BococaLand

Update on Vehicular Safety Meeting for PS 29

Tobey — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:20:19 +0000

Last week, we showed you the result of some seriously bad driving on Kane St., near PS 29. And Monday night, residents gathered to discuss how to slow drivers down in the neighborhood. Maureen Hogan, who hosted the meeting in her home, sent me just a few details to share–and she seems optimistic that something will be done to make the area safer for everyone. Though I couldn’t be there myself, here’s what was discussed:

Chris Hrones from the DOT, presented several options, and a subgroup is planning to apply for Speed Bumps, as well as exploring the potential for other traffic calming measures. he also explained the concept of “Slow Zones” (a program that reduces speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph and adds safety measures, such as speed bumps, within a select area), which might be a good long range goal.

Both Hrones and Paul Grudzinsky from the 76th Pct. were well versed in the many problems in our area, especially on Hicks St and various Court St “problem areas” and were very receptive to discussion of problems immediately around the school and along Kane , Clinton, Baltic and Congress streets, which suffer from motorists that drive inappropriately for circumstances.

There was a general agreement that some measures are needed to prevent future tragedy, and a willingness from our representatives and elected officials and the Police dept to work towards some measures that will accomplish this.

Hicks St traffic calming studies are already underway, but the DOT might try in short term to put up a “your speed is” radar sign, and more signage. The timing of lights requires more research.

Now, we wait, and hope some of these issues will be addressed. In the meantime, you may not want to park your car at any corners!

Sweet Melissa Closes Shop in Cobble Hill

Tobey — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:03:43 +0000

image via Brooklyn Heights Blog

I haven’t walked by recently, but according to the NY Times, bakery and cafe Sweet Melissa, at 276 Court St., is shuttered for good. Though she has another shop in Park Slope, owner Melissa Murphy decided to close her original store because of rising rents in the hood. The expanded bakery also included the Cremerie, which was a nice stop for an ice cream cone on a hot day. Wonder who’ll be able to afford to rent such a large space on Court St.? Anyone have any thoughts?

And the Winner Is…

Tobey — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:28:51 +0000

Thanks to everyone who commented on one of our posts last month. We picked a winner at random this morning for the One Girl Cookies Cookbook contest–congrats to Jessica of Brooklyn Heights. We’ll be sending a book straight to her home, and we hope there will be plenty of baking going on. Remember, the One Girl Cookies DUMBO shop just opened at 33 Main St. (corner of Water St.), so go by and say hi when you get a chance. Pick up a Whoopie Pie for us.

Northern Thai Coming to Cobble Hill’s Columbia Street

Tobey — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:58:21 +0000

I’m always fascinated by how many Thai restaurants we have in the BoCoCa hood. And none have stood out enough to keep me coming back for more. So I was super, crazy-psyched to hear of the impending opening of Pok Pok Ny, a Portland, OR-based eatery featuring a James Beard awarded chef and outstanding Northern Thai street food. Known for its fish sauce chicken wings, it will open at 127 Columbia St. (in the old 5 Burro and Pit Stop space: so expect a big outdoor component). According to the Brooklyn Paper, “The new Thai joint will open by March, offering Brooklynites acclaimed dishes such as hoy thawt…and egg-and-mussel crepes inspired by street markets in Thailand.”

Come Celebrate the New Year–for Trees

Tobey — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:48:01 +0000

Tu b’shvat, a Jewish holiday celebrating the rebirth of trees, begins tomorrow evening, 7 February. And to help you get in the spirit of all things growing–an evening of fruit, fun and drinks will be held at Congregation B’nai Avraham (117 Remsen St.) at 7:30pm, featuring a class on edible arrangements. You can RSVP to chanagreenbaum@gmail.com or call 718-596-4840 to hold a spot. A donation of $18 is being requested.

Superbowl in Brooklyn (Go Giants)

Tobey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:57:51 +0000

With a classic northeast face-off coming to a head this Sunday, you may be looking for a place to watch the game in BoCoCa–or just somewhere to order amazing food. Here’s a few tips in case you don’t have an, AHEM, game-plan.

Brooklyn Based gives a great Borough-wide guide to Sunday’s festivities:

The Bell House will be showing the game on its big screen, with color commentary in the form of a live feed of Super Bowl-related tweets from the funny folks at Witstream, plus drink specials and hot food from Urban Rustic. If you’re heading to North Brooklyn, you can catch every play (and commercial) in movie theater-quality and surround sound at Williamsburg’s Nitehawk Cinema. Brooklyn Bowl will be throwing its annual Super Bowl bash, with plenty of Blue Ribbon fried chicken to go around, Brooklyn Winery will be offering a 92” screen, hanger steak-chili, and buckets of Brooklyn Brewery beer, and The Knitting Factory will have a 12-foot projection screen running with free snacks and the option to reserve special party packages. Finally, if you just aren’t into football, you can while away the evening watching classic sports-themed sci-fi flicks at The Way Station’s Too Nerdy for the Super Bowl event.

Buttermilk Channel (524 Court St.)-Need a last minute game day take-out order? Pick-up some of Buttermilk Channel’s famous fried chicken (Half Chicken) $13. Other accompaniments include Baby Back Ribs, Fingerling Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Bread & Butter Pickles and Dill Pickles. To order, call 718 852 8490 or drop by in person to.

