Park Slope Delights & Secrets
Epicurian Delights
Excellent northern italian fare. For decades, there was a line down the block every night before they opened. An institution. Great wine list.
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al di la Trattoria
248 5th AveExcellent northern italian fare. For decades, there was a line down the block every night before they opened. An institution. Great wine list.
Outstanding Korean food - another culinary destination. You can't go wrong on this menu, they have excellent drinks, and this spot is right on my corner, across from Al di La. As with most good restaurants in NYC: make a reservation, though you have a decent chance of getting a table on off peak days/nights..
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Haenyeo
239 5th AveOutstanding Korean food - another culinary destination. You can't go wrong on this menu, they have excellent drinks, and this spot is right on my corner, across from Al di La. As with most good restaurants in NYC: make a reservation, though you have a decent chance of getting a table on off peak days/nights..
Teo's Ice Cream Shop
200 Garfield PlaceLovely, delicious Ice Cream shop with unique flavors.
Super good, high quality, home-made frozen yogurt and yogurt products. Across the street from the best and closest playgound around (JJ Byrne) - good combo.
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Culture An American Yogurt Company
60 W 8th StSuper good, high quality, home-made frozen yogurt and yogurt products. Across the street from the best and closest playgound around (JJ Byrne) - good combo.
Pasta Louise Restaurant
1114 8th AvenuePerfect homemade pasta.
Awesome cafe that's a well-kept secret. There's a little spot in back outside that's sort of lovely. But the real winner here is the fresh pasta made to order (watch them make it) to cook at home. Or come here for a glass of wine. Or a zillion italian delicacies. A gem.
Un Posto Italiano
206 Garfield PlAwesome cafe that's a well-kept secret. There's a little spot in back outside that's sort of lovely. But the real winner here is the fresh pasta made to order (watch them make it) to cook at home. Or come here for a glass of wine. Or a zillion italian delicacies. A gem.
Buttermilk Bakeshop
264 5th AvePretty good bakery. A block away.
Large and excellent farmer's market Saturdays from early morning (not sure when) til 2p
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Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Flatbush AvenueLarge and excellent farmer's market Saturdays from early morning (not sure when) til 2p
Very fun huge family-oriented bar / bbq spot. Huge and a little loud, very fun. Apparently the BBQ here is noted on the national BBQ scene.
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Pig Beach
480 Union StVery fun huge family-oriented bar / bbq spot. Huge and a little loud, very fun. Apparently the BBQ here is noted on the national BBQ scene.
Claro
284 3rd AveMichelin-starred Oaxacan food. Lovely outdoor space.
Court Street Grocers
485 Court StAmong the best sandwiches you'll ever have.
If you like fancy coffee, go here. There's a Blue Bottle across the street, but this spot is cooler and better as far as I'm concerned. Also the owner donated thousands of dollars of coffee to ER's day and night for months during the height of Covid -- I worked with him to coordinate this. He was generous and went out of his way and in addition to this product being excellent, it's another reason to support his business.
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Hungry Ghost Coffee
721 Metropolitan AveIf you like fancy coffee, go here. There's a Blue Bottle across the street, but this spot is cooler and better as far as I'm concerned. Also the owner donated thousands of dollars of coffee to ER's day and night for months during the height of Covid -- I worked with him to coordinate this. He was generous and went out of his way and in addition to this product being excellent, it's another reason to support his business.
Kiddos
Large, new playground with many play areas for toddlers through adolescent.
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J.J. Byrne Playground
5th AvenueLarge, new playground with many play areas for toddlers through adolescent.
Great for toddlers - small, well designed, a few impressive beasts, and a petting zoo.
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Prospect Park Zoo
450 Flatbush AveGreat for toddlers - small, well designed, a few impressive beasts, and a petting zoo.
Just a fun time. The carousel operator has worked there his entire professional life - he's like 80.
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Prospect Park Carousel
452 Flatbush AveJust a fun time. The carousel operator has worked there his entire professional life - he's like 80.
One of our many prides, just a pretty and large spot to stroll around, esp w kids. Bring a picnic. There's also a huge playground a 5 minute walk from here - Mount Prospect Playground - search for it, it's a little hidden from the street but giant.
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Isitshalo saseBrooklyn Botanic
990 Washington AveOne of our many prides, just a pretty and large spot to stroll around, esp w kids. Bring a picnic. There's also a huge playground a 5 minute walk from here - Mount Prospect Playground - search for it, it's a little hidden from the street but giant.
Super great for toddlers, they put on puppet shows frequently, I think every weekend. Check their site; it's right around the corner!
Puppet Works
338 6th AveSuper great for toddlers, they put on puppet shows frequently, I think every weekend. Check their site; it's right around the corner!
I haven't been here in a long time but it was always pretty solid.
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Brooklyn Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn AveI haven't been here in a long time but it was always pretty solid.
Things to Do
Ok, this is THE reason to be in this neighborhood. I could go on and on. I'll list separately some of the explicit spots to see (carousel, zoo, lakeside) - generally the meadow is an excellent place to hang out, especially evening summers. Grab some food, bring a blanket (I have a couple in the closet you're welcome to grab), and hit the meadow for dinner or lunch. there are always shady or sunny spots. It's the absolute BEST people watching and generally far more delightful than it sounds.
