A delicious lunch at Waza Sushi & Ramen ranges from $4 to $15. Popular lunch bento boxes consist of miso soup, salad, shumai, California rolls and your choice of a great number of entrees, including salmon, tofu, shrimp, chicken, beef teriyaki, tuna, beef negimaki and lots more! Substitute brown rice for white fro a just a dollar more.
Filling and yummy.
Waza Sushi & Ramen is located at 485 Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Ryerson and can be reached at 718.399.3839.
Oh, those hand rolled and freshly baked on premises bagels! Can’t get enough of them, and they are at Bergen Bagels on Myrtle. Bergen Bagels is located at 536 Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Steuben. Stop in and grab breakfast and lunch faves, such as the lox, tomato and cream cheese bagel above which is steal at $3.65.
Bergen Bagels offers baked goods, coffee, appetizers, coldcuts, and gourmet salads. Bergen Bagels makes their bagels and breads, muffins and cream cheeses from scratch. Bergen Bagels does not use preservatives in their products. All baking and preparation is done on premises. Catering orders are also available.
Bergen Bagels is located at 536 Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Steuben and can be reached at (718) 789-9300.
photo credit: Brooklyn Magazine
A recent 10/29 article by Brooklyn Magazine votes Charnier Corey, owner of Leisure Life NYC, the men’s clothing, leather goods, accessories and art boutique located at 559 Myrtle Avenue, one of Brooklyn’s 50 top fashion influencers.
The article features the most fashion forward amongst us who it says are “making a mark in the world of fashion and just the world in general” and those who are “proving that while there may be no singular ‘Brooklyn look,’ there is still an awful lot to look at coming out of Brooklyn.”
Early this month, Leisure Life was voted the coolest by business and technology news website, Business Insider.
Leisure Life’s designs, many by the store’s owner, are largely inspired his love of vintage fashion and sports memorabilia.
Leisure Life is located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue. Stop in or call (347) 725-3167.
Oh, yes, it’s that time of year again. The NYC Marathon will pass through the neighborhood this coming Sunday on November 2nd!
Of course we’ll see some familiar faces running again this year (former Executive Director Blaise Backer) and brand new faces running the race this year (including Gerry Rooney, owner of Putnam’s Pub & Cooker).
Gerry is creatively using his inaugural marathon race as an opportunity to invite fellow neighborhood runners back to Putnam’s for free massages and desserts after the race on Sunday. Putnam’s will have drink and food specials all night long for everyone, as well as a masseuse on hand to help racers work out the aches and soreness from the race.
Also, there are plenty of other options for pre-Marathon and post-Marathon excitement on Myrtle Avenue!
With Myrtle Avenue being just a few blocks away from the marathon course at Lafayette Avenue as well as at Bedford Avenue, it’s ideal for grabbing brunch before or after the runners pass through the neighborhood.
Check out a complete Myrtle Avenue dining directory for many other fantastic choices.
To all the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill 2014 Marathon racers out there: CONGRATS and very best!
Hey Kids & Parents: Join A Kid’s Dream Hair Salon for a ‘Spooktacular Halloween Party’ on Halloween, Friday, 10/31 from 6pm-9pm– dancing, food, games, music, toys, sweet treats and costume contest. $5 entrance fee, party people.
Costume Contest:
1st Place: 50% off services, which include mani, pedis, candy facials and more; 2nd Place: 25% off services; 3rd Place: 10% off services.
Call A Kid’s Dream to reserve a space or for more of the spooktacular details: 800.927.1373 or check out their website, akidsdreamnyc.com.
A Kid’s Dream is located at 549 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Steuben. Please call 800.927.1373 for more details.
Please click to read about additional Myrtle Avenue Halloween activities here.
Burger and fries from The Runner.
