Spanish Eatery 'La Vara' On Clinton Street Now Open

(photo credit: Simmi Degnemark)

No doubt, LA VARA, the new Spanish restaurant that opened its doors yesterday at 268 Clinton Street, will be a great addition to Cobble Hill. Not only does the exterior renovation look great, but a glimpse at the menu reveals such great dishes Conejo En Escabeche (stuffed rabbit loin poached in sweet onion vinaigrette with prunes, olive, saffron), Cordero Al Ajo Cabañil (cumin roasted lamb breast, scallion, preserved lemon-date condiment), and Carabiñeros, imported spanish red shrimp a la plancha preserved lemon

The new neighborhood eatery is owned by Alex Raij and Eder Montero, who already opened Txikito and El Quinto Pino.
La Vara is located in the former space of Clinton Hill Café and more recently of Breuckelen, just steps away from Verandah Place. The façade has been tastefully renovated and the interior looks very inviting.
Incidentally, La Vara was also Spanish language weekly newspaper, published from 1922–1948 as a national Sephardi Jewish newspaper in the United States.
Was anyone at the grand opening yesterday?  How was it?

La Vara

268 Clinton St

Btwn Warren St & Verandah Pl

(check out the menu here)

*Thanks for sending along the photos, Simmi.

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What's That Weird Think Hanging From Teddy's Gate On Court Street?

Photo Courtesy of  Yelp

Reader Molly just wrote to me to let me know about something quite weird at Teddy's, the women's clothing and accessories boutique at 216 Court Street, near Warren in Cobble Hill.

She writes:

On my way home from dropping my son off at preschool this morning, I stopped in my tracks when I got to Teddy's women's boutique on Court St. that had something hanging from the pull-down metal grate. At first I thought it was a piece of meat or an octopus, but when I looked more closely, all I could think was that it was some sort of internal organ. It was about the size of a woman's shoe, yellow and red, and slimy looking. It looked as though someone had purposely put it there right at eye level. I stood there for a few minutes hoping someone would pass by who I could talk to about it, but nobody was around at the moment. I can't stop thinking about it! It's hideous looking.

Molly even sent along some photos she just took. It's truly disgusting. What is that?  Roast Chicken or some weird message?... Does anyone have an idea?

Update! Teddy just responded with the following comment:

We are as surprised by that nasty little present as anyone who sees the picture. We are checking with the local butcher shop and have informed the police, but we really don't think it is anything other than some moron with a sick sense of humor. Our cameras will catch them if it happens again. Grossness and stupidity combined! Yuck.

I am glad the store followed up with the police.  This is really quite bizarre, but I love some of the comments suggesting that aliens are coming.

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A Few Days At The Beach

Dear Readers,

You may have noticed that posting has been a bit light this week.  I am spending the week in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, enjoying the sun and the ocean.
I am working on a few Carroll Gardens stories, so please make sure to check back.
If I missed anything back home, drop me a quick line.
Cheers, Katia

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"16 Handles", New Frozen Yogurt Store To Open In Former Joe's Restaurant

According to the construction crew that has been working on the storefront at 349 Court Street, a new yogurt place will soon be moving to that location. A quick glimpse inside revealed white plastic benches and chairs and bright green walls. It looks rather sterile.

Reader Mark just wrote in to left me that the frozen yogurt is called 16 Handles, a small, local franchise chain. According to their web site, 16 Handles "is committed to changing the way you do frozen yogurt. We're also committed to changing the world we live in, so we use cornstarch spoons and biodegradable cups, and we compost and recycle whenever possible. We also partner with Trees for the Future; every 16 Handles location helps plant 16 trees every day."

Until just a few months ago, this was the home of Joe's Restaurant, a no-frills diner that had been there for many decades. In the last few years, it was run by Nick and his wife Asia.
And for those of you who have lived in Carroll Gardens Red Hook for longer, here is a blast from the past. Does anyone remember Tina, the waitress? She was a real Brooklynite and had lots of attitude, though she was a real sweetheart. I think she lived on Columbia Street.
Here is to all the people who worked and hung out in there over the years. You are missed here in the community.

Below are just a few photos I tok right after Asia and Nick closed their restaurant.

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A Moment In Time: Don't Walk!

Field trip!

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Comment Of The Day: Darwinian Economic Gospel

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Another Long-Time Smith Street Business Forced Out Because Of Huge Rent Increase":

Such a kind, genuine man. And he does good work. Sad that people have to use the occasion to preach their tedious Darwinian economic gospel of constant adaptation or death. It's a neighborhood shoe repair store, not Apple. But thanks for covering this. 

