CHB Interviews: Eda Sanchez-Persampieri, Owner of Square Root Cafe

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opening soon on myrtle If you've walked down Myrtle recently, you may have noticed some work being done in the corner storefront of the Renken Dairy building at Classon. Maybe you've also noticed the new sign hanging above it, or stopped in to speak with the folks renovating the space. Good news! This new hot spot, a retro-cool restaurant called the Square Root Cafe is almost ready to open!

I stopped in a few weeks ago to get some photos of the progress being made and to talk to the owner, Eda Sanchez-Persampieri. She and her husband Joe are doing an amazing job retaining many elements of the historic space (which has sat empty for years), as well as brightening up the interior. The corner windows are gorgeous! (swoon)

Square Root Cafe will open on January 1, offering FREE BRUNCH from 1-5pm! It'll be the perfect opportunity to feed your hangover and welcome the restaurant to the area!

1. You'll be opening a new restaurant on Myrtle called Square Root Cafe. What's the theme going to be? How about the cuisine? My husband Joe and I are totally stoked about opening in Clinton Hill! The restaurant will feature a casual environment decorated with the mid century antiques & collectibles ( funky junk) that we have collected over the past 10-12 years.

The food will be homestyle gourmet- lots of classic dishes with some updated ingredients. Joe is a 2001 graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. One of Joe's classmates was the then-wife of Richard Dreyfus and he actually came to the commencement- How cool is that?

2. Do you live in Clinton Hill? How did you decide to open the cafe?

We actually live up by the Navy Yard.

We had the idea for a cafe about five years ago and seeing the explosion of independent retailers on Myrtle decided we should go ahead and do it before the neighborhood became oversaturated with cafes!

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3. What did you do before the restaurant? When did you decide to take the plunge?

Actually we are both continuing to work.

I work in apparel production/sourcing and my job stints have included being on the teams that launched the Sean John & Daisy Fuentes brands.

>Joe is a 25 year veteran of FDNY but he plans to retire next year.

We decided in June to take the plunge and looked at a lot of available storefronts but we knew we definitely wanted to be on Myrtle!

4. Will the restaurant be in the building with the milk company sign? Any info on the history of that place?

Yup we are in the milk building. Renken Dairy owned a number of buildings in the area. Our building was actually home to the corporate offices and retail storage. The basement has this cool old-fashioned walk-in refrigerator (which is now our office) and another smaller room was used as the vault -- there's a real vault door you have to walk through!

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5. Tell me about the thriving community of Myrtle Ave merchants. How did you decide to open there?

Myrtle has just exploded in the last 3-4 years, We moved to the area when it was first stating to pop and the energy in the streets is inspiring. We definitely wanted to be on Myrtle hands down over any other street -- even Dekalb!

6. What's your favorite local hangout in the neighborhood?

Mojito's

7. How long have you lived in Clinton Hill? How has it changed since then?

We have lived as a couple in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Wallabout area since 2004, first in a loft in the Choclate Factory and now over on Cumberland down the street from the Sweet & Low Company.

What we love about the area is that it is so diverse and that the residents embrace the diversity.

8. What kinds of events will the cafe be hosting? Art exhibits ( painting and photos) , live music (most likely Jazz, Blues or Jazz Fusion 2-4x a month) and weekly Movie/TV night with classic vintage movie& tv shows. We might do an open mic night 1x a week. I am also kicking around the idea of a film festival- showing local artists films.

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9. What else would you like to see open in the neighborhood?

Gourmet Deli- Like Fourage in Dumbo Gourmet Cheese shop- Like Stinky's in Carol Gardens/Cobble Hill>

We would love to open a gourmet deli- If Square Root is successful, we might give it a go.

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

Joe is definetly chocolate ice cream because just about everyone likes chocolate ice cream and everyone immediately likes Joe!

I am green tea flavor -- an acquired taste but once you like you love it.

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Square Root Cafe 584 Myrtle Ave. at Classon 718-230-7077 www.squarerootcafe.com

Clinton Hill: Personal Profile

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(Yes, we've taken a long hiatus with this, but will hopefully be back on a regular schedule!) chb-pedicure-profile-banner.jpg

Name: Melita Charles Clinton Hill Resident For: many years!

