first came love

brooklyn spot // le barricou

 

                                                                                                                                                      

I had brunch at one of my "go to" spots in the neighborhood.  Le Barricou is a country style bistro

serving southern traditional dishes of the french countryside.

Seek your way past the front room where the music can be too loud

(I've been told it's an "owner mandated" decibel).  Once you reach the backroom, it's like entering

a cozy cabin with wood burning stove, large skylight and vintage piano.  I recommend the Coq au Vin,

the french toast and the cheese plates.  I go here often both in large parties and spontaneous dates.  The interior design is impeccable; the wall treatments, lighting, and foliage all add to the surreality of being in another time and place.

coney island plunge

 

Music: Generator (Second Floor) by Freelance Whales

So in the spirit of being a beginner, here is some footage I took on new year's day that I've spliced together.  Ignore the roughness and enjoy how happy (crazy?) everyone was to celebrate.  I had so much fun being a polar bear last year but decided to play it safe and not participate this year due to my chest cold (wimp). Whether you were plunging into freezing water, enjoying the spectacle that is quintessential "coney" or participating in the dance madness; I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year.  Speaking of dance madness, has everyone been following the Girl Walk All Day feature online?  It's really incredible!

brooklyn spot // strawser and smith

Strawser and Smith is a gorgeous furniture shop located in Williamsburg on Driggs Avenue. I would be lying if I implied that we've purchased furniture here as it's about two tiers above our usual price range.  This is not to say these pieces are not worth the cost. Much of the lighting is repurposed vintage or salvaged metal pieces of art. The maps and illustrations are extraordinary and rare hence the prestigious prices.  Personally I like to meander this store for inspiration alone. It's so well curated and the balance of shapes and heights is very thought provoking.

brooklyn spot // millers tavern

 Over the weekend the mister and I walked across the neighborhood towards a french place I remembered enjoying only to find that it had actually closed its doors over a year ago.  What replaced it was Miller's Tavern; named in honor of the author Henry Miller whose boyhood home was nearby on Driggs Avenue. This is old hat for the owners Jeffrey Flagg and Gavin Compton who previously brought to the neighborhood Sel de Mer, Sweetwater and two Variety cafes. The vibe is so cozy along the lines of a wooden ski lodge and the dutch pancake was sinister delicious.  We'll definitely be making a better attempt at getting out to this neck of the woods more often.

24 karas

I've been back to the Dekalb Market recently to celebrate my dear friend Liz's pop up shop opening.  It's really incredible what you can make out of a shipping container.  Together with her boyfriend Steve, they've made a beautiful space.  They are there everyday (except Mondays) now through the end of the year.  The three pieces above are my favorites this year.  They can also be found at 24karas so get shopping!

{Below is a small video I made of the opening.}

 

brooklyn spot // marlow and sons

Marlow and Sons has a deceiving exterior with a bright green awning fit for a grocery store.  Walk into the backroom, however, and rustic enchantment begins.  The small room is covered in worn wood, windowless, lit only by chandelier. The menu runs the gamut from clams, oysters, meats and cheeses to striped bass and brick chicken.  This modest hideaway is part of a larger family of unique eateries sharing company with Diner and Roman's.   If you don't mind close quarters; it's really quite cozy!

brooklyn spot // the bedford

This past Monday, we strolled into The Bedford on our way to the park.  We needed a quick bite before  embarrassing our friends on the bocce ball court (that goes out to you Dave!).   Anyway, the food was good and I always appreciate attention to details.  I think they make really good use of the space and the staff was friendly.  They also have a backroom that I enjoy over the winters; definitely a good date spot.

brooklyn spot // noorman's kil

 
 


In lieu of any weekend photos (too dark and sleepy during the storm); I have a new brooklyn spot that I'm excited about.  It's in the neighborhood and open during hurricanes (can't beat that).  It's called Noorman's Kil and they are bringing a modern, unpretentious spin to the whiskey set by pairing them with gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and craft beers.  Four pals (Gutter and Barcade alum) have come together and built a bar by hand right down to the tables. Their list of blends/labels for whiskey will impress anyone with around 220 options.  As for the sandwiches, I enjoyed the "Vernice" made up of Connecticut ricotta, Nutella, and season fruit preserves by local jam-makers Anarchy in a Jar on sourdough.

    Here's a fun fact I found regarding the name: “The bar’s name is derived from the creek that once flowed through northern Brooklyn. Noorman’s Kil also references the importance of water in the distillation of whiskey, which, when translated from the Gaelic term usquebaugh, means ‘water of life.’  (The creek was rechristened Bushwick Creek before development swept the area in the mid 19th century. The mouth of Noorman’s Kil, Bushwick Inlet, is still present today.)” [Brownstoner]  There's also a lovely backyard and a library nook full of knowledgable books on well... whiskey.  I'm always happy to see something this well done come to Grand Street following in the footsteps of Barricou.  Needless to say, the mister was in heaven. I foresee many fall/winter nights being spent here.

brooklyn spot // rye

{ Rye }

I think I found my new favorite place this weekend.  It has an old world charm with subtle touches, like real porcelain and antique silver without the stuffy crowd that usually attaches to these amenities.  In fact, the place is very much "come as you are" and I love that.  I wasn't able to take many photographs.  I was meeting a few people at the table for the first time. I didn't feel putting a camera in their face was the best introduction. The food was incredible.  I had the pink grapefruit and the baked eggs (expect to take some home - it's huge).  I appreciated that there was no rush to clear the table, which seems to be becoming commonplace in our neighborhood.  It was the very essence of what brunch should be and brought on heavy nostalgia for me personally. When I was young, my family used to go to a very similar place for brunch.  It was the easiest meal to bring out three kids all under five!  Something about the white tablecloth and the dimly lit room made me smile on something I couldn't remember.

brooklyn spot // five leaves

We made our way over to Five Leaves the other night for burgers.  The service was great and the food was decent but man; this will not be my new place.  I don't like giving bad reviews; it's just that the spot is too popular for it's own good.  The place seems constantly at capacity and the tables are so small.  I felt jammed in and couldn't hear the mister from across the tiny table.  Don't take it from me though; the reviews everywhere are glowing for this spot. I've never had their brunch (due to the endless lines) but everyone says it's worth the wait. The interior is beautifully done with a old time nautical theme and I did sense a little bit of romance peeking through the clamor...