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Baskets From Senegal And Spring Art Sale At Brooklyn Workshop Gallery On Hoyt

Baskets made by the Wolof Women of Mékhé Village, Senegal

(photos courtesy of Brooklyn Workshop Gallery)

This Saturday, stop by the Brooklyn Workshop Gallery on Hoyt Street at 3rd Street to check out the Senegalese Baskets which are featured as part of their Handmade Project.  The gallery will donate 10% of each sale to a local school. read on:

The HANDMADE PROJECT returns to Carroll Gardens as 

Brooklyn Workshop Gallery re-opens... 

HANDMADE returns as the gallery opens after being closed since June 2011. 

BASKETS from SENEGAL and SPRING ART SALE!

HANDMADE is a retail project where Workshop Gallery Artists Foundation partners with individual artists, other non-profits or other crafts organizations in order expose the public to beautifully made artisan objects. Originally a holiday project in donated retail space (thank you again to the owners of 343 Smith Street -- we may never have thought of this without you), we now continue at Brooklyn Workshop Gallery.
Our first project, beautiful baskets made by the Wolof Women in Mékhé Village is brought to us by Astou Dioum, of Dioum African Art, and Diane Nerby, of the Happy Basket Project. We welcome them and their wares to our space, our neighborhood and our work! Come celebrate on Saturday, March 24, 2012 with a day of Senegalese Music, some coffee and tea!
The gallery is currently also featuring the work of Amani Ansari, Deborah Barlow, Luciano Granato, Shira Gregory, Erin McGrath, Rina Peleg, Cecile Romat, and Adrienne Yurick as well as some special pieces that have been donated to the Foundation. All art work is 25% off with 10% of that being donated to a local school.
We would like to thank David Shebiro of Rebel, Rebel in Greenwich Village for his supplying some of the music for this event. We have an afro-pop collection that features: Ifang Bondi, Diarama de Saint-Louis, Etoile De Dakar, Fonesca & His Anges Noirs, Guelewar, Orchestra Baobab, Pape Seck, Watto Siita, Star Band, Xadim, and Xalam. We will also feature some contemporary and traditional music throughout the day.
10% of all sales (baskets, art and donated pieces) go to the NYC public school of your choice. We especially support the schools in our neighborhood and will have a list on hand should you not know of a school to choose.

To see more about this show and about HANDMADE, please visit them on Facebook.

Brooklyn Workshop Gallery 

393 Hoyt Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets) Brooklyn NY 11231 718.797.9427 

brooklynworkshopgallery@earthlink.net

HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 1-7:00, Saturday 10-6:00, Sunday 2-6:00 and by appointment, closed Mondays

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Sweet News: "Sugar Shop" Candy Store Coming To Baltic Street

When the storefront at 232 Court Street, which now houses Ideal Properties, was renovated, the two carriage houses attached to the building on Baltic Street also got a makeover and were turned into a small storefront. It sat empty for quite a while, but now comes word that a candy store will be opening at this location.
'Sugar Shop', as it will be called will offer "vintage, modern candy store, old world nostalgic, hard to find candy, local home grown candy, best birthday place for kids, New York, Brooklyn."

No doubt, this place will do very well, especially with all the kids in the area. Besides, it's right next to Families First. Good luck walking by with the little ones...

Sugar Shop

Opening Soon

254 Baltic Street between Court And Cllinton

www.brooklynsugarshopbrooklyn.com

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Mediterranean Eatery 'Palmyra' On Court Street Seems To Be Closed

One of my readers mentioned that Palmyra, the Mediterranean eatery at 316 Court Street, seems to be closed. I made a point of walking by today, and sure enough, the windows have been covered with paper.

There is no note indicating a reason, but two permits from New York City"s Department of Buildings have been taped up. One is for an "interior renovation of the existing commercial space for eating and drinking establishment" and one to "install kitchen fire suppression system."
No indication whether Palmyra will re-open or will be replaced by a new eatery.

Previously, 316 Court Street was home to Olive Vine Café, another Middle Eastern restaurant. The owner got himself into a spot of trouble with the State Department Of Labor in 2009 for underpaying his employees at a sister restaurant in Park Slope by as much as 200,000.
Shortly afterwards, the Court Street Olive Vine location was closed and replaced by Palmyra.
Gong back even further, the retail space was home to a tailor.

Does anyone have any info about the closing?