A few weeks ago, I met up with Melita Charles at the Polish Bar of Brooklyn to enjoy Mint Candy pedicures and chat about her history with the neighborhood.

Clinton Hill resident and general surgeon Melita Charles is making her home here for the second time. After med school and a stint upstate, Charles has come full circle.

Melita and her family originally moved to Clinton Hill from Sunset Park the summer before she began high school. She remembers being awed by the wide streets and taking long walks to downtown Brooklyn along DeKalb Avenue, or over to Pratt to buy art supplies, even though not much was open back then. She and her family lived in an apartment on Clinton and Gates, where her sister still resides.

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Even though the neighborhood saw higher crime rates back then, Melita remembers feeling comfortable. "I saw somebody get mugged once, but otherwise we felt safe. The same three old people were always sitting outside in front of our building checking in on people," she explains. "My sister and I used to make fun of them for not having anything better to do, but at the same time we were glad to know someone was looking out for us."

Melita graduated from Stuyvesant High School, knowing from a very young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. "My Aunties were all nurses, but I always wanted to be a doctor," she says. Attending Ithaca College, Melita chose to pursue general surgery during medical school. To complement her surgical training, Melita completed additional training in surgical oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. It was there where she met my mother, a patient at the center, more than eight years ago.

Melita enjoyed Buffalo, but missed New York City and her family. Eventually, she made her way back east, living in both Queens and on Long Island. One morning, she claims to have had an epiphany in the shower. "I should move back to Brooklyn!" she thought. Initially, she made a beeline to Park Slope, a neighborhood she thought many professionals aspired to. Once there, however, she felt the neighborhood was both too expensive and "too much." It was not the right fit. She started hunting obsessively for real estate across the borough, finding everything she saw to be too small and just not right for her. It was a fluke that she happened to check out a spacious apartment on Classon Avenue. "Why didn't I start here to begin with?" she asked herself, "It's where I've always wanted to be!"

After several years away, Melita feels like she's back in the same neighborhood she grew up in despite all the changes the area has seen. A few establishments still remain from her teenage years -- the diner on Vanderbilt and Fulton for example, and the bodegas, which she affectionately describes as "indestructible" -- but she points more to a general feeling. "Clinton Hill has always been a little enclave," she explains. "Once you cross Fulton, you know you're home."

Melita's current regular haunts include Chez Ozkar, iCi, Zaytoons and Luz. "I love Luz!" she says. "I frequently take people there for a drink or a date, because I know at least I'll have a good time," she explains with a chuckle. She, like many residents, years for a gourmet cheese shop, a store for fresh produce and a bakery (she laments the closure of a bakery from her childhood that used to sell great peach cobbler).

Melita now works as a general surgeon at Long Island College Hospital. She loves walking to work, often past the Farmer's and Artisan Markets in Fort Greene Park.

"I'm glad I ended up back here," she says. "It's really just more 'my speed.'"

No Starbucks on Myrtle (Yet)

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Thankfully, the Starbucks rumors were wrong. They will NOT be moving into the storefront on Myrtle across from Kum Kau (at Washington). Instead, NYCPet.com will be moving in. _dsc4346.jpg

(photo by David Velez)

They already operate two stores in Park Slope and offer delivery and online ordering. Word has it that they will also be offering veterinary services!

We do have a few vets in the area already (at Kiki's on DeKalb and Brooklyn Vet Hospital on Vanderbilt), but anyone who has had to lug an overweight cat to the vet in an unwieldy carrier will surely appreciate the convenience of additional services in the area.

Michael Bolton at the Navy Yard

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I'm sorry to say that we've all missed an opportunity to chill with crooner Michael Bolton at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Apparently, an NBC show called Clash of the Choirs did a live taping there from Dec 12-17! Does anyone watch this show? Is it on now? If it's not on my DVR, I probably won't see it. Guess it IS on now. Here's the NBC website.

(Thanks to Greenpointer and one of our readers for this!)

