New Wave

I’m sitting behind the register at the lovely boutique where I work on 5th Ave with the door open.  Crunchy little leaf friends blow in from the sidewalk as mommy after mommy traipses into the store effortlessly swaddled in light-weight, oversized, sweaters.  They’re drinking hot coffee and talking weekend apple-picking.  The kids are back in school, so, they’ve gotta run, they’ve gotta make it in time for pick-up.

It’s fall in the Slope, and with every change in the season comes new bars, restaurants, and stores.  Now, you’ll find at least four bars on every block, which means seasonal craft beers and hard ciders with every step.  And there’s plenty of autumnal eats on the tables of the new bistros and cafes in the area.  Also thrown into the mix of new openings in the nabe? An urgent care walk-in center, so if you cut yourself carving pumpkins — you know where to go!

The Owl Farm
297 9th Street | 718.499.4988 | theowlfarmbar.com
A harsh reality: all of the Park Slope bars that I’ve made “memories” at are closing.  First it was O’Connor’s (RIP) and I was forced to pour one out for Harry Boland’s on 5th Ave and 9th St.  It’s cool though, it’s just the circle of life (Park Slope bar life, that is).  Anyways, the “idiots behind Bar Great Harry and Mission Dolores” opened up the The Owl Farm in the space where Harry’s once stood.  If you appreciate beer (you do) then the chances are that you’ll dig the new Owl Farm; they’ve got 28 beers on tap and two casks — combine that with their slammin’ happy hour (well drinks/specified beers are 2/$5 until 7pm) and set up shop at one of their three pinball machines, and you’ll be saying “Harry who?”

67 Burger
234 Flatbush Ave | 718.399.6767 | 67burger.com
If 67 Burger were a person, their heart would be made out of burger meat.  But seeing as this new Park Slope spot on Flatbush Ave and Bergen is a burger joint, not a hamburger-human, the owners still put their heart into serving the community a substantial variety of viciously delicious burgers.  You and yours can choose from a whopping 13 different styles of burgers at 67 Burger, and while I am more than partial to the Parisian ($8.25: hello white wine sautéed onions, mushrooms, and dijonaise) your order can really go a number of ways — try the Oaxaca ($10: avocado slices, homemade chipotle mayo, cajun spices, and cheddar cheese on a chicken patty) or the Italian ($8.50: fresh basil pesto and shaved parmesan).  Wherever your order takes you, you won’t be disappointed.  Actually, you might be disappointed if you skimp on the fries; 67 Burger makes the most scrumptious seasoned curly fries I’ve ever had (and I’ve inhaled A LOT of curly fries in my time), so at $3.95 a serving, you really can’t pass those spuds up.

Woodland
242 Flatbush Ave | 718.398.7700 | woodlandnyc.com
I’ve always wanted to act like a Satyr in public.  You know, those half-man/half-goat creatures that prance within the canon of Ancient Greek mythology?  Satyrs were known to roam the woods guzzling wine, playing musical instruments — essentially just letting loose and relishing in life’s pleasantries.  Woodland incorporates the ways of the satyr in their approach at a new American grill that opened in May on Flatbush Ave.  Before you’re seated, take a moment to gawk at the interior of this bi-level Park Slope dream that features exposed brick walls, a 12-seat bar, a lounge downstairs (where the owners intend on hosting live music performances), and a spacious backyard.  The menu lists a number of meaty meals like the Lava Lake Lamb with cauliflower pencil leek gratin, Westfield goat cheese, and spearmint ($26), and the Riesling Braised Rabbit with yellow tomato bernaise and frites ($25).  Veg-heads can wine and dine at Woodlands too; take it from me, the Leaf Salad ($11) is nothing to scoff at when it incorporates intriguing ingredients like dandelion, mizuna, filberts, grilled Northfolk apricots, and rye bark in a pickled sunchoke vinaigrette. Beyond the woodsy fodder, however, is the opportunity you’ll have to imbibe like Satyr, seeing as Woodland’s drink menu is dripping with top wine picks, imported drafts, and even ciders!

Pink Berry
161 7th Ave | 718.788-0615 | pinkberry.com
Breaking news on the Slope’s frozen yogurt front! Last issue, I told you all about Culture, the new and niche fro-yo shop on 5th Avenue and 4th Street.  This time around, I’m giving you a sweet scoop (all puns intended) on not one, but TWO new frozen yogurt places in the ‘hood!  This summer ushered in the presence of Pinkberry, the self-proclaimed “leading frozen yogurt brand for franchising” that has been publicly praised by Hollywood big-wigs, on 7th Ave and Garfield Place.  Rated #1 in their field by Zagat, those who are fond of fro-yo may select between Pinkberry’s orginal flavor (best described as “classic” and “tangy”) or a handful of “seasonal flavors” like chocolate hazelnut, pomegranate, peanut butter, mango or coconut.  The real draw here is their toppings bar, though: a peak behind the cold glass that harbors all of Pinkberry’s toppings yields the magnificent sight of a rainbow of tiny treats like sliced kiwi, fruit loops, cheesecake crumbles, raspberries, and chocolate chips.  It’s also worth note that I saw Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz cut the ribbon (it was pink) for PInkberry’s grand opening.

