Williamsburg is Dead

Springtime in Williamsburg.

With temperatures rising almost to a glorious 60 degrees today, we figure it's just about time to usher this all-too-short season in by doing what we do best. Imbibing all the fine spirits the burg has to offer. Outdoors. Our favorite fresh air bar would probably have to be Iona at 180 Grand St. The ping pong table, fire pits, loaner domino sets, and quietly quirky atmosphere make this arguably the best spot in Williamsburg to idle away an inebriated evening.

Not to be outdone however, the imported beer loaded Spuyten Duyvil boasts an expansive outdoor area, sans the competitive entertainment options. All that space out back makes it ideal for writing, reading, or doing whatever else you think makes you look sophisticated in public. Hint: it's not what this guy's doing.

For a closer look refer to this earlier post.

Also, we often tend to get stuck (and drunk) at our favorites before we get the chance to move on to other outdoor boozeries. Tell us about other fine patio destinations in the neighborhood so we may imbibe in them.

                                                                                                                                           

Montrose Ave...Next Stop, Barack Obama

Move over Che Guevara! There's a new political figure whose image is being painted on walls all over our fair city. Gothamist reports on Obama as street art off the Morgan stop on the L. [Gothamist]

Grand Street to Remain Not So Grand

But don't worry - we like you just the way you are, Grand Street, you shouldn't need 14-story buildings to feel good about yourself. However, apparently the property owners to be affected by a modest rezoning proposition do (from the Post):

"We just found out we lost one-third of our property value, so you can imagine the outrage," said Timothy Philips, who paid $1.3 million in January for a Roebling Street site where he hoped to build a seven-story apartment building.

Yes. It's been pretty rough. All of my 1.3 million dollar investments that are infringing on a community's right to not look like Midtown are getting rezoned too. City Council is voting to cap the buildings at around five stories. The rest of the story, replete with a reliably Post-y rhyming headline, here.

Department of City Planning's, well, plan here.   

Also Tonight: Russian Sci-Fi Lounge Music

Aelita, Yakov Protazanov's 1924 film about a man traveling to Mars in a rocketship, is the first Soviet sci-fi film ever.  Not enough to entice you? At Monkeytown the soundtrack will be improvised by a live quartet led by Marco Capelli, plus the restaurant's food ain't bad either. If you haven't made it out to Monkeytown yet you should definitely check it out--it's one of the coolest spaces in Williamsburg.   

Tonight, Tuesday, March 25 at 10:30pm at Monkeytown, 58 N 3rd St in Williamsburg. $10 admission, plus $10 food minimum.

Tonight at Studio B

Finally, the quirky, dystopian dance parties of tomorrow, today. The Toronto-based Crystal Castles play moody dance rock with NES-style beeps and female vocals. Have you ever danced and cried at the same time? You will, my friend, you will.

Tonight, 8pm, Tuesday, March 25 at Studio B, 259 Banker St in Greenpoint. $12 at the door, get there early 'cause tickets won't last.

Brooklyn Restaurant Week Whets Williamsburgers' Appetites

Starting today, prix fixes and drink specials reign at restaurants all over the borough for Dine in Brooklyn. For 23$, you can indulge in a three course meal at some of the best bistros in the Burg. Fornino, Teddy's, and Planet Thailand are a handful of neighborhood favorites participating, though the chance to check out less-hyped locales (like Bamonte's, which has been family owned and operated for over a hundred years, and serves up killer old school Italian food) at bargain prices is what keeps the event intriguing. A full list of restaurants participating is here.

PS. Anyone checking that link might've noticed that Brooklyn Restaurant Week is essentially sponsored by Amex this year, and that cardholders got advance reservation rights. I'd expect that from a snooty tramp like Manhattan, but you, Brooklyn, I thought you were different.

A Williamsburg Conversation Reference Guide. Entry #4. Talking About Food.

Talking about food in Williamsburg can be deceptively tricky. You'd think that given the abundance of bleeding heart liberal artist folks, that it'd be a safe bet to proclaim vegetarianism when the topic of eating comes up. And it is. However, it is also dull. "Who isn't a vegetarian, these days?" will be the thought concealed by the "Oh, that's nice" smile and brief nod. And hard core veganism just seems like too much work. (Though if discussed nonchalantly enough, can appear admirable) Yet it is still unacceptable to admit just eating anything, especially fast food or non-organic supermarket fare, as this displays a disregard to the requisite anti-corporate ethos and an ignorance to health issues. The advised route is to profess a 'loose vegetarianism' or to infuse your health consciousness with a minor dose of apathy. Ex: "I don't even eat meat, but last night I downed half a pound of pork belly at Fette Sau! I feel all 'uh' now, but it was worth it!" or, "You know, I don't mind eating meat if it doesn't look like meat, like if it's inside something else or something. But I usually just order salads." Mentioning how you occasionally dine at self-referentially unhealthy places, like the aforementioned Fette Sau ('Fat Pig" in German) or "Pies 'n Thighs" is also highly recommended.

Obarh

Got an empty space on your wall? After sunset check out the sidewalk on Bedford between North 3^rd and North 4^th. Under the brightly lit scaffolding of some future empty condo you may be lucky enough to find Obarh.

Super Bonus Free Double Show at Soundfix!

 

Quirky Manchester indie rocker Jim Noir is playing a surprise set at Soundfix tonight at 7pm. He plays melodic, Kinks-style pop that will make you feel happy and English. After the show, he'll be selling his new album, which doesn't officially come out until April 8.

Afterwards, Cassettes Won't Listen will be playing a free set at 8pm. It's like an indie-pop overdose!      

The Return of Pies 'n' Thighs

I've eaten a lot of fried chicken in this town. Hell, I've even written a story on it. But nothing, from Harlem to Koreatown, ever matched the delicious fried chicken from Pies 'n' Thighs. It was so juicy and flavorul you didn't even need hot sauce. Crispy skin, moist meat not overwhelmed by grease, delicious sides. It was probably my favorite restaurant in Williamsburg; then, it closed. The New York Times even eulogized the beloved chicken joint.

Now, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Owner Sarah Buck wants to take over the space at the corner of South 4th and Driggs. It's looking good, but it's still up to the Community Board. The next meeting is on April 3rd, 6:30pm at 435 Graham Avenue. Go and make your voice heard! Bring back Pies 'n' Thighs! [Gothamist]