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Paul Robeson Theater to Host Music Series

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Awhile back, the intriguing Paul Robeson Theater on Greene Ave hosted a fun theater series.  Starting TONIGHT, the church-turned-theater will be hosting a few nights of experimental music: Wednesday, December 19th Bjorkestra and Sun Ra Arkestra 8pm,  $15 door (I just had to post the full info for tonight, because this Bjork thing sounds amazing) BJORKESTRA Blending Bjork's visionary techno pop with the harmonic and improvisational elements of modern jazz, Travis Sullivan has created a truly unique ensemble that transcends genre and style. Comprised of New York City's finest jazz musicians, this eighteen-piece ensemble features full horn and rhythm sections as well as talented vocalist Becca Stevens, performing Sullivan's arrangements that span Bjork's entire catalogue. With visuals by Forward Motion Theater http://www.forwardmotiontheater.org/

SUN RA ARKESTRA From its inception, Sun Ra Arkestra's music was infused with Sun Ra's unique philosophy, an unexpected hybrid of space-age science fiction and ancient Egyptian cosmo religious trappings. This philosophy gained a visual manifestation in the colorful robes, mock-metallic capes, and space headgear worn by the band (it's the only jazz orchestra that brings a tailor on tour), and in a stage presentation that usually features several dancers, a number of group chants ("We travel the spaceways/From planet to planet") and at least one instance of the entire band juking its way, single-file, through the audience.

Thursday, December 20th American Babies and I Am A BISON 8pm, $10 door

Friday, December 21st The Jason Trachtenberg Pop Conception, Christina Courtin and Jigsaw Soul 8pm, $10 door

Saturday, December 22nd Emily King, Cody ChesnuTT 7pm and 10pm, $15 door

Four Years at Sputnik

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Sputnik bar opened up on Taaffe Place just before I moved to the 'hood four years ago.  This weekend, they're having a big anniversary bash!  Friday & Saturday, December 21st and 22nd, they'll be hosting a cool mix of performers -- including hip-hop greats Black Moon on Friday and Nice &Smooth on Saturday.

Sputnik 262 Taaffe Place www.barsputnik.com

Are they still serving up brunch?

Caroling in the Hill

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Received this from a reader: "An open invitation to join your neighbors for Community Christmas Caroling on Friday December 21st.

All who are interested (regardless of age, experience or vocal acuity) will gather in the candle-lit Pratt-Clinton Hill Community Garden (at Dekalb Ave. and Hall Street) at 6:30 pm. After warming up over hot chocolate and cookies, we head off at 7pm, ringing and singing our way through the streets of the Hill.

2007 marks the 41st year for this annual gathering. This year we are reviving a custom of years past and asking carollers to bring a food treat for the garden's birds (i.e. seed, dry corn, suet cakes)

Songbooks of traditional carols are provided for his eccentric evening coordinated by Marge Othrow and Charlie Bayrer."

Apparently this is a pretty hard-core group. Last year they sang in driving rain! Sadly, I am departing Friday morning for tropical Buffalo, but hopefully some of you can join in on the fun.

Speakeasy Open for Brunch

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Speakeasy is now doing brunch Saturdays and Sundays. Personally, I'm psyched. It's right down the street from me, and they're just in time for the winter weather. I fully expect to slither over most weekends for some coffee and french toast in sweats and a scarf! library-5913.jpg

So far, I've been twice.  On my first jaunt, I tried the Ackee & Salt Fish.  It was really tasty and unique, and service was friendly.  Yesterday, though, I had the omlette.  It was very good, but the service was atrocious.  The waiter wouldn't give me a mimosa as part of the brunch deal (and the omlette is marked as such), and then charged me extra for a coffee  (I had tea, but the menu clearly states you get coffee/tea AND a booze drink). Let's hope that guy was just a blip on the radar.

As I've said about the dinner menu, I kind of think everything should be $2-$3 cheaper.  But it's still tasty overall, and nice to have nearby.

(Speakeasy is located at the corner of Waverly and Greene.)

Safe Winter Sidewalks

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Annoyed every time you almost break your neck on your way to the train? Just received this information in my inbox:

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It's easy to curse your neighbors when it takes you ten extra minutes to get to the C in the morning because you have to wade through snow or jump over slush. We're making it easy for people to do something constructive and neighborly about keeping their block shoveled this winter. We'll send you cards, and all you have to do is drop them in the mailbox of your neighbors who shovel. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way towards making a snow-free and friendlier block. This definitely won't work for people living in larger buildings controlled by a management company, like in downtown Brooklyn, but in mid- and low-rise areas with more homeowners, like much of Clinton Hill, it's a good solution to the eternal neighborhood problem of sidewalks blocked by snow.