Yogurberry
77 5th Ave | 718.399.2898 | yogurberry.com
But wait, there’s more!  Another frozen yogurt place opened up this summer on 5th Ave and St. Mark’s Pl.  YogurBerry (also a chain) one-ups its neighboring competition with their self-serve frozen yogurt machines which, with just the pull of a lever, swirl out natural fruit sweetened product at 49 cents per ounce.  You can sample and then choose from their original, green tea, strawberry, peach, and raspberry flavors, and then sprinkle on the nutritionally satisfying toppings yourself (granola, almonds, fruit, cookies).  Essentially, this place successfully functions as a means in which the health-conscious can treat themselves to dessert; you can control your portions (the same goes for toppings) and can lick your spoon confidently knowing that YogurBerry’s fro-yo is 100% natural, nonfat and low calorie.

Cafe Dada
57 7th Ave | 718.622.2800
After a successful 18 years in the neighborhood, the caffeinated Park Slope institution, Ozzie’s, has closed its doors.  But all is not lost: the owner is slated to open a new location, under a different name, a few blocks away from where Ozzie’s once stood at 7th Ave and Lincoln.  Now, Cafe Dada has taken its place and they’re calling for all the creative types in the area to embrace the atmosphere of old Dadaist cafes in early 1900s Budapest and 1920s Paris, where coffee shops were the breeding grounds for artists and writers to gather and create. Patrons are encouraged to grab a cup of coffee (they brew Blue Bottle and Brooklyn Roasting beans), socialize with other customers, and exist as a member of our community.  And when you’re exhausted from exerting all your creative energy, Cafe Dada’s French-Hungarian menu will impress and then fuel you with their unique offerings; when was the last time you had Potato Pogasca ($6.50, Hungarian style potato biscuit with ham, eggs, and asparagus) or a wood board of Padliszan Spread (10.50) at a cafe in Park Slope?  As an added bonus, their art-based philosophy is put into practice at poetry readings, which they host in the cafe from time to time.

Pork Slope
247 5th Ave | 718.768.PORK | porkslopebrooklyn.com
Road houses across the states are typically situated on major highways and serve as a place for travelers to stop for a full meal and light entertainment.  In August, all of us weary travelers making our way down 5th Ave were greeted by Pork Slope, a new road house bar opened by Dale Talde and John Bush where you can grub on barbecue and sandwiches while simultaneously drinking beer and whiskey to your heart’s delight (or until you run out of cash, because Pork Slope is cash only).  But don’t judge a road house by its name — yes, Pork Slope serves pork dishes (they make a mean pulled pork sandwich at $8), but this is first and foremost a place to recharge (read: imbibe) after your grueling workday.  They offer a selection of 25 beers, three wines on tap, and place a passionate emphasis on American whiskey.  Pork Slope even has a coin-operated pool table on its premises, just don’t let the taxidermied boar’s heads and beer lamps lining the walls distract you from your shot!

Robert Henry Vintage
683 6th Ave | 718.473.0744 | roberthenryvintage.com
In 2006, Robert Henry Vintage opened a storefront on 6th Ave and 19th street.  They sold furniture, objects, dishes, and glassware that they’d personally selected from an inventory of items from the 1940s to the 1980s.  In August, the duo behind Robert Henry Vintage converted their South Slope store into a storage unit, placing vintage tea kettles for sale in the space’s window alongside none other than a prominently displayed set of…QR codes!  Their “new wave” method of sales takes “window shopping” literally: instead of interacting with a salesperson, customers walk up to the window with their smartphones to scan the QR code that represents the item they’d like to purchase.  Then, they are prompted to pay for their 1960s cocktail shaker using a credit card number, before arranging their pick up or delivery preferences. The concept behind Robert Henry Vintage’s window-store is both novelty and innovative, and speaking from experience, when I walked by the “store” it felt as if that Waterford Crystal goblet in the window’s QR code was staring back at me, screaming, “THE FUTURE IS NOW.”

Die Koelner Bierhalle
84 St Marks Pl | 347.227.7238 | thekbh.com
When I first heard that a new German “bierhalle” opened up in August on St. Marks between 4th and 5th Aves, I gave a figurative “thumbs up” to Park Slope for ushering in yet another place for me to get drinks after work.  Die Koelner Bierhalle serves authentic German Kolschs, Hefeweizens, Lagers, Pilsens, and Ales at $11-17 a liter, warm bavarian pretzels ($6), the best ‘wursts: bauenwursts, bratwursts, curry wursts, wiesswurts ($5-8), and all the other bierhalle favorites that make for a Deutschland dream.  Then, I heard that Die Koelner is hosting Oktoberfest from September 15-October 6, and you better believe that I used a whopping FIVE “thumbs up” emojis when I tweeted that I intend to participate in the most important event in the beer-guzzling world at Die Koelner.  My reason?  When you realize that most of the beers at Die Koelner are 300-500 years old, it makes pretending like you’re at the real Oktoberfest in Munich so much easier.

