53 Boerum

When that summons comes in the mail, the first thing that usually comes to mind is, “@#%$!” But when you live at 53BP, jury duty really ain’t so bad, especially when the courts are a convenient 3-minute walk away! Last week, I was summoned and selected for a panel. My case was scheduled to go to court today, but after hours of waiting we were informed the parties had settled and we could go home. I was kinda looking forward to getting into that Law & Order vibe. Oh well.

Should you be summoned to Brooklyn Supreme Court, here are some tips to make the experience more enjoyable:

1. *There’s a lot of waiting. A lot.* Bring a book, magazines, newspaper, or video iPod, which I highly recommend. But make sure you charge that baby up good. Mine died halfway through the season one finale of LOST. That sucked.

2. *The juror’s lounge is more comfortable to sit in than the central jury room.* It has large windows that face out over Adams Street, and you’ll have a great birds-eye view of the construction on the new Marriott Tower. Get there early so you can score a seat facing the windows.

3. *You will be shown a video about what it means to be a juror. Try really hard not to laugh.* It starts out with some actors dressed as the colonial Americans, re-enacting the early judicial processes. I got a real giggle out of this, but nobody else seemed to. There’s also a segment with an 80’s-looking Diane Sawyer. Hot!

4. *You get one hour for lunch.* This is great opportunity to hit the Montague Street restaurants. I met my best friend, who is a lawyer, for lunch both days. We ate at Nanatori for Japanese, and Mr. Souvlaki for Greek. Try the excellent moussaka! Or, if you prefer, eat at home at 53BP - you’re only a 3-minute walk away!

5. *There’s an additional restroom near the empanelling area.* The juror’s lounge one gets really packed.

It’s too bad our case got dismissed because, honestly, I would have liked to see the process in action in the courtroom. I think it would have been fascinating… maybe in four years, I’ll get my turn.

Since moving to the neighborhood, the husband and I have become quite the brunch connoisseurs. He’s on the hunt for the perfect eggs benedict, and I’d like to find the tastiest french toast. Our journey has taken us to many fine dining locations around the area — here are some we like the best (in no particular order):

*Cafe on Clinton* - 268 Clinton Street
What we love best about this brunch spot is it’s wonderful feeling of “neighborhood.” Located on a pretty residential block right near Cobble Hill Park, it’s the only restaurant in sight. It’s warm, wooden decor and tin ceiling make it feel like home as soon as you enter. There’s also a cozy bar from which to order mimosas and bloody marys. In the summer, get there early and be lucky enough to score one of the two tables outside in their tiny (but tranquil) garden! The “cafe brunch,” which includes 3-courses, is an unbeatable deal for a little over $11. Everything we’ve tried here has been delicious!

*Robin Des Bois* - 195 Smith Street
Eclectic is the first word that comes to mind when we think of Robin Des Bois. Formerly an antique shop, this place is jam-packed with a lot of cool stuff. There’s a huge Virgin Mary statue juxtaposed with a Playboy pinball machine, countless signs and artwork, and all kinds of mysterious artifacts. It’s a fun place to bring visiting friends or family members, just don’t expect to be overly “wow-ed” by the food. …But the eye candy alone is worth the visit!

*Bacchus* - 409 Atlantic Ave
Bacchus is a little piece of Europe right here in Boerum Hill. The lovely and spacious outdoor garden seems to attract all of the European ex-pats who have settled down in the neighborhood. It’s fun to listen to people sitting around you speaking French — kind of makes you forget where you are. We love the omelette selection at Bacchus, as well as the friendly service.

*Bar Tabac* - 128 Smith Street
If you’ve already hit Bacchus, you have to try Bar Tabac. Another of the neighborhood’s french bistros, the best thing about this place is the sidewalk dining and charismatic band that plays outside in the summer. The food and wines are pretty good, too. Bar Tabac also a sponsor of Smith Street’s annual Bastille Day festivities — probably the one and only time you’ll eat your frites barefoot in the sand in Brooklyn.

Get out your gold card! According to this article in The Real Deal, downtown Brooklyn is poised for a major influx of retail stores. Faith Hope Consolo, chairwoman of the retail leasing and sales division at Prudential Douglas Elliman, says, “…Your Target opened a big store in Brooklyn. You’re going to have Best Buy. I think that Trader Joe’s is looking in Brooklyn. Whole Foods just took a location in downtown Brooklyn.” (The Whole Foods, by the way, will be on Willoughby Street). In addition to several emerging commerical developments around the borough, Ms. Consolo is also involved in marketing a 12,000-square-foot retail space on two levels at the base of the new tower of the Brooklyn Marriott.