What do you think? Would these cards work?

Jewelry Trunk Show @ RePop

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picture-4.png On Saturday, Dec. 15 there will be an exclusive showing of Ellie's newest jewelry and her limited- edition aquariums, terrariums and keepsake boxes. Back in the midwest they do tupperware parties, well here at RePOP it's all about jewels and gifts! Come lounge in a wonderful vintage atmosphere as Ellie delights everyone with her new merchandise perfect for the season exclusively at RePOP! Festive music and refreshments will be served to all guests! We'll have a grande time. Hope you can make it!

10% off all RePOP furnishings, lighting, and collectibles offered to all guests.

DATE: Dec. 15 TIME: 12:30 - 5pm LOCATION: RePOP 95% Recycled 68 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

A Party at Steiner Studios

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A top secret contact of mine was fortunate enough to attend Doug Steiner's birthday bash in the Brooklyn Navy Yard recently. Since we're all curious as to what it's like behind those gates, he offered to share his experience (under the pseydonym "Bill Bennet"): Thank you Lesterhead! I'm feeling super to be here!

Well readers, let me tell you a juicy story about last Friday night! Your faithful reporter, by the skin of his charm and suavity, got invited to a glittering party at the Steiner Studios in the ghetto-swank Brooklyn Navy Yard. The stars were out on November 30th both in the frozen night sky and on the red carpet!

Inside the scene was "thumpin', yo!" Our host for the evening and the birthday boy for whom the birthday bash was bumpin', the amazing Doug Steiner, had turned the ginormous main studio space -- twenty-seven thousand square feet of floor space with fifty foot ceilings! -- into a full-on dance club. The bar(s --three giant open bars!) were swarmed like a fat American tourist in the Congo, and rasperry vodka flowed like semen and ink at a writers' retreat. Beautiful go-go dancers shook their booties on raised platforms placed randomly throughout the space -- and when I say beautiful, I mean Booo-ti-foooollll!!! For the men, a hot blonde, a hot Latina, a hot African-American, and one dancer I couldn't quite place (Samoan islander mixed with Scottish highlander?) were bursting out of skimpy outfits, boobs and butts glistening with sweat! For the ladies guys in Greco-Roman wrestling gear pumped you up! as their rock hard muscles undulated like the enraged seas!

I was on pins and needles when my contact for the evening was approached by the birthday boy himself. I sharpened my conversation skills with a pocket pencil sharpener, grabbed an extra cocktail, and headed over to the pair.

"Doug, this is my friend Bill Bennet. Bill this is Doug Steiner."

Reader, I almost fainted on the spot.

Doug Steiner (who was being shadowed by his personal photographer) is a commanding five foot, six inches tall. Penetrating eyes peer out from strong brows situated just beneath his balding head.

"Hi," he said, and offered me a hand soft from lack of manual labor, but hard from giving "no"s to so many aspiring filmmakers. I gushed at how wonderful it was to meet him, and he, like Andy Warhol, acted dazed and indifferent, all the while projecting an inner confidence and intelligence that can only be described as "ineffable."

Naturally Mr. Steiner had too many guests to stop and chat with your humble reporter, and so he moved on through the crowd, shaking hands while the constant lightning from the flash of his personal photographer blinded the guests -- almost as much as the birthday boy's brilliance.

I made my way back to the bar to get my signature club soda and lime when a little man, who had obviously slipped past the velvet rope, had the nerve to ask if I was the designated driver. In the first place, I thought, I don't drive. I am DRIVEN. So I turned to him and said, "No. I'm in recovery." I thought it might give me a little Amy Winehouse chic. :)

Sadly my attempts to nose my way into the VIP rooms met with repeated rebuffs (and how buff! Mr. Steiner really knows how to pick a bouncer! ). So there's not much more to say. The plebes who milled around the dance floor mostly seemed to be indie movie company interns -- skinny, nervous young men with beards and sallow complexions -- or obese women in their 40s looking to pick up one of these trembling wall flowers in flannel. Occasionally a middle-aged entertainment lawyer would provide a spectacle, knocking back vodka tonics and leering at the go-go dancers. The high point of the remainder of the evening was watching one of the old, fat ladies groping a male go-go dancer's juicy package while her equally rotund friend took pictures on her mini digital camera.