Greenwood Park
555 7th Ave | 718.788.7850 | greenwoodparkbk.com
I recently read a yelp review that referred to the new beer garden/bar/restaurant that opened in June in “Greenwood Heights” as “Chuck-E-Cheese in South Slope” and stated that the space is overpopulated by children.  This is because parents are not only allowed to, but are encouraged to bring their children to the family-friendly Greenwood Park on 7th Ave and 19th.  Sure, the 13,000-square-foot space is wiggling with hoards of hyper kiddies skipping and singing from table to table, but come on!  The only people getting a Chuck-E-Cheese experience here are the parents of these children who, for once, are afforded the luxury of day drinking at a bar without spending big bucks on a babysitter.  Greenwood Park opens for business at noon and serves outdoor happy hour drinks ($3 drafts/$4 well drinks) until 7pm, which sounds like prime-time for mommies to gather and gossip over Fresh Basil Vodka Lemonades while their little ones keep themselves entertained nearby.  But if you’re just not one to get tipsy in front of toddlers, head to the beer garden after 7pm, when the bar is 21+; they have 60 beers on tap, 24 of which are local, and a fairly priced bar menu with limited vegetarian/vegan options.

Premier Care
420 5th Ave | 718.965.2273 | premiercaredoc.com
Attempting to book an appointment with your primary care provider when you have the flu in New York can sometimes be a joke, a terribly unfunny joke.  Meanwhile, waiting for hours in the emergency room after you’ve sliced off your finger julienning sweet potatoes can feel like an actual nightmare. At last, we have Premier Care, a walk-in urgent care center that opened in July on 5th Ave at 7th, who will treat your little one’s persistent cold and attend to your sprained ankle shortly after you walk-in, no appointment necessary.  They are open 7 days a week (9am-9pm during the week, 9am-5pm on the weekends), and accept all major insurances.  Premier Care’s staff is friendly and boasts board certified emergency doctors, so you can utilize their full range of services with confidence.  And as a public service announcement directed at the select singles of the Slope: they provide full STD testing!  My only gripe is that Premier Care’s facade is a top-to-bottom window that reveals the center’s “waiting room”, which means there’s a real possibility that the next door neighbor you’ve been flirting with could walk by at any moment and see you sitting there, slumped over in your sick clothes, hair unkempt, with a runny nose.  HOT.

Brooklyn Crepe
169 5th Ave | 718.622.2849 | brooklyncrepe.com
File this under, quickie brunch options  — the popular Brooklyn Crepe and Juice on Flatbush has opened up a second Park Slope location on 5th Ave and Lincoln.  They’ve carried the same menu over to the new creperie/juice bar, which includes savory crepes like the Park Slope ($7.50, spinach, goat cheese, tomato), and the Bay Ridge ($9.70, smoked salmon, goat cheese, spinach, caramelized onion), or sweet crepes like the Gowanus ($7.90, seasonal fresh fruit, brie, honey).  They also allow patrons to custom order their crepes (salads and juices, too), and they can be made vegan and gluten-free, too!

If you have a new business opening in Park Slope, South Slope or Prospect Heights, let us know! office@psreader.com

Although Park Slope is hardly want for new and niche coffee shops, bars, and bistros— the past year has brought extensive development and growth to local small businesses. Do you know what this means? It means that despite the turmoil the economy has faced in recent years, Park Slope is still blooming and booming. Congratulations, y’all! We’ve effectively proved that spending our hard earned ducats in Park Slope has boosted our local economy.

And what better way is there to pat myself on the back for contributing to the “shop local” movement that Slopers have valiantly upheld then to buy myself a latte? As I traipse down 7th Avenue with a “liten” (small) soy latte from Konditori in my hand, I clock the handful of new eateries and small shops that have recently rooted themselves in our neck of the borough. Along 7th and 5th Avenues, it appears as if these fairly new businesses are reappropriating Americana fare and repackaging it with a taste customized to Park Slope— think: high-end hamburgers, downing a beer at a bar that boasts a manicurist on staff, and a classic cup of joe roasted Swedish-style. 2012 has ushered in a new wave of Mom and Pop, and its garnering significant praise from us all.

As such, I’ve decided to outline some of the neighborhood’s new(ish) restaurants, cafes, and other shops worth note in the off chance that you haven’t checked them out yet. And really, you should make it a point to visit as many of the new Park Slope eateries and boutiques as you can to continue to support our local economy.

TARO’S ORIGAMI STUDIO

Origami is an art form that Taro Yaguchi, owner of Taro’s Origami Studio on 7th Avenue says, “requires no cutting or messy pasting. However, it challenges you to have a steady mind and focus.” This is awesome news for me, because finger painting and collaging are oodles of fun, but I’m getting sick of cleaning up after myself post art project. The newly opened Taro’s Origami Studio will teach you how to make nifty origami animals like bears, fish, and rabbits in their “Drop in & Try out Corner”, where a touch screen menu on a PC tablet instructs new origami artists how to fold their materials correctly in order to make tiny paper creatures. The “Drop in & Try out” experience ($10) takes about 30 minutes, and you can decorate your creation with stickers, stamps, and markers upon completion! Taro’s Origami Studio also offers 45 minute classes for children and hour long sessions for adults Tuesday through Friday—which I am obviously signing up for in order to create my own origami zoo.

