Who Needs The Hamptons? Meet You At Central Park's Sheep Meadow

Sheep Meadow, Central Park

Labor Day Week-End 2010

Don't you find that the most glorious days in New York City are those first days of September, when the summer heat breaks, the humidity cedes to drier air and the days become crystal clear? One can almost hear a collective sigh of relief rise from the city's inhabitants.

Add to that a three day week-end and you have pure bliss.

Of course, many New Yorkers high-tailed it out of the city on Friday, but for the residents who stayed behind, it was wonderful to have the city (almost) to themselves.

Central Park's Sheep Meadow was delightfully empty on Saturday afternoon. People enjoyed themselves flying kites, striking yoga poses or simply taking a nap on the grass. They did not seem one bit sorry that they were not in the Hamptons.

And here is a quick look into the past: Central Park's Sheep Meadow in the early 1900's.

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Chill The Retsina! "Athena" Greek Eatery Opening On Smith Street

Chill the Retsina! Great Greek food has been sorely underrepresented in the neighborhood for a really long time. That is hopefully about to change with the opening of "Athena," a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant at 213 Smith Street.

"Athena" will offer traditional greek dishes like Moussaka, Orzo and Pastichio, as well as Greek sandwiches, salads and soups. A special lunch menu will be available every day from 12 Pm to 4 Pm for $8.95.

The owners' two other locations, one on 6th Avenue in Park Slope and the other on 77th Street in Bay Ridge have received rave reviews.

And the best think? The restaurant is b.y.o.b. and will stay open till 1 AM for a late bar menu. Meet you there as soon as they open!

To view the restaurant's full menu, click here.

Related Reading:

What Happened To "213 Mexican" On Smith Street?

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A Moment Back In Time: Three Aerial Views Of Brooklyn Heights At The Turn Of The Century

The Brooklyn Bridge and the Heights in 1899

The Waterfront At Montague Street, 1899

Looking N.E. from the Temple Bar building at 44 Court Street, corner of Joralemon Streets in 1912

I just recently came across these great aerial views of of the Brooklyn Heights area, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the waterfront. It is amazing to me how much has changed and yet, how much remains the same.

I can't help it, but my favorite photo is the one taken from the Temple Bar building at 44 Court Street. If you look closely at the bottom left hand side of the photo, you can detect white shirts drying on a clothe line.

It reminded me of this wonderful old postcard I found a while back. It dates from around the same time.

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Brooklyn Book Festival 2010 Celebrates Its 5th Year With Great Line-Up

Get ready for the 5th Brooklyn Book Festival to be held on the week-end of September 10 to the 12th. The impressive line-up of authors for the event includes Salman Rushdie, Naomi Klein, Paul Auster, Venus Williams, Nelson George, Sarah Silverman, Gary Shteyngart, Mary Gaitskill, John Ashbery, Rosanne Cash, Paul Krugman, Colson Whitehead, Francine Prose, Dennis Lehane, Per Petterson, Esmeralda Santiago, Pete Hamill, Jennifer Egan, Russell Banks, MichaelConnelly, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, Sam Lipsyte, Sloane Crosley, Maaza Mengiste, Paul Harding, Amy Goodman, Marlon James, Sarah MacLean, Jean Valentine, and Elizabeth Nunez.

Included amongst the more than 200 international authors who will be in attendance, there will be 175 vendors and 13 venues. There will also be 'back-to-back" events all week-end long.

Brooklyn Book Festival Bookend Events

September 10, 11 and 12

Celebrate all weekend with parties, music, film screenings, children’s theatre, literary games and author appearances at the Brooklyn Book Festival’s Bookend Events

Click here for schedule

For more information visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org

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A Glimpse Into Soon-To-Open "Brucie", Court Street's Newest Italian Eatery

A glimpse at Brucie's interior reveal that Court Street's newest Italian market and eatery is days away from opening. The place looks ready for customers, what with the shelves already stocked and the granite countertop gleaming.

A restaurant liquor license for the business is currently pending.

The 234 Court Street location was, until recently, the home of Cube 63, a sushi restaurant.

Many years ago, it was a great toy store called the Laughing Giraffe.

Anyone remember it?

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Way Too Hot: Scenes From Another Scorching Day In My Neighborhood

It may not have been quite as beastly hot as during the July heat wave, which I thankfully missed, but yesterday was a scorcher nonetheless. People in the neighborhood seemed dazed as they made their way down Smith and Court Streets.

Only the kids running through the sprinkler in Carroll Park seemed to enjoy the 95 degree weather.

Is it really September already?

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