There are some big flavors coming from this little catering kitchen on Norman Avenue. The Halcyon Gourmet only recently opened its doors, but the foot traffic and inquiries were so abundant, executive chef Maria Rizzo decided to put the building’s retail zoning to good use and started selling menu items from her catering business to the curious (and hungry) Greenpointers. The result: Even more foot traffic!
Rizzo and her business partner, Archie Gianunzio, couldn’t be more surprised. And busy. Catching up with them on Saturday as they put finishing touches on cupcakes for Whoopi Goldberg’s birthday party, Rizzo and Gianunzio agreed though Halcyon is still in its ‘grass roots’ stage, business has been building since their opening this summer. Now on top of taking on new clients, they are keeping their refrigerators stocked with tasty snacks like the much-raved about Filet Mignon sandwich with caramelized onions and Fontina, to satiate the appetites of Greenpointers who aren’t feeling like whipping something up on their own. Outside of retail, work for Rizzo and Gianunzio isn’t limited to just birthday parties either. Halcyon’s gigs include baby showers, work lunches and onward – in October they fed eight hundred mouths at the Roseland Ballroom.
But while they are serving the masses, they are keeping it personal. Often times catering conjures up images of bored teenagers serving pigs in blankets for additional income – but this is the type of service Rizzo and Gianunzio are trying to avoid. On top of orchestrating entire events down to their subtle ambiance, most of the people helping them out are friends and family – others who care about the success of their business – no sour faces and soggy eggrolls here.
With the Holidays coming up, Rizzo and Gianunzio are planning accordingly and next week customers will be able to pick from their Everything But The Turkey menu. Hosts and hostesses who want to focus their energies on cooking the bird can swing by Halcyon where they will be supplying the sides and pick up favorites like stuffing and mashed potatoes. For those who are worried about getting their pastry crusts just right – defer to one of Halcyon’s desserts, like the pumpkin banana mousse tart.
Located next door to the bright green coffee shop, Cup, Halcyon is hard to miss. Next time you’re stocking up at the Polemost on Manhattan and feeling a little peckish, take a gander down Norman for a snack.
The Halcyon Gourmet 77 Norman Ave between Manhattan and Lorimer (718) 349 – 2882
PEOPLE OF GREENPOINT!!! Mondays at Boulevard Tavern is now the Greenpoint Social. Getcha freakass down here!
Starting at 8PM with drink specials all over the place and $5 ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ, with grillmaster Harold on the spatulas @ 9PM – NO COVER!
Resident/neighborhood DJs Nithya/Lucraze (aka Cornbeef & Curry), and Metal Bill playing whatever the fuck we want, and guest DJs welcome, just step on up!
Bring your friends, your neighbors, your landlord, your dogs, and most importantly your appitite! The grill is on!
No use pretending: it’s fall! Although frost is everywhere else, it hasn’t hit the Rooftop Farm yet. To celebrate a farmer’s favorite holiday, come on up on Sunday, November 22nd from 10am-5pm (at 44 Eagle Street, Greenpoint). You’ll find carrots, mustards, purple broccoli, parsley and spinach (to name a few). In partnership with upstate’s Liberty View Farms, we’ll have 100% organically grown apples. And (at last!) we’ve got t-shirts and harvest bags. 100% of the proceeds fund next year’s seed supplies.
Overwintering volunteers are welcome (send an email to rooftopfarmer [at] gmail.com to join the list). In addition to tending the crops & compost, jump in on building cold frames, a rainwater collection system, planning next year’s seeds (and CSA), and sheltering the bees from winter winds.
Because the City bailed on their compost program, the Farm has signed up to be a leaf-collection drop on Saturday 21st/Sunday 22nd. If you’ve got leaves, you can leave them here, or with us on those dates.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Drop off your cleaned gently-used bedding, books, clothes, shoes, & toys – donate $5 to check out the selection and take away as many “riches” as you can carry. Don’t forget to bring a bag (or cart) to tote them all!
Saturday, Dec 5 2-5 pm Mrs. J 289 Kent Ave (S 1st/S 2nd Streets) Williamsburg, Brooklyn
All remaining items will be donated to a local charities and churches. Town Square is a qualified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution. Your donation will be tax deductible to the full extent of the law. For more info or lend a helping hand, please contact Agnes at Town Square (917.392.8450, agnes@townsquareinc.com) or Jess at Mrs J (718-218-7065, msj@msjsgym.com). www.townsquareinc.com www.msjsgy.com
PEOPLE OF GREENPOINT!!! Mondays at Boulevard Tavern is now the Greenpoint Social. Getcha freakass down here!
Starting at 8PM with drink specials all over the place and $5 ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ, with grillmaster Harold on the spatulas @ 9PM – NO COVER!
Resident/neighborhood DJs Nithya/Lucraze (aka Cornbeef & Curry), and Metal Bill playing whatever the fuck we want, and guest DJs welcome, just step on up!
Bring your friends, your neighbors, your landlord, your dogs, and most importantly your appitite! The grill is on!
No use pretending: it’s fall! Although frost is everywhere else, it hasn’t hit the Rooftop Farm yet. To celebrate a farmer’s favorite holiday, come on up on Sunday, November 22nd from 10am-5pm (at 44 Eagle Street, Greenpoint). You’ll find carrots, mustards, purple broccoli, parsley and spinach (to name a few). In partnership with upstate’s Liberty View Farms, we’ll have 100% organically grown apples. And (at last!) we’ve got t-shirts and harvest bags. 100% of the proceeds fund next year’s seed supplies.
Overwintering volunteers are welcome (send an email to rooftopfarmer [at] gmail.com to join the list). In addition to tending the crops & compost, jump in on building cold frames, a rainwater collection system, planning next year’s seeds (and CSA), and sheltering the bees from winter winds.
Because the City bailed on their compost program, the Farm has signed up to be a leaf-collection drop on Saturday 21st/Sunday 22nd. If you’ve got leaves, you can leave them here, or with us on those dates.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Drop off your cleaned gently-used bedding, books, clothes, shoes, & toys – donate $5 to check out the selection and take away as many “riches” as you can carry. Don’t forget to bring a bag (or cart) to tote them all!
Saturday, Dec 5 2-5 pm Mrs. J 289 Kent Ave (S 1st/S 2nd Streets) Williamsburg, Brooklyn
All remaining items will be donated to a local charities and churches. Town Square is a qualified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution. Your donation will be tax deductible to the full extent of the law. For more info or lend a helping hand, please contact Agnes at Town Square (917.392.8450, agnes@townsquareinc.com) or Jess at Mrs J (718-218-7065, msj@msjsgym.com). www.townsquareinc.com www.msjsgy.com
Another Greenpointer gone. And it fucking sucks. My heart goes out to his family and close friends. He was a sweet guy, it’s not right that he’s gone so young.
Another Greenpointer gone. And it fucking sucks. My heart goes out to his family and close friends. He was a sweet guy, it’s not right that he’s gone so young.
There are some big flavors coming from this little catering kitchen on Norman Avenue. The Halcyon Gourmet only recently opened its doors, but the foot traffic and inquiries were so abundant, executive chef Maria Rizzo decided to put the building’s retail zoning to good use and started selling menu items from her catering business to the curious (and hungry) Greenpointers. The result: Even more foot traffic!
