with us. I don't think we will let her leave us. Mother has been to church three times today but Aunt B. and I were wicked and only went twice. Elsie I DeGroot"

I love that so much! They were "wicked" for only going to church twice! And could she be referring to beautiful St Anthony's Church on Manhattan Ave? I would bet she was!

Anyway this is how the YMCA looks today, January 2, 2010 from that same angle. Not much has changed (though, comparing it to the postcard, they added a few floors onto back of the Lorimer side of the building):

I love my YMCA and am so thankful for the wonderful people I've met there - the people that have taught me and pushed me and made me a better person, inside and out. Thank you, YMCA, you are just one more reason I love Greenpoint!

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 14: The Garden

2009-12-07T19:40:00.004-05:00

Although I moved to Greenpoint just 4 years ago, I was introduced to the neighborhood in 1999 when I met my ex husband. He lived on Green St between Manhattan and McGuinness. And in true bachelor style, he never had any food in his apartment. That meant that when I would spend the night and wake up starving, I needed a place within walking distance where I could get some food.

How lucky was I that just blocks from his apartment, on Manhattan Ave at the corner of Kent, was a great organic and health food store: The Garden.

I can't tell you how much I looked forward to my weekends in Brooklyn - not just because I was with the man who would become my husband (and later, my ex husband), but because as you all know, I love food and eating, and there was nothing that even came close to this great store in Yonkers.

From the moment I would wake up in his apartment, I fantasized about what I would get from The Garden. They had great coffee, a terrific selection of baked goods and tons of healthy food, including a spinach salad that I still love (shown here-baby spinach leaves, roma tomatoes, red onion, balsamic vinegar and I think a little olive oil. Maybe some salt and pepper.) My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Eventually my husband moved to Yonkers and I hadn't visited Greenpoint in about 5 years. That is, until the day I drove to Brooklyn in December 2005 to check out the apartment that would end up being mine. While I was in Greenpoint that day, one of the things I did was drive up Manhattan Ave in hopes that The Garden was still there. I was delighted to find out they were!

By NYC standards, this store is very large, and what I appreciate is that it's super tidy, well stocked and organized. That's very important to me (no surprise there, I'm sure).

This is just one aisle. It contains juice, cookies, crackers, chips, a refrigerated beer case and leads to the back where there is a deli, cheese shop, fresh ground coffee, fresh peanut butter(you get to pull the lever) and macaroni & tomato products.

Here is just an idea of their baked goods selection on any given day. They are always beautiful (and tempting). Baked goods are my weakness...

They have tons of dried fruit and nuts:

There's fresh ground coffee and other dry goods sold by the pound:

You can even make your own fresh peanut butter!

They also have a great beer selection. My favorite of course, being Brooklyn Brewery's Brooklyner Weisse.

Here's just some of the dairy section:

And this is one of my favorite aisles, where the vegetarian and vegan products are:

That's just a small portion of the items available at The Garden. There's also bread, cereal, supplements, cleaning products, chocolate, baking items, spices, frozen products and novelties, tons of produce, and I'm sure plenty of things I am forgetting.

I buy the majority of my food at this store and couldn't imagine not having them in the neighborhood. On any given week, I am in The Garden at least 3 times. I am a loyal customer and use my Garden canvas bag when I shop there. I'm even their fan on Facebook. I love The Garden! Do check them out if you're in the hood or if you live here and you've never been-

The Garden

921 Manhattan Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11222
718-389-6448 Phone
718-389-6530 Fax
email@thegardenfoodmarket.com
Mon-Sat 8 AM-8 PM, Sun 9 AM-7 PM

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 13: Boneshakers

2009-11-28T17:35:00.002-05:00

One Greenpoint establishment near and dear to my heart is a vegan/vegetarian cafe situated just south of the BQE at 134 Kingsland Ave. It's the fantastic and bike-centric Boneshakers.

Death before Decaf, I couldn't agree more:

They've been open about a year, but I only started going there this summer. I was instantly smitten and have been back many times since. They have a great selection of sandwiches and baked goods that are vegetarian or vegan, all of which are made fresh daily.

Here are some of the desserts (see chalkboard):

And here is a view of the dessert cupboard:

Here's the menu for some of the breakfast, sandwich and salad items:

And here is just a small sampling of the biking decor, including my favorite - "Put the fun between your legs"

When I rode the NY Century Tour in September, I met one of the owners of Boneshakers, Megan. I was excited to tell her how much I love the shop. I also told her how much I love her tweets about what she is baking. (Being a baked goods junkie, I won't lie, it's pure torture, but I love reading her posts!)

