This story is part of our “Brooklyn Classics” series, about well-known and underappreciated books set in the borough. “I was looking for a quiet place to die. Someone recommended Brooklyn…” And thus begins Paul Auster’s The Brooklyn Follies, a novel about pre-9-11 Brooklyn, a time when Park Slope seemed far enough away from it […]
Last call: A delicious Jewish Christmas, 10 best bites of 2022, and goodbye, Pig Beach
Mile End’s traditional Jewish Christmas Chinese feast is back! Photo: Emily Iaquinta No matter which holiday you celebrate, it’s a delicious year for a Jewish-style Christmas in Brooklyn. The Hanukkah party is about to get rolling with brisket and latkes, and the Chinese feasts start kicking on the 23rd. We’ve got all the info you […]
The perfect Brooklyn food and drink gifts, restaurants for celebratory group meals, and new places to eat in November
A delectable, sharable bowl of fattat jaj at Al Badawi on Atlantic Avenue. Photo: Kara Zuaro In years to come, when I think back on Brooklyn restaurants in 2022, I hope I remember the places that festooned their facades with garlands of fake flowers. The current crop of faux flora is already starting to fade, […]
November Culture Calendar: 10 films, books and shows to feast upon
Photo by Avi Werde via Unsplash. Autumn is in full swing and as of last week, the sun won’t set any later than 6pm in NYC again until March 12th, 2023. Instead of falling into a pit of depression, I’m going to start taking my Vitamin D and discover things to look forward to before […]
Where to eat in Brooklyn right now: Stock up with Ipsa, a Sunday roast in Carroll Gardens and 3 vegan restaurant openings
Rana Fifteen’s Iskender steak surrounded by a family-style feast from the Aegean Coast and Western Turkey. Photo: Michael Tulipan October in Brooklyn brings loads of new restaurants, cozy new menu items, and perfect outdoor eating weather, but at my house, after two and a half years of avoiding Covid, my family finally fell victim to […]
Revisiting ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’
Photo: Meredith Craig de Pietro This story is part of our “Brooklyn Classics” series, about well-known and underappreciated books set in the borough. Some books aim to startle, but Hubert Selby, Jr.’s “Last Exit to Brooklyn” takes a sucker punch. It’s an unflinching look at gritty 1950s New York, where union leaders, addicts, transgender sex […]
September culture calendar: 10 reasons to get excited for fall
Photo: Invisible Dog Welcome to the other side of summer, where fall has not officially begun but half-day Fridays and 8 p.m. sunsets have sadly come to an end. The good news is the city is brimming with art openings and premieres and concerts to make the transition a little less melancholy. Kate, whose singular […]
What to do this week(end): June 10-June 16
Photo by Avi Werde on Unsplash Awwww yeah, now we’re in the good stuff. Long, sunny days; warm, breezy nights; the ability to be outside for hours without losing half your body weight in sweat — this is the weather we dream about the other ~349 days of the year and it feels particularly well-deserved right now, wouldn’t […]
Brooklyn Bites: Guadalajaran hangover cures in Prospect Heights and hot tips for brunch
Cruz del Sur in Prospect Heights takes the jicama salad to new heights. Photo: Kara Zuaro This June, wouldn’t it be nice if we all got a real summer vacation? We could all use a couple of months of aimless bike rides, but these days most of us have to intentionally find ways to set […]
July culture calendar: 10 events to celebrate
Photo: Sebastien Cordat Happy July everyone! Given recent events, it feels like a weird one to be banging the drum about our great democracy and its supposedly guaranteed freedoms, but there are still some cultural and artistic events to celebrate this month and we’ve gathered some of them here for your convenience below. At the […]
What to do this week(end): July 8-14
Photo: Laura Peruchi Greetings from coastal Maine, where I just spent a lovely Fourth of July weekend/remote work week scarfing down vulgar amounts of shellfish and taking in the local color (which unfortunately involved way too many “Let’s Go Brandon” t-shirts for my taste). Here’s hoping you all got your fill of BBQ and red, […]
Summer Treats Bucket List: Brooklyn’s best frozen drinks, ice cream + more
Brooklyn’s Best Frozen Treat? Steve’s Key Lime Pie Swingle reigns supreme. Photo: Kara Zuaro Frozen drinks, frosty desserts, and other heat-relieving treats make summer in Brooklyn sustainable. You know, sometimes we just need to take the humidity and beat it with chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick (a.k.a. the Swingle, pictured above). This summer, […]
August Culture Calendar: Soaking up summer’s last drops
Oh we are in the thick of it now, my friends. Anyone who doesn’t think that August is the worst weather month in NYC is clearly a pod person, or least some insanely lucky duck who has access to a rooftop pool or a place to crash in the Hamptons or something. It’s hot and […]
Revisiting ‘Desperate Characters’ | Brooklyn Based
“Desperate Characters” by Paula Fox remains as relevant today as the day it was published. Photo: Meredith Craig de Pietro This story is part of our “Brooklyn Classics” series about famous and underappreciated books set in the borough. Paula Fox wrote Desperate Characters over 50 years ago, but the book remains as impactful now as […]
Chelsea T.’s Review of Pranna – New York (3/5)
I’ve been to Pranna a bunch if times. For a school alum happy hour, for birthday brunch, for late night parties (birthday and just for fun) and for the day party. Happy hour- my friend refuses to go…
Aleksa P.’s Review of Zinburger – Paramus (4/5)
I’ve been to Zinburger several times. I enjoy the casual atmosphere. Each time I’ve been seated promptly. And the service has always been quick, friendly and professional. The menu: They make a few…
Andrew K.’s Review of Row NYC – New York (4/5)
Can’t say I’m crazy about this place but I’m definitely not hating this place. It’s in a great location in the middle of Times Square, close to the subway, and near all the broadway shows. Some people…
Chelsea T.’s Review of Blue Smoke – New York (3/5)
3 stars until I go back another time! I came after a long day of partying and only ended up eating French fries. My friends who actually got meals seemed to enjoy them. Everything seemed overpriced…
Morgen B.’s Review of Sapolo – Brooklyn (4/5)
I like Sapolo. I like how they don’t pretend to be anything that they’re not and they’re killing the game. They’re like the Rihanna of Chinese food spots in Clinton Hill. Come here if you’re really in…
Howard N.’s Review of Spice Thai Cuisine – Bloomfield (4/5)
Came here for only one time on a sudden night and fell in love with this place because of its goodness and faster job for me they have done. They impressd me with careful, fresh and attentive service.…
Jill R.’s Review of Toloache – New York (3/5)
After watching “Unique Eats” a while back, we decided to check this place out since it was in the area. We ordered de lechon tacos, quesadilla de huitlacoche y trufas, callo de hacha and trio de…
Wang R.’s Review of The Halal Guys – New York (4/5)
Right now, our DLC UL t8 lamp,DLC UL led flat panel lighting and Energy star UL 6inch led can light and 8inch commercial down lights are very popular in USA, Mastled lighting Technology Co., Limited…
Andrew K.’s Review of Central Park – New York (5/5)
Simply put, this park has EVERYTHING! Never could’ve imagined it. I wish we had parks like this in Hawaii, but then again, this park is probably just a big as an island in Hawaii. I took a horse…
Morgen B.’s Review of Sneaker Pawn USA – Manhattan (2/5)
The business concept is brilliant, the shop itself is cool, and it seems like there’s a genuine need for a place like Sneaker Pawn. Overall, the service is spotty and inconsistent. The website looks…