7.14.12 Coney Island!

I grew up in New Jersey and my parents have a house at the Jersey shore, so I never saw any reason to make it out to Coney Island. But ... seeing as how this is my month of new adventures ... and my friends were playing a show in Coney ... I made the trip. I should say that I've been to Coney Island before; I've been to Garguilo's both in this life and a past life. I seem to find myself around South Brooklyn Italian-and-Greek-Americans (some might say guidos and/or meatheads) a lot.

My verdict ... Coney Island was much like I imagined it would be; a dirtier version of the Jersey shore. I'll stick with the Jersey shore. I decided to splurge and order pizza on the boardwalk - worst pizza I've ever had ... inexcusable NYC! I gave up and didn't waste the calories.

Ground zero ...

45 Adapters play Coney Island! Check them out! NYC Oi punk band ... Good tunes. Good times. Certainly, their show was the highlight of my trip to Coney Island.

7.13.12 Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO

On Friday, I met up with my friend Marc and we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to DUMBO, Brooklyn. The bridge entrance in Manhattan is right across from the 4/5/6 City Hall stop. Once we got to DUMBO we chilled in Brooklyn Bridge Park for a while and then got ice cream from Jacques Torres. I went with the pistachio marzipan ice cream; it's very rare that I have dairy, full fat ice cream. This was a worthy exception. Delish!

There's a carousel! I didn't go on it, but I think I'll go back to DUMBO for a ride on the carousel
and a trip to Grimaldi's pizza. :)

7.11.12 Surf City Bar and Restaurant in Jersey City

Today's adventure was to Surf City - a bar and restaurant in Jersey City, NJ. They open at 4pm, so I met my friend Kris there early to beat the after-work crowd. I was pleasantly surprised that their lobster roll and cole slaw was delicious. It was only $14.95 for the lobster roll and, in the vicinity of NYC, that's pretty damn good. Kris and family ordered the burgers and I don't think the burgers were as good as the lobster roll. They have an area of the bar with sand and some fire pits around, so I imagine it's also quite nice to drink by the water at night here.

The walk there was a little weird. If it weren't for the giant sign ahead beckoning me forward, I wouldn't have thought I was headed in the right direction. If you pass some questionable construction and parking lots, you'll find a little harbor with loads of boats. Sitting right on the water with boats passing you by makes you feel like you're not in the city for a minute ... well, until you look up and see skyscrapers. :)

It was cool; I'll go back there ... and get another lobster roll.

The walk there ... You see what I mean ... but well worth it!

But then you get there, and it's nice ...

Bar right on the water

The lobster roll ... Mmmm

7.10.12 The Cloisters

Today's trip was to The Cloisters at the tip of Manhattan. It takes a while to get up there because it's at the 190th Street stop on the A train, but the park up there is really lovely. It would be a great place to picnic someday.

So, I knew that the unicorn tapestries were there, but I had no idea that the Campin altarpiece was there! I LOVE that altarpiece. I'm a big fan of Medieval art, but I actually own a replica of the Campin altarpiece that I put out every Christmas. What a cool surprise.

Here's some of what I saw ... It made me want a little well-manicured potted tree. ;)



Below is a small statue base which features Eve and the serpent. Cool!


The Campin altarpiece! (crappy photo, sorry)


I ended the day at French class. I'm taking a few classes at Rennert International to brush up on my French skills. It was a nice way to end the day. I felt like I was in Europe at The Cloisters and then I got to speak my favorite european language that evening. :)

7.9.12 Yonah Schimmel's Knishery and Russ & Daughters

Today entailed a trip to the LES for a visit to the famous Yonah Schimmel Knishery and Russ & Daughters for some treats from the sea. I grew up in New Jersey and I've lived in New York City since 2007. I have no excuse as to why I'm just investigating these joints until now.

Yonah Schimmel's Knishery
In any event, Yonah Schimmel's knishery did not disappoint. I love carbs ... and I love spinach. Hence, I had the spinach knish which was delish. (ha). Behold!



Russ & Daughters
As a pescetarian (though part-time vegan), I enjoy an occasional treat from the sea. Today's score was some gravlax, French smoked herring (never had this!), and some whitefish roe (which I'll be enjoying with some cheese and crackers later tonight).


I walked over to Whole Foods on Houston afterward and got some Gardein goodies to enjoy later this week. Yum! Tomorrow, it's off to The Cloisters for the first time. yay!

7.6.12 Brunch at Tom's and Keith Haring Exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum

The first order of business was a visit to Tom's Diner to sample their famous pancakes and a trip to the Brooklyn Museum to see the Keith Haring exhibit before it was over on July 8, 2012.

Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes (aka The Danish) at Tom's Diner in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.


So, my first visit to Tom's ... I have to say that these were good, but no better than the standard diner pancake. Sorry ... But they did inspire me to create my own version chez moi in the near future. It was a delicious greasy spoon breakfast in any event which I welcome any day I can sneak it in.

Keith Haring Exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum
I love Keith Haring! This exhibit was small, but fun. Who doesn't love some angel on dog action and pics from Danceteria circa 1980? I mean, I'm still in the Madonna camp ... make that the Debi Mazar-meets-Madonna and hangs with inspiring people camp. (Debi Mazar is my style icon. I will track her down and kneel at her vintage-sporting feet one day.) OK. I got side tracked, but this exhibit brings up a lot of fabulous thoughts for me. Enjoy ...

Basquiat snuck in!


I ended the day in my 'hood with crab tostadas from Tacos Nuevo Mexico complemented by one of the best margaritas you'll find in Brooklyn. Delicious!

Making the most of my summer vacation ...

My last day of work for a while was June 29, 2012 and I will likely have the month of July off while I await a new contract. Although I'd like to be earning some dollars, being laid off in the summer is not the worst time of year to be sans employment. I decided to take advantage of this little unexpected vacation by investigating all those things in New York that I've been meaning to do for years, but that I never seem to find the time to do. Maybe I'll make this a habit ... This is a, mostly pictorial, journal of my adventures. Enjoy.