Over the summer, they featured an all-you-can-eat vegan pancake breakfast on Sundays-

This was a very dangerous thing for me since I love pancakes and can easily eat way too many of them. I was good though, and opted for the 'short stack' (3 pancakes) instead.

(Here I am enjoying the short stack and coffee from Gimme Coffee- one of my favorite local coffee shops- while I blog-)

The all-you-can-eat pancake offer is over, but don't despair! They offer a 'tall stack' or 'short stack' for your pancakey enjoyment. Here is a copy of their current brunch menu:

Do yourself a favor and make it over to Boneshakers as soon as you can. The staff is so nice and the food is simply amazing (I *highly* suggest the veggie burger, shown here with a side of oven fries-).

And while you're there, if you see the hard working and heavily tattooed Megan behind the counter, give her a smile. Also, don't leave without trying one of her fresh baked vegan cookies. You won't be disappointed!

Boneshakers
134 Kingsland Ave
Brooklyn, NY
718.963.0656
*note: they also have free wifi!

Follow Boneshakers on Twitter!

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 12: The NYC Marathon

2009-11-14T18:52:00.003-05:00

One great thing about Greenpoint can be experienced only once annually - it's the NYC Marathon.

The first Sunday in November, thousands of runners from all over the globe make their way to the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island where they begin their 26.2 mile run through the 5 boroughs of this great city. And at approximately mile 11.5, they enter the neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn - which I am so happy to call home.

Just days before Marathon Sunday, the city puts up No Parking signs along many of the streets, and paints a blue line down the streets - the length of the marathon route. Here's a sign on Manhattan Ave (which I later took home as a souvenir):

And the day before the marathon, I photographed a series of signs on beautiful tree lined Bedford Ave, outside of McCarren Park:

Finally, Marathon Day arrived on November 1st, 2009.

I started a tradition last year, which I continued this year: On Marathon Sunday, I wake up early and start watching the marathon on TV as I get dressed. The elite women leave the starting line first and I keep an eye on their progress as I get ready. Around the time they are in Park Slope, I leave my apartment so I can see them come through Greenpoint.

This year I brought my bike so I could check out the runners from several vantage points. I first went to the corner of Bedford Ave & Lorimer St and just waited with the crowds of people that were already gathered. Before long, from the roars of the crowd in neighboring Williamsburg, we knew the leading women were coming! Then we see the lights of the police motorcycles heading towards us. Here they come!

I took a brief video of the women as they approached, with Paula Radcliffe (last year's winner) leading the way:

After the lead women passed, I got on my bike headed towards the Pulaski Bridge (which is the halfway point - 13.1 miles) because I knew that other than those elite athletes, no one else would be running through that area for a while. I hoped to photograph the women on the bridge but they had beaten me there and were already in Queens! They outran me on my bike!

I crossed the bridge to Queens anyway, with the intention of going over the 59th St Bridge into Central Park to meet the women at the finish line.

Here's the 13 mile mark on the Pulaski Bridge-

I have no idea how I accidentally got this shot of me cycling, but it's pretty great-

I made it to Queens, and to the 59th St Bridge only to find out the bike lane was closed because of the Marathon, so I headed back to Greenpoint over the Pulaski again. Here are some runners crossing the bridge with the beautiful skyline of midtown Manhattan behind them. You may recognize this spot from a previous "Reasons I love Greenpoint" blog- my ode to the magnificent view from the Pulaski Bridge.

Here the runners are leaving Greenpoint, bound for Long Island City, Queens:

I rode back down McGuinness Blvd where water cup stations were set up. I love this shot - especially the falling cup and how everyone's legs on the right are so parallel to each other.

It seems like a never ending stream of people when you stand there watching them pass you by.

I made it back up to Manhattan Ave, and the crowd still seemed endless.

This is the corner of Manhattan Ave & Calyer St. They're still coming by the hundreds.

I was lucky enough to catch a phenomenal jazz band on the corner. In fact, they were so good I stood at this point for a very long time so I could watch the crowds while listening to their beautiful music. In this video clip, they played the theme to "Chariots of Fire". The runners who were lucky enough to pass by at that moment obviously loved and appreciated their efforts. As they ran past, some thanked the band, others applauded for them, and still others gave them waves or thumbs up to show their gratefulness as they passed by. It was really touching to witness.

The band packed up and that meant I was on the move again too. Here is 20K point, right in front of beautiful St Anthony's church on Manhattan Ave:

At the corner of Manhattan Ave & Greenpoint Ave, New York's Bravest watch:

I stayed in this area for over an hour. Here are a few characters I photographed while on the corner of Greenpoint Ave & Manhattan Ave-

I am guessing this was a soldier that was fortunate enough to make it home from Iraq:

Purple Tutu lady:

No Shoes Runner!

