Friday's Photos (with Commentary)

I love this house on Hall Street by Myrtle Avenue. It seems they have inflatable dolls for every holiday.

It's here!

Looks like BOA is a few days away from officially opening.

I read on Brooklynian that Pillow Cafe's moving closer to the Associate on Myrtle. Could this be the new home for Pillow Cafe?

Buddhist Meditation in Ft. Greene

Need to chill out this holiday season? Try meditation in Fort Greene! Coordinated by the Vajradhara Meditation Center

Stillness Within – The Power of a Peaceful Mind

Sundays 7:30-9pm December 10^th & 17^th

Lucky Lotus Yoga – 184 Dekalb Ave. Brooklyn , NY 11238

What's This?

Not sure if this is the spot Jay posted about a few weeks ago, but it looks intriguing. It's on Myrtle between Washington and Hall.

Have you seen Giuseppe?

My friend has lost her cat Giuseppe. He's an all black, neutered male, very vocal and affectionate, and was last seen near Grand Ave. on Wednesday, November 29th. He wasn't wearing a collar and he has a lump on his right flank. If you have seen him or know of someone who's taken him in, please email nicd-at-mindspring-dot-com, and I can forward it to her. Thanks.

The NEW CHB!

Hello! Welcome to our new design! I apologize for the recent aesthetic crappiness, but as you can see, it was worth the wait! As part of our new design, we will be selling ad space beginning January 2007. I hope to make sure it looks nice and in-character with our design.

If you are interested in advertising with us, email clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com.

focaccino-no-no

if your block is like mine, you've probably seen one or thirty of these in the past week or so:

looking at the menu, with the times square clip art photo and the "slick" graphics, my husband was sure that it was a chain; i wasn't so convinced. i checked their website, and my woman's intuition was right: poor design choices notwithstanding, this was a one-off business.

anyway, as it seems like mainly a order-in kind of place, i felt that i could do a review by calling for delivery and not feel like a slacker....

i called up, and it took me five redials to not get a busy signal, which made me first think "wow, they must be really busy, the food must be great!" and then think "busy signal?? what is this, 1988?".

when i finally got through i spoke to a very nice worker, who took my order for a personal-size plain pizza on whole grain dough and a family-size goat cheese focaccia and was totally accomodating when i asked to substitute grilled zucchini for the grilled eggplant on the focaccia. i was pretty psyched that they offered whole grain crust, it makes me feel like a better mother to order a whole grain pizza.

it arrived (quickly, bonus points), and we cracked open the boxes. the pizza looked fine...

...but wasn't a hit with any member of the family. the little guy thought the sauce was too spicy, we both thought it was too sweet. the whole wheat crust, though, was pretty good.

then we opened the big box to check out the focaccia:

i've eaten a fair amount of focaccia. i've even made focaccia. and every focaccia i've ever met before has looked...not like that. they've been at least 1/2-inch thick, doughy. so after staring at the thing in the box for a couple minutes, i decided that there must have been a mistake—maybe they thought i ordered a goat cheese pizza? also, what was up with the sundried tomatoes? i had a bite: it was dry and flavorless. so i gave them a call. i got the same very nice guy, who remembered me. he couldn't really answer anything about the sundried tomatoes, but told me that the thin dough was just "how they make it", that their focaccia was "pretty much like a pizza dough." which, okay, fine, if that's how they want to make their "focaccia", that's their prerogative. i just won't ever be ordering it again.

IcI's new dining room

This summer, while eating brunch in the garden at IcI, Mike and I tried to figure out just what the floor above the restaurant was used for, post-Sodafine. It looked totally empty, and yet we could see people walking around. I guessed IcI was using it as an office, but I guessed wrong: It's IcI's new private dining room, which opens tomorrow. It seats 40, and can be booked for private parties, and anything else you might want to do in an all-white room (even the floors are painted white apparently). I learned this from reading the Village Voice's food blog. (Just when you think the world can't sustain another food blogger, one tips you off to something good.) But I'm curious how much it is to rent. If anyone inquires (the contact info is: marion@icirestaurant.com, 646-460-3808) please do tell.

***Addendum: Thank you Kathryn Fox for reminding me of the blurb in NY mag's fall preview, that talked about the new space being turned into a take out place called "iCitotakehomewithyou." I can't find that mention online, either, though Brooklyn Record also reported rumors of it being turned into take-out place in front, wine and tapas place in back. More on exactly what this place has morphed into (and why) soon....

Mighty Expensive Breakfast

Spied this in the Pratt Coffee Shop window Sunday morning:

Really? Two dollars for a half grapefruit? Does it come with a side of diamonds?

Blue Bass Vintage Holiday Sale!

