I spent a few days in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with some friends. We had a great time exploring; we're very interested in urban histories and the built environment.
Friday afternoon, starting at the Hell's Kitchen bus terminal, we trekked to the ferry to cross over the East River. I had fun looking around the shops briefly and peeked into Sprout Home, a lovely plant shop. (Don't you just love that lush earth smell?) That night, we headed to Snacky for dinner. This almost "hole-in-the-wall" from the outside is warm and colorful inside. They specialize in a variety of Asian small plates such as bao (steamed rice buns), takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and even fusion dishes such as a kimchi hot dog. I think my favorite part of the meal was actually the sweet and lemony cocktail I had, aptly named the 'Lemon Drop'. After dinner and some strolling about the busy Williamsburg streets, we settled on Juliette for drinks. Juliette is a romantic Parisian bistro, a popular brunch spot, but equally delicious for any meal. We sat in a cozy corner drinking wine and indulged in dessert as well. The sticky date pudding was to die for!
Above from left to right: Sprout Home, Snacky
After a surprisingly restful night at our hostel, we woke craving something to fill our bellies before the day ahead. A friend suggested Marlow & Sons and I'm thankful for it. Marlow & Sons is a laid back coffee shop/restaurant with a general store vibe. It was nice enough to eat on their patio. Then we took a walking tour of Brooklyn with a BK native and the head of the Urban and Regional Studies Dept. at Cornell University, Tom Campagnella (he'll be coming out with a book soon). Some of the cool sites we visited included: all around Dumbo, the Oy!/Yo! sculpture, Fort Green Park, and Prospect Park.
After a surprisingly restful night at our hostel, we woke craving something to fill our bellies before the day ahead. A friend suggested Marlow & Sons and I'm thankful for it. Marlow & Sons is a laid back coffee shop/restaurant with a general store vibe. It was nice enough to eat on their patio. Then we took a walking tour of Brooklyn with a BK native and the head of the Urban and Regional Studies Dept. at Cornell University, Tom Campagnella (he'll be coming out with a book soon). Some of the cool sites we visited included: all around Dumbo, the Oy!/Yo! sculpture, Fort Green Park, and Prospect Park.
From left to right: Juliette, crossing the East River, Marlow and Sons
For lunch we decided to pick up a quick bite from Foragers Market. This chic (and a bit too yuppie for my taste) grocer even had a juice bar and bakery. I had to wait in line behind a mother toting a scooter in one hand and a Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote in the other. She was handed a carrot juice for her son, but sent it back because she had apparently ordered a pear juice... Nevertheless, the food was fresh and tasty and worth the visit. Before dinner, we took a quick trip to the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket (a farmer's market) just to feel it out. I sat on a park bench and people-watched for an hour, which I actually enjoyed thoroughly. That night, hungry-as-could-be, we feasted at Vanessa's Dumpling House. I got a combination of steamed, pan-fried, and boiled dumplings (yum, yum, yum!). Feeling spontaneous, right afterwards, I got my tragis pierced at a nearby tattoo shop (unfortunately, later it got swollen and closed up). For dessert we went to the ever famous Momofuku Milk bar. Although I was very impressed with the 'Cereal milk' (a malted soft serve rolled in crunchy cereal), the real stars were the birthday cake truffles (OMG!!). For some reason that night, we thought it would be fun to walk a couple miles to the Brooklyn bridge and then walk it. It was definitely an experience, to say the least.
For lunch we decided to pick up a quick bite from Foragers Market. This chic (and a bit too yuppie for my taste) grocer even had a juice bar and bakery. I had to wait in line behind a mother toting a scooter in one hand and a Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote in the other. She was handed a carrot juice for her son, but sent it back because she had apparently ordered a pear juice... Nevertheless, the food was fresh and tasty and worth the visit. Before dinner, we took a quick trip to the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket (a farmer's market) just to feel it out. I sat on a park bench and people-watched for an hour, which I actually enjoyed thoroughly. That night, hungry-as-could-be, we feasted at Vanessa's Dumpling House. I got a combination of steamed, pan-fried, and boiled dumplings (yum, yum, yum!). Feeling spontaneous, right afterwards, I got my tragis pierced at a nearby tattoo shop (unfortunately, later it got swollen and closed up). For dessert we went to the ever famous Momofuku Milk bar. Although I was very impressed with the 'Cereal milk' (a malted soft serve rolled in crunchy cereal), the real stars were the birthday cake truffles (OMG!!). For some reason that night, we thought it would be fun to walk a couple miles to the Brooklyn bridge and then walk it. It was definitely an experience, to say the least.
From left to right: going on a walking tour, bathroom mirror selfie, Momofuku Milk Bar
To finish our trip, on Sunday, we went to the Brooklyn Museum. It was truly a delight. It was the last day of the Coney Island exhibit and I'm glad I caught it. This is not the mention the incredible work of Stephen Powers: huge, colorful, dreamlike, chaotic. I toured the neighborhood before leaving, dropping into the Park Delicatessen (cool spot).
Overall a very successful trip :)
xx Jenny
To finish our trip, on Sunday, we went to the Brooklyn Museum. It was truly a delight. It was the last day of the Coney Island exhibit and I'm glad I caught it. This is not the mention the incredible work of Stephen Powers: huge, colorful, dreamlike, chaotic. I toured the neighborhood before leaving, dropping into the Park Delicatessen (cool spot).
Overall a very successful trip :)
xx Jenny