A guy running with an Eiffel Tower costume!

These two were merely spectators, but they are some of the "local characters" I see on a very regular basis:

A Puerto Rican General?

A very fit looking woman named Megan:

And finally, Wonder Woman with her invisible jet (What's that? Of course you don't see it, it's invisible!):

At some point as I sat there, I realized the running crowd had thinned out significantly. I looked around and realized that so had the spectators. It was pretty much over. After about 3 hours of watching this event, I headed home. As I passed the entrance to the G Train, I found a discarded sign that sums up what thousands of us were thinking:

I *do* love New York!

I have to admit - I never cared about the marathon or running at all before moving to Brooklyn. But now that I've been on my own healthy journey for a few years and have had the opportunity to witness the NYC Marathon first hand, I have to say: There is something so magical about that day. First, just being there to watch it - to see runners of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels just DOING it, and then to see so many people that take time out of their lives to come out and cheer for thousands of total strangers! It's just wonderful. It fills me with pride to be a New Yorker to see such an outpouring of love and support. But it's also special because watching the participants is so profound for me. It stirs up feelings of inspiration, determination and awe.

Congratulations to every person that has ever run, walked, wheeled, hopped or limped over that finish line in Central Park. I am proud of every single one of you. Watching you this year, I decided that the year I turn 40 (just 2 years from now), I am going to join you if I can get in on that lottery. I want to run the NYC Marathon!

Note: The entire Flickr set of pics from this year's marathon can be seen here.

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 11: Park Luncheonette

2009-10-18T19:00:00.003-04:00

Obviously, I waited too long to post this (it's been drafted since April) so consider this a posthumous nod...

One great thing about living in Greenpoint is the abundance of brunch options. Now I know some people think brunch is for assholes, but call me an asshole, because I happen to LOVE brunch. The word alone excites me! Say it with me: "brunch"! Isn't it fun to say?

Now, I realize that technically, anything from the breakfast or lunch portion of most menus can be ordered at any time on a Sunday, but that's not an event. Somehow, slapping it on another section of the menu and calling it "brunch" makes it more magical. For me at least.

And since I have always loved the look of old Luncheonettes, one of my favorite brunch spots in Greenpoint is Park Luncheonette on the corner of Driggs and Lorimer. The awning states it's from 1931, so I am guessing it's also one of the oldest eating establishments in the neighborhood.

I've had many brunches here, all fantastic and delicious - several times with Lainy, once with Joe Vincent, once with my high school friends Julie & Eila, and once with a super hot guy I was really into but who stopped calling me... Anyway, because I loved the look of this place upon first seeing it, I have a few photographs of it.

Here it is on 03/05/2006. I remember this day. This was one of my first walks around the neighborhood, 3 months after I moved into Greenpoint -

Here it is on 06/02/2008, closed with only a little graffiti-

Corner shot from 06/20/2008-

Evening shot, 09/13/2008-

Corner shot with lots more graffiti, 11/07/2008-

Open for business on 03/08/09-

on 04/17/09 (this is my last photograph of it open)-

Closed on 07/06/2009-

Sadly, I recently learned that Park Luncheonette is closed. As in permanently. This saddened me greatly. I feel like this establishment is a staple of Greenpoint and I'm going to miss it terribly. I wonder what will happen to this beautiful old neon!

And look at the beautiful hand painted sign for Knishes and Ices-

And if all of that isn't enough to show off the coolness, the opening scene of The Departed was shot in there - See the clip below and advance to the time marker of 1:03 to see the distinct lettering outside. The rest of that opening scene with Jack Nicholson was actually filmed inside the luncheonette! (Photos of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Martin Scorcese lined the inside of the luncheonette after the filming) It also appears later in the movie. Leonardo DiCaprio gets his ass kicked in there (if I remember correctly)

But sadly, it is no more. All I have are my few photos and my memories. RIP, Park Luncheonette. You will be missed!

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 10: View from the Pulaski Bridge

2009-09-27T20:04:00.004-04:00

Has it really been 3 weeks since I last blogged over here? Oh the horror, the horror! I guess that's what happens when I bike as much as possible before it gets too dark and cold to take out the old cruiser. My sincere apologies (if there are any of you left reading these words).
One thing I always loved about Greenpoint driving over the Pulaski Bridge. Now, there is nothing at all spectacular about this short span that connects Northern Brooklyn to Southern Queens. But what I always found stunning was the view of midtown Manhattan if you look west.

Being in a car meant I could only steal glimpses of the skyline, so it wasn't until I got rid of my car that I really had a chance to appreciate it. Now I get to enjoy it just about every day!

