Picture Of The Day: View Over Downtown

The sunlight began to fade

slowly

over downtown.

Downtown Brooklyn, that is.

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Provence En Boite On Smith Street Closed For " Operating Illegally"

Provence en Boite, the charming French Bistro at 263 Smith Street was closed by the Department Of Consumer Affairs, as indicated by two big stickers right in the front window.  Judging by the agency which closed the restaurant, it is most probably because of unpaid fees for their sidewalk seating area, which is under the jurisdiction of the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.

From the agency's web site: 

The new law also strengthens DCA's enforcement authority allowing the City, for the first time, to close restaurants that repeatedly break the unenclosed sidewalk café rules. Operators of unlicensed sidewalk cafes who violate the law two times may have their restaurants padlocked for up to thirty days after the second violation. Licensed operators who encroach illegally on the sidewalks may have their restaurants padlocked for up to thirty days after the third violation.

I seem to remember that the restaurant went in front of CB6 just in the last three months to re-apply for their license.  Maybe they never followed through to pay the fee for the new license.  Just a thought. 

Does anyone know more?

Thanks to reader Stephen for emailing me with the info.

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Josh Skaller Is The One!

Skaller Campaign literature

Josh Skaller supporters talking to neighbors in Carroll Gardens

Josh Skaller

As many of you know, my husband Glenn and I helped organize the 39th Council District Dazzle Me Forum back in April with members of CORD and others. It was a great opportunity to get to know the candidates who are running in our district to replace outgoing Councilmember Bill DeBlasio.

After the event, we, as a group of involved Carroll Gardeners, decided that we would support one of the candidates if, and only if, we could all agree on the same person. So, after meeting with each democratic candidate individually to hear about their positions on many issues regarding our neighborhood, we all came to the same conclusion. We unanimously decided to back the one candidate who impressed us with his clear vision for our neighborhood and the changes needed in the City Council to make it accountable to the people it represents.

This candidate is Josh Skaller.

We felt that Josh best shared our concerns for our neighborhood, was incredibly forthcoming about his agenda, was willing to take on the hard issues in the City Council as well as provide this district with more communicative and transparent representation.

If you have not made up your mind, take a look at Josh Skaller's web site and watch the video below. Josh is the best man for the job.

Video Credit: NBC New York

Don't Forget To Vote In The Primaries on September, 15th 2009

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Comment Of The Day: Gowanus Heron Watching

F.I.B left the following comment on the post:"Meet The Black-Crowned Night Heron Of The Gowanus Canal"

"I saw a night heron a few weeks ago. It was sitting silently on the shore. We were watching it for a while and then a fashionista type talking loudly clunking by in her noisy sandals completely ignoring the few people sitting in silence on the bridge, scared it away.

We did get to see it's beautiful wingspan though..."

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Dennet Place Neighbors Throw A Party

The inhabitants of Dennet Place, between Luquer and Nelson Streets, are very lucky. They live on a charming little one-block-long Carroll Gardens street, almost hidden from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a wonderful enclave, where time seems to stand still. Everyone knows everyone else and the inhabitants obviously like to hang out with each other, because a few times a year, they bring out tents, tables and chairs, a huge grill, massive amounts of food and throw a great party.

My friends David and Carolina, who used to live on Dennet and got married right on the block, are still honorary members of this tight-knit community. "You should come on Saturday." David told me, knowing that this is just the kind of event I love to cover.

David had barely introduced me when I was told by one of the residents to "take a plate, get yourself something to eat. Don't be shy." The Dennet 'family' could not have been more welcoming. I actually knew quite a few people there, recognized many from my walks around Carroll Gardens. But I also had the great pleasure of meeting some new people.

Many thanks for welcoming me and for allowing me to spend a pleasant afternoon with you!

PS: I am sorry I could not stay for the Grilled Peach Sorbet. That looked absolutely heavenly. Will have to try it myself.

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A Moment In Time: Easy Riding!

Nothing is as nice as a sunny day
in the neighborhood.
But wait...
except maybe
a long sunny week-end
right here in Brooklyn.


What are your plans?


Whatever they are, enjoy!

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Staying in Brooklyn This Week-End? So Am I!

I know that most of you are probably heading out of the city to take advantage of this long week-end, if you have not already done so. Well, I am staying right here with the family.
I have invited a few dear friends from the neighborhood, so we will be hanging out in the back yard ( mosquitoes permitting.)
If you are doing the same thing, I have attached a really easy, sure to dazzle recipe for a roasted pepper and goat cheese tart. Stop at your favorite wine store and stock up on a few good bottles, get a few loaves of good bread and you are all set.
See? You don't need to leave lovely Brooklyn to feel like you are in the south of France.

Roasted Bell Pepper Goat Cheese Tart

One 9" Pie Crust
One red, one yellow and one green bell pepper
2 eggs
2/3 cup of milk
2 teaspoons of olive oil
One 6-8 ounce log of Montrachet goat cheese
One medium sized red onion
A bit of chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

For the crust:
I use a frozen Pillsberry rolled pie crusts, available at most supermarkets. Nice and easy, no fuss. Use a 9" pie or quiche pan. Butter the pan and mold the pie dough into it.

For the filling:

Roast one red , one green and one yellow bell peppers under broiler until skin is charred. Let cool, then remove the skin and seeds. Cut peppers into thin strips and layer into the bottom of pan.

Add a medium sized diced red onion and crumble about 6-8 ounces of Montrachet Goat cheese into the pan, spreading it evenly.

In a mixing bowl, add 2 eggs, 2/3 cups milk and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Beat the mixture, than add some salt, pepper and a bit of parsley. Pour into pie crust.

Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes, or until crust is nicely golden and the egg mixture firm.

Bon appetit!

PS: if you don't like goat cheese, use grated mozzarella. You can also substitute another vegetable for the peppers.
Basically, anything goes....



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