KONDITORI

“Konditori”, the name of the new coffee shop on 7th Avenue is actually the Swedish word for “Coffee Shop”—genius, right? Of course there are nearly a thousand cafes in the area, but Konditori is special in that all they really want is to combine the “hominess of Swedish Coffee Culture with the edginess of Brooklyn,” They brew their coffees, a proprietary ground blend of three different central American beans, every hour on the hour to extend the pleasurable and hearty aromatics their coffee releases. I am prone to pair a “liten” (small) Swedish roast coffee ($2), fresh from Konditori’s French Press, with one of their specialty “Coco Balls” (and at $2.75 these hand rolled chocolate, coffee, oat, sugar, and coconut delicacy is worth going back for seconds), but I am eager to try their hot cranberry cider ($4) with one of their authentic Swedish pastries—the cardamom bread ($2.75). They’re also stocked with soy milk and vegan cookies, and run a sibling Park Slope location on 5th Avenue. Tusen tack (a thousand thanks), Konditori!

BAREBURGER

I’ll spare you the “Wild Boar, and Elk, and Ostrich burgers… oh my!” pun that came to mind as I perused Bareburger’s menu, but really, wild boar, elk, and ostrich are just three of the types of meats you can choose to stuff a brioche or tapioca rice bun with at 7th Avenue’s fairly new burger joint. Bareburger places importance on local and sustainable farming practices, as is made apparent with their use of organic, all natural, grass-fed and free-range meats. Patrons may choose from an intriguing selection of 6oz. meat patties which includes, but is not limited to: organic bison, lamb, free-range Cajun chicken, veggie (dairy and nut free), and organic turkey, to implement in one of Bareburger’s burger concoctions. For example, “The Roadhouse” burger’s toppings include all-natural pepper jack cheese, hass avocado slices, blackened maple bacon, roasted red peppers, apple-smoked onions and a drizzling of tomatillo sauce; as noted on the menu, Bareburger suggests that you order this burger with bison meat, but you can just as well order “The Roadhouse” with free-range chicken. Who doesn’t love options? Classic salads, like the Cranberry Blue Salad (baby spinach, cranberries, Danish blue cheese, almonds, and an apple cider vinaigrette) can also be topped with any of the previously mentioned burger meats, so all of you carb-concerned folks can breathe easy. Bareburger also makes scrumptious milkshakes and is stocked with a healthy array of craft beers (my advice to the carbohydrate weary: at least treat yourself to a beer)! I’ll admit that I haven’t been too adventurous in terms of my food intake at Bareburger, but I have to wonder how well an ostrich burger would pair with an organic peanut butter chocolate shake.

BEAUTY BAR

Consider yourselves lucky, Park Slope, because you’d never guess that the newly opened Beauty Bar on 5th avenue is owned by the same person as its seedy Bushwick predecessor. Beauty Bar Brooklyn 2.0 affords patrons the luxury of swilling highbrow cocktails while having their nails done in a kitschy glitter-ball of a space! And during happy hour (4p.m.-8p.m.) a manicure and a drink selection from Shane Tison’s (of the Randolph at Broome Street) specialty cocktail menu will run you a reasonable $10. A happy hour indeed—I’m stoked that I can get my nails done somewhere in the Slope after hours and have drink while someone nips at my cuticles, too! Alas, those who keep their nails au naturale can prop themselves up at the massive, double-sided, bar, and order a moderately priced craft beer ($5-$7) or one of Tison’s previously mentioned intriguing cocktails ($10, or $8 during happy hour). Say hello to the Elizabeth Taylor photograph for me on your way in!

THE PAINTED POT

At The Painted Pot on 7th Avenue, you and your mini-Matisse can select any number of pre-made pottery objects to hand-paint and take home! In March, The Painted Pot opened their third location in Park Slope and since become a favorite creative hub for neighborhood kids. You can walk in and choose items like a menorah, a mug, a piece of cake, or a jewelry dish to paint; or mosaic a picture frame to put a picture of your cat in! What’s special about The Painted Pot is that kids (ages 8-12 on Mondays and Thursdays, ages 5-8 on Wednesdays) can take clay handbuilding classes to learn how to make functional items like mugs, bowls, and wind chimes ($136 for four sessions). The next time I’m feeling crafty, I’m heading over to The Painted Pot to hand-paint one of the kitschy little gnome-guys I’ve seen grinning in the window!

BICYCLE HABITAT

Last spring, Park Slope was graced with the opening of a bicycle repair, service, and retail store, Bicycle Habitat. Frames and wheels flood the space as Trek, Specialized and other classic bike brands are displayed next to Brompton and the other “boutique” brands for sale at the store. Meanwhile, on-site specialists provide patrons with repair services that include basic flat tire fixing and bike tuneups, and they are also staffed with high-performance cycle experts to help you choose customized furnishings like aero bar installations and tubeless tires. I don’t know what tubeless tires are, but I want them. Come to think of it, I’m sure the bike-babes at Bicycle Habitat can tell me what they are. They will work with any road, sport, or mountain bike, and provide customers with free estimates regarding the repairs they feel should be made to your bike. Needless to say, the folks at Bicycle Habitat are dedicated to fostering a bicycle-culture in the Park Slope community, and with summer on its way, what better time to fix up your old bike, or purchase a new one, and go for a ride in Prospect Park!