Around 11 the gliterati started to fliterati into the night. I took my cue, downed the rest of my soda and lime and flew into the night to adventure and fun!!!

No word on whether or not the party moved to the Navy Yard Lounge.

More Celeb Sightings

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Received this in my inbox last night:Today, I was walking down Lafayette near Waverly, and saw a small movie crew filming in a car. When I peeped in the windshield, I saw oscar nominee Paul Giamatti in the drivers seat!!!

He looks exactly the same in real life :-)

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Then on the way back from Choice Market I saw the black model from all the Maybelline commericals (I forgot her name). I guess Clinton Hill is really happening!

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A Good Cause at Addy & Ferro

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Now through Thursday, December 20th Bring in a new unwrapped hard cover children’s book to Addy & Ferro to be given as a holiday gift to Children in a Brooklyn Shelter. Each donation will yield a Good Will coupon, and should you decide to make a purchase, receive 30% of each item for each book donated. Good Will coupon can be used on all merchandise (full priced and sale) and is to be used at the time of donation, it can’'t be saved for a later date.

Addy & Ferro 672 Fulton Street (between South Elliot & South Portland St.) Brooklyn, NY 11217

(718) 246-2900

Store Hours Monday: closed Tuesday - Saturday: 12pm - 8pm Sunday: 12pm - 6pm

Important Hearing on Admiral's Row

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(If anyone attends this meeting and wants to email me a report to post, that would be great.  This week I am buried in grad school paper writing.  Email reports to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com.) navyyard.jpg

(photo by bb2087)

The issue of what to do with the crumbling houses located in the Navy Yard has been a heated one.  Currently, they are slated to be removed and replaced with a giant grocery store.  The press release below is clearly in favor of the plan, although many feel differently.

I'm hoping to do several posts on the Navy Yard in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.  My general position is that the Row should be preserved, but that the Navy Yard in general should be open to the public and used as community space.

For additional info, check out this independent project regarding the history of Admiral's Row, run by a friend of mine.

December 7, 2007

PLEASE JOIN COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES, WITH BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ; CONGRESSMAN ED TOWNS; STATE SENATOR VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY; ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH LENTOL; ASSEMBLYMAN HAKEEM JEFFRIES; COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID YAASKY; REV. MARK TAYLOR; COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS; FOR A PRESS CONFERENCE AND PUBLIC MEETING TO SUPPORT THE SUPERMARKET DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED BY THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BNYDC)

All are invited to a press conference and public meeting to support the transfer of property in the Navy Yard (Admiral's Row) from the Federal Government to the City of New York, who will lease the land to the BNYDC for development.  The event will take place on Tuesday, December 11th beginning at 6:15 PM.

For twenty years BNYDC has worked closely with the community to acquire Admiral's Row Houses, to then convert the deteriorated and unsafe buildings into a community asset, including a major supermarket and community retail stores.  The proposed supermarket development will provide fresh produce for an underserved community, over 500 new retail and industrial jobs (local hiring commitment), and an on-site BNYDC Employment Center for easy access to job placement opportunities.

The Economic Development Committee of Community Board 2, as well as elected officials at all levels of government support the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation's re-development plan.  BNYDC has a strong track record of retaining the Yard's history, and is committed to historic preservation whenever possible.

WHAT:  BNYDC Public Meeting about the Transfer of Admiral's Row Houses

WHEN:  Tuesday, December 11th - Press Conference at 6:15 PM, Forum from 7 PM - 9 PM

WHERE:  Daniel Hale Williams Public School 307 - 209 York Street (near Gold Street)

Contact:  Ray Martin (Office of Council Member Letitia James) - (646) 942-3180, and Richard Drucker (Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation) - (718) 907-5936

BREAKING NEWS: Shooting at Reign Nightclub!

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shooting at reign nightclubI went for an ambitious jog this afternoon and decided to huff it up to Wallabout and pop into RePop. When I got to Washington and Park, however, the street was blocked off with orange tape. I walked under the tape and continued on to RePop, which was open. Just past the store, the rest of the block was closed off with yellow crime scene tape. Apparently, there was a late-night shooting at Reign Lounge (46 Washington just south of Flushing).  No news yet posted anywhere.  Anyone have more information?