2)      The Food!!  Everywhere I turn there is deliciousness surrounding me, from Italian to Cuban, to American to French.  I love to cook but it can be hard with so much goodness all around.

3)      Biking has become a renewed favorite past-time.  If I could bike to work I would but until then biking in and around Brooklyn is a wonderful way to get around and easy on the environment.  More and more neighborhoods in Brooklyn are adding in bike lanes, making this borough bike friendly for all.  Check out the Brooklyn bike map to pick your next or maybe first route.

4)      Free concerts in Prospect Park make for such fun and special nights.  With the New York Philharmonic along with musicians such as Brooklyn’s own Sharon Jones, there is no better way to spend a night out then with a blanket, some wine, cheese and your favorite people.  Check out the parks calendar to find out what events are coming up here.

5)      The Smith Street Fair occurs once in a year in my neighborhood and is not an event to be missed. In addition to local vendors, which includes our very own boutique shops and restaurants there is also an annual cheese eating contest.  Watch as contestants have 2 minutes to eat as much cheese as they can and the champion be crowned.  Live music is played all along Smith Street for this wonderful fair that is held the last Sunday in June.

6)      Environmentally friendly people all seem to live in Brooklyn, and I love it.  Recycling bins can be found in front of everyone’s home, and re-usable totes replace trendy handbags.  I personally keep re-usable bags accessible, so whenever I hit the markets or grocery stores I avoid using plastic bags.

7)      Six Point Craft Ales is Brooklyn’s own brewery with delicious beer selections that can be found in many local restaurants and pubs.  With seasonal flavors in addition to their regular line-up, this is one beer you don’t want to miss – or maybe two!

8)      Free movies in Red Hook on the water and under the watch of Lady Liberty are unlike any other.  These summer movie nights occur on Tuesday evenings at the Valentino pier and are the perfect way to enjoy the summer evenings when temperatures are at their best.

9)      Stoop sitting!  Yep, there is nothing more Brooklyn then sitting on the stoop of a brownstone, watching people as they pass by.  This love ties into what I love about Brooklyn listed for #1. Sitting on my stoop lets me catch all the friendly faces of friends and strangers as they walk by.

10)   Shopping in local markets is one of my favorite activities.  I make individual stops at the fruit and vegetable market, fish market, meat store, and bakery.  This allows me to support my local economy while getting super fresh groceries from specialty shops, and don’t worry the prices are usually cheaper.

Whether you are visiting New York City for the first time, a frequent visitor or even live nearby, chances are you have not spent much time exploring Brooklyn, let alone eating there!  With over 2.5 million people, Brooklyn is the most populous borough and with so many people to feed you can be sure the food options are not too be missed.  Below you will find the top five choices that all originated in this generous and edible borough.

1) Peter Lugers Steakhouse: Named the best steakhouse in New York City 24 years in a row by the Zagat survey, a visit here is a must.  Located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the restaurant most commonly referred to as “Lugers” is known for weathered beer-hall tables, near impossible reservations (so plan ahead) and of course the best porterhouse steak you will ever try.   (78 Broadway (at Driggs), in Williamsburg.)

2) Red Hook Ball Fields: In 1974, a few Latino food vendors began serving snacks out of their food carts while soccer matches were played on the ball fields.  While soccer continues to grow in popularity, it is the food that has drawn the attention of those outside the neighborhood to chow down. On Saturdays and Sundays during soccer season (mid-April to October) you will find a vast selection of food choices ranging from Mexican to Honduran as well Columbian. (Ball Fields – Court St. at Bay St., Red Hook)

3) Coney Island/Nathan’s Famous: Coney Island is the classic American amusement park with the famous Cyclone rollercoaster still in operation since being built in 1927.  In addition to the amusement park, Coney Island also houses the original Nathans, known as Nathan’s Famous.  The two menu items that must be on your list when ordering is the Coney Island Hot Dog, which is what competitors race to eat as many as possible in the annual 4^th of July hot dog eating contest  and the second crowd favorite being the corn dog on a stick.  Nine Presidents and even Queen Elizabeth have made it to Nathan’s Famous, so you certainly are in good company. (1310 Surf Avenue, Coney Island)

