Martha Stewart Doubletweets One Girl Cookies

By Josh, 6 August, 2010, No Comment

Goodness I can’t remember the last time we posted about local dessert items. Dean Street bakers One Girl Cookies made Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings yesterday, and with good reason — an OGC chocolate whoopie pie (identified by Martha as “pink mooncake,” oh well) merits a tweet or two any day. Follow them at @OneGirlCookies and, if you don’t already, us at @Bococaland.

And just ate a pink mooncake from @onegirlcookies #marthablogger

Martha and Dawn from One Girl Cookies #marthablogger

Rocketship Comics Has Left the Earth

By Josh, 5 August, 2010, No Comment

It’s (officially) official — Rocketship is no more, confirmed by a post on the comic book store’s official blog:

Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Thanks Everybody!
After five great years, we are now officially Closed. We decided it was time to move on to other things, but we appreciate the years of support from all our customers, friends, neighbors, suppliers, creators, peers, and boosters.

It was great! Thanks everybody!

A post about the closing last week on Brownstoner elicited this comment, supposedly a quote from the store owner:

“Our lease came up and we realized that we were either going to do this another five to 10 years, at which point it becomes a CAREER, in big letters, or not sign on again and do something different. That’s basically it. Of course, there are a thousand variables in there, all of which would be very boring and involved. In the end, the store was great to do for five years, but not something we wanted to be doing until we retired. So it was time to move on.”

A presumably healthy business closing its doors not because it had to, but because the owners simply wanted to? An uncommon story in this economy, to say the least.

Whither comics, comix, and graphic novel fans of Brooklyn? The Brooklyn Paper’s roundup mentions Galaxy Comics and Bergen Street Comics, both in Park Slope, but omits two survivors round our way. Yes, St. Mark’s Comics (148 Montague, between Clinton & Henry) and the Baseball Card Dugout (453 Court, between 4th Place & Luquer) are still kicking — both have more of a dusty, old-school, Android’s Dungeon vibe than boutique-y Rocketship, but are worth a visit if you’re looking for superhero stuff. It’s a shame to see Rocketship go, but it always was unsettlingly, well, clean for anyone who grew up combing the worn 4-for-$1 crates at a local shop.

If you’re looking for the latest arty graphic novels, BookCourt (163 Court, between Dean & Pacific), like many of today’s decent indie bookstores, carries quite a few — and its window currently showcases a half dozen Tintin reprints.

Excelsi— actually, no, not Excelsior! at all.

Is Cobble Hill Super Service the Biggest Scam in the Neighborhood?

By Josh, 5 August, 2010, 2 Comments

image courtesy Cobble Hill Blog

It’s often fun to debate the pros and cons of local establishments — for example: What’s the best pizzeria? That’s a good one. Or, Where do you go for sushi? Or, Where, if forced, does one go to get edible Chinese food? (Seriously, where?) But our friends at Cobble Hill Blog bring up a place we all know that is never, ever, fun to debate.

Because we have never, ever, heard a kind word said about Cobble Hill Super Service.

We didn’t start this blog to defame local businesspeople. But when it comes to this place, all signs point to crook. I myself gave this guy over a grand for repairs I seriously doubt were necessary. I won’t go into all the details, but here’s an unforgettable exchange from my first encounter:

TONY: Your car failed inspection. It’s going to be $800.
ME: Ok, for what?
TONY: Gotta replace the brakes and two front axles.
ME: Needs new brakes? Darn. But what is this about two front axles?
TONY: It’s a real pain to fix, most guys won’t even check for it. But they’re broken.
ME: How did I drive the car there this morning if both front axles were broken?
TONY: They’re broken and the car isn’t safe. I can’t let you drive it unless they’re fixed. Now I need a credit card number.

????????

Recounting getting ripped off is painful — because there is always that moment where you clearly should have done something different. “Most guys won’t even check for it” …? This was a state inspection, there is a checklist provided by the state. But I paid the $800 (or was it $1,500; this was four years ago and I’ve tried to forget the exact number) so Tony could “fix” the brakes and the thing I had never heard of anyone having to fix before. My story is about par for the course, see also reviews at:

Brooklynian
Yelp
Citysearch
Brooklyn Heights Blog

Some time later, I spoke with a tow truck driver who had once worked for Cobble Hill Super Service. He said that he hated working for them because they routinely ripped people off. If called for a jump, standard procedure was to detach the wires from the battery, pretend to try to jump it, then tell the customer the jump wasn’t working and there must be a problem with the alternator or starter. Once the car has been towed to the shop they can make up any story they want about necessary repairs. This tow truck driver also said that Tony employs several lawyers as he is constantly fighting multiple lawsuits brought by ripped-off customers. It’s hearsay from a former employee, sure — but it pretty much lines up with what customers say.

If I could give all neighborhood newbies one piece of advice, it would be to avoid this unfortunately convenient repair shop. Since quitting Tony and Cobble Hill Super Service I’ve been taking my car to J & E (Gulf) Service Station at Hicks and Rapelye, (718) 625-3848. I’m certainly no expert on cars, and an easy target for scammers, but the guys at J & E have never given me a bill that was unreasonably high or told me my healthy-seeming car was in need of massive repairs.

Anyone know of a local business with a — deservedly — worse track record than Cobble Hill Super Service?