RIVET

If you spend five minutes on 7th Avenue looking at what kind of pants the people who pass you by are wearing, you will quickly realize that jeans are the staple of every Park Sloper’s wardrobe. As such, Rivet, a men and women’s clothing boutique, opened for business on 7th Avenue last summer, and has since paraded an expansive inventory of specialty denim jeans. Normally I’d roll my eyes at the thought of having to shop for a new pair of jeans because, well, finding a pair of perfectly tailored jeans is always a stress-inducing quest, but the staff at Rivet aims to ameliorate any denim related anxiety with their knowledge of which brands, fabrics, and cuts, of their jeans are best suited for their individual customers’ bodies. They carry high-end designer favorites like Joe’s, Mavi, Paige, and Hudson, in multiple dyes, rises, and leg openings, so there’s bound to be at least one pair that makes your tush look tighter. And although Rivet prides themselves on their collection of trendy jeans, they also sell basic men’s and women’s t-shirts and darling little dresses.

BLACK HORSE PUB

Even on a sleepy Sunday night, a decent crowd filled Black Horse Pub on 5th Avenue. Although this self-described “friendly neighborhood pub” has been open for the past two years, the introduction of the NFL Sunday Ticket and World Cup soccer viewings, catapulted this Park Slope spot into Sports Bar Heaven. Inside the unassuming, classic sandstone and deep wood decorated space, I chatted up the Pub’s charismatic bartender, who attempted to give me the “real Black Horse Pub experience” (or as close to real as he could muster on a Sunday night). He started by serving me a carefully poured Boddingtons, an English beer and favorite of the Pub’s Brit owner, followed by a shot of Jameson. A man seated next to me watched the Rangers game while devouring pub fare—”Meat On a Roll” ($6): a potato roll, creamery butter, and irish banger or bacon; and a cozy looking couple were seated at a table behind me, perusing Black Horse’s healthy selection of craft beers from the chalkboard menu. Suffice to say, Black Horse Pub is a jack of all sports bar trades—I was told there is dancing and a DJ on Friday nights.

CULTURE

Last summer, Park Slope was treated with a rather alternative sweet-treat; a yogurt shop. Culture on 5th Avenue doles out dollops of fresh yogurt, made in-house, paired with in-season fruit toppings and baked good crumbles. The yogurt, which is crafted with skim, reduced fat, or organic whole milk and then strained with the shop’s own probiotic cultures, is served at either room temperature or as a frozen yogurt dessert. A medium cup of true fro-yo swimming in fresh mango for only $4.75? and the strains used to create the yogurt can boost my immune system? Culture is certainly the sweetest and healthiest treat Park Slope has been given in a while.

DIZZY’S ON 5TH

The Slope’s favorite “finer diner”, Dizzy’s, recently expanded to the corners of 5th Avenue and President Street! The signature tomato red awning of Dizzy’s on 5th boasts the words “Cool Comfort” as their tagline, and that is just what hungry visitors will experience. Similar to the original, Dizzy’s on 5th offers an expansive menu of clean and classic dishes; the breakfast bill of fare is served until 4p.m. and includes an array of breakfast sandwiches that feature eggs or sausage as their star ingredient ($3.25-$5.50), homemade granola ($6), and pistachio crusted banana stuffed french toast ($10). Meanwhile, Dizzy’s lunch menu is full of diner favorites like the Tuna Mac Daddy ($11), Dad’s Favorite Meatloaf ($15.50), The Hot Howie Reuben ($11) and a Salmon Burger ($12). Also, don’t miss their daily dinner specials, a different “American Classic” every night for only $12. I’ll be at Dizzy’s on 5th next Saturday night ordering a Shepherd’s Pot Pie, and devouring it in their al-fresco seating section (a prime spot to people watch).

HUNGRY GHOST

Atypical to the rest of Park Slope, coffee shops on Flatbush between 5th and 7th Avenues are few and far between… but now, Hungry Ghost, a new coffee bar and cafe, has opened on 6th Avenue! Sandwiched between two train stations (the 2 & 3 trains at Bergen Street and the B & Q trains at 7 Av), Hungry Ghost has become a local meeting spot on the border of Park Slope and Prospect Heights. However, I celebrate the new coffee spot for reasons other than its geographic desirability: they boastfully roast Stumptown beans and serve it as their house-brand, and their coffee menu features all the cafe classics like Vanilla Lattes, Red Eyes, and Machiatos ($2-$4.25). Meanwhile, Hungry Ghost’s food menu transcends the trite pastry offerings of neighboring cafes; they serve cold sandwiches like Curried Chicken Salad with grapes, cashews, and shredded carrot on multigrain ($6.50), or hot paninis comprised of bacon, smoked gouda, roasted tomatoes and garlic mayo ($8.25)—and all of their meat ingredients hail from Paisano’s! The owner of Hungry Ghost clearly places importance on selling artisanal, quality goods to his customers; this is made apparent by the vast array of baked goods on display inside the cafe. Molasses spice with crystallized ginger cookies? Vegan carrot zucchini with walnut and currant bars? Hungry Ghost is seriously a dream situation for both Park Slope and Prospect Heights cafe dwellers.