For one thing, the B61 that I take to and from the 7 Train goes over this bridge, so I see midtown as the early morning light glistens against the steel and concrete; and again in the evening when sun is behind it and the colors are more vibrant.

In addition, I ride my bike over this bridge whenever I need to get to the 59th Street Bridge and I even make special trips up there when the sunset is spectacular - because I know I will get a great shot of it.

Here are some of my favorite photos to date:

I love Greenpoint, and I love New York. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to live here.

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 9: Brouwerij Lane

2009-08-02T15:05:00.008-04:00

Brouwerij Lane is a fairly recent edition to Greenpoint - they first opened their doors in our fine neighborhood on March 21st, 2009. I attended that first day opening and have been back many times since. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the store is very clean and well organized - all of which are very important to me. In the brief amount of time they've been in Greenpoint, they have become my go-to place for beer.

They host events fairly often, like the Maibock Party in early May, which I also attended-

Here, Ed Raven (the owner of Brouwerij Lane and Raven Import Co) explains the origins of Maibock, and goes over some of the seasonal offerings-

There is a fantastic selection of 'mix and match' bottles for sale in their coolers -

And while you are there, you can enjoy a half pint for 2 bucks or a full pint for 4 bucks. But if you want to take home one of their great tap selections (which change regularly)...

...Then pick yourself up a growler (a term I never heard prior to this establishment - it holds about 4 pints) for 5 bucks and have it filled it with the beer of your choice!

If you're lucky, Erik Olsen will be working that day. If you're not sure which beer to select, let him know what brands or types of brew you prefer. He will be happy to explain the different available beers and give you a sample before you make your selection. (This man has not steered me wrong once! Thank you, Erik!)

And with all the constant TV and movie shooting that goes on in our neighborhood - a good amount of the trailers parked up and down Greenpoint Ave - Brouwerij Lane makes sure the film crews know they are welcome -

So, if you are a lover of great beer, I highly recommend checking this place out. Leave with a mix and match 6 pack or buy a growler and bring home some fresh, delicious tap beer, which is what I do. Of course the beauty of the growler is bringing it back for a refill when you're done. In fact, I need a refill myself. I'm headed over there now...

Brouwerij Lane

78 Greenpoint Ave (just west of Franklin St)(347) 529-6133Hours: Monday - Thursday: 2pm - 10pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12pm - 10p

You can also follow Brouwerij Lane on Twitter

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 8: B's Bikes

2009-05-19T20:58:00.004-04:00

Being a biking novice (I only started riding two years ago), and riding a giant one-speed pink Hello Kitty Cruiser, I admit I was very embarrassed when I first started going to bike shops. But the shop within blocks of my apartment turned out to be the best one I had the pleasure of visiting. That shop is B's Bikes, on Driggs at the corner of Eckford-

I've been to this shop numerous times for various reasons in the two years that I've been cycling around. Some of my first purchases were when I bought my fancy pink handles (seen below), as well as my headlight and tail-light (not seen here, I didn't have them when this photo was taken. But I really like this photo)

But what really impressed me about this shop was the staff. They are courteous, patient and helpful. And to their credit, they could have ripped me off on several occasions, but they did not. Let me re-count a few experiences I've had there:

1- Last year I brought the cruiser there at the start of spring for a 'tune up'. Brendan, the owner, basically told me that the bike was in fine shape and he wasn't going to keep it there and charge me for nothing. Here is Brendan-

2- Last summer, when my handlebars were so loose they were sliding around as I rode, I did everything I could to tighten them but just couldn't get them tight enough. It was so dangerous that I couldn't ride the bike that way at all. So I swung by there and within minutes, one of the guys in there tightened them for me and didn't even charge me! (Thanks, guy with the long blond hair!)

3- Earlier this spring, I couldn't get my bike lock to lock (the key wouldn't come out when I turned it to the lock position). I tried putting it in the freezer over night, spraying it with WD-40. No luck. I thought for sure I'd have to drop 50 or more dollars on a new lock. I brought it to B's and asked the guy (same blond guy who adjusted my handlebars last summer) if he had any idea what was causing it, or if I needed to buy a new lock. Within minutes he showed me the piece of metal that was in the way (some attachment I wasn't using). He removed it, and my bike lock was working once again. I was so thankful! He could have easily told me I needed to buy a new lock! (Side note: I had not even bought the lock from them, it was from another shop before I found B's!)

Recently, I picked up a charming new wicker basket (but have yet to install it) and I asked Brendan to see if he can find me some pink pedals. (I saw a girl with them during the bike tour and I want them!!!)

