Tis the season to consume. Of course there are two ways to consume: shop at those awful soulless malls owned by people like Bruce Ratner who doesn't give a rat's ass about community, or shop at local businesses run by your neighbors and friends. I admit it. I have done my share of shopping at big chain stores. But when you get to know the owner and the store is part of your neighborhood, it just feels better shopping there.
Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, the group that has been at the forefront of defending Central Brooklyn from overdevelopment, is highlighting the community based businesses that support them as a way to say "thank you" for that support. Here is the list: (after the break)
I will highlight Al di La one of my favorite restaurants that is on the list. It is pricey but one of New York's best restaurants (Zagats gives it a 26 rating for food and lists them as costing an average of $45 per person with drinks):
Al Di La Trattoria (Park Slope)
Park Slope’s perpetually packed, widely-acclaimed Venetian institution.
248 Fifth Avenue (Near Carroll Street)
(718) 852-1572
www.aldilatrattoria.com
We don't get to go there very often...maybe once a year. But we ALWAYS enjoy it. When we wanted to celebrate Joy's pregnancy with Jacob, we went to Al di La. In fact, we may have decided on the name "Jacob" there.
And here is the full list.
Holiday Shopping:
Addy & Ferro (Fort Greene)
A fine clothing boutique (emerging, contemporary & vintage clothes).
672 Fulton Avenue (between South Elliot Place & South Portland Avenue)
(718) 246-2900
www.addyandferro.com
Ankhafly
A local Brooklyn designer providing urban ethnic fashion fusion for men and women.
www.ankhafly.com / info@ankhafly.com
Boing Boing (Park Slope)
"Maternity…Nursing…Infant…"
Maternity & baby care and clothing.
206 Sixth Avenue (between Berkeley Place & Union Street)
(718) 398-0251
[Really cute things for baby]
Cloth (Fort Greene)
A chic women's clothing boutique.
148 Fort Greene Place (between Hanson & Atlantic Avenue)
(718) 403-0223
www.clothclothing.com
Community Book Store of Park Slope (Park Slope)
Catering to the literary desires of Brooklyn’s residents.
143 Seventh Avenue (between Carroll & Garfield Street)
(718) 783-3075
www.cbjupiterbooks.com
Flirt (Park Slope & Carroll Gardens)
Women’s Clothing & Accessories at Two Locations
93 Fifth Avenue (between Prospect & Park Place)
(718) 783-0364
252 Smith Street (between Douglas & Degraw Street)
(718) 858-7931
www.flirt-brooklyn.com
Frosted Moon Emporium (Fort Greene)
A fine gifts store.
South Portland, between Lafayette and Fulton
(718) 858-3161
Harry Tarzian
World class art photographer.
(201) 400-8770
harry@harrytarzian.com
Homage (Cobble Hill)
Homage to skate and snow! A full service skateboard & snowboard shop offering lessons, rentals, winter bus trips, tuning, repairs, videos, clothing and sneakers.
151 Smith Street (at Bergen Street)
718-596-1511
www.homagebrooklyn.com
Memories Out of the Box (Prospect Heights)
Get your photos out of boxes and into albums; do-it-yourself, do it with their help or let them do it for you!
633 Vanderbilt Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue & Prospect Place)
(718) 398-1519
www.memoriesoutofthebox.biz /martie@memoriesoutofthebox.biz
MissWit Designs
MissWit designs original and custom t-shirts for any occasion. Funny and pretty tees, just for you! (Special Note, MissWit supplies the DDDB t-shirts)
www.misswit.net / deb@misswit.net
SaveOnScents.com (Red Hook)
Fragrance, bath & body supplies.
279 Columbia Street (between Carroll & Summit Street)
(718) 858-7422
www.saveonscents.com
Shakespeare's Sister (Cobble Hill)
Providing gifts a little more surprising, a bit more unexpected than what might be found at other gift stores.
