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jdoo wrote a review about Oaxaca on October 8, 2009 9:13 AM
Very good food. I guess you could say it's overpriced because its tacos but where else in this area can you get such a good tasting meal for like $9?
jdoo wrote a review about Ghang Thai Kitchen on October 5, 2009 7:18 PM
For better or worse this place is our go-to thai delivery in the neighborhood. Nine-D probably has better food but their delivery service is horrible and the lady that answers the phone is consistently rude and/or incompetent.
I dunno about chance being the best in the neighborhood but they do make a nice/cheap fried rice and pad thai.
What the hell is wrong with people?!?!?!
I have actually parked my car in exactly that spot a few times. Thanking my lucky stars that that has never happened to me.
Posted by: jdoo at September 25, 2009 1:14 PM in response to Look, Ma, No Wheels
This place looks good. Shame Paninoteca had to die though.
Posted by: jdoo at August 6, 2009 3:48 PM in response to StreetLevel: WingBar Takes Off on Smith
jdoo wrote a review about Naidre's on July 7, 2009 2:40 PM
The one in cobble hill sucks. You would not believe the poor attitude of the people working there. Do yourself a favor and get a coffee and bagel down the street from the nice ladies at Mazzola instead.
jdoo wrote a review about Brooklyn Bread Cafe on June 29, 2009 11:34 PM
Terrible bagels, and I much prefer the bread at mazzola
2 things.
1 - As stated above, that liquor store is actually really good. Great bourbon and scotch selection and very knowledgeable staff.
2 - The Blarney Stone in midtown is an awesome bar.
Posted by: jdoo at May 7, 2009 8:40 PM in response to Streetlevel: Checkers Signage Goes Up
The data is plainly available for all neighborhoods on the nypd website linked above. You'll be safe there but you won't enjoy it. Or maybe you will...
Try reading this discussion thread about the house of the day at 455 Warren Street
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/04/house_of_the_da_675.php
It is on the other side of the projects on what I would definitely call an incrementally worse block, but I dont think the safety is too different between the two.
Posted by: jdoo at April 15, 2009 7:33 PM in response to Crime around Hoyt St Projects?
As far as crime goes, that greater area in brooklyn is really safe.
That block falls under the 76th Precinct, which also covers all of Red Hook. You can find the crime stats here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs076pct.pdf
Posted by: jdoo at April 15, 2009 7:23 PM in response to Crime around Hoyt St Projects?
Not a good block at all in my opinion. There are almost no trees and you will be reminded daily that you live 1/2 block from the projects.
Posted by: jdoo at April 15, 2009 7:20 PM in response to Crime around Hoyt St Projects?
HORRIBLE LOCATION
Posted by: jdoo at April 15, 2009 7:12 PM in response to House of the Day: 445 Warren Street
I walk by Forte at night pretty regularly. I rarely see the lights on in more than 10 or 15 apartments in the entire building.
Whoever bought #18D has a serious set of attachments.
Posted by: jdoo at April 2, 2009 11:06 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million
LOL. These people are too much...
Posted by: jdoo at April 2, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Park Slope Parents to Start Charging for Membership
I think I'll update the definition of 'magical realism' on wikipedia to include this rendering of Myrtle Ave.
Posted by: jdoo at March 23, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Updated Renderings of Catsimatidis' Myrtle Project
Do not keep your SUV. You will go insane trying to drive and park a big SUV in Brooklyn Heights.
I would consider anything larger than say a Honda Accord to be too large to be practical in the city.
Posted by: jdoo at March 22, 2009 11:28 AM in response to BH Parking/Garage question
Yeah, those first few dings/scratches on a new car hurt pretty bad... NYC definitely eats cars.
Posted by: jdoo at March 21, 2009 3:28 PM in response to BH Parking/Garage question
You should also consider getting a spot in a garage that is a short (10min?) walk or 1-subway stop ride away.
I park at the discount parking garage on DeKalb near flatbush for $215/month. It's about a 10-15min walk from my place. I generally commute via subway during the week and then park on the street over the weekend when I use the car.