Based on all of my great experiences from B's Bikes, it is now the only bike shop I use. So when I needed the cruiser checked out before The 5 Boro Bike Tour, I brought it to their very capable staff. It was ready the next day and only cost about 20 bucks! What service!!

So if you need bike accessories, bike service or even a new bike...

...get yourself to B's Bikes in Greenpoint. They're open till 8pm. You won't be disappointed!

262 Driggs Ave
at the corner of Eckford
(between Eckford St & Leonard St)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 349-1212

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 7: Jarred

2009-04-23T21:56:00.006-04:00

Last spring, when I was still a slave to Starbucks, I met a barista at the Greenpoint location named Jarred. I will never forget the first time I saw him in there. My thoughts were:
1) He is so young and perfect looking - how is he not a model?
2) He's entirely too sweet and nice to be from NYC
3) He's so beautiful, why is he working here and not modeling?!

Sadly, he did not stay at Starbucks for very long and I wrote a blog about him to wish him a farewell, since I didn't think I'd see him again. Little did I know, I'd run into him constantly - at the gym, at the Natural Garden, walking on Kent Ave, on the B61, on crutches in front of Rite Aid (broken foot?), smoking outside on his stoop, running shirtless on Kent - this guy is everywhere!

And every time I see him, I'd get a quick update on his exciting life. He's working, going to school, and you guessed it - modeling! I recently noticed some photos on his Facebook page and asked for permission to post them here. And although I've always preferred men with dark hair, there have been a handful of exceptions. After all, I appreciate beauty in all its forms. And you simply cannot deny how flawless looking he is. Look at this guy!

Who has eyes that blue and lips that gorgeous? He's like an angel. Or the best Banana Republic model ever.

Dang!!!

My god, you could cut glass with that jawline!

Woah! Running and bike riding have certainly kept him in perfect shape-

And I think this is my favorite. I love that outfit and his face here. Look at those freaking cheekbones! (Hey! I've seen him with that gym bag with him on the bus!)-

Jarred, you are obviously a genetically superior being, but somehow it has not gone to your head. I realize I only know you casually, but I think you're awesome. Despite your spectacular good looks, you have always come across so kind and down to earth.

I think you mentioned you may be moving out of Greenpoint soon. If that's the case, I guess I won't be running into you anymore, but I'll still be looking for you - in magazines. I wish you a long, lucrative and successful career. You really deserve it and I'm cheering for you!

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 6: The Richardson

2009-04-17T12:45:00.001-04:00

One thing there is no shortage of in Greenpoint and the surrounding area is bars. There are plenty that I enjoy, but one is my absolute favorite- It's the Richardson, which is situated on the Greenpoint/Williamsburg border, but officially in Greenpoint with a 11222 zip code. Located at 451 Graham Ave at Richardson Street, it's easily accessible by L Train (Graham stop) or B43 bus (which stops just feet away) and very close to the Metropolitan Ave stop of the BQE.

The Richardson is surprisingly large with a great old time classy vibe and beautiful warm decor. They play music from the 40's through the 60's and it doesn't hurt that all the men behind the bar are well dressed and easy on the eyes.

If you happen to read my Weight Watchers blog too, you know about my Monday ritual of attending my weekly meeting, then going over to The Richardson to blog about it. Monday nights, Jason is behind the bar. He's a great bartender - friendly with great customer service skills - something so important but often lacking in bars. He brings me my 'usual' when I arrive (a pint of Weihenstaphan and a glass of water), and I love that! While all of the staff I've encountered at the Richardson is great, Jason is of course my favorite. Here is he behind the bar:

and here he is "in action" - making a fancy cocktail for another lucky patron:

In addition to the draft beer selection, there's wine, liquor (including a pretty extensive whiskey selection) and a menu of Classic Cocktails to choose from. But it doesn't stop there, they serve Gimme! Coffee - the smell of which is nothing short of heaven - and they serve high end tasting snacks without the high end prices (check out the menu page using their link above for food, whiskeys and cocktails, etc).

And you may or may not know this, but I'm bathroom obsessed, so I must point out that the Richardson has the NICEST bathroom I have ever seen in a NYC bar. It is gorgeous and *clean*! Great job, guys!!

Finally, this past Monday, I noticed this sign -

They are going to start serving brunch this weekend! Starting tomorrow, you can choose from their usual snack menu, but I learned they will also be serving waffles, granola & yogurt, lox, bagels, pastries and who knows what other delectable items! I will definitely be checking this out in the near future.

If you enjoy old timey type bars, drinking, great food and fantastic service, make your way over to the Richardson. You will not be disappointed!

