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LONG ISLAND CITY: SOON TO BE A 3-BAKERY TOWN

June 27, 2014 by editor 4 Comments

The old guard and the new in Greenpoint — Peter Pan Bakery: where the old guard meets the new in Greenpoint

Nothing puts a town on the map like a local bakery. Astoria has Rose and Joe’s, a traditional old-school Italian bakery. Greenpoint has Peter Pan, an old-fashioned donut shop manned by young Polish women in uniforms. Williamsburg has Fortunato Brothers, a pasticerria that transports you back to 1970’s Brooklyn, and where cannolis are to dessert, what pasta is to dinner: a midway point. As in “I’ll have the tiramisu and a slice of cheesecake, and throw in a cannoli …or two.” [Read more…] about LONG ISLAND CITY: SOON TO BE A 3-BAKERY TOWN

THE SIGNS OF SUMMER IN LIC

May 27, 2014 by editor 7 Comments

I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening? Turbines.

Summer landed on the LIC doorstep this week. First of all, MoMA PS1’s Warm-Up Series just announced it’s line-up. Once again I haven’t a clue as to who any of the bands or DJ’s playing there are: Objekt & Cashmere Cat? Don’t matter, because I’ll be there as will throngs of others from literally all over the world. Click here for my previous two-sentence summary of this event, because this party is timeless. Next, as if we needed any further reminder that summer is just around the corner, ManhattanHenge is this Thursday, May 29. This is where the sun sets directly at the base of the east-west Manhattan streets, and guess where the best vantage point is to view this phenomenon? [Read more…] about THE SIGNS OF SUMMER IN LIC

NEW BAR AND GRILL FINALLY OPENS IN DUTCH KILLS

September 19, 2013 by editor 7 Comments

Until now, this was the culinary highlight north of the Bridge.

After putting in almost a decade of 20-hour work weeks so I could retire early, do you really think I’m going to waste my time indoors writing epics to you in such beautiful weather? I mean my last piece was truly iconic, and in years to come will probably be looked back at as the precise beginning as to when Brooklyn became synonymous with milquetoast. So go back and read that piece a second time and tell two friends, who’ll tell two friends, who’ll…

Before we pass you on to other news, a flash just came in live from our man from The North, J-Fro: A new bar has opened in Dutch Kills at 38-40 29th Street. This was originally supposed to be where the Windmill Tap and Grill was to be. It was loud in there, so J-Fro couldn’t relay if it was the same owners, but I believe the new name is Dutch Kills Centrale, and the locals up there couldn’t be more thrilled to finally have their own watering hole.

In fact, that alone is probably enough to have fireworks on the East River, but my guess is there was an ulterior motive. If you know what it exactly it was, could you please let us know in the comments section. Otherwise I’ll assume it’s for the full moon, or maybe a halfway to St. Patty’s Day celebration.

Vernon Boulevard Eateries Serving Up Deals for LIC Restaurant Week – ehh, doesn’t seem to be a marked difference from their regular menus

Apparently Toddlers Need Crossfit – wow, Sports Illustrated weighs in on our local Crossfit’s new rage

Rose Previews new LIC Rental – The Maximilian

TF Cornerstone Previews It’s New Amenities Building – putting greens and tennis courts, 7 stories above the hoi polloi. Fantasize that you’re in stop Augusta or Wimbledon.

NYC Department of Health Employees Bitten by Bed Bug Problem – is a plague finally hitting our town?

7-Train Service to Halt for Several Weekends this Fall – oh yeah, we already have our own version of a plague, and it;s now comes twice a year, right on schedule.

SUMMERS END: TAKE TWO

September 6, 2013 by editor 2 Comments

Continuing on Monday’s theme, we stole an extra week of summer and things are slow in LIC. Hopefully you got to enjoy the great weather as things cool down, or at least will be able to as it continues through the weekend.

As I walk around I notice a lot of new things. On 47th Road between 5th and Vernon, which houses many LIC old-timers, I noticed the very first knock down of a single townhouse. It was old housing stock, but not old enough to be close to worthy of preservation and a million dollar renovation. like those in Park Slope, or better yet Greenpoint.

Then, on Vernon Boulevard, as I popped into the new pub Woodbines for a glass of milk, I noticed a new beauty salon called “Hollywood Hair & Nails,” which replaced LIC Beauty, and is not to be confused with the “Institute for Face and Body Solutions” right next door. Not to mention the relatively new nail salon, Snob, that opened about a year ago one block south. A lot of “new’s” for a week with a lack of news.

Finally, as I made my way north on Vernon, I saw a big scaffold across the street from LIC Bar. The lot is probably around 80′ x 80′ and no matter how it is currently zoned, I bet we see residential above the ground floor. Should be the final nail in the coffin for the majestic weeping willows across the street, which never really recovered from Sandy.

Hmm, looks like I’m not the only one trying to drum up news about LIC. You can click below or just start enjoying the final bonus weekend of summer now.

Shi Owners Reveal Video – see the video here, or just go to Shi, sit out back, and watch the sunset w/ a Mai Tai in hand

LIC’s Shannon Pot to Go Under? – new pubs come, old ones go

Hologram Exhibit to Light Up Vacant Clock Tower Building in LIC – the first in a quartet of LIC art stories

Street Art Hotspot: Eat and Be Eaten at 5Pointz – numero dos

Bill Would Create Master Arts Plan – tres

LIC Arts Organization Seeks Crowd Funding – cuatro

LIC Is Undergoing a Hotel Boom – love the review of this story below. Confirms there’s no news in LIC this week.

Fake Trends That Are Really Six Years Old – see above

Where to Shop for Back-to-School Kids Clothes in Western Queens – only Prada and Hermes for little OliviaSophiaIsabella

HUNTERS POINT SOUTH PARK IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

August 26, 2013 by editor 2 Comments

The new park at Hunters Point South quietly opened to the public last week, just in time for autumn. Unsurprisingly, it comes with the same spectacular skyline views as it’s adjacent northern sister, as well as a lack of respite from the sun, but she is a beauty nevertheless. Check it out, and if you have a pooch you can bring it along because there also is a dog run right in the middle of the park. Enjoy!

A Walk in Hunters Point – from Forgotten New York

40-unit Condo Project Coming to Hunters Point – when wil the building end? and how will it end?

3-bedroom in Hunters Point listing – we found the needle in the haystack for ya

5-Pointz One Step Closer to Its Demise – when will this saga end???

Team M. Wells Puts a Quirky Spin on the Steakhouse – NY Mag puts their spin on Dufour’s culinary eccentricities and calls for an October opening