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DUMBO

NYC Neighborhood Guide: DUMBO

September 7, 2014 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 1 Comment

Take a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge into Dumbo, to enjoy cobblestones, carousels and cake.

Not to be missed: Jane’s Carousel
Built in 1922, the carousel has been recently restored and is now an iconic part of the Dumbo waterfront. Open year-round, taking a ride is a must-do for every visitor to NYC.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dock St, Brooklyn, NY

Best cake: One Girl Cookies
This delicious cafe serves the cookies they are named for, plus whoopie pies and their famous layer cakes. Ask for a slice of the daily cake (anything with dulce de leche is particularly delicious).
33 Main St, Brooklyn, NY

Best slice: Juliana’s Pizza
Skip the lines at Grimaldi’s next door and instead sit down for piping hot mozzarella courtesy of the Grimaldi family. You read that right, the Grimaldi family own and run this pizzeria.
19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY

Best grab-and-go: Little Muenster
Delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. Take one and eat it in nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park.
145 Front St, Brooklyn, NY

Best way to run out the energy: Brooklyn Bridge Park
This 85-acre park stretches along the waterfront, filled with cycling paths, playgrounds, bbqs and breathtaking views of Manhattan.

Best kids’ clothes: Egg Baby
Drop by this cute boutique for some adorable outfits designed by Susan Lazar.
72 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY

Best kids’ store: Half Pint Citizens
Focusing on innovative and environmentally-friendly toys and gear for kids.
41 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY

Best croissant: Almondine
Almondine has recently re-opened after being destroyed in the 2012 Hurricane. They are the go-to spot for croissants and French pastries in Brooklyn. 85 Water St, Brooklyn, NY

Best hot chocolate: Jacques Torres
The hot chocolate at Jacques Torres is like liquid gold. Heavy, rich and decadent.
66 Water St, Brooklyn, NY

This article first appeared on MommyNearest.

Shake Shack Opens in DUMBO

June 17, 2014 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

There’s a new Shake Shack in town! Brooklynites rejoice, you can now grab a burger, fries, shake and concrete from the new DUMBO Shake Shack.

The newest Shake Shack opened today, featuring free wifi, a baby change table, and gorgeous handmade furniture by a local furniture maker (who is also a friend of ours!) Mark Jupiter. Look closely at the tables and lounge furniture – they’re made from factory beams salvaged from old buildings in DUMBO.

The menu features two new concretes specific to the DUMBO location:

The “Brooklyn Pie Oh My,” which is made from a slice of Four & Twenty Blackbirds pie blended with vanilla frozen custard. We’re told that the pie flavors will change, with the first one being strawberry-balsamic.
The “Caramel Carousel” concrete is based on nearby Jane’s Carousel, and is made with vanilla frozen custard mixed with banana, sugar cone pieces, caramel sauce, and sea salt.

The DUMBO Shack has partnered with Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue, a non-profit network of volunteers that rescues, rehabilitates and finds homes for adoptable dogs from high kill shelters in the rural south. Five percent of sales from the Caramel Carousel concrete supports Badass Brooklyn. Isn’t that alone a reason to try the new concrete?

Thanks to Lindsey Turner for her pics of Shake Shack’s opening day! Will you be going to the new location too?

Shake Shack
1 Old Fulton Street at the corner of Water Street
Dumbo New York
Get Directions

Juliana’s Pizza, Brought To You By The Grimaldis: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, DUMBO, New York

December 14, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 1 Comment

There are always famous food institutions that you think you should try when you visit a city. People walk over the Brooklyn Bridge just to try one such spot: Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in DUMBO. It’s impossible to walk past the restaurant without stumbling over the queue of people waiting patiently for their slice of famous pie. I get it, I love trying food that I’ve been told is great — but I really, really, really hate lining up for it.

So the secret I’m letting you in on here is huge: Right next to Grimaldi’s is a little pizzeria with a red awning called Juliana’s Pizza. It’s run by the actual Grimaldi family — the ones who started, and then sold, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Yes, let that all sink in for a minute, and then ponder, like we always do, how they ended up situated next to each other in DUMBO.

Juliana’s is owned by Patsy & Carol Grimaldi. They sold Grimaldi’s Pizzeria over a decade ago to a customer, but it seems that their passion for pizza never quit, as they partnered with a long-time collaborator to open Juliana’s. The Grimaldis wanted to create a neighborhood pizzeria, preparing and serving pies the way Patsy had for generations. Their new endeavor, Juliana’s, was named in honor of Pat’s mother, Maria ‘Juliana’ Lancieri, and has found its home in the Fulton Ferry Historic District, in the building that was once home to Grimaldi’s.

