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Boerum Hill

Brooklyn Neighborhood Guide: Boerum Hill

Betty's Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

Residents of south Brooklyn love to talk about the “BoCoCa” neighborhood. Like all acronyms in in NYC, “BoCoCa” is made up of three ‘hoods that border on each other. You might have heard of the “Co” (Cobble Hill) and “Ca” (Carroll Gardens), but you might not have heard of the “Bo”, which stands for Boerum Hill. That will change today with our handy neighborhood guide.

Upper 90
This soccer store is loved by locals for more than just their large range of soccer shoes, apparel and other soccer-type items. Upper 90 has an indoor soccer field where they host lessons for kids, as well as open play for toddlers every weekday morning from 10-12 ($10).
359 Atlantic Ave

Betty Bakery
This is your sweet spot to pick up cupcakes, cookies and, in summer, strawberry lemonade. You can also try a slice of cake – we recommend the strawberry shortcake, with layers of vanilla cake, fresh whipped cream, and huge strawberries.
448 Atlantic Avenue

Nunu Chocolates
Handmade truffles and caramels await you at Nunu Chocolates. All chocolate is made in the store, so you know what you’re about to eat is literally freshly made. Grab a coffee, hot chocolate, croissant (and of course, a few truffles), and watch the chocolates being made in the back. Our faves: the salted caramels.
529 Atlantic Ave

Building on Bond
This hot eating spot is so hip it hurts. Locals stop by for coffee every morning, and brunch on weekends. As well as having delicious food, it’s reasonably priced (the brunch menu ranges from $6 to $12).
112 Bond St

Acorn
Stop by this toy store for a special gift. Acorn carries beautifully designed, handcrafted toys from around the world. You’ll find lots of wooden toys at Acorn, plus flying bird mobiles and nursery prints, including the Red Knit Cap Girl.
323 Atlantic Avenue

This article was first published on MommyNearest.

Where To Score The Tastiest Halloween Treats: Kid-Friendly Cafes, New York

#Halloween via brunchwithmybaby.com

As an Australian transplant, I’d never properly celebrated Halloween before moving to New York. My only Halloween experiences in Sydney consisted of one Halloween party (hosted by a Scottish friend) and yearly office celebrations when I worked at Google. Thus, I’m doing my best to catch up for lost time by eating as many Halloween-themed treats as possible. Here are a few of my fave spooky treats that are on current offer all around the city.

#Georgetown #Cupcake: #Halloween #Treats in #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

Georgetown Cupcake
Georgetown Cupcakes makes amazing cupcakes any time of year. Drop by this week for a spooky cupcake from their Halloween collection: Chocolate² cupcakes (with white ghost fondant decorations), vanilla cupcakes with orange-tinted vanilla buttercream frosting and black bat fondant decorations, Chocolate Spider Web cupcakes (baked with toffee) and vanilla cupcakes (baked with M&M’s with orange-tinted vanilla buttercream frosting and black bat fondants). $2.75 each.
Georgetown Cupcake: 111 Mercer Street (between Spring and Prince)

Jacques Torres: #Halloween #Treats in #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

Jacques Torres
The makers of exquisitely fine chocolates, Jacques Torres, do “seasonal” so well. This time of year is a great time to drop by for a molten Wicked hot chocolate and a Jacques “O” Lantern (made from dark or milk chocolate and hand decorated with white chocolate, $12). You can also pick up a delicious chocolate Haunted House, or spooky cat and chocolate-covered marshmallow peep pops.
Find your nearest Jacques Torres

Betty Bakery: #Halloween #Treats in #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

Betty Bakery
Betty is known for their uh-mazing cakes. At Halloween, not only can you pick up a scary cake, like the Splattered Frankenstein Cake ($65); you can also treat yourself to Magical Cupcakes ($2.95 each); cookies decorated with the likes of pumpkins, cats, and ghosts (small cookies, $20/lb), Halloween Petit Fours Glacé ($2.50 each) and Marzipan Witches ($8).
Betty Bakery: 448 Atlantic Ave (between Bond St and Nevins St), Brooklyn

Crumbs: #Halloween #Treats in #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

Crumbs Bakery
Crumbs are well-known for their decadent and (massive!) cupcakes. Get your scare on this week with their Halloween Collection, which includes Candy Corn, Jack O’Lantern, Orange Squiggle,”Boo”kies & Cream, Monster Mash Up and Ghastly Ghost (vanilla cake filled with chocolate fudge and topped with van. cream cheese frosting). 6 cupcakes for $27 (they’re also available individually).
Find your nearest Crumbs.

