We knew we wanted healthy, but did we want want savory or sweet for breakfast? Oh, our first world problems! EAT is now serving breakfast, so Jon and I moseyed on over like the little old couple we are.
I’d been seeing the transformations of the interiors and the gorgeous new ceramic collection growing each week when I picked up my veggies from the CSA , but I hadn’t dined there in a while. Last time was with Joann and it was hard for us to gossip like hens because there was no music. I remember it feeling a bit stark with big empty walls and my loud Queens accent does not need an echo.
The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the old country tunes coming from the record player. Relief. Then the cozy new wooden benches, great artwork and the lovely drying herbs hanging all gave the place a cozy rustic feel.
The chalk board listed our breakfast options and while I was eyeing the French Toast with Maple Syrup and Whipped Cream, I decided to go savory with a Fried Egg, Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli Rabe.
Jon also went savory with Stewed Pinto Beans, Cole Slaw (without the egg) over Polenta. Both were served with delicious tangy biscuits. Our friendly server Brandt had made them and told us he added some yogurt.
Jon got rejuvenating Nettle Tea, that was twiggy tasting in a good way. My coffee as Justine would say was “slammin’” served out of a ceramic mug that Jordon had made.
It was a great breakfast, something I might make at home. The egg was perfectly fried, the polenta was deliciously creamy and the portions were perfect. We left feeling like we ate a hearty but very wholesome meal. We will definitely be back, next time for the sweet and to buy some new bowls! I break everything…
Until the streets are covered in icy slush or my eye lids freeze shut I am determined to ride my bike to work. It’s great exercise, I save $5 on commuting to Midtown, plus I don’t have to touch those nasty subway poles during flu season.
This morning I thought twice about riding, with the temperature below freezing but I followed the professional advice from the guys over at Silk Road Cycles, and I was on my merry way. Once you get riding you get really warm up and it’s a great way to start the morning.
Here are some helpful tips for winterizing your bike and cycling gear during the cold months:
GP: Is there anything specifically you can do to prepare your bicycle for winter? SILK ROAD CYCLES: The number one thing to keep in mind, of course, is safety. A full tune up at the beginning of the cold weather can help avoid a miserable sub zero roadside repair. More specifically, focus on safe tires and brakes. This means a tire that is made of a tacky enough rubber that it grips well on wet roads. I prefer a wider tire in the winter for better grip on wet roads (personally, 700x32c, if we’re getting specific.), while others ride with a thin tire which cuts to the bottom of snow easily. Those of us that hate walking over the ice that forms on the Williamsburg bridge, forking out the extra cash for a studded tire is well worth it.
It’s nice to stay clean, especially for us working commuters. I use fenders, because who knows whether that puddle is melted snow or dog pee. And finally, it gets dark earlier! Use lights!!!! Front and rear.
GP: It is ideal to store your bike inside? What are the effects on your bicycle if you leave it out in the cold and snow? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Yes! Rust is no friend of your bike. The cold isn’t an issue, but moisture and snow is. But to be honest, having your bike outside for extended periods of time at any time of year is no good. Bike theft is no joke! Either way, (and this is probably obvious) if you’re riding through winter, your bike will end up being outside. Make sure to clean it regularly – once or twice a month, maybe even more depending on how much you love your machine. On the drivetrain use a mild cleaner like Simple Green or a more heavy duty, citrus based degreaser, then reapply a synthetic lubricant. Road salt can be very harsh on steel parts, so cleaning your whole bike is a good idea.
GP: Are there storage facilities for bikes in the winter? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Not that I know of. I’d open one, but I’d rather see all you folks on the road, riding through the winter!
GP: Is it safe to ride in snow and slush? Can you make your bike safer in these conditions? SILK ROAD CYCLES: For sure, you need to be careful about the condition of the roads. The bridges get icy in winter and that can make for a very slippery kind of scariness. I personally love to use a studded tire on my front wheel – it makes even the thickest batches of ice feel like pavement. But in the end, it comes down keeping your bike in good riding condition and just going slow sometimes. There’s no substitute for smart riding.
