CarrollGardened, I once heard that Patois was the first of the wave of Smith St. restaurants but don't know if it truly came before Sur.

Long before the Smith St. restaurant scene began there was a quite remarkable restaurant for a few years on Hoyt and Bergen, where the Brooklyn Inn is now. It was called Huberts and was run by a husband and wife team between 1979 and 1981 or '82; they later relocated to Manhattan and were quite successful for several years. The Hubert's were among the early adherents to the Greenmarket aesthetic. They also brought in guest chefs - it was quite amazing in the early 1980s to enjoy a special meal at Hubert's in Boerum Hill prepared by chefs like Diana Kennedy and Jacques Pepin!

Posted by: bookistan at October 5, 2009 12:15 PM in response to Boerum Hill: In a Nutshell

Yes the Met food. Maybe they've cleaned up their act as have many smaller supermarkets (that has certainly happened in Park Slope where I now live). Maybe not so much boarded up storefronts as vacant ones or storefronts that had been bricked over (maybe being used as cheap/illegal living spaces?). Anyways, I did feel scared later at night walking from the Smith St. subway down Bergen (almost all our entertainment/going out took place in Manhattan in those days); probably as a woman I was more of a target.

Even back then, Atlantic had a lot of antique stores and a single gourmet grocery (I believe between Hoyt and Bond) with nice take out that seemed like an oasis to me back then.

Posted by: bookistan at October 5, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Boerum Hill: In a Nutshell

Peterbklyn, did you live in Boerum Hill in the late 70s/early 80s? I did - we paid $650 for the top 2 floors of a gorgeous brownstone on Bergen between Hoyt and Dean. The blocks between Smith and Bond were mostly quite lovely from the exterior, but a LOT housed SROs. Walking towards Nevin things got a bit shaky, and there were a lot of prostitutes on the streets between Nevins and 3rd.

I had my purse stolen twice walking on our block, both times in broad daylight. You would call the cops about such things and they'd just put you on hold or even hang up on you - this was just not important enough to respond to. We had friends robbed at gunpoint for their wedding rings one evening. There was always a lot of tension between the new gentrifiers and the people living in the projects and you frequently heard sirens. Nevertheless, there was a wonderful community spirit, in great part by newer residents forming block associations.

For those who criticize the wine bars and yuppie boutiques: There were very few places to shop in the late '70s. We could pick up milk and very basic items at the small market on Smith near Bergen (it's still there, now expanded). Otherwise, we would go to the Key Food on Atlantic Avenue and Clinton near Brooklyn Heights. There was a ghetto supermarket down the block and it was smelly; the fresh food was decidedly not fresh. Other than that, a lot of boarded storefronts on Smith. The first generation of restaurants and shops were not displacing a lot of old mom and pop businesses; they were mostly opening up in long-vacant storefronts.

So no, from my first-hand experience of Boerum Hill, the NY Times article did not exaggerate the past.

Posted by: bookistan at October 5, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Boerum Hill: In a Nutshell

if only i had enough eyebrow hair to thread.... I'm keeping what I got!

Posted by: bookistan at July 2, 2009 2:15 PM in response to StreetLevel: Cleaners, Threading Joint Replace Argyle Office

Isn't that address right next to the Gowanus Canal?

Posted by: bookistan at July 2, 2009 10:08 AM in response to House of the Day: 455 Union Street?

I actually like this building because it so reminds me of Los Angeles dingbat architecture - the ubiquitous, downmarket, two- or three-story apartment houses with overhangs sheltering street-front parking. There's a good picture here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingbat_(building)- actually has the same color scheme as the 4th Ave. building.

Posted by: bookistan at May 1, 2009 11:19 AM in response to It Came From 4th Ave!

I suggest Park Slope although it is a bit further out than Cobble Hill or Boerum Hill. Using the Atlantic/Pacific subway station (which is at one edge of the Slope and just a stop or so away from the other stations in/around Park Slope), you have access to numerous subway lines, including express lines that will take you directly to Canal or Grand Street. From there, midtown is a pretty quick shot.

In addition, Park Slope is filled with leafy blocks with rows of brownstones, a good mix of other housing (smaller apartment buildings, new condo developments, some traditional pre-War buildings near Prospect Park), and great shopping and dining. Lots of families and good cultural amenities - you have Prospect Park, the Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum nearby. You really can't go wrong with relocating to the Slope.