Monteleone: #Halloween Treats in #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

Monteleone’s Bakery
This little Carroll Gardens bakery has some crazy Halloween cakes for sale. Freak out friends, family and co-workers by breaking out a monster cake after dinner this week. Pick up some old school Italian treats inside, any time of year.
Monteleone’s Bakery: 355 Court St, Brooklyn

Nunu Chocolate: #Halloween Treats in #NYC brunchwithmybaby.com

Nunu Chocolate
This little shop in Boerum Hill is a haven for people seeking fine chocolate. During Halloween you can score a Jack-O’-Lollie for $2, in addition to their daily superb range of treats.
Nunu Chocolate: 529 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn

Spring Cupcakes At La Patisserie: Kid-friendly Cafes, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Most weekends we drop by La Patisserie for a quick croissant or omelette. This morning, I spotted these new cupcakes, looking adorably sweet and spring-ready (even if the weather outside isn’t quite so pretty right now!). Check them out if you’re around this area of Brooklyn over the weekend.

La Patisserie Boerum Hill
Chocolate mousse cupcakes.
La Patisserie Boerum Hill
Raspberry cupcakes

Highchairs: Yes, there is one highchair.
Stroller storage: There is room if they fit through the narrow front door. Think Bugaboo Bee or smaller.
Easy access: Yes. One or two easy steps.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

La Patisserie
411 Atlantic Ave
(between Nevins St & Bond St)
Brooklyn, NY
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm

Get directions.

Get Easter Treats at Betty Bakery; Kid-friendly Cafes Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, NY

We dropped by our local bakery, Betty’s, this morning to pick up some delicious Easter snacks. If you’re like us, you enjoy eating your way through Easter. Yum! Happy Easter everyone!

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Marzipan Bunnies – Betty’s Bakery, Boerum HIll
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Easter cake and cookies – Betty’s Bakery, Boerum Hill.
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Easter Cookies – Betty’s Bakery, Boerum Hill.
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Petits Fours – Betty’s Bakery, Boerum Hill.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No. There is space for a few strollers in the store however – we’ve fit three at once and still had room for other customers.
Easy access: No. There is only one step, but it’s a narrow door frame and tricky to manoeuvre the stroller in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Betty Bakery
448 Atlantic Ave,
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 246 2402
Hours: Tues-Thurs 7:30am-7pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays.

Get directions.

Betty Bakery on Urbanspoon

Bacchus Le Cafe; Kid-friendly Places To Eat Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, NY

Sunday morning, breakfast date with friends. It’s still fiendishly cold, so we head around the corner to our local patisserie for a simple, fast breakfast before the kids need naps.

Sweet, very French, interior – La Patisserie, Boerum Hill, New York.

The counter is piled high with freshly-baked goods. Croissants, pain au chocolate, pains aux raisins … the smell is unbelievable.

Complimentary sweet treats for the babies.

The service is fast and super-friendly. They were so welcoming to us, crazy toddlers and all.

The food is great – fresh omelettes packed with spinach and tomato, flaky crossants with layers of ham. The kids shovel as much of the food into their mouths as they can, unable to believe their good luck at getting so many treats on this cold morning.

Freshly-baked madeleines.

I took a madeleine to go for the Cheese – and when I tasted it later I wished I’d bought more. It was so insanely good that I went back a few hours later, just for a few more madeleines.

This casual little cafe is absolutely going to be our weekend place to stop by and grab fast and delish food, either to eat in or to grab a pastry on the run. It’s hard to find a decent crossant in New York – but this little cafe really delivers. The pain au chocolate I tried was light and soft, flaky but not hard.

A sign on the counter displayed their free wifi password, so this cafe could also be great as a working location – if you can resist gorging yourself on the pastries, that is.

We had such a pleasant and delicious morning, that we will most certainly be back for more.

Where do you head when you’re in the mood for a croissant?

Highchairs: Yes, there is one highchair.
Stroller storage: There is room if they fit through the narrow front door. Think Bugaboo Bee or smaller.
Easy access: Yes. One or two easy steps.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Bacchus Le Cafe
411 Atlantic Ave
(between Nevins St & Bond St)
Brooklyn, NY
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm
Get directions.

Bacchus - Le Café on Urbanspoon

Betty Bakery; Kid-friendly Bakeries and Cafes, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, New York

Betty Bakery is the place to stop in Boerum Hill when your sweet tooth is getting the better of you. The bakery was opened in 2006, by renowned cake designers Cheryl Kleinman and Ellen Baumwoll. A touch retro, a touch modern, it’s the go-to place n the neighbourhood for cupcakes, custom cakes, cookies and hot chocolate.