TALDE

Earlier this year, 7th Avenue was gifted with a “casual” yet “elevated” Asian-American restaurant, Talde, which is named after the eponymous chef and owner, Dave Talde. That’s right, Park Slope has a hot new date-spot! Chef Talde (of Buddakan and “Top Chef” fame), and his partners David Massoni and John Bush (of Thistle Hill Tavern), have curated an impeccable menu that draws from Mr. Talde’s Filipino heritage. The restaurant’s cuisine incorporates local Brooklyn ingredients in unexpected ways; Talde’s Pretzel Pork & Chive Dumplings with spicy mustard ($8) is both savory and zesty, the Crispy Oyster and Bacon Pad Thai ($16) is an appetizing marriage of Eastern and Western components, and the Korean Fried Chicken ($23) transcends street-cart status with spicy kimchee yogurt, grapes, and mint. For dessert, guests are encouraged to try the Shaved Ice Sundae with Cap’n Crunch and Coconut, a play on Chef Talde’s favorite Filipino treat, halo-halo. If you’re into sugary Saturday morning cereal for dessert, this one’s for you. As for me? I achingly await my return to Talde for their Golden Beet and Silken Tofu Salad ($10) and their special side dish, #369 ($7), which is comprised of market vegetables and green sambal, a chili based Southeast Asian condiment.

If you have a new business opening in Park Slope, South Slope or Prospect Heights, let us know! office@psreader.com

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from yoga. I have never considered myself a Yogi and my yoga experience to date would best be described as, “scattered.”  I am confident that my decision to never unroll my yoga mat again is the right one. • I first got into yoga several years ago when I wanted to be fit, healthy and embrace a more meditative lifestyle. Unfortunately, I’m as flexible as an office chair, which is to say, not at all. My lack of flexibility and complete laziness caused each pose to become a cheapened custom one. Downward Facing Dog became Rug Pose (face down on the floor). Warrior Pose became I Can’t Go Any Further or My Pants Will Rip Pose. • While I have often felt comfortable cheating basic yoga techniques (chair pose isn’t meant to use an actual chair?), I decided to call it quits when I found out about Bikram yoga. It’s like regular yoga, but in a room that’s hot as hell. This completely negated the relaxed and lazy nature of yoga that I had embraced. To me, Bikram yoga is as off-putting as having an instructor who yells, “STRETCH IT, WUSS!!!” • Now, I will need to get my exercise through other means. Since I spent the summer draped over my AC unit, I need to get the move on this fall. Good thing there are so many places that beg to be checked-out in each corner of our neighborhood. I can walk from North Slope, to South Slope to the parts of 4th Ave people who don’t require a mechanic’s service have never seen. I can do the walking on my time and, best of all, I get to taste food and check out new hang-outs instead of telling people, “No, I REALLY can’t stretch any further.”

Too Bad I’m Retired
Great! As soon as I announce my retirement from yoga, a new place opens. I bet it’s got a weird shtick or makes you do an obscure yoga style like only doing poses inspired by artichokes. What? No? It focuses on classical styles for any level of student? The classes focus on different levels and cores such as postures, meditation, relaxation, chanting and philosophy? Well, I bet it’s one of those giant gyms with a million people in every class. No? It’s in a beautiful, sun-drenched space on the second floor of a building built in the 1850’s? The classes are small, casual and allow for a lot of attention from the instructors? It must be expensive, right? It’s donation based? Really? Just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in! Check out Dharma Yoga Brooklyn, the yoga studio with the most natural light at 82 6th Ave at Bergen. (718) 395-7632. www.dharmayogabrooklyn.com.

A Bar For the Wild West. You Bring the Wild.
You may claim to hate country music, but I bet you $5 you sing along to Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks when it comes on at a bar. In many ways, Branded Saloon is the equivalent to that song. The country boys have been begging for a place like this and, chances are, you’ll enjoy it too. If you’re looking for a real deal saloon, that’s more San Antonio than speakeasy, set the GPS unit on your horse to the Branded Saloon for some decent bar grub, straight forward beers (they even have Lonestar beer) and a boot cut jeans attitude. It’s a good place to go and not just a good place to be seen. Only in New York could something like a straight-up saloon be thought of as a theme bar. I recommend checking out the downstairs pool table with its separate jukebox. Even the smallest group down there will make you feel like you’re having your own private party in the land of the armadillos instead of right on Vanderbilt. Relax…have a beer and enjoy the saloon style doors at Branded Saloon – 603 Vanderbilt Ave. (between St Marks Ave & Bergen St). (718) 484-8704

4th Ave Rocks
We all want the same thing: a place that’s perfect. A place that’s got a nice outside area for the days when the weather’s perfect (12 days a year), a breathy, relaxed, space indoors to play some pool, watch the game or just enjoy a beer. And a place to watch some good live music and get swept up in the energy of the night. Rock Shop, the new bar/venue/roof deck combo on 4th Ave has them all. The roof deck is both open and spacious. It’s a great place to mingle among friends and stumble into new ones. Inside, there are TVs everywhere and casual nooks to talk, watch or blend in. Downstairs, separated from the more laid back and toned down atmosphere is the space for pushing the decibels, an intimate performance space that breeds energy. Owned and operated by Michael Winsch, formerly of Bowery Ballroom, this club grantees to rock with former Bell House/Union Hall booker Jack (Skippy) McFadden bringing in the talent. Check out Rock Shop and it’s variety of ways to spend an evening at 249 4th Ave. (between President St & 5th Ave). (718) 230-5740.