I think its generally safe to park outside, although my car did get keyed once last year. I have the garage spot to just protect my car from being outside all the time, especially in the winter with the snow, salt, etc.
Posted by: jdoo at March 21, 2009 3:08 PM in response to BH Parking/Garage question
Without knowing exactly where you are, a 3br duplex in cobble hill at 4500 does not sound unreasonable to me. Most decent 2BR's in cobble hill are 3,000+. I can only imagine that a 3BR would command a pretty hefty premium to a 2br.
As the other posters said though, you will need to do some legwork.
Posted by: jdoo at March 20, 2009 4:24 PM in response to lease renewal in cobble hill
jdoo wrote a review about Kinara on March 19, 2009 12:59 PM
I agree with everything posted above. Kinara is great and when we lived in Fort Greene we got takeout from them at least once a week.
This really is a prime location for anyone that is passionate about Big Mac's and auto repairs.
Posted by: jdoo at March 17, 2009 11:08 AM in response to Price Cuts at The Elan
cpchkp,
the first problem is that there is almost no rental stock in CH proper.
The second problem is that most rentals are garden level floorthrus in brownstones. If you can handle the lack of light then maybe it doesnt bother you.
Expect to pay 2500 or so for a small 2br and closer to 3000 for an actual 2br.
CH is easily my favorite neighborhood in nyc. I would love to own one of those brownstones on henry or clinton street. The prices are out of control though :(
Posted by: jdoo at March 14, 2009 6:26 PM in response to Shout out for Cobble Hill
cpchkp,
Here's an example of a 2br for $2000 on 8th ave and 15st in the south slope. 8th ave is a pretty busy/noisy street.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/abo/1073353600.html
The "## Listed By: No fee==by owner==no fee" at the bottom does set off a 'condition yellow' on my broker-bs-o-meter, but the posting seems legit enough that I would check it out if i was looking in this price range and location. Please note I have no connection to the poster of this listing and am in no way endorsing the listing, just thought I'd provide a datapoint for you.
For what its worth, this one raises all kinds of red flags in my mind: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/abo/1073242638.html
Posted by: jdoo at March 13, 2009 2:13 PM in response to current rents in PS, WT
Check sites such as streeteasy.com and NYT real estate to see if the place she is renting is currently or was recently listed for sale. The owner may be trying to sell the place or maybe gave up for a year. It would be disappointing to spend all that money moving only to get evicted after a year because the owner sold their apartment.
Posted by: jdoo at March 13, 2009 10:29 AM in response to New to the Area
I spent probably 50 hours crawling through craigslist over the last 6 weeks looking for a nicely sized 2br for myself and my girlfriend in either park slope (east of 5th ave, north of 10th st) or cobble hill/carroll gardens.
That area of Park Slope is a nonstarter for a 2br @ $2,000. You can get a decent medium 1br for $2,000. Like 11217 said, $2400 will get you a small 2br near 10th steet.
A larger 2BR in the area of PS I defined above is more like 2700-3000.
I just haven't seen the rents dropping too much in the "prime" areas of brooklyn. BUT, if you are willing to live on 4th avenue you can probably get a great deal.
One last tip, be wary of the "by owner" listings on craigslist. That area is polluted with brokers essentially posting fraudulent bait/switch "no fee" listings of crappy places with jacked up rent. Once you spend some time reading the listings on craigslist you'll get the hang of distinguishing the brokerspeak from actual for-rent by owner places.
If you are going to use a broker just use the nyt real estate search. The bait&switch guys dont seem to list in nyt as much as they do craigslist.
We ended up with a great place in CG for closer to 3,000 than 2,000.
Posted by: jdoo at March 13, 2009 12:15 AM in response to current rents in PS, WT
You Court street Lobo haters are completely missing the point. I have been going to this place for the past five years and it is one of my favorite brunch spots in Brooklyn.
Sure the food isn't that great but I am perfectly fine having eggs, grits, and bacon for breakfast.
The margaritas are excellent and the waitstaff and bartenders are very friendly. It's a real CH/CG neighborhood hangout during brunchtime and a great place to spend a lazy sunday afternoon getting wasted on margaritas with a few friends.