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Iphaki yaseProspect
Ok, this is THE reason to be in this neighborhood. I could go on and on. I'll list separately some of the explicit spots to see (carousel, zoo, lakeside) - generally the meadow is an excellent place to hang out, especially evening summers. Grab some food, bring a blanket (I have a couple in the closet you're welcome to grab), and hit the meadow for dinner or lunch. there are always shady or sunny spots. It's the absolute BEST people watching and generally far more delightful than it sounds.
Rollerskating and a (free) water fountain park (great for toddlers) in the summer; two ice skating rinks in the winter. Delightful. Has a cafe with decent cafe fare.
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LeFrak Center ku Lakeside Prospect Park Brooklyn
171 East DrRollerskating and a (free) water fountain park (great for toddlers) in the summer; two ice skating rinks in the winter. Delightful. Has a cafe with decent cafe fare.
In summer, Celebrate Brooklyn! Happens here, and it's one of NYC's top outdoor festival venues just a short walk from my apartment! Here's this summer's lineup; unless noted, all shows are free, which means show up early with a blanket so you can get a good spot on the grass (grab the orange tapestry rom my little linen closet) https://www.bricartsmedia.org/2022-bric-celebrate-brooklyn
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Prospect Park Bandshell
141 Prospect Park WestIn summer, Celebrate Brooklyn! Happens here, and it's one of NYC's top outdoor festival venues just a short walk from my apartment! Here's this summer's lineup; unless noted, all shows are free, which means show up early with a blanket so you can get a good spot on the grass (grab the orange tapestry rom my little linen closet) https://www.bricartsmedia.org/2022-bric-celebrate-brooklyn
Our neighborhood dinner/movie theater. Recently renovated and awesome!
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Nitehawk Prospect Park
188 Prospect Park WestOur neighborhood dinner/movie theater. Recently renovated and awesome!
I consider this the best art institution in NYC. Super family friendly. Frequent and very good events. Check their site.
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Pioneer Works
159 Pioneer StI consider this the best art institution in NYC. Super family friendly. Frequent and very good events. Check their site.
Food Shopping
Around the corner, the best fish market around. They also have very good sushi to go.
Fjord Fish Market
249 5th AvenueAround the corner, the best fish market around. They also have very good sushi to go.
This is the best general around grocery store right nearby. A bit more alternative than Key Food, which is very mainstream.
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Associated Supermarkets
216 5th AveThis is the best general around grocery store right nearby. A bit more alternative than Key Food, which is very mainstream.
Closest grocery - if you need any foodie items, you'll pay for it but you'll def find it here. It's a slightly less impressive BiRite type spot (if you're from SF). I go here often. To-go coffee is solid.
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Union Market
240 E Houston StClosest grocery - if you need any foodie items, you'll pay for it but you'll def find it here. It's a slightly less impressive BiRite type spot (if you're from SF). I go here often. To-go coffee is solid.
Very regular commercial grocery store close to home, they have most stuff.
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Key Food Supermarket
55 Fulton StVery regular commercial grocery store close to home, they have most stuff.
there are many good wine stores around but this is my favorite; their selection is reasonable, always good, their service is incredible, and it's a minority female-owned shop.
Good Wine
327 5th Avethere are many good wine stores around but this is my favorite; their selection is reasonable, always good, their service is incredible, and it's a minority female-owned shop.
Food scene
Giant beer hall / food spot, great if you have kids tho they have weird rules and don't allow kids after like 8p or something; call to ask. Otherwise, really great spot to casually gather and not worry about your kids bothering anyone.
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Greenwood Park
555 7th AveGiant beer hall / food spot, great if you have kids tho they have weird rules and don't allow kids after like 8p or something; call to ask. Otherwise, really great spot to casually gather and not worry about your kids bothering anyone.
Calexico
645 Manhattan AveSolidly delicious Mexican food
Maya Taqueria
637 Vanderbilt AveSolidly delicious buriotto spot.
This spot is excellent along 3 lines: (1) as a top vegan restaurant, (2) as a cool bar and (3) as a thumpin night club. They excel at all of these effortlessly. The environment is very pretty and there's a huge lovely outdoor space. This is a locals spot; you won't find it in guidebooks, and it's worth a trip. You'll feel like you're in the wrong place - the neighborhood is completely desolate.
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public records
233 Butler StThis spot is excellent along 3 lines: (1) as a top vegan restaurant, (2) as a cool bar and (3) as a thumpin night club. They excel at all of these effortlessly. The environment is very pretty and there's a huge lovely outdoor space. This is a locals spot; you won't find it in guidebooks, and it's worth a trip. You'll feel like you're in the wrong place - the neighborhood is completely desolate.
Walkable, very good ice cream if you like lots of stuff in your ice cream. Right next to pig beach; great to do in tandem.
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Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt AveWalkable, very good ice cream if you like lots of stuff in your ice cream. Right next to pig beach; great to do in tandem.