451 Graham Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222

(718) 389-0839

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 5: Brooklyn Label

2009-03-31T20:51:00.005-04:00

One thing I love about Greenpoint is the abundance of food and alcohol establishments we have. And when it's brunch or coffee I desire, my first choice is Brooklyn Label on Franklin St. at Java.

There's bar seating, window seating, tables and a takeout area for pick ups or coffee. Here's the coffee menu:

And the layout:

But the best part about Brooklyn Label is of course the food. It's excellent! They are vegetarian friendly and have many veggie (and some vegan) options. In fact, their homemade veggie burger is easily the best veggie burger I've ever had in my life (I'd kill for one right now, in fact!). And the breakfasts (my favorite food category and what I usually go there for) are wonderful! My favorites are:

Gruyere Omelet 11.00 (breakfast or brunch)
Three eggs with lots of aged gruyere cheese, topped with a
tarragon-tomato sauce and served with hashbrowns and toast (vegetarian)

Brooklyn Label Scramble 8.75 (breakfast or brunch)
three eggs cooked soft with aged white cheddar, basil and tomato,
served with hashbrowns and toast (vegetarian)

Huevos Rancheros 14.00 (brunch only)
One fried corn tortilla, Spanish-style rice, homemade frijoles negros, and a chili ranchero sauce topped with two fried eggs and garnished with cilantro-lime sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo (vegetarian)

(For links to all the menus, click here and select the meal on the right)

Now, since I'm a huge fan of breakfast/brunch, but the weekend brunch time gets very crowded, I like to visit them when I have a weekday off. In fact, I came here twice last year during my birthday week off. I had leisurely breakfasts with plenty of time to upload photos and blog, thanks to their free wireless internet!

And it was during my birthday week visits to Brooklyn Label that I stumbled upon the best coffee ever - Stumptown, which it turns out is from one of my favorite places: Portland Oregon! It was the first time I had it, and I loved it immediately. I bought a bag of beans to brew it myself at home and have been hooked ever since.

Another thing I love about Brooklyn Label has nothing to do with the food - it's their strict NO CELL PHONES policy. It's posted on the door, and even on the menus. There are few things more obnoxious than people using cell phones in public, so I applaud them for taking this stand!

I'm sure it goes without say that if you find yourself in Greenpoint and want a delicious, reasonably priced meal with great service - get yourself to Brooklyn Label. Tell em Bitch Cakes sent ya ;)

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 3: Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop

2009-02-16T19:37:00.007-05:00

One thing I look forward to almost any time I leave my apartment is passing by the delightful Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop on Manhattan Ave. If you're a resident of Greenpoint, this is surely a familiar sight-

For over three years, I've have been passing their window nearly every day. I've even gone out of my way and unnecessarily crossed the street just to get a glimpse of their beautiful and tempting sugary treats in the window.

And the baked goods and colors vary to coincide with the holidays (shown here- Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day and Christmas)

The inside is gorgeous and for the most part, I am guessing untouched for the decades it has called this spot home. (Note: Since someone thought they were lamps on Flickr, I just want to point out to those of you have the misfortune of never entering a 'real' bakery - those cool looking fixtures that hang from the ceiling contain spools of the red and white string that is used to tie your box of delicious baked goods)-

These shots are from one night around closing time-

And on any given Saturday, if you pass by around 1 or 2 in the afternoon, you'll find a handful of USPS mail carrier carts parked outside, while some postal employees enjoy a break inside-

Despite the numerous times I've passed, and the many photos I've snapped, I had never actually *eaten* one of their donuts. I had been in there a few times, but only for coffee. I have a pretty serious sugar addiction, and worried that once I had one, I'd make it a habit. So I did not buy a donut out of simple fear.

However, that all changed this past Saturday - on Valentine's Day...

I was meeting Miss Heather, her husband, and our friend Diana for some bowling fun. And on my walk to the bar/bowling alley, I passed the window of Peter Pan and saw this magnificent display:

I finally couldn't take it. I knew that today was the day. The day I finally had a Peter Pan Donut!

Now let me just say- they have quite a reputation: If you google this place, you'll come across dozens of food blogs, personal blogs (including one from Miss Heather with a great picture from the 1960's!), local newspaper articles, and reader comments that all say the same thing - that these are pretty much the best donuts around or ever. In fact, I remember that my ex-husband, who lived in Greenpoint in 1999 when I met him, vowed that Peter Pan donuts were the best. Coming from him, this was a huge compliment.)
I bought a half dozen for the group, but selected my own personal donut carefully - a cream filled beaut with shredded coconut and pink sprinkles on top. And after two rounds of bowling fun it was donut time! At the first sugary awesome bite, I think my eyes rolled into the back of my head: It really was the best donut I had ever consumed in my life!