Don’t delay. This is the last week of Dine in Brooklyn, and if you snooze, you’ll most certainly lose (at least at these incredible prix fixe prices). The Runner, Lola Brooklyn, Five Spot Soul Food & Supper Club, Los Pollitos III, Zaytoons, Maggie Brown and Mojito Cuban Cuisine are just a few of the Myrtle Avenue area mainstays + one newbie (The Runner), but also very much a goodie, serving up delicious multi-course fare. $25 for dinner nd 2-for-$15 prix fixe lunches. Check out the Dine in BKLYN website for a complete list of participants and menu details: http://dineinbklyn.com/.
The Great PUPkin at Fort Greene Park. Image Source: PUPS.
Halloween is always a blast on and around Myrtle Avenue. Adult-, child- and family- friendly activities abound. Over 15 Halloween happenings from October 25 to 31st, check them out. Hope to see you on the Avenue: enjoy!
From kid’s Spooktacular party at A Kid’s Dream, to Halloween Rum tasting at Gnarly Vines, to Halloween festival at Trilok, to Halloween-themed trivia night and Thriller dance contest at Putnam’s, to sexiest costume contest at Five Spot, to craziest leggings and t-shirt dance and yoga classes at Move w/Grace, to pumpkin carving and costume contests at Maggie Brown and The Emerson Bar, to candy giveaway stops at Myrtle Car Service, Just Because Salon, Klevor, Corkscrew Wines, Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Polish Bar of Brooklyn and Tipsy, to the Fort Greene Park Conservancy and PUP’s annual Halloween Festival plus doggie costume contest…you are bound to have a BOO-tiful time on and around Myrtle Avenue.
Here’s a full list of Halloween happenings up and down Myrtle Avenue, October 25 thru October 31. Click each for details, and please check in regularly for any additions.
In addition to all of the textiles, textures and treats which is Jill Lindsey, did you know the store is also a café? Stop in for delicious pick-me-up coffee and tea morning brews, tasty baked treats and now lunch–like the citrus salad, chickpeas, feta and chili salad and almond torte pictured above. Each day features different delicious items, so please stop in!
Jill Lindsey is located at 370 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi and can be reached at (347) 987-4538.
Lipman Pike. Source: Detroit Jewish News.
Did you know one of baseball’s greatest legends was born and raised right here in Clinton Hill? Lipman Pike grew up at 123 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Myrtle and Park Avenues. At the age of 21, Lip began his professional baseball career in 1866, which lasted for 15 years. According to most sources, he was the first professional baseball player in America – meaning he received payment to play, which at the time was technically against league rules. His first payment was for $20, which lead him to move from his home in Brooklyn to play for the Philadelphia Athletics.
Not only was he perhaps the first professional baseball player, but he was one of the best. Known as the “Iron Batter,” Lip led the league for a couple of seasons in home runs. In addition to being a great hitter, he was also known for his speed. In 1873, he challenged a racehorse to a 100-yard sprint and won!
On top of all of this tremendous skill was also the fact that Lip was Jewish. His parents had immigrated to Brooklyn from Holland in the early 1800’s, when Brooklyn’s Jewish population was quite small. While baseball played a large role in helping Lip assimilate into American culture, he had to face prejudices throughout his professional career. Despite this, he maintained his position as one of the best players in the nation.
To learn more about Lipman Pike, you can visit Moment Magazine or check out the biographical children’s book Lipman Pike: America’s First Home Run King, written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by Zachary Pullen. You cannot however visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame, because he has not yet been inducted. Although, if you’d like to see the “Iron Batter” become a Hall of Famer, you can sign this online petition.
Lipman Pike, circa 1870.
Join The Runner for its first Dine-In Brooklyn event. Stop in for a $25 prix fixe dinner or $15 prix fixe lunch. The Runner is located at 458 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly and Washington and can be reached at (718) 643-6500.