270 Court St, between Butler & Douglas
718-694-0084
www.shakespearessister.com
Tarzian True Value Hardware (Park Slope)
Park Slope's nearly century-old purveyor of hardware and housewares.
193 Seventh Avenue (between Second & Third Street)
(718) 788-4120
Zuzu’s Petals (Park Slope)
Floral and garden needs. Two locations.
374 Fifth Avenue (between Fifth & Sixth Street)
(718) 638-0918
158A Berkeley Place (between Sixth & Seventh Avenue)
(718) 636-2022
Restaurants/Bars/Food:
7th Avenue Donuts Luncheonette (Park Slope)
Diner fare and fresh baked donuts.
324 Seventh Avenue (between Eighth and Ninth Street)
(718) 768-0748
Al Di La Trattoria (Park Slope)
Park Slope’s perpetually packed, widely-acclaimed Venetian institution.
248 Fifth Avenue (Near Carroll Street)
(718) 852-1572
www.aldilatrattoria.com
Antonio's Pizzeria (Park Slope)
Pizza since 1950.
318 Flatbush Avenue (between Park & Sterling Place)
(718) 398-2300
[Good pizza and friendly people...a real neighborhood place]
Bacchus Bistro (Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill)
French bistro.
409 Atlantic Avenue (between Bond & Nevins Street)
(718) 852-1572
www.bacchusbistro.com
Bergen Bagels (Park Slope/Prospect Heights)
Fresh, homemade bagels.
473 Bergen Street (between Flatbush & Sixth Avenue)
(718) 789-7600
www.bergenbagel.com
Blue Sky Bakery (Park Slope)
Fine baked goods and café drinks.
53 Fifth Avenue (between Bergen Street & St. Marks Avenue)
(718) 783-4123
Bob Law’s Seafood Café (Prospect Heights)
"More than just Fish & Chips…"
637 Vanderbilt Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue & Prospect Place)
(718) 789-4060
[Ate there on their Tastes of Harlem night...good homestyle cooking!]
Bogota Latin Bistro (Park Slope)
Pan-latin restaurant specializing in Central & South American cuisine with an emphasis on Colombian dishes.
141 Fifth Avenue (between St. John’s & Lincoln Place)
(718) 230-3805
www.bogotabistro.com
[wonderful empenadas!]
Chez Oskar (Fort Greene)
Funky French bistro.
211 DeKalb Avenue (at Adelphi Street)
(718) 852-6250
www.chezoskar.com
Cousin John's Café & Bakery (Park Slope)
Breakfast and dessert pastries, pies and cakes.
70 Seventh Avenue (between Lincoln and Berkeley Place)
(718) 622-7333
[Really good pies]
Curry Source (Boerum Hill)
Anglo-Indian cuisine.
88 Bergen Street (between Smith & Hoyt Street)
(718) 797-9719
Erica's Rugelach and Baking Company
Baked by the Best in Brooklyn! Inspired by her great aunt's recipes, Erica's all-natural, sweet buttery pastry treats have been praised by journalists and cookie lovers across the nation.
(718) 965-3657
www.ericasrugelach.com / EricasRugelach@aol.com
Franny’s (Prospect Heights)
Farm fresh brick oven pizza and pasta.
295 Flatbush Avenue (between Prospect Place & St. Mark’s Avenue)
718-230-0221
www.frannysbrooklyn.com
Freddy's Bar and Backroom (Prospect Heights)
Consistently chosen as one of NYC’s best bars, free music and events almost every night. And Freddy’s is a plaintiff on the federal eminent domain lawsuit.
485 Dean Street (between Fifth & Sixth Avenue)
(718) 622-7035
www.freddysbackroom.com
Le Gamin Café/Creperie (Prospect Heights)
French cuisine.
556 Vanderbilt Avenue (between Dean & Bergen Street)
(718) 789-5171
www.legamin.com
Le Grand Dakar (Clinton Hill)
African Senegalese cuisine with a global influence, live music as well.
