Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Mekelburg's is a high end specialty food shop, fine food restaurant, and craft beer bar. If you like cheese, they have one of the best selections around. The restaurant / bar is hidden behind the food shop. This is a great night spot to hang. Oh!! -- and make sure to go through that door at the back of the bar. That leads to a nice little hidden outdoor seating area.
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Mekelburg's
293 Grand AveMekelburg's is a high end specialty food shop, fine food restaurant, and craft beer bar. If you like cheese, they have one of the best selections around. The restaurant / bar is hidden behind the food shop. This is a great night spot to hang. Oh!! -- and make sure to go through that door at the back of the bar. That leads to a nice little hidden outdoor seating area.
The Market (372 Lafayette) is right around the corner and they make the best coffee in the area. They also make homemade dumplings and serve craft beer. They have free-wifi and it's a comfortable place to hang.
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The Market
372 Lafayette AveThe Market (372 Lafayette) is right around the corner and they make the best coffee in the area. They also make homemade dumplings and serve craft beer. They have free-wifi and it's a comfortable place to hang.
Dough (448 Lafayette) is the place that I go in the morning if I don't make my own coffee (which I'm happy to do for you during your stay). Dough is also the best donut shop in NYC. For their drip coffee they use Brooklyn Roasting Company grinds.
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Dough Doughnuts
5th AvenueDough (448 Lafayette) is the place that I go in the morning if I don't make my own coffee (which I'm happy to do for you during your stay). Dough is also the best donut shop in NYC. For their drip coffee they use Brooklyn Roasting Company grinds.
If you're looking for the best steak in Manhattan, please do yourself a favor and go to Quality Meats (http://www.qualitymeatsnyc.com/home.cfm)
This restaurant isn't cheap but if you're looking for an amazing date night or a cool place to propose to your significant other, this is your spot.
btw - Peter Luger's and Uncle Jacks are good. But this is THE BEST!
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Quality Meats
57 W 58th StIf you're looking for the best steak in Manhattan, please do yourself a favor and go to Quality Meats (http://www.qualitymeatsnyc.com/home.cfm)
This restaurant isn't cheap but if you're looking for an amazing date night or a cool place to propose to your significant other, this is your spot.
btw - Peter Luger's and Uncle Jacks are good. But this is THE BEST!
Hiding in plain sight, you'll find Freemans Restaurant at the end of an alley aptly named - Freeman Alley. You'll pass the Freeman barbershop and men's clothier and will land in what looks like a hunting lodge.
It's hard to get a table here but the food and the drinks are awesome.
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Freemans
Freeman AlleyHiding in plain sight, you'll find Freemans Restaurant at the end of an alley aptly named - Freeman Alley. You'll pass the Freeman barbershop and men's clothier and will land in what looks like a hunting lodge.
It's hard to get a table here but the food and the drinks are awesome.
Carefully sourced Southern fare & cocktails dished amid Americana touches & TVs airing old Westerns. It recently changed management & menus -- but this is a great local spot
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Peaches Shrimp & Crab
285 Grand AveCarefully sourced Southern fare & cocktails dished amid Americana touches & TVs airing old Westerns. It recently changed management & menus -- but this is a great local spot
Renowned cafe & bakery preparing choice baked goods & prepared foods in a comfy spot. These guys open nice and early. They have GREAT breakfast & coffee.
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Choice Market
318 Lafayette AveRenowned cafe & bakery preparing choice baked goods & prepared foods in a comfy spot. These guys open nice and early. They have GREAT breakfast & coffee.
Cheerful, modern space offering Cuban-style sandwiches, meat entrees & seafood, plus wine & beer.
We've been going to Pilar since they were on Classon and only sat 6 people. The restaurant's new location is awesome and Ricardo, owner & chef, is doing great celebrating the culinary arts of Cuba.
If you have the chance, definitely speak to Ricardo about the menu. He is an amazing person, passionate about documenting the history of Cuban food, and loves to share/teach.
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Pilar Cuban Eatery
397 Greene AveCheerful, modern space offering Cuban-style sandwiches, meat entrees & seafood, plus wine & beer.
We've been going to Pilar since they were on Classon and only sat 6 people. The restaurant's new location is awesome and Ricardo, owner & chef, is doing great celebrating the culinary arts of Cuba.
If you have the chance, definitely speak to Ricardo about the menu. He is an amazing person, passionate about documenting the history of Cuban food, and loves to share/teach.