So if you find yourself in Greenpoint - or are close enough and willing to make a trip for the best donuts ever - take the G to the Nassau stop, exit on the Norman side and walk north (toward Meserole) half a block. You'll be glad you did!

Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
727 Manhattan Ave. (between Norman & Meserole)
718-389-3676

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 4: Fred Flare (A Cavalcade of Cute!)

2009-01-25T19:15:00.004-05:00

When I moved to Brooklyn just over 3 years ago, there was a beautiful store front that was empty.

It stayed empty until last summer, when I finally saw signs of life (i.e. construction). I was excited about the possibilities; but had no idea what it was to become of the space.

When I saw these hearts pop up in the windows...

...I knew it was going to be something good!

Since I pass the store every day, I met one of the young women that work there. Her name is Jen , (and apparently she's employee of the month)! She told me that it was going to be a store called Fred Flare. I had never heard of them, but welcomed them to the neighborhood.

While the store was still under construction, they had a very informal pre-opening sale in September. That's when I realized the cuteness potential and picked up a couple of things - I scored this amazing subway sign:

and I could not pass up this t-shirt. It's now one of my favorite workout t-shirts (yay! chihuahua!):

The construction continued and the paper remained on the windows, which only added to my excitement. When the store was finally opened in October, and I saw it in its entirety, my inner 12 year old girl squealed with delight! It is so beautifully arranged, super neat and everything *EVERYTHING* is adorable!

I've popped in there several times, buying gifts for friends or fun things for myself. I've met most of the staff since then, and have a school girl crush on Keith. He's so sweet! Anyway, here are some of my favorite purchases:

A gorgeous New York journal with the deco inspired cover. I carry it everyday and use it to jot down notes for my blogs. I love this notebook! It's available in their store or online for 12 dollars. I also had to buy those numbered clips. I really could not resist them!

And when I noticed this pocket book one evening, I didn't hesitate for a second, I knew it was perfect - it has since become my favorite bag. It's not only a great shape but it's surprisingly roomy inside. I use this bag on weekends when I go out and fit all my stuff *plus* a pair of flats (wrapped inside a plastic bag of course). It's also still available at the store or online for only $42.

Here's another item I fell in love with immediately- this perfectly cut pink sweater. It's cropped with 3/4 length sleeves and a cowl neck. How cute is this? (And according to Jen, Keith actually mentioned to her how perfect this sweater would be for me. He was right!)

So those are some of my previous purchases. And after not visiting Team Cute for a while, I finally couldn't take it anymore! I wandered in there today with every intention of buying something. It turned out they have a bunch of really adorable Valentine's related items-

How sweet is this sign? Doesn't it just make you smile?

I did not walk out empty handed- I bought these items:

1- A heart by Chris Uphues (These hearts appear around various places in Brooklyn. I photograph them whenever I see them. I had no idea who was behind them until he brought his famous hearts to Fred Flare.)
2- A box of Junior Mints that are heart shaped (They are for Michael. Hopefully he is not reading this.)
3- A set of 10 retro Valentine's that I will share with my nearest and dearest.

And on this particular Sunday, the lovely Bilgim and Holly were working in the store. They were gracious enough to pose for a photograph for this blog. Hello ladies! Thanks for your help today!

If you're in the Greenpoint area, please give the wonderful staff of Fred Flare a visit. They, and their store, will put a smile on your face. I guarantee it!

Fred Flare- The "Cavalcade of Cute" can be found here:

131 Meserole Ave at Leonard Street
Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222, 718-349-1257
(a couple blocks north from the Nassau Ave stop on the G train)
STORE HOURS: 12-7 WED-SAT, 12-5 SUN, CLOSED MON & TUE

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 2: Anthony @ Key Food

2008-12-14T20:28:00.004-05:00

One thing I dreaded when I moved to Brooklyn was figuring out where I was going to buy my groceries. In fact, it's one of the reasons I was reluctant to give up my car for so long.

I had been to the Associated on Manhattan Ave a few times in a pinch, but it is fairly small, so the selection is also small. And even worse - they don't take American Express, which is my preferred card since I get cash back.

After living here about a year, I dropped off my car for service one morning at a shop on McGuinness Blvd. On the walk home, since I was passing right by it, I decided to pop into Key Food for a few items I needed. Quite honestly, I expected the worst; but much to my amazement, it was huge inside (by NYC standards) and really nice! It was well stocked, clean, and had enough space to carry a wide selection of items.

But the thing I am most critical of in any grocery store, and what I often judge that store by - is its produce section. And much to my surprise and delight, this Key Food had a large and gorgeous produce section!