Juliana’s is usually busy and tightly packed, making it hard to move around with a little one. It does however mean that they have lots of tables constantly turning over and makes it easy to get a table on weekdays. if you’re visiting on weekends, be prepared to wait. Call ahead and put your name down, but make sure your party is all there or they won’t let you sit down.

We don’t usually let Cheese have juice since it makes her totally hyper, but we relented this time because we were dining with friends whose kids were having juice, and Cheese was desperate for juice too. We totally regretted it about an hour later when she was high as a kite, but sometimes it’s worth it to keep the peace at the table.

We ordered a simple large classic Margherita ($19). Tomato, mozzarella and basil — the only ingredients needed for the perfect pizza. Juliana’s produces a flavorful, thin crusted pizza, topped with locally and internationally-sourced toppings, and cooked inside a hand-built, coal-stoked hearth. Locals know that Juliana’s is a source for great pizza, and are known to pick up pizza and drive it home, not letting the fact that they don’t deliver stop them from getting their hit of tasty mozzarella and crispy dough.

Looking for somewhere nearby to play? In colder weather, let little ones run around (indoors) at Jane’s Carousel. If it’s warm enough for playgrounds, take your pick between the toddler playground at Pier 1 and the Main Street pirate ship playground in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Last Bite: An alternative to the long lines of tourist-destination Grimaldis; with reasonably priced, delicious pizza that hits the spot.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Not in the restaurant if it’s busy (especially on weekends). Be prepared to leave your stroller outside.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Juliana’s Pizza
19 Old Fulton St,
New York, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 596 6700
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10:30pm Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm
Get directions

AlMar: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, DUMBO, New York

November 5, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

In the heart of DUMBO lies Front Street—which is somewhat confusingly located a few streets back from the waterfront. (Ditto for Water Street, which is not on the water, but that’s another story). Most eateries, bars and shops are either on or near this main artery, making it a good way to get in brunch, candy, and a drink at a bar all without leaving a single block radius.

When we had woken up on that particular day, rain was pelting down outside, so we chose the restaurant AlMar mainly because of its location (we knew we could get there via the handy F line, without getting too drenched.) We were also interested in checking out a dish there that I’d read about: the dreamy-sounding Egg In A Cloud dish (baked egg yolk floating on whipped egg whites, fontina cheese, smoked ham, toasted brioche, served with sauteed spinach, $12).

Our beginning was not auspicious. The hostess sat us down without menus, so no one came to serve us. After grabbing a nearby staff member, I managed to procure the menus, but things were not off to a good beginning. As an FYI to restaurants—rule number one when people come in with a baby or toddler is to help them get in and out as fast as possible! This makes for happy families and happy diners surrounding those families.

Once we had the menu situation sorted out, our server became aware of us, and things ran much more smoothly. We ordered the aforementioned Egg In A Cloud for my husband (the omnivore), and the Egg Toast ($12 —baked egg over melted fontina cheese, toasted brioche, truffle oil and asparagus) for me. We weren’t sure if Cheese would eat off either of our plates since she wasn’t feeling the best that day, so we ordered her her own, especially made, single pancake, since there wasn’t a kids menu. They were also happy to make something like a single scrambled egg for her if we wanted.

Our served warned us that our dishes would take 10 minutes to cook, which I thought was very thoughtful of him. We entertained Cheese with our trusty iPhones and the sugar bowl while we waited.

The Egg In A Cloud did not disappoint visually. It’s a spectacular-looking dish, with a big fluffy “cloud” of egg-white literally on top of the toast. My husband said it was “pretty good”, which is his standard response to food. When pressed further on what could make it “outstanding”, he replied that the brioche was a bit overcooked, so it overpowered the delicate egg-whites. So detailed. Thanks, Husband!

My Egg Toast looked a much simpler affair, and was absolutely delicious. Perfectly baked egg, loads of melty cheese (yes, I know, a heart attack waiting to happen); and a huge amount of my favorite vegetable, white asparagus, perfectly blanched, in a ring around the plate.

In typical form, Cheese wanted nothing to do with her pancake (which, thoughtfully was garnished with blueberries, syrup and a butter wedge), and instead wanted my cheese and egg on toast. That’s my girl!

Other tips: AlMar can get quite busy, so reservations are recommended (via phone). They’re a cash-only establishment, so visit the Chase ATM across the street on the way if you arrive without real money in your wallet.