(I work in the Heights and like its convenience. There are some beautiful blocks in the Heights and I love its proximity to the waterfront, but still prefer living in Park Slope). The Heights can also be a bit stodgy, and dining options have never been great.

Posted by: bookistan at April 10, 2009 8:38 PM in response to Safe Neighborhoods?

The asking price is unreasonable for the size of the house; it's ony big enough for a small family. Cute though. I say 975K.

Posted by: bookistan at April 1, 2009 1:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 93 2nd Street

I don't know if the food was good but it definitely seemed overpriced. Paninis and pizzas started at about $8.50. I work in the neighborhood and there are a lot of lunch options, many better priced. It never seemed appealing enough to stop in. Oh well, I hope it doesn't become one of those "doomed" locations.

Posted by: bookistan at February 23, 2009 2:14 PM in response to Spicy Pickle Loses Its Crunch

Cobble Hill = Carnegie Hill
Bay Ridge = Inwood
Prosopect Park = Central Park

Yes I am bored! I've beeb on hold with the city for 30 minutes trying to get my tax rebate check!

Posted by: bookistan at January 30, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Manhattan Is to Brooklyn As...

It really depends what your priorities are. I see BH as older and stodgier, but there are some of the most charming residential blocks in the entire city are near the Brooklyn Bridge (mostly brownstones, very expensive). The pre-war buildings up Montague near the promenade have high monthly fees but offer a very civilized lifestyle with lots of conveniences. The local elementary school, PS 8, has a failing grade from the Board of Ed.

Park Slope is younger, has much better shopping/dining offerings, and is more varied in housing stock. You'll definitely get more bang for your buck; the one downside is the longer commute to Manhattan - depending on which part of the Slope you live in.

Posted by: bookistan at January 16, 2009 3:29 PM in response to Brooklyn Heights OR Park Slope?

No visual artists? Where would Williamsburg be if the artists hadn't originally set up studio space. Definitely Arnold Lehman; whether you agree or not with his policies he saved the Brooklyn Museum from oblivion. Harvey Lichtenstein. Jack Walsh - Celebrate Brooklyn.

Posted by: bookistan at October 24, 2008 3:07 PM in response to Top 50: Who'd We Leave Out?

Congratulations Brownstoner! I'm pretty muchy addicted to you, and look forward to many more birthdays (for both of us!).

Posted by: bookistan at October 13, 2008 5:48 PM in response to Closing Bell: Brownstoner Turns 4

I think prices are dropping elsewhere, closer into Manhattan, as well. I just received a postcard in the mail from Belltel Lofts that promises 50% off closing costs through mid October.

Posted by: bookistan at September 23, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Prices Falling in Greenwood Heights and Bed Stuy

Montrose, if TGIF was the ideal restaurant for that spot, why did it fail?

Posted by: bookistan at August 20, 2008 1:41 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

In addition to St. Ann's, the Rotunda Gallery and the Brooklyn Historical Society are on this block. Both bring in a lot of school groups. The library is just down the block. That street is usually full of kids; absolute worst spot you could imagine for this facility. This is really bad news.

Posted by: bookistan at July 11, 2008 3:05 PM in response to Parole Facility Planned Next Door to St. Ann's School

To guest at 2:30: The tireshop/auto repair next door is up for sale. Corcoran has the listing for $5M. Maybe the lucky buyer can tear down the garage and build a twin to this gem, thus sandwiching in the McD's with architectural genius.

Posted by: bookistan at May 19, 2008 7:18 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 255 1st Street

These look like really bland apartments and they are coming to the market at a bad time. The only people the folks at Corcoran are kidding is themselves; this is just unrealistic pricing.

Posted by: bookistan at May 19, 2008 1:23 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 255 1st Street

They have one of the most god-awful websites I've ever seen. Who designed this? It loads very slow, has lots of images of beads of water on glass, a few odd details of the building, then a scene of a subway stop focusing on a trash can. Yes, this definitely makes me want to buy a condo here.

Posted by: bookistan at May 1, 2008 11:37 AM in response to 525 Clinton Avenue One Step Closer To Sales