Writer’s Space Comes to Carroll Gardens

By Tobey, 3 August, 2010, No Comment

Always wanted to write that book, play or short story living in your head? Here’s your chance to join other, like-minded artistic types at the new, Carroll Gardens outpost of the Brooklyn Writers Space. As most any writer knows, it’s sometimes tough to work in your own home. Whether you’ve got kids running around or just need to be sequestered in different, more conducive surroundings–having a particular place to tickle the keyboard can be crucial to your creative piece of mind. Located at 286 Court St., the space holds 18 desks in a 1200 square foot space. Need a break? Lounge on the comfy furniture or head to the kitchenette for a snack at the maple wood eating bar. To apply for membership, writers must submit an application, resume, and three professional references which may include agents, publishers, editors, and associates who can speak to the applicant’s seriousness. You don’t have to published, but you have to prove you’re not there to eat doughnuts and stare out the window. Prices are as follows:
Full-Time (24 hrs) $330/Quarter
Part-Time (6pm – 6am weekdays; all day weekends) $200/Quarter
Part-Time 2 (after 3:30pm weekdays, anytime weekends) $235/Quarter

Dutch Bikes for Sale

By Tobey, 2 August, 2010, No Comment

The Dutch have always had the right idea. In the Netherlands, you can hop on your bike and get anywhere you need to go. Got kids? No worries. There’s a bike for every sized family (my friend in Amsterdam has four kids and can cart them around in one bike). Bringing this philosophy to Brooklyn is a company called Rolling Orange, with a store of the same name on Baltic Street, right off Court St. Though not brand new (they opened on 12 June), it’s still an amazing looking shop–with high-end, Dutch cargo and city bikes strewn over the sidewalk outside and a two-story glass storefront beckoning a visit. The problem, of course, is that Holland is a country built for biking. The cities have very specific, wide bike lanes and much of the population uses them on a daily basis. Cross a street and you’ll see a stoplight with a little red and green flashing bike to let you know when you should stop and go. People know the rules and follow them like the cars they travel next to. New York City, on the other hand, has not yet got the gist of the biking lifestyle. Yes, we have those very nice green bike lanes in the neighborhood and it’s a good start, but it’s rare that I notice anyone on a bicycle follow a traffic rule. And cars are not much better–easily steering into riders territory to get past a double-parked vehicle or a meandering truck. However, if you’re ready to take the plunge and get yourself and your family into one of these gorgeous cycles–stop by and chat with the very nice, very knowledgeable staff–most with thick Dutch accents. I especially like the De Fietsfabriek 995, which is basically a wheelbarrow made into a bicycle. For $2650, it’s an investment and if I wasn’t scared stiff to ride on the streets with the kids–I’d be the first on line. However, I also live on the first floor, wouldn’t be fun trying to haul one of those up a walk-up!

Garden On Hold Til September at Strong Place

By Tobey, 1 August, 2010, No Comment

Just a quick update on my last post announcing the opening of Strong Place on Court St. between Degraw and Kane. Though we hadn’t gone in for a peek, we read on a few other blogs that the restaurant had a garden that would seat 30 people. Luckily, a reader wrote in to let us know the outdoor space didn’t look open (he lives a few doors down and peeked in from his window). Seems you’ll have to wait until September to enjoy the short, yet fresh-looking menu of medium-sized, American bistro fare in the fresh air.

Cop Refuses to Administer CPR to Dying Girl

By Tobey, 1 August, 2010, No Comment

Not sure if you’ve heard about this–it’s been kicking around the past few days but I was reluctant to write about it because it’s so depressing. Last Friday, an 11 year-old girl was playing in Carroll Park when she had an asthma attack. Her parents called 911 but decided to rush her to the hospital herself knowing the traffic in the area. The mother, in her hysteria, drove the wrong way down Henry St. and was quickly boxed in by other cars. Getting out, she spotted a police office and begged him to administer CPR to her child. According to NBC News the man, identified as Alfonoso Mendez of the 84th precinct in Brooklyn Heights, refused–saying he didn’t know it and instead called an ambulance.

“I stopped and I screamed for him,’Help me please, can you help me? Can you assist me give my daughter mouth to mouth?’” Carmen Ojeda told NBCNewYork on Monday. “He told me he didn’t know CPR. The officer’s just standing there — he’s telling me I can’t leave because I have to wait for the ambulance.”

The little girl died soon after arriving at LICH. Our hearts go out to the grieving family.

Concession List at BBP

By Tobey, 31 July, 2010, 1 Comment

Seems every day a new concession stand beckons from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Blue Marble is finally open, both at Pier 1 every day and at Pier 6 on weekends, and Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices is also scooping cold treats. For a savory bite, Calexico Carne Asada is serving up tacos et al. at the north end of the Pier 1 Promenade and Ditch Plains is coming soon (but you can check out its full park menu now). For a full list of food and drink available, check here.

Celebrate Brooklyn with Swell Season

By Tobey, 30 July, 2010, No Comment

Irish duo Swell Season is bringing its particular brand of soul-tinged rock to Prospect Park tonight at 7:30. You might remember them as the charming, musically-inclined couple in the indie film Once, but either way, their second album, “Strict Joy” has gotten rave reviews. Gates open at The Bandshell (Prospect Park West and 9th Street) at 6:30 so come early and reserve your spot.

Whiskey & Rye Tasting

By Tobey, 30 July, 2010, No Comment

It may not seem like the perfect summer drink, but whiskey is not only for sipping on a cold night or after a meal. It can be a subtle mixer for refreshing cocktails as well. To help you choose the perfect spirit, Red Hook’s Dry dock wine + spirits at 424 Van Brunt street, will be holding a tasting of American and Canadian whiskeys from Hirsch Selections and Old Pogue Bourbon this Saturday, 30 July from 5:30- to 8:30. Afterward, you can head home and pour my favorite whiskey cocktail recipe, perfect for the warm weather and simple to shake up anytime:

Auld Alliance
Shake together, 25ml measure of whisky, juice of half a lemon, 15ml of Cointreau, a dash of sugar syrup and ice. Pour into a highball glass, top with lemonade.