4) Lucali’s Pizza: This pizza restaurant originated 30 years ago by Carroll Gardens resident Mark Lacono looking to save a local candy store from being turned into a chain (think Dunkin Donuts or Subway).  Through his labor of love with food and specifically pizza, Lucali’s has become one of the best slices to be had in Brooklyn, Jay-Z and Beyonce were spotted there not too long ago.  You will likely encounter a wait, although can call ahead to get your name on the list and make sure  to bring your cash and drink as the restaurant is BYOB. (575 Henry street, Carroll Gardens)

5) Juniors: A landmark restaurant in Brooklyn since 1950, Juniors is known as the home for New York’s cheesecake and can certainly satisfy any sweet tooth. There are dozens of options to choose from including a sampler cheesecake, which will have you savoring their Original, Raspberry Swirl, Chocolate Ganache, and Cherry Crumb flavors.  (386 Flatbush Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn)

Summertime in the city can feel extra hot when surrounded by concrete and buildings.  Thankfully Brooklyn provides an abundance of escapes in the various parks that inhabit this borough. My one grip is that they don’t all offer green grass to frolic in, but there are  trees everywhere, making Brooklyn unique to Manhattan.  This is your guide to the top parks in Brooklyn:

1. Brooklyn Bridge Park: Located on Brooklyn’s waterfront under the Brooklyn Bridge, this park boasts unbelievable views of Manhattan.  There’s a playground for kids, a dog park and plenty of grass, so an afternoon can easily fly by.   Visit the  wine bar that  just recently opened up and grab yourself a glass of vino while taking  in the sunset looking at the skyline. (Plymouth Street between Main and Washington Streets)
2. Prospect Park: Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calert Vaux,  the brains behind the design of Manhattan’s Central Park, it is no surprise residents and tourists alike flock to this park destination.  Contained within 585 beautiful acres are a zoo, an ice rink, a band shell, a carousel, the first urban-area Audubon Center in the nation and dozens of recreational facilities. (Prospect Park West, Flatbush, Parkside, Ocean Avenues)
3. Dyker Beach Park: One of two Brooklyn city parks with a golf course, this is a popular park for those looking to break out their clubs.  Other features of this park include a dog park, basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts and a playground. (86 Street, 7-14 Avenues, Shore Parkway)
4. Sunset Park: As it’s name states, the park offers stunning views at sunset of the Manhattan skyline.  From the highest point in the park you will also be able to see the Statue of Liberty, views of Brooklyn neighborhoods and even Staten Island towards the south.  In summer months there is a pool to escape the heat and in colder months, there is a recreation center which includes a library, dance room, workout room and a computer center.  (41 to 44 Streets, 5 to 7 Avenues)
5. Carroll Park: In 1852, the city of Brooklyn acquired the land that is now Carroll Park and spans one entire block.  The park was voted “Best Playground or Park” in Brooklyn in the Parents Pick 2009 survey.  In addition to the playgrounds to suit children of all ages, an active volunteer group exists to maintain the grounds.  The basketball court/baseball diamond is also home to a local little league group.  (One city block between Smith and Court Streets, President and Carroll Streets)  To read more, check out the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Guide.
6. Manhattan Beach Park: Originally created in 1877 as a summer resort, this park truly feels like a vacation destination.  Located along the waterfront and bordered by playgrounds on either end, this 16 acre park is home to those who enjoy the beach, swimming, volleyball, basketball, tennis, barbecues, picnics and the true feeling of escaping city living. (East of Ocean Avenue at the North Shore Rockaway Inlet, along Oriental Boulevard)
7. Fort Greene Park: Not only a park, but a Brooklyn landmark as well.  It was originally a site of forts built for the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. After those historic events the people of Brooklyn began using it as a public space.  In 1847 Fort Greene was officially designated Brooklyn’s first park and has in the past 150 years received a variety of renovations and upgrades.  This park offers a rich history, playground equipment resembling fortresses and even barbecue areas for public use. (Myrtle Avenue, Cumberland Street, DeKalb Avenue)
8. McCarren Park: This 35 acre park is always bustling with activity as there are  facilities for  soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, football, bocce and handball, along with running tracks and playgrounds.  At one time the park had a large pool that was used for almost fifty years (1936 – 1984) . Today the park is a social and recreational hub in the neighborhood.(Nassau Avenue, Bayard, Leonard and North 12 Streets)
9. Canarsie Park: Named after the Canarsee Indians, this park provides recreation space bordered between two waterways.  Baseball, basketball and tennis courts are all available for use including cricket fields, which would be fun if you are looking to take up a new sport or are already an avid player. (Seaview Ave. Bet. Paerdegat Basin and E. 93 St., E. 102 St. And Fresh Creek Basin)