Just received this info from Blue Bass Vintage:Blue Bass Vintage Clothing is having a holiday sale. All items in the store with holiday prints and/or holiday colors are 10% off. When we decided to do this, we found that we needed a little primer on what all the holiday colors are. Here's what we came up with, and we're sticking with it (unless someone gives us a really compelling reason not too):

Christmas colors - Red & Green

Hanukkah - White, Blue Silver

Kwanzaa - Red, Green & Gold

Cool. Plus, it's good form to do some of your holiday shopping at neighborhood establishments!

Blue Bass Vintage Clothing 431 DeKalb Ave (enter on Classon) 347.750.8935 www.bluebassvintage.com

Liquors Syndrome at Washington and Myrtle

Received this request for info from one of our readers:

Do you guys have any info at all about the ongoing condo development on Washington and Hall, just north of Myrtle (behind Kum Kau)? I'm a neighbor on Hall Street, and I have been watching the site with concern. It was presented to me as a 40-unit luxury condo project comprised of 2 towers around four to five stories tall. But since the old warehouse that used to be there was torn down in the spring of 2005, there hasn't been much action at all. Any clues?

Maybe there was a delay in development approval? This is not my forte, per say, but one of you out there may know who's behind this alleged development and its delay. (Again, why must everything be so pokey around here? Maybe this building's delay is for the best, but no one likes gazing at an empty lot!)

Tree Hunt

On Saturday, I began my hunt for a Christmas tree. I had hoped for a Scotch Pine, but none were to be found. Instead, I settled for a lovely short-needle tree from the lot at the church on Clinton and Lafayette:

They also have gorgeous wreaths, starting at $20:

I also spied a tree lot on Myrtle between Washington and Hall:

Their selection didn't look as robust, but it was early in the morning.

There is also a lot on Washington just north of Myrtle, but their trees were locked up early in the day behind a fence-thing, so I can't speak to the selection.

Need a GIANT tree? Try Gardel's Garden on South Portland. Last year, Bishop Laughlin HS also set up an enormous lot on Lafayette. The workers were super friendly, and even gave me a free bag of pine branches towards the end of the month. Haven't seen them set up yet this year.

All the lots I've seen so far have a wide range of tree-heights, and they've all included the mini Charley Brown size.

Do you spy a particularly good (or bad) tree lot in the nabe? Email me!

Friday Photo

(Lafayette at Washington)

Waverly Storefront

This old storefront sits on Waverly Ave. between Greene and Gates. I assume it was, at one time, a retail storefront. Now, it seems to be used as a residence. Sad, since the window gates are kind of ugly and the windows are shoddily papered up. Though I suppose with almost zero foot traffic, how could it return to being a store?

Wonder what would flourish here...

[Ed. -- A 24-hour pizza place!]

Stonehome: Mixed Reviews

I're recently discovered The L Magazine blog, which to my surprise covers cool stuff all around the BK and NYC. I assumed that it was just a Williamsburg thing based on the name- doh. Anyhow, they've recently checked out Fort Greene's Stonehome Wine Bar, giving them mixed grades.

I've always had pleasant experiences there, but have not yet stopped in to experience the full dinner menu. Also humorous is the L's description of the patrons as "elderly" -- mid-late 30s.

Broken Angel: Update from Chris Wood

Received this update from Chris today:

Update 11/28/06

The Wood family is very thankful for the support we have received in our attempt to rescue Broken Angel. However the building is far from saved and time is running out. Broken Angel is a legally built architectural sculpture, which my father would love to transform into a home for the arts. Broken Angel is viewed by thousands of people who come to see it every year. If this quirky and original structure disappears, Quincy and Downing streets will again become a forgotten corner of Brooklyn. My name is Christopher Wood; I am the son of the creators of Broken Angel. I have lived my entire life in Brooklyn. I have grown up and continue to be enmeshed in a world of art. I am a stone carver and photographer. I have restored many of New York’s cherished landmarks including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters, Grace Church, the Tweed Court house, and currently the main branch of the New York City Public Library. I call on Brooklyn to support and help us restore Broken Angel. Please email or write your local politicians to show your support and help us block the demolition of Broken Angel. If you are a legal professional, we desperately need help fighting the Department of Buildings in court. Additionally those who are willing and able can purchase paintings by my father or my photographs of Broken Angel at Artez’n at 444 Atlantic Ave. Works of art for sale can also be obtained online at http://www.artezn.com/. I guarantee that a work of art bought this holiday season will retain its value better than a Play Station 3. Please help us and show the developers who want to turn Brooklyn into another skyline of giant buildings that we will not go gently into the shadows of greed and over development. I can be contacted at chriswood718@yahoo.com

Photos of Broken Angel http://www.flickr.com/photos/onebadapple/

My restoration work http://www.bandhartinarch.com/

Broken Angel in the press http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/471350p-396673c.html

http://www.sethkushner.com/brooklynites/images_07.html

http://www.brooklynpapers.com/html/issues/_vol29/29_41/29_41wood.html

Broken Angel Standoff on Gowanus Lounge

http://www.nytimes.com/

Thanks, Chris, for keeping us all updated.