DINNER
First Course
Risotto, sweet potato, mosello cherry, feta, watercress
Chicken Liver Mousse, bread & butter pickles, crostini
Flatbread, speck crème fraiche, red onion
Cherrystone Chowder anisette, lemon
Escarole Salad, rolled oats, grilled fig
Second Course
Salted Baked Trout, scallion aioli, black olives, preserved lemon
Half Roasted Chicken, watercress, fennel, lemon
Pan Seared Ribeye, chimichurri
Garden Pasta, spinach papardelle, granapadano, fresh veggies
Third Course
Chocolate ancho crème brulee
Guinness chocolate cake
Wildberry terrine
LUNCH
Small Plate
Smoked Bloody Mary Wings celery seed mayo
Cherrystone Chowder anisette, lemon
Escarole salad rolled oats, grilled fig
Flatbread speck, crème fraiche, red onion
Mac & cheese blue cheese, bacon
Large Plate
Burger & fries served with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles
Short rib melt, gruyere, coleslaw
Shrimp wraps tempura, papaya salad
BLT pork belly, lettuce, tomato
Garden pasta spinach papardelle, grana padano, fresh veggies
Reservations strongly suggested.
Dine In Brooklyn celebrates the five-star flavors that make Brooklyn a ‘must-taste’ destination. Brooklyn restaurants fuel our borough’s economic engine, and this event is an opportunity to support their continued growth while encouraging diners to discover – or rediscover – their favorite Brooklyn dish. Most importantly, Dine In Brooklyn fosters the connections and memories that make ‘One Brooklyn’ like no place else on the globe.
Dine In Brooklyn 2014 will take place from Monday, October 20th through Thursday, October 23rd, and from Monday, October 27th through Thursday, October 30th with prix fixe dinners costing $25, and prix fixe lunches costing $15.
‘Tis the season. Stop in to check out 21 Tara’s Fall into Winter collection. Colorful, fashionable batik and tie-dyed scarves are amongst the store many items.
Other store items include quilts, hats, rings and bracelets with semi-precious stones, shoulder bags, wallets and decorative masks and more.
21 Tara boasts a cornucopia of wonderful store items, stop in!
21 Tara is located at 388 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi. Please call the store at (718) 237-0737 with any questions.
Baked chicken, moro de habichuelas [one pot yellow rice and beans] and platanos maduras.
Did you know about the $5 and $6 lunch specials at El Cofre? Lunch specials are available everyday, 11am-4pm. If you haven’t stopped into this popular treasure chest (‘cofre’ is the Spanish word for treasure chest) of Dominican cuisine, what are you waiting for?
We usually order the avocado salad w/grape tomatoes, romaine lettuce, red onions and El Cofre’s homemade special vinaigrette; or baked chicken, mixed veggies and mashed potatoes; or fresh fish with a side of tostones (sliced green plantains) or platanos maduroas (fried ripe plantains); or pollo guisado (stewed chicken); or a plate of rice and beans….so many choices! Most of the heaping plates of delicious cuisine at El Cofre can be shared by two!
El Cofre is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
El Cofre is located at 454 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly and Washington Avenues. They can be reached at 718.935.1153.
The 11th annual Dine in Brooklyn event is set to kick off next Monday, 10/20 with two-for-$15 lunch and $25 dinner deals at more than 150 restaurants, including some right here Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, including The Runner, Zaytoons, Maggie Brown and Five Spot.
Dine in Brooklyn will take place Monday, October 20, to Thursday, October 23, and again from Monday, October 27, to Thursday, October 30.
Organized by the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, the event is about exposing neighbors to their local restaurants and supporting one of the borough’s most prodigious industries.
Bon Appétit!
Please visit the Dine-in Brooklyn website for a complete list of participating restaurants, including up to the minute additions!
From left to right: Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Assemblyman Walter Mosley, Councilman Robert Cornegy [36th District, Council’s small business committee head], Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Alain Farrelly, Craig Farrelly, owners of Brewklyn Grind and family.
Click to check out more ribbon cutting pics on Flickr.
It’s good to know that we have professionals like Dr. Dennis Cheng, owner and optometrist at dc optics to help us choose the just right pair of glasses and contacts.
dc optics provides the most comprehensive eye examinations, stylish eyewear and latest innovations in contact lenses in a relaxed and friendly environment. DC also looks to provide community outreach in the form of school screenings and exams for children in need. At dc optics, proceeds from every eyewear purchase goes toward helping children in the local area who need glasses but cannot afford them.