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Feasting On Words: A Conversation About Food, Love And Life At BookCourt

photo credit: Max Kelly at Max Kelly Photography

Food, love and life are the theme of a literary evening at BookCourt on Wednesday, March 28th at 6:30 PM. The evening is hosted by Martin Rowe and Chiwoniso Kaitano-Price.

The Salon: Feasting on Words

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

6:30pm until 9:30pm

BookCourt

163 Court Street

www.bookcourt.com

This month we'll be feeding the hungry muse. Join us for a panel discussion, audience Q&A and book signing. We'll be talking about food, love, life, food and memory, the art of writing about food, food in literature, 'cooking' with words and more.

Featuring:

JULIE POWELL (Julie & Julia, Cleaving),

RACHEL WHARTON (Edible Manhattan & Edible Brooklyn)

MICHELLE MAISTO (The Gastronomy of Marriage)

MELISSA VAUGHAN (Author, The New Brooklyn Cookbook)

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New York Lotto Filming On Smith Street On Thursday Morning

More filming on Smith Street.   Following Monday's shoot of "Kill Your Darlings" with Daniel Radcliffe, this time, it's New York Lottery's turn.

Filming will start on Thursday at 6 Am and will stretch from approximately DeGraw Street to Baltic Street on Smith.


***UPDATE***
NY Lotto was actually filming on Court Street and in Carroll Park as well today.
Here is a photo of the activity on Court this morning:

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Picture Of The Day: Setting Sun On President Street

Sun slowly setting on one of my favorite blocks in Carroll Gardens.

In the distance, Park Slope.

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Best Comment Of The Day: Just Wear Flip-Flops

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Another Long-Time Smith Street Business Forced Out Because f Huge Rent Increase ":

So here we go again. Another neighborhood service gets pushed out. Someone buys a decrepit building on Smith Street no less, for over a million, and the only way they can pay for their mortage and the gut renovaton is to double the storefront's rent. I guess as long as we can get fat eating in all the restaurants and wear flip-flops instead of shoes all year round, we should be ok.

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Halstead Property Buys Cobble Heights Realty And Heights Berkeley Realty

Big Real Estate News in Brownstone Brooklyn

Halstead Property, which is already well represented in Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and the Heights, has just bought both Cobble Heights Realty and Heights Berkeley Realty, two small neighborhood offices with "boutique heritage that yields big firm results", from founder and owners Jeri Griffin, Rod Murray and Matthew Miller. boutique heritage that yields big firm results

I just spoke to Rob Murray, who confirmed the deal. He told me that Halstead will keep both Cobble Heights Realty's 206 Court Street office as well as Heights Berkley Realty's office open.

A press release was going to be released later on today.



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"Arthur" On Smith Getting Finishing Touches Before Opening

By the look of it, Chef Joe Isidori's new Smith Street eatery, ARTHUR,  is getting closer to opening time.

The storefront of 276 Smith Street has received a fresh coat of paint, a new sign has been hung above the door, new benches and planters have been placed on either side of the entrance.  Even the inside looks as though it is ready for the final touches.
Arthur's website indicates that the "seasonal American Restaurant with Italian influences" is slated for a March opening, but the person answering a call placed to the number on the site told me that "the team is still working really hard and is trying to fit all the pieces together."
He added:"We are still hoping to open at the end of the month."
A sign in the window states that : "We are excited to make Smith Street and this neighborhood our home, many of us live here, all of us will work here."


Previously, 276 Smith Street was the home of Bino.


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Another Long-Time Smith Street Business Forced Out Because Of Huge Rent Increase

Michael Davidov has been a fixture on Smith Street between Union and President Streets here in Carroll Gardens for 19 years, ever since he took over an existing Shoe Repair store at number 309 Smith Street. Nine years ago, he moved his business to 319 Smith Street, just a few storefronts away.

During nearly two decades on this one block, he has repaired countless shoes, zippers and bags for local residents. In 2007, he even made New York Magazine's Best Neighborhood Shoe Repair list.
Unfortunately, Davidov will most probably have to move very soon.. The building recently sold for $1,200,000, and the new landlord has informed Davidov that he will double the monthly rent.
Davidov's current $ 2,700 a month lease runs out in November '12, but he knows he won't be able to afford to stay at this location for $5,400.

In the meantime, he is trying to find a smaller storefront in the neighborhood, but does he doesn't seem very confident that he will find anything affordable.
Luckily, his son is safe at his own little shoe repair store, Joseph's, at 178 Smith Street.
If you know of a small, affordable, retail place in the neighborhood, stop by and tell Davidov about it. He would really appreciate it.

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