Last bite: AlMar is a handy Italian eatery, serving up a solid brunch menu. High ceilings and plenty of space make you feel like you’ve briefly left New York.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes, but it’s outside.
Easy access: No. There are a few steep steps to get in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

AlMar
111 Front St.
Brooklyn,NY 11201
Prices: $$
Phone: (718) 855-5288
Hours: Mon-Thur 8am-10:30pm; Fri 8am-11pm; Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 10am-5pm
Get directions

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

October 28, 2013 / Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, Manhattan Munchies, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

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
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
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
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 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’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
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

No. 7 Sub: Kid-Friendly Cafes, DUMBO, New York

August 22, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

With toddler Cheese now refusing to sit in restaurants, we’re doing a lot of “grab and go” lunches to keep everyone happy. One of our favourite things to do on weekends is to walk on down to DUMBO and spend an afternoon chasing Cheese around the playgrounds, taking a spin on Jane’s Carousel, and eating — usually at the same time as running …

Sandwich experts No. 7 Sub opened up over Memorial Day in the Smokestack Building on Water Street. The location is perfect — directly in between the Pier 1 toddler playground and ferry terminal, and Jane’s Carousel and the Pier 1 pirate playground. It’s also a great option for Sundays when you attempt to go to Smorgasburg and are scared off by the massive queues.

Behind the Smokestack Building is extra seating — yes, in the shade! If you can actually take advantage of seating, it’s the perfect place to take a break and enjoy your sandwich.

I chose one of the staple sandwiches, the Broccoli Classic (Lychee Muchim, Ricotta Salata, Pine Nuts, Mayo). At $9 it’s a pricey sandwich, but it’s also big and filling. The combination of broccoli, ricotta and nuts is delicious. I wasn’t a big fan of the lychee muchim (pickled lychees). They had a bit too much of a kick of chilli for my taste. Next time I would probably order a build-your-own sub, which is perfect for picky eaters like me.

Sandwiches made from scratch, so be prepared to wait 10-15 mins for your creation. If you have an energetic toddler like we do, take your sandwich to one of the nearby playgrounds to enjoy it while your kid runs around.

Last bite: A great grab-and-go option for lunch (and now breakfast!) in DUMBO. Freshly-made sandwiches are a delicious option when you want good food, fast. Cafe seating is available if you have time to sit with your family.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

No. 7 Sub
11 Water St,
Brooklyn, NY
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily, 11am-8pm

Get directions.

Smorgasburg DUMBO: Kid-friendly Places To Eat, New York

April 16, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 4 Comments

Spring in New York means many things. The end to hibernating indoors, cherry blossoms in Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and the return of outdoor food fairs. Smorgasburg just reopened again in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and we joined the crowds to soak up sun and food from some great local vendors.

The location is amazing. Seriously, how can you beat a food fair situated right under Brooklyn Bridge, on the waterfront, with Manhattan in the distance? You just can’t, so for the most scenic food fair in New York, Smorgasburg wins every single time.

Our favourite vendor at Smorgasburg is Dough, the makers of possibly the most delicious doughnuts I’ve ever eaten in my life. They go fast and usually have a huge queue – but they restock during the day, so doughnut-lovers need not go without their precious Dough.

Other vendors for Smorgasburg DUMBO and Williamsburg are listed together on their website, so you can check in advance if there are things that you and your kids like to eat. They have a huge variety, including basic things pizza, grilled cheese, fries and shakes, so fussy kids and mini foodies are both catered for.

On opening weekend, the crowds were huge and lines were long. Our advice – get there early (it opens at 12pm).

Smorgasburg is right on the waterfront, next to Jane’s Carousel, a picnic area with tables and chairs, as well as a huge grassed area. Nearby are also playgrounds for toddlers and big kids. Bring a ball for the kids to kick around, or a mini stroller if your toddler loves to push things like ours does, and you’ve got a perfect day for the whole family – as long as the weather holds!

Last bite: Great choice for meeting a group of friends or enjoying a day in the sun. Great variety of food – lines can be long, so arrive early.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: It’s open air, so bring your jumbo stroller if you like.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Smorgasburg DUMBO
Tobacco Warehouse
30 Water St DUMBO, Brooklyn
Hours: Sun 11am-6pm, rain or shine.