Rotisseriechicken and Artisanbread
While the sign may confuse you (they spell Park Slope as one word) the advantages to having Parkslope Eatery open in the neighborhood are pretty clear. Just walk by and see the window full of artisan breads or the racks of beckoning rotisserie chicken to see what I mean. It’s not a breakfast place, it’s not a lunch place and it’s not a dinner or take out place. It’s all of the above and the variety is endless. Grab a breakfast sandwich in the a.m., grab a falafel in the afternoon or saddle up to what might be the best chicken in the neighborhood for dinner. It’s a European style cafe with the feel of something less pretentious. Grab some bread on your way home at the corner of 7th Ave and 4th Street.

Where “Everything” is an Acceptable Answer
Usually, when you ask an owner of a food establishment, “What’s good,” they will respond with, “Everything!” In almost every case, you should be immediately be skeptical. However, when you ask them at Bencotto, they might be right. Bencotto, has your traditional pizza joint fare, but mixed in with your slices of cheese and your house salads is an extra sense of quality that makes it feel like a meal and not just takeout. Two things worth your attention on the first trip are the stuffed garlic knots (chicken parmigiana) and their soon to be signature spinach and artichoke slice. Established by the same people who own Leone’s – the mozzarella supplier to most of your favorite restaurants in Brooklyn – this place has an easy to relax atmosphere with an open, clean and classic interior. Have a seat, enjoy your meal at Bencotto, 291 3rd Ave. (between Carroll St & President St). (718) 722-7200.

Not Pronounced, “OH-AH-ZA-CAH”
During my first job, I worked alongside a French guy. He talked about how he used to work for Coach (pronounced, CO-CH). However, because of his accent, it sounded like the name of the brand was “COTCH.” Against my better judgment, I assumed the name of the brand was pronounced as if it rhymed with botch. Yolks on me when 6 months later he gets me a job interview there and the manager had to tell me, “It’s hard to get a job at a place when you don’t know the name of the company.” So when it came time to pronounce the name Oaxaca Revolucion de Taco, I decided not to even attempt it. Well, have no fear, let the taco revolution begin at “WAH-HA-KAH”. Oaxaca’s sister store has been opened in Carroll Gardens for a while and it’s brought its low key style, but high octane taste tacos to the most active section of 4th Avenue. While many lament the inability to get good Mexican food in New York, Oaxaca puts its hat into the ring and, I gotta tell ya, it’s a pretty big hat. The tacos at Oaxaca have that extra level of taste that reveals the meaning of “subpar” with other tacos. Their choices range from carne asada (grilled steak), pollo guisado (stewed chicken), carnitas (braised pork), frijoles (bean and cheese), pescador (fish – heads up, it’s served cold) and a special taco that rotates frequently. Grab 3 tacos with a side of rice and beans for under $10 or take your meal into the cozy eating area they have there (BYOB, baby!).  Don’t feel like you have to stick with their tacos though. Their tortas rival any I’ve had. The revolution can be located at 250 Fourth Ave. (between President St. & Carroll St.). (718) 222-1122. www.oaxacatacos.com

A Hooligan Bar Non-Hooligans Can Enjoy
I know 2014 seems like a long ways away, but it will be here before you can say, “Remember Donovan’s goal?” When 2014 does roll around, remember this: the best place to watch the World Cup is Woodwork in Vanderbilt. However, by that time, you’ll already know this. Woodwork is a bar that is a new type of soccer bar. Gone are the days when soccer bars meant old men dranking pints of Guinness by the dozens in dark, dank, hooligan infested bars. Woodwork may have soccer at its core, but it doesn’t need the World Cup or crazed fans to survive. The lite fare available preaches sustainability and they don’t use factory farmed products. Even the sodas in their guns are conscious and lack corn syrup (brought to you by Boylan). Just the simple elegance of the bar should tell you the character of this place isn’t only for crazed futbol fans (the bar is made of reclaimed wood from a dairy farm in Massachusetts). However, this is not to say that soccer is nothing more than a byproduct of Woodwork. At all times they have soccer matches from around the world on their flat screens (“they play more than once every 4 years?”) and their giant pull down screen gets used for Wii FIFA soccer tournaments every Monday night. Is soccer in America here to stay? I don’t know, but I sure hope Woodwork is. Check out an English Premier League match at Woodwork and see why people are so intense about it (Woodwork and the game) at 583 Vanderbilt Ave. (between Pacific St & Dean St). (718) 857-5777. woodworkbk.com

’Cause All Inclusive Resorts Have Terrible Food
We should all go on casual dates more. Whether it’s date number 1 or date number 1,000, there’s a new place in town that has the right vibe for a great time without the sense of forced romanticism. Kaz An Nou is a French/French Caribbean styled place that offers delectable food offerings in a cozy, not trying to force the moment, space. The warm flavors mixed with the warm interior and energetic music makes it a great space to explore.  Translated to “our house” in Creole, Kaz An Nou has entrees that won’t require you and your date to go Dutch ($10 – $15) and the concise menu will give you a lot to mull over. For appetizers, it’s hard to pass up the stuffed avocado or the escargot (come on, be adventurous). The entrees are just as exciting as the Agoulou is a West Indian style burger with avocado salsa, choice of cheese and an optional fried egg (go for it!). My new favorite casual date spot is BYOB and is at 53 6th Ave. (between Dean St & Bergen St). (718) 938-3235. www.kazannou.com

