Greenpoint is blowin’ up, and we all know it. Case in point: Alameda (195 Franklin St,) opened by design gurus the Haslegrave brothers, is their first brick-and-mortar space. Evan and Oliver’s design company Home is responsible for the interiors of The Manhattan Inn and Paulie Gee’s, so we certainly expected the old-school charm of rustic wood accents and loads of exposed brick in this new space.
Upon first glance, Alameda pops in a way that other Greenpoint examples of the Haslegraves’ work doesn’t. Clean white walls adorned with glossy white tile open the space up infinitely, and are accompanied by nautical detailing in both the light fixtures and molding. In fact, a gentleman seated next to me at the bar remarked that the space felt like it should be on Tatooine. It felt like drinking in the below-deck bar of ship from the future that I was absolutely going to sail upon one day. I felt home.
The cocktail list at Alameda is perfectly curated, with several standouts utilizing different liquors in their most elevated incarnations. My personal favorite was the Roberto Burns, a smoky mezcal delight with a generous orange rind strip served over a single ice cube. This drink is like sex below deck.
A friend enjoyed the Pita Amour, a lovely tequila concoction served up with a lime wedge. Petite, clean, and delicious.
The Phil Collins, a gin and Lillet stunner, could’ve nearly been called a salad; it had so many fresh accoutrements, including mint, lemon, and lime. An ideal summertime cocktail, folks, and I trust you won’t forget the name.
The edibles menu pleased us very much, as did the prices. Though a $17 foie gras breakfast sandwich is on offer, most items are more moderately priced around $10. A standout item on the current menu is a roasted fruit and goat cheese sandwich on baguette, the perfect combination of tang, crunch, and tender fruit without the syrupy sweetness of most jams. Along with the $9 cheeseburger (which feels like a grown-up version of In-N-Out,) their killer cocktails, and the spacious bar area and actually comfortable booths we have a winner here. Or, as I have been describing it to all my girlfriends, “our new GPT go-to.”
Boutique’s along Franklin St are packed with great buys that will get you through the worst of winter and well into spring. Check out some of our favorite merch, all currently available in stores (and some online). Happy shopping!
East River Tattoo is moving from its current location on Franklin St to 1047 Manhattan Ave (betw. Freeman and Eagle) in January 2013, which is next week.
In December, Kill Devil Hill (170 Franklin St) will be holding a month long pop-up shopping event in a vacant space next door to the shop and is looking for builders, makers, crafters and creators to participate. Please contact killdevilhill (at) gmail.com
Old Hollywood (99 Franklin St) is having an Autumn Sweater Party (7-10pm), “to get everyone excited about layers, boot and tarot cards!” Everything in the store will be 20% off, plus there will be a raffle, seasonal brews and cider and blue grass in the yard.
TM1985 + Alter
Alter (407 Graham Ave) is launching their latest collaboration: TM1985+Alter with designer Tielor McBride (6-9pm). All items are made in the USA with high quality leather, industrial waxed canvas, and brass clasps & buckles. Meet the designers, drink champagne and get a cool leather belt with purchase.
Right across the street, Treehouse Brooklyn (430 Graham Ave) is having a Halloween Party with 15% off storewide, plus cocktails, sweets and “an amazing collection of vintage masks and costumes for you to play dress-up and freak-out in.”
Whenever I see folks pointing and looking up into a tree, I have to stop and find out what’s up. At McCarren it’s usually one of the Red Tailed Hawks but on Saturday at the American Playground on Franklun St, it was a rare sighting and first for me, an Eastern Kingbird!
Luis and Adelina were so excited to tell me that they rescued a chick who they named “Freedom,” and with the help of Wild Bird Fund, NYC’s first Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, they were able to return him to his family right here in Greenpoint. Since the lovely local couple lives right on Franklin St, they can visit their aviary neighbors regularly. We will be sure to invite these two to our next bird walk so we can meet Freedom and his flock.
7:30am on the G train is no fun. I barely rolled out of bed and somehow managed to put on clothes. My hair is still a mess but I don’t have time to fix it. Must catch train now!
My journey to Manhattan takes me on a race with my fellow Greenpointers. I have until Court Square to browse for cute guys and chic gals. It is sometimes just a detail that catches my eye: neon laces, vintage sunglasses or nail art.
I start making up a story about them, asking myself: Where is he from? Where does she work? Why those shoes? And most importantly: Does that cutie have a girlfriend?
I am very curious about my neighbors and I’m guessing you are too. I would like to introduce you to one of the people who make my list of ‘über awesome Greenpointers.’
Alexandra Weiss is a native from Pennsylvania (Scranton, actually). She is a fashion designer and grew up with a true passion for drawing and creating. Her own designs are multifunctional tank shirts and dresses which are made of silk with a lace insert on the side. The shirts and dresses have both front and back pleats which are really flattering to any body type. The shoulder straps are adjustable-as they can be tied to any desirable height or style (across neck and waist). Really cute! Continue reading →
Here are some looks we put together from local shops so you look HOT at McCarren Park Pool, which opens Thursday, June 28, 2012. Remember, they won’t let you in unless you have a bathing suit and a lock. Pick up a lock at Jam’s Stationary (835 Manhattan Ave.) or Crest Hardware (558 Metropolitan Ave.) Continue reading →
Have you noticed the fancy new nail salon on Franklin St called Latika Spa? It is my latest stop on the Greenpointers Mani-Pedi Tour. Don’t roll your eyes. Ladies need to know.
I am on a gel bender but I wished I’d started my habit after Latika Spa, because it is considerably more expensive than the other nails salons I’ve been to in Greenpoint.
It is also considerably nicer, more of a nail/spa hybrid than a straight up nail joint. They have loads of other services, like massage and facials. While there, a few ladies came in with a print out for savings. I felt left out.
“What’s that, I asked?”
My nail tech Kim, said, “Coupon. After.”
I thought maybe I could download the groupon online, but it had expired. They also didn’t have a mani-pedi special, which I think is key, but Latika, who is the owner, promised they would start summer specials the following week.
The ladies who work there are all dolls. One voluntarily scraped gum off the bottom of my sandal because I was got stuck to the tile floor. Gosh, I have never felt like such a d-bag. (Okay that’s a lie.)