The Grill Yard is actually a private secret dining event. We have an invitation-only private tasting every other Saturday. We'll be opening a fine dining restaurant in the neighborhood later this year. Ask Melissa & Ray for details.
more info: www.grillyard.com
139 Clifton Pl
139 Clifton PlaceThe Grill Yard is actually a private secret dining event. We have an invitation-only private tasting every other Saturday. We'll be opening a fine dining restaurant in the neighborhood later this year. Ask Melissa & Ray for details.
more info: www.grillyard.com
This is our local Michelin star restaurant. We go here for Valentine's and special occasions. The Finch IS THE BEST!!!!!
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The Finch
212 Greene AveThis is our local Michelin star restaurant. We go here for Valentine's and special occasions. The Finch IS THE BEST!!!!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Our local live music venue offers eclectic programming ranging from live Afro-Punk to deep-house DJ sets and everything in between. Make sure to tell Eric (owner) that Ray & Melissa sent you.
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C'mon Everybody
325 Franklin AveOur local live music venue offers eclectic programming ranging from live Afro-Punk to deep-house DJ sets and everything in between. Make sure to tell Eric (owner) that Ray & Melissa sent you.
Our good friend, Matthew Garrison, is one of the top bass players in the world and is also the son of the legendary Jimmy Garrison (John Coltrane's bass player).
Matt and his business partner, Fortuna, opened ShapeShifter Lab a few years ago and we are huge supporters of the space. It's set up like an art gallery and has some of the best live new music, jazz, and fusion in NYC.
If you want to go to Shapeshifter, please let us know that you're headed over. We'd be happy to set you up with tickets, drive you over, or even join you for the show.
ShapeShifter Lab
837 Whitwell PlOur good friend, Matthew Garrison, is one of the top bass players in the world and is also the son of the legendary Jimmy Garrison (John Coltrane's bass player).
Matt and his business partner, Fortuna, opened ShapeShifter Lab a few years ago and we are huge supporters of the space. It's set up like an art gallery and has some of the best live new music, jazz, and fusion in NYC.
If you want to go to Shapeshifter, please let us know that you're headed over. We'd be happy to set you up with tickets, drive you over, or even join you for the show.
PDT (Please Don't Tell) is a bar hidden inside of a hot dog shop (Crif Dogs). PDT took a page out of Angel Share's book. Just head over to the phone booth, pick up the phone (it'll auto-magically ring), and when someone answers tell them the number of people in our party.
PDT only has a few tables that can seat 4 or more so... make sure to go with a small group of people.
oh -- And the drinks are great. Novel cocktails in a cool dark space. How much more New York do ya want?
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Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks PlPDT (Please Don't Tell) is a bar hidden inside of a hot dog shop (Crif Dogs). PDT took a page out of Angel Share's book. Just head over to the phone booth, pick up the phone (it'll auto-magically ring), and when someone answers tell them the number of people in our party.
PDT only has a few tables that can seat 4 or more so... make sure to go with a small group of people.
oh -- And the drinks are great. Novel cocktails in a cool dark space. How much more New York do ya want?
Angel Share is probably the most well known secret bar in NYC - but it's still a good place to check out.
To get to Angle Share, head upstairs to the Village Yokocho restaurant and walk down the left side of the restaurant towards the black velvet curtains. Behind the curtains is a door to one of the swankiest cocktail lounges in Manhattan.
Please note, Angel Share doesn't allow a line and there's no standing. Everyone has a seat - and thus has ample room. The service is amazing and overall this is a good date spot.
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Angel's Share
45 Stuyvesant StAngel Share is probably the most well known secret bar in NYC - but it's still a good place to check out.
To get to Angle Share, head upstairs to the Village Yokocho restaurant and walk down the left side of the restaurant towards the black velvet curtains. Behind the curtains is a door to one of the swankiest cocktail lounges in Manhattan.
Please note, Angel Share doesn't allow a line and there's no standing. Everyone has a seat - and thus has ample room. The service is amazing and overall this is a good date spot.
A food truck serving tacos and then some in the back yard of a unique modern mezcal upscale casual dive bar from the culinary genius' behind Mayfield.
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Chilo's
323 Franklin AveA food truck serving tacos and then some in the back yard of a unique modern mezcal upscale casual dive bar from the culinary genius' behind Mayfield.