CHB Interviews: Steve Wacksman, on the reno of his St. James Place home

Turns out one of my best tipsters and new neighborhood friends owns one of the gorgeously-renovated homes next to that dumpy house I'd love to buy on St. James Place! I asked him a bunch of questions on how he came to own on my favorite street.

1. By now you know I am obsessed with your house. Who was the first to buy one of these and renovate?

Our next door neighbors at 156 did the first renovation. We were not living here at the time, but to hear them tell it it was an unsightly mess: fake stone stucco all the way up the facade. The parlor door was intact but the stairs had long since been removed or collapsed and only the garden floor door was accessible. They got a tax photo from which to work and, since it was small and grainy, improvised a bit on the details. Many of the details were salvaged from other buildings, etc. They won an award from the Clinton Hill Association for their renovation which was well deserved.

2. When did you move to the nabe, and what brought you here? Where did you live before the Hill?

We moved here in 2002. My wife and I had both lived in Manhattan previously and we were typical Manhattan snobs- I blew off more invitations to visit friends in Brooklyn than i can count, simply because it was 'too much trouble' to get here! I'd lived in the East Village since 1987 and was accustomed to living in what was essentially a rabbit hutch, but after we got married the Missus had had enough and put her foot down. I didn't think we'd find anything we could afford, but within 12 hours she found us a luxurious large one-bedroom in the Financial District. Maybe this isn't relevant here, but as an aside I wholly endorse the Financial District as a place to live- it's like a city within the city and there's so much to discover there; I loved living there for the most part.

Anyhow, we were there for 2 years when she announced that we would own our next home; our days as renters were over. And again, I didn't think we'd be able to afford anything we'd actually want to live in. And after seeing a handful of tiny, dark apartments with high common charges, the prognosis was pretty grim.

Finally I begrudgingly cast my nets wider and included Brooklyn in the search. And I found a house in Williamsburg with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and a backyard for just about 20% more than we were looking to spend on a broom closet in Manhattan. Initially it seemed like it would be out of reach, but when I looked at the numbers, certain things made it more realistic: 10% down (vs the 20% all the Manhattan coops required), no common charges, and low taxes. All told, the monthly hit would be about the same!

We lost that one, but the hunt began at that point for a HOUSE in Brooklyn. We saw a couple of dumps in Greenpoint before I found this open house listed. We pulled up as a young couple was exiting - the young woman rolled her eyes and declared the house 'interesting' with obvious sarcasm. It WAS interesting, too in as many good ways as bad. Sofie was taking stock of the hideous purple and yellow color scheme that dominated the majority of the interior,the broken windows and creaking stairs when I whispered to her excitedly "We have to buy this house". And so we did. We knew next to nothing about Clinton Hill - we'd never even heard of it before attending the open house. I went to art school and I applied to Pratt - I declined because too many people told me that the neighborhood was unlivable and a warzone and I'd be unceremoniously beaten and mugged and scalped and would be returned to my grief-stricken mother in a box. Ironic, then, that we bought our house here and proudly call Clinton Hill home.

3. Is it true that The Notorious B.I.G. grew up on your street? If so, do you know which house?

I have indeed heard this rumor though I can't claim to be an authority on the subject. An unreliable source pointed to a house on the next block (bet Gates and Fulton).

4. Biggest challenge during renovation:

There were many challenges, though none ever seemed insurmountable. We were flying blind for the most part and were lucky that we worked with trustworthy contractors and architects. One of the most sticky issues was with the Landmarks commission, who required us to match our next-door-neighbor's facade exactly. The neighbors were upset because they felt their facade reflected many personal design choices and we should follow suit and design our own house. But Landmarks considered their now existing facade a precedent that we were required to follow. Tempers flared and, unfortunately, relations were never fully repaired.

Living in a house that's having extensive work done to it is not something I'd recommend to anyone- it's just taxing as hell on the nerves.

5. Your dog is enormous! What kind is it?

Okie is a French mastiff called a Dogue de Bordeaux. They are fairly rare, but were admitted into the AKC last year in the Miscellaneous class so in time I'm sure they'll be more common. He's just turned one year old last week- he has a lot of growing yet to do. He'll likely be somewhere around 140 lbs when he's done. He's great fun and as gentle as a lamb, but he DOES snore and drool. A lot. (LH NOTE: yesterday in the park, I was talking to Steve when Okie shook her head, and her drool flew right into my mouth.)