After that initial visit, I began shopping there regularly. And it wasn't long before I met one of the workers in the produce section who is responsible for keeping it so beautifully and freshly stocked.

Meet Anthony-

Anthony is a sweet, friendly and hard working young man. And he always has a smile. When I do my weekly shopping, I look for him to say hello and have a brief chit chat. He's nice enough to entertain my random conversations - which are usually food related. Once, I mentioned I had a salsa recipe that called for tomatillos, and asked Anthony if they carry them. Sadly, they did not. But Anthony managed to pull a few produce strings and on my next visit, sure enough, there were tomatillos! (My salsa was awesome, by the way. Thanks, Anthony!)

I've only seen him outside of the store once - Lainy and I were bike riding around the neighborhood, and I heard someone call my name. I turned around and it was Anthony. I said hello and rang my little bell for him. Lainy asked "Who was that?" When I told her it was Anthony, the great produce guy from Key Food, she was like "My god, you know EVERYONE!" Not everyone, but lots of good people.

Thank you Anthony, for being such a nice part of my weekly visit to Key Food, and for keeping that produce section in such great shape. You're one more reason I'm glad to call Greenpoint home!

Reasons I love Greenpoint- Part 1: Officer Smith*

2008-11-22T17:01:00.005-05:00

How do I love Greenpoint? Let me count the ways. There are so many! For starters, I just ran into one of my favorite Greenpoint characters- Officer Smith.

I met Officer Smith over the summer, as a result of my stint on the front page of the Brooklyn Paper...

One summer evening on my walk home from the G Train, as I was standing on the corner, a police car was turning to go back to the NYPD Precinct. The officer in the passenger seat noticed me and yelled from his window "Hey! You were on the cover of the Brooklyn Paper!" And I replied "Yes, Officer, that was me!"

About a month later, when I was riding my bike home from my Weight Watchers meeting, the officer spotted me. He pulled over and I also stopped to speak to him. This was when I actually met him, Officer Smith. He told his partner that I had been on the front of the paper, and as luck would have it, I had a copy of the paper with me (Note: No, I don't carry it around all the time- I had brought it my WW meeting because some of the ladies had asked to see it), so I showed it to his partner.

Then Officer Smith asked if we could get some photos together. Turns out he's a photo enthusiast too, and carries around his own camera. I'm a ham, so sure, why not! He made his partner take a few with his camera, then of course I made his partner take a few with my camera.

About a month later, I was walking towards the YMCA. I hear something from a police car and thought they were pulling over the bikers for some reason. Then I hear "Sheryl!" Sure enough, it was my pal, Officer Smith. He parked by the precinct and I went to talk to him. That day, he gave me an amazing gift: a PBA card. It's not quite a "get out of jail free" card, but if I ever got into trouble with the law, I would produce it to show that I know someone on the job and maybe they would be nice to me? I don't know. Hopefully I will never have to use it, but it's certainly a nice thing to have. He also gave me his number in case I ever get into trouble.

I hadn't seen him for a while after that, but when that creepy Hasidic Jew followed me, I considered calling him. Instead, I went to the precinct one night and told whomever was on duty. Fortunately I have not seen the creepy guy since, so I never called Officer Smith.

Then today, I was running (literally- it is freezing!) down Lorimer to my friend Joe's house and a police car pulled over. Officer Smith got out and said "Sheryl?" So I stopped to talk to him for a while. I told him how I had almost called him because of the creepy incident - and he told me he knew about it - the guys at the precinct had told him "Some Hasidic Jew is following Sheryl!". I didn't realize any of the other officers knew me, but apparently they do. He reminded me to be careful. I said "Thank you, Officer Smith". He told me to call him Bobby and he got back in his car.

I visited Joe, then headed back up to Manhattan Ave to do my errands. Who did I see up there but - you guessed it - Bobby. He asked what I was doing and I told him I was headed up to the Garden to pick up some groceries. He offered me a lift. In his police car! I couldn't possibly say no. It was too funny.

So I rode up there, in the back of the police car (which is very cramped, by the way- I have short legs and just barely had enough leg room!). I was really hoping someone I knew would see me back there, but I'm not sure anyone did. We talked about Thanksgiving and I oohed and aahed over their onboard laptops. Then he told me I could sign up for a thing where they take ordinary citizens on patrol with them for a few hours. (That sounds like fun! I think I should!) And before I knew it, we were at Kent St where I would buy my organic produce. Needless to say, the door handles in the back of a police car do not operate from the inside, so he had to get out of the car in order to open my door to let me out. The whole thing was pretty bizarre and fun and I won't forget it anytime soon.

Thanks again, Officer Smith. Or "Bobby". I always enjoy running into you!

*Name changed to protect his identity!