This is a favorite place of ours. It has great live music. Please check out the open-mic jam on Sundays!! BTW - the food is great too.
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Basquiat's Bottle
1198 Fulton StThis is a favorite place of ours. It has great live music. Please check out the open-mic jam on Sundays!! BTW - the food is great too.
Essentials
If you've run out of toothpaste (and don't want to ask us for some) or if you need an aspirin, this is the closest place to get all of those home essentials.
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Family Dollar
548 Lefferts AveIf you've run out of toothpaste (and don't want to ask us for some) or if you need an aspirin, this is the closest place to get all of those home essentials.
Getting Around
The closest train station is right around the corner. It's the Classon Avenue stop on the G train.
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Classon Avenue
Classon AvenueThe closest train station is right around the corner. It's the Classon Avenue stop on the G train.
Arts & Culture
This is our local 'art-house' theater. They also have great live music and art exhibits.
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BAM Harvey Theater
651 Fulton StThis is our local 'art-house' theater. They also have great live music and art exhibits.
Storm King was recommended by one of our guests. It's about an hour north of NYC and is one of the most highly regarded Sculpture Parks in the world. The park sits on 500 acres and features a permanent collection of over 100 sculptures.
more info: http://collection.stormking.org/sculpture-guide/
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Centro d'Arte Storm King
Storm King was recommended by one of our guests. It's about an hour north of NYC and is one of the most highly regarded Sculpture Parks in the world. The park sits on 500 acres and features a permanent collection of over 100 sculptures.
more info: http://collection.stormking.org/sculpture-guide/
Shopping
Atlantic Commons (aka Atlantic Center) is right across the street from the Barclay's Center. If you want to do some shopping in Brooklyn (groceries, clothing, etc.), this is our closest large shopping area. It's a quick 10 minute train ride away.
Atlantic Commons
Atlantic CommonsAtlantic Commons (aka Atlantic Center) is right across the street from the Barclay's Center. If you want to do some shopping in Brooklyn (groceries, clothing, etc.), this is our closest large shopping area. It's a quick 10 minute train ride away.
On Saturdays from 10am - 5pm, the Fort Greene Flea market features goods from over 150 vendors. Melissa and I love to go there for local antiques and handmade 'one-of-a-kind' goods. This is one of those local New Yorker fun activities for a lazy Saturday afternoon.
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Brooklyn Flea
51 North 6th StreetOn Saturdays from 10am - 5pm, the Fort Greene Flea market features goods from over 150 vendors. Melissa and I love to go there for local antiques and handmade 'one-of-a-kind' goods. This is one of those local New Yorker fun activities for a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Sightseeing
You can get details about the Statue of Liberty here: https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
Statue Cruises offer both Ferry and park tickets: https://www.statuecruises.com/#/
Melissa and I suggest buying this ticket in advance.
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Statue of Liberty Museum Shop
1 Liberty Island - Ellis IslandYou can get details about the Statue of Liberty here: https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
Statue Cruises offer both Ferry and park tickets: https://www.statuecruises.com/#/
Melissa and I suggest buying this ticket in advance.
For the Empire State Building, you can buy tickets here: http://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets
Ray usually goes up there as a radio engineer and jumps the line. If he's free, he can try to take you up for free. The line is a terrible waste of time. Worse case, we suggest that you pay extra to jump the line. Oh -- and there is no reason to purchase this ticket in advance.
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Empire State Building
20 W 34th StFor the Empire State Building, you can buy tickets here: http://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets
Ray usually goes up there as a radio engineer and jumps the line. If he's free, he can try to take you up for free. The line is a terrible waste of time. Worse case, we suggest that you pay extra to jump the line. Oh -- and there is no reason to purchase this ticket in advance.
If you have a short stay in NYC, we advise that you chose between Empire and the Top of the Rock. The last thing you want to do while in NYC is wait in lines all day right?
Top of the Rock lines are shorter than Empire State lines and the area isn't as busy (touristy). Also, there are great places to eat around Rockefeller Center.
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30 Rockefeller Plaza
30 Rockefeller PlazaIf you have a short stay in NYC, we advise that you chose between Empire and the Top of the Rock. The last thing you want to do while in NYC is wait in lines all day right?
Top of the Rock lines are shorter than Empire State lines and the area isn't as busy (touristy). Also, there are great places to eat around Rockefeller Center.