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our other dog, The Veal. She's a Boxer- 10.5 years old. I can't say enough good things about her and her breed in general; if anyone is looking for an athletic, fun-loving, good-natured, easy-keeping companion, think about a Boxer. Check out www.boxerrescue.com or www.secondchanceboxer.com

6. Favorite place to eat in the neighborhood:

I'd probably go with Smoke Joint- the BBQ is excellent and the owners are great guys who know how to make you feel welcome and appreciated. Same goes for Cafe Martino on Myrtle- we go there for breakfast on the weekends and the owners treat us like old friends. I can't overstate how much that makes a difference to me- good,friendly service. We find many places treat us like they're doing us a favor by serving us; they rarely get a second chance.

We also like the food and atmosphere at Luz and we take-out from Los Pollitos ands Castros pretty frequently.

We went to Bonita this weekend and it was very good as well; I'm sure we'll be back.

7. What do you most wish would open in the area?

I could fill a book, but the short list is: Grocery with fresh produce and baked goods- not necessarily a 'gourmet' place, but a decent, clean greengrocer. I know the wife wants fresh cut flowers, too. Would love a gym- we joined Fitness Academy just weeks before it closed. Crunch is a bit of a hike...

Also, I dream about a restaurant - a simple place, maybe just slightly more 'upmarket' than an average diner - I'm thinking about the equivalent of an EJ's or Veselka, maybe. Someplace to sit and have a burger or something after 8 PM. What gives with the only diners in this neighborhood closing so early?

8. As an artist, do you feel the neighborhood is conducive to creativity? Do you worry that artists will be forced to leave due to rising prices?

Well, the art school's presence isn't felt as strongly as I'd hoped it would be. But I do see creativity everywhere- that's New York. I see it in handpainted shop signs and xeroxed yard sale flyers and graffiti. It's everywhere and I derive inspiration from everything- at least i try to, but I'm an illustrator, which means I'm a 'commercial artist'- I'm often most inspired by a paycheck and/or a deadline.

Since I moved to NY I've witnessed an increasing lack of interest in or sympathy for creatives - NY has become a playground for wealthy suburbanites who have done their best to reshape the city in their image. The small designers from Waukeegan who would move to NY and open a dress shop on the LES - who can do that anymore? Who can afford to when there's always a Chuck E Cheese or Radio Shack looking to expand their empire? Ultimately, though, I dream NY's inhospitable attitude toward the people that made it what it was will backfire and there will be a creative diaspora. Places like Kansas City and Dayton, OH will find more artists living in their midst while NYC is populated solely by bankers, entertainment lawyers and celebrity chefs.

9. Are you involved with SONYA? If so, how can a local artist align with the organization and participate in the annual SONYA Stroll?

I am not- as I mentioned above, I'm a commercial artist so most of my work is of little interest to art enthusiasts. To my discredit I've never taken the time to learn much about SONYA.

10.If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?

I had to enlist some help on this one. Sofie says: "Rocky Road, because you've got crispy bits and soft bits." Long pause. "And you're always sweet" Awww.

Thanks, Steve!

Steve Wacksman

www.houseowax.com

No New Cafe (YET) on St. James

A few months ago, I received a tip that a new cafe might be opening in a brownstone on St. James Place. I checked it out and didn't see much aside from a demolished garden-level space. I revisited this place a few days ago, and there's still no cafe in sight.

However, the owners did put these criss-cross thingies on the windows. Um, is this 1979 Buffalo suburbs? Or Hansel and Gretel?

Mysterious Trash Can

This falls under the category "on the way to Clinton Hill!" For those of you who switch trains at Hoyt-Schermerhorn every night like myself, you may have noticed a peculiar garbage can near the back end of the platform. For a few weeks, it was surrounded by yellow caution tape, and most recently it sits covered in a giant black plastic garbage bag. Of course, most people ignore the covering and toss their trash on top.

WTF is up with this trash can?? Why has it been covered up for so long?? If there's something wrong with it, why can't it be removed and replaced? What in the world could be inside? Yes, my first thought was along the lines of corpse, but that would be pretty stinky by now.

Seriously, this annoys me.

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:

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!

Just Wondering...

Did anyone wait on line for a Jive Turkey turkey last week?  I saw a fairly long queue both Monday and Tuesday before I left town.  Can you not preorder or something?  And were those people just waiting for a fresh bird?  It seemed the boxes being unloaded from the truck were not-yet-prepared. I may order a fried turkey for Christmas...

(PS- I AM SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN TOWN!)