Carroll Gardens Overview:
Carroll Gardens, named for Charles Carroll (a revolutionary war veteran and whose signature is on the Declaration of Independence), is a long-standing Italian-American neighborhood full of family-owned stores.  One family even purchased a closing candy shop and turned it into a pizza restaurant for fear it would fall to a chain (think Dunk Donuts).  It’s convenient to Manhattan with just four stops into the Brooklyn borough, but providing a feeling of being hours away.  The neighborhood bustles with boutiques, restaurants and antique shops lining both Court Street and Smith Street, many focusing on Italian specialties.  While Carroll Gardens continues to be a hub for Italian life, there is certainly a large outpouring of start-up families and young professionals flocking to this area of Brooklyn as well.

Carroll Gardens Boundaries:
Carroll Gardens borders can sometimes seem a bit blurred, which explains why the nickname for the regions that border each other was named BoCoCa.  BoCoCa represents Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens.  Officially Carroll Gardens begins on the northern border with Cobble Hill at Degraw Street and Boerum Hill at Warren Street.  South of Carroll Gardens is Red Hook and if you go west it’s Columbia Street Waterfront District.

Carroll Gardens Transportation:
Carroll Gardens is a 30-35 minute commute from Manhattan on the F train.  The subway runs along 6^th Avenue, turns east along Houston Street and then heads south toward the Manhattan Bridge to enter into Brooklyn.  There are two subway stops off the F train; the first is Carroll Street, which drops you right in the heart of the neighborhood.  The second is Smith-9^th Street, which is the southernmost tip of Carroll Gardens.  There are no direct buses.

The BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway) rides right along the western border of Carroll Gardens and Columbia Street Waterfront District. Exit at Hamilton Avenue (Exit 26).

Public Transportation to LaGuardia Airport can be accessed via the B57 Bus at Smith Street and Union Street and does require a transfer to the Q58 Bus from Fresh Pond Rd and Flushing Avenue Station.  As an alternative one could take the G train at Carroll Street and transfer to the 7 Train at Court Square Station.

Carroll Gardens Restaurants, Cafes and Bakeries:
With such a strong Italian influence, there is no shortage of delicious pasta, pizza and of course cannolis to sample.  But you won’t be coming for just the Italian food as many new restaurants of all specialties have been springing up in the neighborhood.

Fragole (394 Court Street between 1^st Place and Carroll Street) cooks up fresh, homemade pasta at affordable prices in a cozy atmosphere with exposed brick.

Frankies 457 (457 Court Street between 3^rd Place and 4^th Place) has received such high acclaim and reviews that getting into this restaurant can be tough but the wait is worth it.  Everything is homemade and super fresh.    Make sure to bring your cash with you, no credit cards accepted.