BARK & SIXPOINT’s 1st ANNUAL TAILGATE PARTY-Price:$75 per person; Pre-Game Starts at 5:30pm. For reservations, call 718-789-1939 or email events@barkhotdogs.com. And if you’re staying home to watch the game, check out the special SUPER BOWL CATERING MENU HERE for a full arsenal of game day fare.
Schedule: 5:30pm: Pre-Game Snacks
Chips and Cipolinni Onion-Sour Cream Dip
Sixpoint Beers and Pop
Super Bowl Squares Raffle Sign Up (Sixpoint and Bark prizes given at end of game)
6:30pm: Kick-off
Hot Dogs, Sausages, Wings, and Jalapeño-Cheddar Croquettes
Still more non-stop pours of Sixpoint, and some surprises
Halftime: Epic Sky-box Buffet
Choucroute Garnie, Shells and Cheese, Bark Nachos, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw
Second Half: The Endless Nosh
More free flowing Sixpoint Ales
Hot Dogs, Sausages, Wings, and Jalapeño-Cheddar Croquettes

Brazen Head (228 Atlantic Ave)-Think $1-off cask beers and free chili (beef and veggie)–plus with other snacks after 6pm. The game will be showing on four screens.

Vinegar Hill House (72 Hudson Ave)-Hike it over to Vinegar Hill for classics like wings, artichoke dip, seven-layer dip and three kinds of pizza.

Carroll Garden’s Patch also did a great round-up. Here are a few of their picks:

Angry Wade’s (224 Smith St.)-On Super Bowl Sunday Angry Wade’s features an all-you-can-eat menu with barbecue turkey, pulled pork, roast beef sandwiches and bratwursts from Wisconsin. The cost: $50 for men and $35 for women. Wade’s opens at noon, and til 3 p.m., well drinks and drafts are $1 off.

Floyd (131 Atlantic Ave.)-British soccer games are shown at Floyd every weekend but on Sunday the Super Bowl will be screened too. Floyd is known for its cheap and diverse beers, and they open around 11 a.m.

Cody’s Bar and Grill (154 Court St.)-Cody’s is Steeler territory through and through. It’s also one of the neighborhood’s classic sports bars. No fuss, no specials, just a good old fashioned bar with lots of TV’s. There will be food too, we just don’t know what’s in store, yet. Cody’s opens at noon.

Downtown Bar and Grill-(160 Court St.)-Downtown is another classic sports bar, but with some classier touches– mussels, anyone? Get there early. Downtown opens at noon.

PJ Hanley’s Tavern (449 Court St.)-PJ’s is called the oldest bar in Brooklyn by the management and the location has been a pub since 1874. Opening at 11:30 a.m., PJ’s will have beer bucket and pitcher specials.

Traffic Safety Meeting Planned in Cobble Hill

Tobey — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:53:04 +0000

Quick update on our post from earlier in the week. We received this email from Maureen Hogan, we THINK the owner of that totaled Volvo on Kane and Henry St. If you’d like your say about traffic safety, you may want to stop by 155 Kane St next Monday, 6 Feb @7pm.

Meeting to discuss need for traffic calming on our roads around PS 29.
We will have a representative from the DOT: Christopher Hrones, and P.O. Paul Grudzinski from 76Pct.
Please spread the word, and ask people to bring specifics about accidents and near misses that they have witnessed, as the classification of accidents as “side swipes” or “disobeying of traffic lights” does not tell the whole tale as to the reckless driving we have been experiencing on our streets.
Various politicians are making every attempt to come, as well.
Thanks, and hope to see many of our neighbors there! m

Red Hook and Boerum Hill Get Italian Newcomers

Tobey — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:16:06 +0000

A wood-fired pizza from Sottocasa in Boerum Hill

A few new eateries have sprouted on opposite ends of our BoCoCa. I noticed the Ristorante Gancio Rosso at 228 Van Brunt St. last time I drove to Fairway. Though I haven’t been inside, it looks like a nice place to come for some hearty fare, with a menu announcing rustic Italian food and pizzas. Sunday nights, you can bring the family in for $11 “Sunday Sauce”–rigatoni, meatballs and sausage with ricotta. And Thursday through Sunday, a $25 prix fixe dinner is available all night (includes appetizer, entree and dessert).
Walk east about a mile or so and you’ll find Sottocasa at 298 Atlantic Ave (between Smith and Hoyt), which was recently reviewed in the Village Voice. More pizza, in the lines of beloved Lucali on Henry St., it serves brick oven deliciousness and a few salads to boot. The pizza oven had to be “crane-lifted over the building and lowered into the backyard because the old floors of the brownstone space on Atlantic Avenue couldn’t handle the weight,” according to the Voice, and the high quality ingredients (and selection of wine and beer) make it a perfect neighborhood joint for date night or an evening with the kids.

Brooklyn Heights Getting a Le Pain Quotidien

Tobey — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:54:59 +0000

Coming to Brooklyn Heights main drag soon, an outpost of French bakery chain Le Pain Quotidien. According to Brooklyn Heights Blog, a reader actually saw the architectural plans from the carb palace at 121 Montague St. We’ll still be heading to Smith Street’s Bien Cuit for our fresh-baked cravings, but for those express train commuters and north Heights dwellers, this should be a boost to your day.

Smashed Volvo in Cobble Hill Prompts Neighborhood Safety Meeting

Tobey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:19:12 +0000

All weekend, we kept walking by this smashed-up Volvo on the corner of Kane St. and Henry St., wondering what could have happened and does the owner have a clue? What we found out from neighbors is that around 11pm, a car at the crosswalk was apparently hit by another car (meaning someone went through a red light), then pummeled into this poor Volvo. And this morning, we saw a note attached to the trunk. It reads: Meeting to address issue of speed and safety of driving on our street with 76th precinct and DOT. Time: TBA. Do you think people are driving unsafely? Share! Contact us for details: Maureen.hogan@elliamn.com or Jblock@elliman.com
We think anyone who lives in Brownstone Brooklyn understands the implications of driving unsafely. Especially with so many kids running around and riding scooters. So we appreciate someone taking the issue one step farther. We’ll keep you posted on the meeting as it goes forward.