GP: What is the best gear to wear if you are riding your bike in the cold? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Not cotton! I break this cardinal rule often, but on those really cold days, I pay for it with the half hour it takes me to warm up once I get home. Moisture wicking clothing is the best. Sticking to softer wools like merino and synthetics is a good place to start. Covering your neck, head, hands and feet is key. These spots on your body, where large blood veins are close to the skin need to be insulated. If they get cold, you’ll feel it in the rest of your body quicker than most would expect. On those extra cold days, keep your face covered too.
GP: How can you layer so you don’t get too hot, but can stay warm and not be bulky? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Use three layers for your torso – a base layer, something that wicks moisture away from the skin if you begin sweating. A mid layer for insulation, and an outer layer that is wind and water proof. Again, focus on your neck, head, hands and feet! Keeping extremities warm is hard, but riding with cold feet or hands is the worst.
GP: Can you recommend a face mask? Gloves?
SILK ROAD CYCLES: For your face there are a lot of different options – masks that cover the whole face except for the eyes, but are porous enough to breathe through, or just a scarf over your face. I don’t have much of a preference one way or the other. When it comes to gloves, having something that is windproof is great. For those extra cold days, a “lobster” glove is the best, in my opinion. It’s a mitten with a split in the middle, allowing your index and middle fingers to move independently of your ring and pinky fingers. This is a nice balance between dexterity, helping you shift and brake easily, while doing a great job of insulating your fingers.
GP: Is it okay to wear a hat underneath your helmet? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Keeping your head warm is key, but having a hat that compresses (one that is thick and padded) is a bad idea in terms of protection – it reduces the effectiveness of a bicycle helmet in case of a crash. I prefer to use merino wool cycling caps, while others use a wind breaking polyester hat.
GP: Do they make helmets that keep you head warm? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Yeah! Bern makes a great warm winter insert for their helmets. They’re a great looking helmet and the insert makes them super cozy in the cold. The inserts are about $40 in store, the helmets run from $50-80. Others will buy a helmet cover. They’re less expensive and look a little goofy, but they work.
GP: Do they make heated seats? SILK ROAD CYCLES: Not that I know of. You should get on that! There is money to made and butts to warm.
Pink Pepper is a lifestyle boutique with an assortment of clothing including casual wear, denim, work wear, evening dresses, handbags, shoes, outerwear, small leather goods, jewelry, home accessories, beauty products and gifts. The collections are trendy, wearable looks that are timeless and yet evoke fun, sophistication, and elegance season after season. The pieces can stand on their own or be combined with jeans, slacks, shorts, power skirts and more for a unique look.
For the holidays, Pink Pepper will give customers who spend $150 or more a free hand cream ($18 value) to protect their skin during this busy shopping season and to combat the effects of the winter weather that has begun to approach.
The hand cream is from the Soap & Paper Factory; it is rich in Shea butter, naturally loaded with vitamins, minerals and essential oils to keep your hands soft and silky all day. No animal testing, no parabens,no petrochemicals, and no additives.
Pink Pepper is open on Monday-Saturday from 11am-7pm and on Sunday from 11am – 6pm. 201 Court St, Cobble Hill Brooklyn NY 11201. Ph: 347 889-6548, www.pinkpepperboutique.com
Greenpoint’s Own Dog Walker, Matt Finucane, has launched McCarren Bark to serve Greenpoint and Williamsburg pets this Holiday Season. Matt and his colleagues are available for dog walks, cat sitting and overnight in-home boarding.
McCarren Bark is running a few holiday promotions to celebrate their launch:
2012 HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Sign up for walking service, get Half a month, FREE! Save up to $200!
Valid: sign up by March 1st, 2012
BUDDY BRING-A-LONG: Sign-up with a neighbor from your building (or block) to save $5 off per walk. That’s a savings of up to $115 per month! Valid: 2012 new clients.
On a late Spring morning, I walked over to the waterfront to observe a community “meeting” about the much anticipated Brooklyn Night Bazaare. I had found out about the project via Greenpointers before I was on board. What could have been an informative discussion turned into a one-sided attack on founder Aaron Broudo, who, while maintaining a patient and professional demeanor (he’s really a sweetheart) could not get a word in edge-wise. I remember my utter pity for him and disappointment in the neighborhood. Maybe the bazaare in it’s initial presentation wasn’t a good fit, with late night music very close to a residential block, (the same location and scale as the highly successful Bring to Light). Public urination was a big concern. But to let the man speak and be open to compromise might have brought an amazing event to Greenpoint, not to mention clean up the overgrown and littered West St, even for one night.