Posted by: jdoo at March 11, 2009 9:39 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
and by the way, we plan on sitting tight until prices come down enough that it makes sense to buy.
Posted by: jdoo at March 11, 2009 9:24 PM in response to To Buy or Not to Buy
hannible,
I just spent the last 6 weeks or so looking for a nicely maintained, good sized (~1000sqft) 2br on a good block in PS (north of 10th st, east of 5th ave). We didn't see a single place under $2500 that came even close to being acceptable to us. 2,700 to 3,000+ was the price range where we saw places that appealed to us.
We ended up with a great place on a good block in carroll gardens for 2,700.
Posted by: jdoo at March 11, 2009 9:15 PM in response to To Buy or Not to Buy
cggirl,
love the optimism!
Posted by: jdoo at March 11, 2009 1:25 PM in response to To Buy or Not to Buy
This is a wonderful block in Fort Greene. I'm not surprised these places are selling fast.
Posted by: jdoo at March 5, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Checking In On The Classic Modern
"I do not hate it but it looks like it belongs in Houston. And more like an office tower than residential. Oh well, you will be able to rent there within the year ..."
You are probably right. Oro rentals "by owner" are popping up on craigslist already...
Posted by: jdoo at February 19, 2009 2:59 PM in response to Toren All Glassed Over
jdoo wrote a review about Cube 63 on February 19, 2009 2:21 PM
I wasn't impressed with this place at all. Take a friend to Osaka a few blocks down and get the sushi & sashimi for 2 and some of those sweet bamboo's full of sake
jdoo wrote a review about Sweet Melissa Pâtisserie & Cremerie on February 16, 2009 3:51 PM
Sweet melissa is fun, but overpriced. I usually end up at Angry Wade's instead.
jdoo wrote a review about Amin Indian on February 10, 2009 3:25 PM
Another +1 for kinara. We ordered from there all the time when I lived in FG. I have never gone to eat at Kinara but their takeout is top notch. Probably my 2nd favorite indian food in nyc besides dakshin on the UES.
Raga is good for you cobble/boerum hillers. IMO, best bet in the slope is baluchi's. I like how tangy their vindaloo is.
jdoo wrote a review about Chance on January 24, 2009 5:16 PM
i order from here every now and then. our favorites are actually rather simple,
ocean box + pad thai + chicken fried rice. Its pretty good and is a nice alternative to ordering from lemongrass on court all the time (I LOVE THAT PLACE)
I absolutely love this area. The guys that run the corner store on lafayette and cumberland are cool as hell as well.
>"prime Fort Greene" they say...
>http://realestate.nytimes.com/rentals/detail/44-1437343/CUMBERLAND-STREET-NY-11238
This place is about 1-block away from the shootout that happened a few weeks back.
Posted by: jdoo at December 2, 2008 4:54 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 141 Lafayette Avenue
NOP - thanks for the commentary.
Agree that it is a great area, but slightly too far from mass transit for people that work in the city IMO.
Posted by: jdoo at November 25, 2008 8:32 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 193 Clinton Avenue
extreme lack of closet space. that "2nd bedroom" would probably serve bettet as a walk-in closet. I love the area but that place looks really small and the maintenance is relatively high.
Posted by: jdoo at November 21, 2008 6:08 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller
muffett,
dont forget that many of those old time buyers may have HELOC-ATM'd their way into poverty.
Posted by: jdoo at November 21, 2008 6:00 PM in response to Babs Corcoran "Not Worried About Real Estate Prices"
jdoo wrote a review about Chiles y Chocolate on November 14, 2008 5:12 PM
I have gotten takeout from this place a few times. It is decent enough but the mole is somewhat bland. I prefer the mole I make at home.
The rendering seems to be missing about 43 cell phone stores and 26 hoochie mama clothes stores.
Posted by: jdoo at November 13, 2008 10:00 AM in response to H&M Setting Up Shop in Downtown BK
jdoo wrote a review about Two Boots Brooklyn on October 20, 2009 1:19 PM
The Orange Blossom martinis here are really really good. Great brunch spot if you dont mind kids everywhere.