Restaurants: Paulie Gee's has some of the most delicious and inventive pizzas anywhere. Try the "Greenpointer" and "Anise and Anephew" for the perfect one-two punch. If Ben had his way, we'd eat here every week. Number 7 Sub is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Serving up a constantly changing menu of tasty sandwiches. When Inga is traveling for work, Ben can regularly be found here. The Lobster Joint is a quaint and low key place to get cheap, large portions of fresh and tasty seafood. Try the lobster corn bisque. It may be hot out, but it's worth it. Not much beats Anella's brunch. Plus, they got a starred review from The New York Times. High praise! Bars: The Pencil Factory is our local joint. The bartenders are all very friendly, and it's one of the oldest bars in the neighborhood. No Name (this bar literally has no name) is one of the coolest bars in all of New York City. Great cocktails, and a great vibe. For an unparalleled selection of diverse beer, you can't miss Brouwerij Lane, Spritzenhaus Beer Hall, or Diamond Bar. Brouweij Lane is technically a beer store, but head in and they'll sell you "samples" of the beer, or growlers to go. Coffee: We go to Upright Coffee every day. It's a tiny shop, but they have a great cup of coffee. Also, check out the greatest coffee this side of the Mississippi: Grumpy's. They sell rocket fuel. It'll open your eyes. Other: Check out the ferry pier on India Street for great views of the city. Greenpoint is home to a large Polish population, so be adventurous and check out some of the authentic cuisine around the 'hood. Franklin Street on either side of Greenpoint has become a locally made shopping mecca recently. Head up and down the street to find clothing stores, knickknacks, or local book stores.
Restaurants: Pick a direction and go anywhere. The proliferation of great restaurants is no secret. A few suggestions for places we love: St. Anselm (get the hanger steak), Saltie, the Commodore (they meant for it to be a great bar with decent food, instead it's a decent bar with great food), Pies and Thighs, Egg (for brunch. Expect to wait), Cafe Mogador, the Meatball Shop, Roberta's (technically Bushwick, but whatever), Diner, Marlowe and Sons, Walter Foods, Fette Sau, Traif…or open up the food review section of the Times. Bars: Again, too many to name them all. A selection of the tried and true: Zablonski's, Hotel Delmano, The Gibson, the bars at the Wythe Hotel, the Counting Room, Brooklyn Winery, Noorman's Kil, St. Marzy's (good luck finding it), Post Office. Again, it is an embarrassment of riches. Coffee: Blue Bottle is a San Francisco import to Brooklyn, but it's caught on. Oslo and El Beit are pretty good bets too. Other: There are shops galore on Bedford Ave, especially around North 6th Street. From indie books stores, record stores, and vintage clothing boutiques, to high end fashion designs, the neighborhood doesn't leave one wanting for anything. Feel free to explore north and south, east and west. There's no shortage of interesting places in the neighborhood. Also, stop by the Whiskey Shop on North 11th and talk to Ben's friend Jonathan. Even if you don't like whiskey, he'll find something you'll like. Brooklyn Bowl is a mecca of fun, food and beer. Attached to the Brooklyn Brewery, you can bowl the day and night away while tasting beer straight out of the still. For a cheap, no frills version of the same thing, go around the corner to the Gutter on North 14th. Or just hang out in McCarren Park and watch pick up softball games, hipsters, and organized kickball leagues. If you're around Sunday, go to Smorgasburg/Brooklyn Flea on the waterfront for some great food and antique furniture, hand made crafts, and whatever else they're selling that day.
Restaurants: There are tons of restaurants along Vernon Blvd featuring all kinds of cuisine. However, if you're in the mood for an adventure, hop on the 7 train and head to the end of the line (Main Street in Flushing). Flushing features the best of literally every ethnic cuisine. Go anywhere. Or grab the M train to Elmhurst Ave, and head to Uncle Zhou's. Ben nearly buried his face in his hand-drawn noodle soup when he got it. It is THE best. Also, soup dumpling is pronounced "sho-lon-bo" (FYI). Bars: The best bar we've been to in all of Queens is Dutch Kills. Really great, smart cocktails in a lovely setting. Friendly bartenders add to a very comfortable atmosphere. Coffee: Sweetleaf Cafe. Other: MoMA PS1 is right beside the Court Square station. Also, take the ferry from Hunter's Point to 33rd Street in Manhattan, or down to Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO, and lower Manhattan.
The weekend of the wedding coincides with the Mayor's Classic, when the Mets play the Yankees. This season, they'll be at the Mets wonderful new stadium in Queens. If Ben didn't have slightly more important things to do, he'd be there. If baseball's not your thing, you should check out the expanded Highline in Manhattan's Meat Packing District/Chelsea neighborhoods. One of the great architectural triumphs of the last few decades, the Highline runs above 11th ave from 12th street up to 34th, while snaking through and around high rises. Of course, there's always the Met, MoMA, the New Museum, and Chelsea galleries. Or you can take in Frederick Law Olmstead's great Central Park, or his equally great Prospect Park.