Stop in at DC Optics today, 390 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt
(347) 504-1121.
Have you had a chance to stop in at Liberty Pizza at 482 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street? If not, you really should. Choose from a range of good, hearty and affordable selections like calzones, chicken parmigiana, sausage rolls and baked ziti. Weekday lunch special include the ever popular $5 lunch: 2 slices plus a medium soft drink. A variety of pizza pies, slices and squares (Sicilian-style) available from $2.25.
Liberty Pizza is located at 482 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. The store can be reached at (718) 789-0600.
NY1 reporter Jeanine Ramirez at Brewklyn Grind on Myrtle Avenue.
As part of their coverage on Hurricane Sandy recovery, NY1 stopped by Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill to speak to one of the district’s newest businesses: Brewklyn Grind. The coffee business opened its first storefront location this past month at 557 Myrtle Avenue, after spending the last couple of years rebuilding their Red Hook-based wholesale operations, which was damaged by Sandy.
When Brewklyn Grind was looking for a place to open a storefront cafe, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership was able to use a state-funded grant program to attract them to Clinton Hill. Through the New York Main Street grant program, the Partnership provided a matching grant to the business to help with costs associated with building-out the formerly vacant commercial space. Prior to their arrival, the space did not have a restroom, heat or A/C system, very little plumbing and the entire electrical system needed upgrading. The bare bones of the space made it difficult for prospective businesses to sign a lease, but thanks to the matching grant funds, the space become a viable option for new lease signers. After submitting an application and having their plans reviewed, Brewklyn Grind was approved for a grant and began work in the space.
Over the past 10 years, the Partnership has awarded more than $800,000 in New York Main Street grants to 36 different properties along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The grant has not only served as a tool to attract businesses, but has also supported many existing businesses who renovated their commercial spaces or made storefront improvements.
Brewklyn Grind, 557 Myrtle Avenue, between Emerson and Classon.
Men’s clothing, accessories and art store, Leisure Life NYC, located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue is included in Brooklyn Insider’s article, released today, titled “the 25 Coolest New Businesses in Brooklyn.” (thanks Fort Greene Focus)
The business and technology news website stated that they “scoured 71 square miles, as far north as Greenpoint and deep as Bay Ridge, to find the shops, restaurants, bars, and startups” to seek out. The article focused on businesses that opened within the last 5 years.
Leisure Life specializes in quality lifestyle products, from men’s clothing, leather goods, accessories and art. Many of the store’s fashion and art collection are designed by the store owner. The store is a haberdashery men’s club that is inspired in large degree by the owner’s love of vintage fashion and sports memorabilia.
Stop in for yourself, to pick up a gift for a loved one or to just hang out and enjoy– the design, artwork, customer service and backyard are simply lovely! The business hosts regular arts and culture events.
Leisure Life is located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue. Stop in or contact the shop at: (347) 725-3167.
Please stop by Myrtle Drug Care Corp, located at 355 Myrtle Avenue at the corner of Adelphi, to celebrate the store’s, what they are calling their ‘re-grand opening” celebration from 10:30am to 2:00pm.
“Now that we’ve been on Myrtle Avenue for over year, we’re settled in. We’ve gotten to know our neighbors and they’ve gotten to know us–now is the time to really celebrate again,” shared Maha Maldonado, the store’s pharmacist.
Myrtle Drug Care is partnering with WellCare Health Plans in the celebration. WellCare, like Myrtle Drug Care, offers a variety of health services for families, children, seniors and others.
Balloons and trinket giveaways will be available to all who stop by. Assurance Wireless will be on hand to sign up eligible customers for free mobile phones and minutes. And FREE warm apple cider and health snacks from 12pm to 1pm. Be sure to stop by!
Myrtle Drug Care offers 10% senior discounts everyday. They offer 20% off on all store items every Thursday. Additionally, they offer free coffee everyday and well as a lot of other gifts to first time customers and well as more regular customers.
Myrtle Drug Care Corp is located at 355 Myrtle Avenue at Adelphi Street. They can be reached at 718.855.2292.