285 Grand Avenue, between Lafayette Avenue and Clifton Place
718-398-8900
http://www.granddakar.com
[This is one I have to try...if I ever get to Clinton Hill]
Maggie Brown (Fort Greene/Clinton Hill)
Restaurant & Bar - International home cooking.
455 Myrtle Avenue (between Waverly & Washington Avenue)
(718) 643-7001
www.maggiebrownrestaurant.com
Maha's Middle Eastern Café (Park Slope/Prospect Heights)
Variety of Middle Eastern cuisine, prepared foods and sandwhiches
69 Sixth Avenue (between Bergen Street & Flatbush Avenue)
(718) 789-0510
[Good food and REALLY nice service]
Maria's Mexican Bistro (Park Slope)
Considered by many to be the best Mexican restaurant in Park Slope, Maria's serves everything from Mexico City street food to coastal specialties.
669 Union Street (between Fourth and Fifth Avenue)
(718) 638-2344
Night Of The Cookers (Fort Greene)
Restaurant & Bar (Continental cuisine), Live Entertainment, Jazz Brunch.
767 Fulton Street (between South Oxford & South Portland Street)
(718) 797-1197
www.nightofthecookers.com
Olea Mediterranean Taverna (Fort Greene)
Eclectic blend of various Mediterranean cuisines, from Spanish, to Greek, to Moroccan, to Turkish.
171 Lafayette Avenue (between Adelphi Street & Clermont Avenue)
(718) 643-7003
www.oleabrooklyn.com
Pane e Vino (Carroll Gardens)
Affordable Italian cuisine on Smith Street, live music as well.
174 Smith St. (Wyckoff & Warren)
718-501-1010
Pequeña (Fort Greene)
Mexican Restaurant.
86 South Portland Avenue (between Lafayette Avenue & Fulton Street)
(718) 643-0000
www.pequenarestaurant.com
Pillow Café Lounge (Fort Greene)
Assortment of sandwiches, pannis and salads.
505 Myrtle Avenue (between Ryerson Street & Grand Avenue)
(718) 246-2711
www.pillowcafenyc.com
Pino's La Forchetta Pizzeria (Park Slope)
Classic Park Slope pizza.
181 Seventh Avenue (between First & Second Street)
(718) 965-4020
Prospect Perk Café (Park Slope/Prospect Heights)
Coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads, soup and breakfast pastries.
183 Sterling Place (between Flatbush & Vanderbilt Avenue)
(718) 398-2760
www.prospectperk.com
Quercy (Cobble Hill)
French cuisine.
242 Court Street
(718) 243-2151
Red Mill Farms, Inc. (Williamsburg)
Producers of the Omega 3 Energy bar, macroons and other health bars.
290 South Fifth Street (between Havemeyer Street & Marcy Avenue)
www.macaroonking.com
Restaurant New Orleans (Fort Greene)
"Offering Fine Southern Creole Cuisine" (bring your own wine or beer).
747 Fulton Street (between South Elliot Place & South Portland Avenue)
(718) 596-6333
Sample (Cobble Hill)
Tapas/Small Plates at this eclectic restaurant.
152 Smith St. (corner of Bergen)
718-643-6622
Scopello (Fort Greene)
Ristorante Bar.
63 Lafayette Avenue (between South Elliot & Brooklyn Tech Place)
(718) 852-1100
www.scopello.net
Soda Bar (Prospect Heights)
Great drinks, great bar foods, great vibe, music and video. A great neighorhood place.
629 Vanderbilt Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue & Prospect Place)
(718) 230-8393
Thai 101 (Clinton Hill)
Thai restaurant.
455A Myrtle Avenue (between Waverly & Mary Pinkett Avenue)
(718) 855-4615
Tillies (Fort Greene)
Alittle bit of small town hospitality in the big city. Fine teas, coffees, French pastries and baked goods as well as bagels, sandwiches, quiche, organic smootthies, egg creams and more!
248 DeKalb Ave, corner of Vanderbilt
718-783-6140
www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com
Tini Wine Bar Café & Catering (Red Hook)
Fine foods, wine and beer, and catering services.