I LOVE Being Spoiled
We’re so spoiled. We’re like a kid who gets a new toy every week and when we open a cool dart gun we say, “yeeaaaahhhh….I already have a dart gun.” Fortunately, we’re not spoiled with toys (actually, I might want to go back and change that to unfortunately), but we are spoiled by having lots of charming restaurants who are committed to locally farmed products, locally sourced dairy, meat and sustainable seafood. The good news is that Thistle Hill Tavern, the new gastropub with these values, comes into our neighborhood with something more than value.It comes in with style and a distinct taste all its own. In other words, this dart gun’s got a laser scope and an automatic reload feature. Owned and operated by David Massoni, John Bush, Chef Rebecca Weitzman and Fat Mike (yup, Fat Mike from NOFX) this gastropub is the type of place that would only open quietly in a place like Park Slope. The space itself is beyond charming as every inch is exquisitely designed in a style I’m deeming “Comfort Chic” (a la Bar Toto/Tano). They are open for Lunch/Brunch every day (can’t tell you how much I like the fact that they’re more lunch than brunch on the weekends) and have a great set of sophisticated cocktails to give any meal a little extra special twist. Order some fries so you make sure to get some of their homemade ketchup the next time you’re at Thistle Hill Tavern – 441 7th Ave. (between 15th St & 6th Ave). www.thistlehillbrooklyn.com

Where Norm Would Drink
More often than not, when you open a bar that’s not located in an easy accessible strip, there’s an urge to give that bar a “worth the effort” quality. That usually translates to gimmicks and lots of noise that covers the fact that if this bar was around the corner from you, you’d probably ignore it. Lowlands, the sister bar to Abilene in Carroll Gardens, however, has taken a different approach and opened a bar for locals to love on 3rd Avenue and 14th street. This dimly lit bar gives the interior a divy feel without the dingy connotations that usually accompany it. There aren’t any TVs so come to Lowlands if you’re feeling friendly and wanting to engage in conversations. The mirrored walls, the painted floors and the subtly interesting interior along with a dozen beers on draft at accommodating prices (happy hour is 5-8, $1 off each drink) are reason enough to find your way to this neighborhood joint. Also, the always friendly bartenders and the open patio in the back, which may be between 3rd and 4th Ave, but feels like a friend’s backyard, encourages an evening or afternoon of meandering conversations.Deep in the lowlands of the Slope is the comfortable place with the attitude you’ve been looking for. Check it out at 543 3rd Ave. (between 13th St & 14th St.). (347) 463-9458. www.lowlandsbar.com

If Only Van Gogh Lived in Park Slope
We’ve all had crazy ideas that our friends and family have told us to let go of. Thankfully, Zohreh’s husband didn’t. Through his “go for it” attitude, Zohreh got up and went for it and earlier this summer she opened Zora Space, an art/performance space/cafe. Zohreh’s mission statement is decidedly clear: to invite, inspire and promote all artists from every genre. She means it too. Zohreh (a fellow Park Sloper) is a former filmmaker who got tired of constant struggle to find an audience without a pushy publicist and wanted a space where an artist could find their audience more easily. Unlike many spaces, putting on a performance is something you apply for, not something you pay for. The shows are all donation based and every single penny donated goes to the artist who is performing. All that is asked for in return is for the artists to promote, promote, promote…and bring hungry/thirsty friends. The cafe (which just got its beer/wine license) helps keep the variety and depth of performances coming and keeps the mission statement genuine and in-tact. Swing by for a muffin (or 70) at 315 4th Ave (between 2nd & 3rd St). (718) 832-4870. zoraspace.com

Are You a Spooner?
Every once in a while my girlfriend and I try to meet up for lunch during the week. That’s when the tug o’ war begins. I try to get her to come uptown, she tries to get me to go downtown. Unfortunately, she’s got an ace in the whole when she mentions, “Afterwards, we could go to Jacques Torres by my office.” She knows I can’t resist their chocolate! Well, now I’ve got an ace in the hole. “Why don’t you come up here and then later tonight, when we’re back in our lovely neighborhood of Park Slope, we’ll go to Wickedspoon for some frozen yogurt and get Jacque Torres covered Cheerios as a topping.” Game. Set. FroYo!Wickedspoon shares a space with Atomic Wings and offers tasty frozen yogurt (in flavors such as plain, pomegranate, chocolate and red velvet) and the widest range in toppings of any yogurt place around. Toppings range from fudge covered graham crackers to wasabi peas to gummy bears to fruits of all kinds (blackberry, blueberry, kiwi, mango, etc., etc., etc.) They also have specialty toppings such as their balsamic sauce and their lemoncello sauce that leave the Pinkberry vs. Red Mango debate feeling a little unnecessary. Check out the Froyo and leave an idea for a wicked combination (if it gets on the menu, you’ll win an iPad) at 321 9th St. (between 5th Ave & 6th Ave). (347) 987-4810

If you have a new business opening in Park Slope, South Slope or Prospect Heights, let us know! office@psreader.com