This is the final week of Gnarly Vines’ 30/30/30 Sale. That is, a selection of 30 wines that are 30% off for 30 days. Stop in and taste what Gnarly Vines has been up to. Reds, whites, roses and sparling wines. This great sale ends October 10th, so hurry!
Gnarly Vines is located at 350 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi. Gnarly Vines can be reached at (718) 797-3183.
If you too just can’t get enough of Brooklyn Sweet Spot’s delicious, melt-in-your-mouth confections, then do not forget to check out the bakery’s weekly specials.
“Mini Mondays” feature mini-cupcakes, 2 for $5. Mix and match or double up on your faves.
“Super Tuesdays” feature cupcakes $5 for two mouthwatering red velvet cupcakes or mix and match any of your mouthwatering full sized favorites for $3 each.
“Thirsty Thursdays” spotlights a large array of cocktail cupcakes such as chocolate grand marnier seduction or coconut rum punch.
Brooklyn Sweet Spot is located at 366 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Clermont and can be reached at (718) 522-2577.
A group of men harmonizing on Myrtle Avenue, underneath the elevated train, in 1960. Photo taken from the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership’s photo collection.
This 1960’s photo throws us back to the era when doo-wop music was all the rage. It was alive and well right here in Fort Greene as well, where famous doo-wop singer Little Anthony was born and raised. Born Jerome Gourdine, Little Anthony was the lead singer of The Imperials, who recorded mega-hits such as “Tears on My Pillow” in 1958 and “Shimy Shimy Ko Ko Pop” in 1960. Little Anthony was born here in Brooklyn in 1941 and lived on North Portland Place between Myrtle and Park Avenues in what was then Fort Greene Houses, but now known today as Walt Whitman Houses.
Interested in more local history? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to catch our weekly #ThrowbackThursday posts.
Little Anthony & The Imperials album cover. Photo credit: thewowjonesreport.wordpress.com.
Artwork by Murjani Holmes
Graffiti Zoo is an exhibition at Pushkin Creperie Cafe of urban pop paintings by Murjani Holmes, curated by Joshua Stulman.
Holmes’s artwork fuses the stylized illustration of Brooklyn’s graffiti culture with her profound sense of color and design.
Each of the paintings in Graffiti Zoo begins as layers of thin washes covering the canvas. Holmes then outlines her subject, working between building layers of color and her heavy linear illustration. She often uses vibrant and opaque backgrounds to clarify the image. This technique lends the painting a print-like pop art feel. Click here to read more about the artwork.
The exhbitiion is being sponsored by the Brooklyn Art Review and Pushkin Creperie Cafe.
Pushkin Creperie Cafe, 541 Myrtle Avenue, between Steuben & Emerson.
Stop in and check out Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Pilates & Juice Bar’s introductory special: $45 will get you two weeks of unlimited classes. And while you are at, treat yourself to any number of green and other yummy and healthy fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar.
Move with Grace Studio offers a wide variety of classes, including yoga (Vinyasa, Hatha and Iyengar and a late night candlelight flow), Pilates and Zumba. Children as well as adult classes are available. Group and private lessons are available.
Click here for the Move with Grace weekly schedule and other class card specials.
Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Pilates & Juice Bar is located at 469 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. Please call (718) 230-0013 for further information.
Please join Brewklyn Grind and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership for a ribbon cutting on Friday, 10/3 to celebrate the opening of Myrtle Avenue’s newest business, Brewklyn Grind at 557 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue.
Stories of triumph and restoration continue, even now, two years after Hurricane Sandy. One such triumphant story involves Brewklyn Grind. Brooklyn-born brothers, Craig, James and Alain Farrelly, owners, not only reopened their coffee roasting warehouse but their very first retail outlet on Myrtle Avenue.
Please join us—
When:
Friday, October 3rd
Time:
8:30am to 10:00am
Where:
Brewklyn Grind, 557 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue
Details:
Ribbon cutting celebration, free coffee and assorted baked goods until 9:30am.