414 Van Brunt Street (between Van Dyke & Beard Street)
(718) 855-4206
www.bartinicafe.com
Tom’s Diner (Prospect Heights)
World famous old-fashioned diner.
782 Washington Avenue (between St. Johns & Sterling Place)
(718) 783-8576
www.tomsrestaurant.wordpress.com/about-toms-restaurant-in-brooklyn
[Yep...as in that song]
Total Wine Bar (Park Slope)
Fine wine, beer, cheese and more.
74 Fifth Avenue (between St. Marks Place & Warren Street/Prospect Place)
(718) 783-5166
www.totalwinebar.com
Trois Pommes Patisserie (Park Slope)
Specialty cakes, cupcakes, pies, tarts, cookies, ice cream, sorbet and other sweets.
260 Fifth Avenue (between Carroll Street & Garfield Place)
(718) 230-3119
www.troispommespatisserie.com
Health and Wellness:
Alexandra LaRosa, Certified Yoga Instructor
Private Yoga Lessons.
(718) 415-9133 or Alexandra.Larosa@gmail.com
Amy Gerard, Licensed Massage Therapist
Recommended by Park Slope Parents
Specializing in deep massage and pre and post-Natal massage.
(917) 971-2193 or agerardlmt@yahoo.com
Dr. Margaret Rose de Cruz (Park Slope)
Dr. Cruz is a Holistic Health practitioner, using Mind-Body Therapies. Massage Therapist, Chiropractor, Mental Health Counselor.
400A Prospect Avenue (between Seventh & Eighth Avenue)
(718) 499-7258
Ellie Herman Pilates Studios (Park Slope)
Changing the world -- one vertebrae at a time.
788A Union Street (between Sixth and Seventh Avenue)
(718) 230-3707
www.ellie.net
Embora Wellness & Movement Studio (Clinton Hill)
Offering classes in Yoga, Pilates, Martial Arts and Holistic exercise, in group, private or semi-private training formats.
900 Fulton Street (corner of Washington Avenue)
(718) 857-4360
www.embora.com
Finetune Pilates Studio (Boerum Hill)
Offering personal coaching pilates instruction.
329 Atlantic Avenue (between Smith & Hoyt Street)
(718) 802-0928
www.finetunepilates.com/about_finetune.cfm
Liese Schneider,
Certified Holistic Health Counselor & Pilates Instructor
Personalized health counseling programs.
www.lieseschneider.com / liesehhc@gmail.com
Mona Fafarman (Park Slope and Manhattan)
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
212-614-6716
Providence Day Spa (Boerum Hill)
Massage, facial & body treatments, pre-natal massage and body treatments, and acupuncture.
329 Atlantic Avenue (between Smith & Hoyt Street)
(718) 596-6774
www.providencedayspa.com
Stana-Lea Weisburd, LMT Licensed
Massage Therapy, Doula Services & More!
917.575.1227
Yogasana Center for Yoga (Park Slope)
Offering yoga practice in the Iyengar tradition.
90 Fifth Avenue (between St. Marks Place & Warren Street/Prospect Place)
(718) 789-7255
www.yogasanacenter.com
Services/Other:
Miracle Maids
Earth Friendly Cleaning Service
www.miraclemaidscleaning.com
(718) 369-9000
The Puppeteer's Cooperative
A group of artists and puppeteers working in cities around the nation to create giant puppet parades, pageants, and ceremonies of celebration and complaint, using simple materials and movements to build community cardboard extravaganzas.
www.gis.net/~puppetco / puppetco@gis.net
StyleLynne
Event Producer, and Wardrobe Supervisor, Lynne Curtis offers professional service for: Image Consultation, Closet Consultation, Personal Shopping, Home Décor, Event Planning, Special Gift Wrappings, Personal Gift Shopping, Corporate Gifts, and more.
877.STY.LYNNE
www.stylelynne.com / lynne@StyleLynne.com