I didn’t blame Aaron when he decided not to fight the “not in my backyard” pitch-fork mob and find a welcoming location at the Dekalb Market. The first market there was a huge success with great bands and over 5000 attendees. Greenpointers is excited that the second night bazaar which begins tonight through this weekend, is close to home, down Kent Ave in a 40,000 square foot warehouse space, with over 100 vendors (lots from Greenpoint) and a great music line-up. And we are proud that our beloved writer Joann Kim is co-producing the event. Aaron was inspired by night markets when he traveled across South East Asia and wanted to bring it home to Brooklyn. The mash-up of local vendors and great music, was for producer Belvy a “no brainer.”
On the music line-up Belvy says: “The Hold Steady are for my money the best rock n’ roll band to come out of the city in ages. I think Craig Finn is an amazing songwriter – part Bob Mould, part Springsteen, part Joe Strummer … I’m an old school punk/hardcore kid; how could I not dig Fucked Up? But I really like all the new directions they take punk or hardcore or whatever the hell the kids are calling it these days. And what can you say about James Murphy? What he and DFA did to revolutionize dance music can’t be overstated.”
The full lineups are on the site. www.bkbazaar.com
And of course, our Joann, founder of the much missed Greenpoint Food Market hand-picked the vendors, which she seems to seamlessly pluck out her magic little hat. The goal of the Brooklyn Night Bazaar is as Joann puts it to “to support small businesses, providing a platform for artists, food artisans, chefs, crafters, designers, and the like to share and sell their wares. Our job is to create an environment that welcomes collaboration, communication, and commerce.” Well put, my friend.
Of the vendors, many Greenpoint businesses and artists will be representing, like Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, Vintage Modern, Eagle St Rooftop Farms and artist Emily Noelle Lambert, to name a few.
Ken Farmer of NBNY Projects, who produced Bring to Light will be programming the films, projects and art installations and the not to be missed interior is designed by Julien DeSmedt Architects.
Aside from the fantastic food options, there will be a beer and wine garden to boot.
I’ll be there tonight, hoping to get all of my holiday shopping and eating done. And don’t worry the nomadic Brooklyn Night Bazaar crew is totally open to the idea of having a future night market in Greenpoint. That is if we don’t scare them away again!
We knew we wanted healthy, but did we want want savory or sweet for breakfast? Oh, our first world problems! EAT is now serving breakfast, so Jon and I moseyed on over like the little old couple we are.
The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the old country tunes coming from the record player. Relief. Then the cozy new wooden benches, great artwork and the lovely drying herbs hanging all gave the place a cozy rustic feel.
The chalk board listed our breakfast options and while I was eyeing the French Toast with Maple Syrup and Whipped Cream, I decided to go savory with a Fried Egg, Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli Rabe.
Jon also went savory with Stewed Pinto Beans, Cole Slaw (without the egg) over Polenta. Both were served with delicious tangy biscuits. Our friendly server Brandt had made them and told us he added some yogurt.
It was a great breakfast, something I might make at home. The egg was perfectly fried, the polenta was deliciously creamy and the portions were perfect. We left feeling like we ate a hearty but very wholesome meal. We will definitely be back, next time for the sweet and to buy some new bowls! I break everything…
SILK ROAD CYCLES: The number one thing to keep in mind, of course, is safety. A full tune up at the beginning of the cold weather can help avoid a miserable sub zero roadside repair. More specifically, focus on safe tires and brakes. This means a tire that is made of a tacky enough rubber that it grips well on wet roads. I prefer a wider tire in the winter for better grip on wet roads (personally, 700x32c, if we’re getting specific.), while others ride with a thin tire which cuts to the bottom of snow easily. Those of us that hate walking over the ice that forms on the Williamsburg bridge, forking out the extra cash for a studded tire is well worth it.
GP: Can you recommend a face mask? Gloves?