Lucali (575 Henry Street between Carroll Street and Summit Street) is a pizza shop that exists because owner Mark Locano didn’t want to see the neighborhood candy shop turn into a chain restaurant or store.  With pizza this good  it’s no surprise that Jay-Z and Beyonce have been spotted sharing a pizza pie.

Jake Walk (282 Smith Street between Degraw Street and Sackett Street) is a wine bar serving up delicious light plates, cheeses and fondue.  A joint venture from the owners of Smith & Vine, a local wine shop and Stinky’s Cheese, a local cheese shop, the two came together to make this delicious combination.

Carroll Gardens Shopping:
Carroll Gardens’ shopping district runs along both Smith Street and Court Street, which run parallel to one another.  Along both drags you will find a variety of trendy shops mixed in with hip shoe boutiques, cafes and Italian bakeries.  Many shops feature environmentally friendly and recycled items as the clientele and residents in this area are very conscientious.  Rarely will you find an individual walking down the street without a reusable tote in their possession.

Carroll Gardens Landmarks:
St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church located on Court Street, is a beautiful marble church and the location where Al Capone married his wife Mae Josephine Coughlin.

Old Smith Theatre (375 Smith Street) originally served as a single screen theater.  It has since been turned into Lee’s Auto Services and Repairs Inc. but still maintains quite a bit of the theaters original architecture.

Gowanus Canal has recently been designated a Superfund cleanup site.  This heavily polluted canal once was a heavily utilized cargo transportation hub but fell to serious environmental problems.  The city petitioned to clean up the canal with taxpayer dollars but the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) deemed it a Superfund, which allows them to seek funding from the polluters and will net out to a significantly longer cleanup.

Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Insider:

Famous Residents: Jim Neu (1943-2010), Playwright

Library: The library in Carroll Gardens is operated by the Brooklyn Public Library and is located at 396 Clinton Street at Union Street.

Parking:  Each street has designated street cleaning on both sides of the street.  Street cleaning occurs once a week, therefore keeping your car parked for a few days is not an issue.

Post Office: 257 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 and 615 Clinton Street, Brooklyn NY 11231

Hospital: Long Island College Hospital (339 Hicks Street, Brooklyn NY 11201)

Movies:
Cobble Hill Cinemas (265 Court Street, Brooklyn NY) is the neighborhood cinema with 4 theaters and shows a majority of feature films as they are released.

Police Station: Brooklyn 76^th Precinct Police, 191 Union Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 (718) 834-3211

Schools:

• P.S. 29 John M Harrigan (425 Henry Street, Brooklyn NY 11201)
• P.S. 58 the Carroll
• P.S. 146 (610 Henry Street, Brooklyn NY 11231)
• School for International Studies: High School (248 Baltic Street, Brooklyn NY 11201)

Banking:  Local and National banks can be found along Court and Smith Street between 2^nd place and Warren Street

Health Club: Body Elite offers classes, personal training and full gym offerings (348 Court Street, Brooklyn NY 11231) Link -

Zip Code: 11231, 11201

Click image to enlarge for neighborhood breakouts

A series of armed robberies has left Red Hook residents on edge and fearful that danger — real or imagined — might be lurking around every darkened street corner.

Three incidents in a two-day span brought out locals en masse to the Feb. 24 meeting of the Red Hook Civic Association, which invited Captain Kenneth Corey, the commanding officer of the Precinct, to discuss the incidents, and try to allay residents’ fears.

Story here

VBS traveled to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, to meet the classically trained mystic meatballerinos behind the Frankies Spuntino empire

Our decorated family room. The tree is roughly 8.5 feet tall, plus the height of the star. You can see my stocking hanging on the closest red door.



Click the images for full size view.

Nice write up about the D’amico family coffee tradition. He mentions price gouging for younger customers and affordable coffee for the old timers.

“We used to open at 5:30 in the morning, and we had customers waiting. The wives would go out and get the cold cuts and whatever to make lunch for their husbands, so we did pretty good,”

Read the rest