As a result of this high demand, retail rents in the area are going sky-high, with some thoroughfares commanding Manhattan prices, particularly Montague and Fulton Streets. Bay Ridge has the highest rents at $200 a foot, closely followed by Brooklyn Heights at $150 a foot. Downtown Brooklyn comes in third at $125 a foot.

The glitz! The glamour! The Brooklynites!

In honor of our Boerum Hill neighbors, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams (Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress nominees for Brokeback Mountain), 53boerum.com will be hosting a live blog-cast of this year’s Academy Awards. We’ll be posting as the action happens… join in during the telecast to add your comments.

Good luck Heath and Michelle!

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11:28 pm: The montages have finally ended! Best Pic went to Crash. See ya next year!

7:10 pm: Heath and Michelle are now entering the red carpet zone! Heath looks classic in his black tux and Michelle is wearing a golden yellow gown, not sure if I like it yet. I need a better look. They gave a shout-out to Baby Matilda, awww, who they say is “back home” - maybe in Brooklyn?

Heidi Klum says: in the world of fashion, you’re either in, or you’re out.

But all the designer excitement will no longer be limited to the tents at Bryant Park. According to the Daily News, this spring Brooklyn is getting it’s own Fashion Week: “The three-day event, to be held in a former DUMBO tobacco warehouse May 5-7, will feature roughly 30 designers, including ‘Project Runway’ star Zulema and designer-to-the-stars Nana Boateng.” With the iconic backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge, the event will include a traditional runway and smaller salon-style showing for up-and-coming designers. Fashionistas unite!

I seriously couldn’t believe it when I found this website. Wild parrots living in… Brooklyn? Fuhgeddaboutit.

…But yes, it’s true! According to BrooklynParrots.com there are colonies of monk parakeets (also known as quaker parrots) living all over Brooklyn, concentrated especially at Brooklyn College and the Greenwood Cemetery. This type of bird originates from Argentina, and nobody quite knows exactly how these little guys wound up in our borough. This Animal Planet video gives a fascinating look at our feathered friends, and how they have survived the city streets and flourished throughout the years. It’s definitely worth the watch.

Check out BrooklynParrots.com for more information and adorable photos, especially the one of a bird looking content while eating some Brooklyn pizza!

Photos by Steve Baldwin

If you don’t know Brownstoner, you’ve been living under a Brooklyn real estate rock!

As a long-time reader of the popular blog, I was excited to attend tonight’s presentation at Design Within Reach on Montague Street. Jon Brownstoner abandoned his blog for the evening to share with us the highs and lows of the Clinton Hill brownstone renovation he’s been meticulously documenting on his site for the past 15 months. Through before-and-after photographs and humorous anecdotes, Brownstoner (and his lovely wife, Mrs. B) took us through the year-long process and shared valuable information and tips, like some good places to find salvage and surplus building materials.

I didn’t get to say hello to Brownstoner after the presentation (boo!) but send out a big “congrats” to him and Mrs. B on a beautiful home, from all their friends at 53BP!

A view of the storm from 53BP on Sunday morning…

19 Cranberry Street, the house featured in the movie ‘Moonstruck,’ (c’mon, we know you loved Cher in that…) has been put on the market, reports Brownstoner. This 4,160 square foot piece of movie history can be yours for a mere $5,000,000. The infamous Bob Mackie ensemble that Cher wore to the Academy Awards that year is not included. Check out the listing here.

What the heck is the Idiotarod? According to the site, “The Iditarod is the famous long-distance race in which yelping dogs tow a sled across Alaska. Our Idiotarod is pretty much the same thing, except that instead of dogs, it’s people, instead of sleds, it’s shopping carts, and instead of Alaska it’s New York City. The third annual event happens January 28, 2006. It will start in Brooklyn, run into Manhattan, and end approximately five miles later. Teams of five will race for a cash prize. And glory.”

The site links to some hilarious photos of past Idiotarod events, and the wacky costumes and shopping cart designs some clever New Yorkers came up with. Matthew and I will definitely be heading to the starting line at Fulton Ferry Landing to cheer on this year’s racers. Anybody up for putting together a 53BP team?

For more information, check out the Idiotarod site.