Betty Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
Kids hoping for snacks. Betty Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

What to try: In summer, you absolutely have to have their strawberry lemonade. They also do a strawberry lemonade cupcake that will delight your tastebuds. In winter, get a hot chocolate and mini palmier to go – or perch on a stool in the bakery and take cover from the nasty elements outside.

Mini palmiers. Betty’s Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

Betty’s loves to celebrate special occasions and seasons, so it’s the perfect place to drop in and pick up last-minute Easter and passover treats.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No. There is space for a few strollers in the store however – we’ve fit three at once and still had room for other customers.
Easy access: No. There is only one step, but it’s a narrow door frame and tricky to manoeuvre the stroller in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Betty Bakery
448 Atlantic Ave,
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 246 2402
Prices: $$
Hours: Tues-Thurs 7:30am-7pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays.
Get directions.

Betty Bakery on Urbanspoon

Rucola; Kid-friendly Restaurants, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, New York

This little neighbourhood joint is a hot spot for brunch on weekends. We turned up one chilly morning before Christmas with a group of 6 adults and the Cheese and were told it would be a 15 minute wait. So we waited. And waited. And waited some more. 45 minutes later, it turned out that there was a table who had finished up over half an hour ago but wouldn’t leave (don’t you HATE that?! Especially at peak eating times?!).

So by the time we sad down we were all hungry, freezing cold, and not in the best mood. And that was just the adults. Cheese had already run through her tolerance for boring adult outings and was ready to run around like a crazy turkey.

Festive exterior.
Cosy inside – lots of families.

Rucola has a great little menu, and a really lovely, cosy ambiance. Lots of families were crowded inside, with plenty of other kids also loosing their brains at the dining tables. After our long wait for a table, we were left waiting for service too – it maded me want to grab a waiter and say, “Hello, sir, see this angry baby? It’s in both of our best interests to get us eating and out of here as quickly as possible”.

Waiting for food. Thank God for the iPhone.

Just before the food arrived I noticed that had high chairs tucked behind the bar and requested one. I’m not sure why they weren’t offered on arrival.

The food when it arrived was really delicious. I had the Nutella French toast and it was divine. We ordered Cheese her own “small side of scrambled eggs”. It came out with enough egg to feet two adults. I was amazed to see Cheese hoeing into it with gusto – until I noticed that over 50% of it had ended up on the floor…

The food. Really good!
“Baby-sized” serving of scrambled eggs.

Highchairs: Yes – remember to request it.
Stroller storage: Yes but minimal. Bring an umbrella stroller.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No, but there are kid-friendly options and they’ll make special items on request.

Rucola
190 Dean Street,
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 576 3209
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am–12am Sat-Sun 10am–12am
Get directions.

Rucola on Urbanspoon

Building On Bond: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Boerum Hill, New York

A total hipster hangout – with delish, reasonably-priced food? It’s true, it does exist. Quarters are a little tight indoors, but still workable with a stroller or highchair. The food is stellar – our budding gourmet loved the egg scramble with mushroom, gruyere and broccoli. You can also order easy add-ons like a cup of yoghurt or side of toast for babies on solids.

Giant side of yoghurt = happy baby.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – and you can park your stroller at the table if you prefer.
Easy access: Yes (one step to get in).
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Building On Bond
112 Bond Street (at Pacific st),
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (347) 853 8687
Prices: $$
Hours:
Mon-Thu 12–4pm, 5–10pm
Fri 12–4pm, 5–11pm
Sat 11am–3pm, 5–11pm
Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Get directions.

Building on Bond on Urbanspoon

Additional image thanks to Yelp.

The Sweet Little Cafe: Crepes and Coffee, Brooklyn, New York

Sweet Little Cafe

The Sweet Little Cafe recently re-opened with new management. It’s a cute little cafe that serves crepes, sandwiches, pastries and coffee. While the food is good, it’s sadly not baby-friendly in the least. Housed in a very small space, there are few tables, definitely no room for strollers, and the wait on the crepes has been an hour each of the two times that we have dropped by. Stop by with older kids only!

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes (One step).
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

The Sweet Little Cafe
73 Hoyt St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 858 8998
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm Sun 10am-3pm
Get directions.

The Little Sweet Cafe on Urbanspoon

Image thanks to Yelp.