Brooklyn Roasting Company: Kid-friendly Restaurants & Cafes in DUMBO

April 11, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

Down an industrial alley near the Brooklyn waterfront, there’s a secret locals like to keep. The Brooklyn Roasting Company is hidden inside a non-descript doorway, a place for DUMBO residents to relax, meet with friends, and indulge in some good coffee. Amazingly, such a hipster haven is actually a really kid-friendly cafe.

While it looks small from the outside, the interior is surprisingly roomy, and we’ve had no problem fitting three jumbo strollers inside.

Brooklyn Roasting is really all about coffee, but they also do food, like baguettes with fillings like mozzarella, pesto and sun-dried tomato, and sweet treats like palmiers, Dough donuts and artisan pop tarts.

If it’s a warm day, grab your coffee and snack and walk down the street to Brooklyn Bridge Park to soak up the sun, or take a pony ride at Jane’s Carousel.

Last bite: Your best bet in DUMBO for decent coffee. Drop in for light food, or to take refuge on a super hot/cold day.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: No. There are a few steep steps to get in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Brooklyn Roasting Company
62 Water St,
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 875 1269
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm Sun 10am-6pm

Get directions.

Little Muenster and a Pony Ride; Kid-friendly Things To Do, DUMBO

March 29, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, Cheese, DUMBO, New York, New York Food / 5 Comments

I’ve been known to travel all over the city in search of the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. There’s just something about crisp bread and melted cheese that makes my day. On the hunt for more local grilled cheese makers, we checked out Little Muenster in DUMBO – a teeny, tiny little storefront with a few stools at a bar, right next to the register and kitchen area.

Whiteboard menu on the footpath, Little Muenster, DUMBO.

Tiny storefront – Little Muenster, DUMBO.

While Little Muenster pride themselves on making “super fancy grilled cheese”, I ordered a classic, plain ol’ white cheese on white bread, with a side of tomato soup. It arrived quickly in takeaway containers – if it was nicer weather, it would have been perfect to eat at the nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park. Instead, we perched on the stools and enjoyed our lunch.

Classic grilled cheese and tomato soup – Little Muenster, DUMBO.

Kids love a good (or even bad!) grilled cheese – fact. Missy Cheese polished off half of mine and wanted more. An added benefit of the tiny store is being able to talk to the staff as they cook your grilled cheeses – they also highly enjoyed watching our Cheese inhale her sandwich.

Grilled cheese thief – Little Muenster, DUMBO.

Afterwards, we took a stroll through DUMBO, checking out the new Heartwalk installation at the Pearl Street Triangle. The massive 30-foot art installation was made from Hurricane Sandy-salvaged wood by Situ Studio, a 20 Jay Street-based design studio. You can check it out until April 30.

It’s pretty impossible for us to visit DUMBO without a ride on Jane’s Carousel. Cheese yells out “neigh!” when she sees a horse, so we can’t walk past without taking her for a ride. It’s worth noting that living in Brooklyn, Cheese’s exposure has to horses has been limited to carousels and rocking horses, so she may have a heart attack when she sees a real one in the flesh. A spin on the carousel will cost you two bucks. Well worth the small change for the amazing view of Manhattan alone.

Little Muenster
Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

145 Front St (between Pearl St & Jay St)
DUMBO, New York
Phone: (646) 499 4331
Hours: Tue-Thur 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12am-8pm

Get directions.

The Best Desserts In DUMBO, New York

March 25, 2013 / Brooklyn Bites, DUMBO / 1 Comment

DUMBO (standing for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), is industrial neighbourhood on the verge of gentrification. Old factories have been gutted and turned into luxury condos, hipsters bars and restaurants like Superfine are popping up everywhere. DUMBO is also a haven for those with a major sweet tooth. Here are four places to hit up for an intense sugar hit.

Whoopie pies and spiky cupcakes, One Girl Cookie, DUMBO.

Best whoopie pie: One Girl Cookies
Lovers of cookies will find it hard to restrict themselves to just a few treats when stopping by One Girl Cookie’s DUMBO store (They also have a cosy cafe in Cobble Hill). What to try: Tiny, exquisite cookies give the store its name, but it’s the spiky cupcakes and whoopie pies that are the big drawcard for us. If you’ve never had a whoopie pie before (for the uninitiated, it’s two mounds of cake – usually either chocolate or pumpkin – with a cream cheese filling), get thee to One Girl Cookie now!

Little piggie. Whoopie pies at One Girl Cookie, DUMBO.

One Girl Cookies
33 Main St (corner of Water)
Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-7pm

Best croissants: Almondine
This beloved pastry-haven was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy last year. It reopened a few weeks ago and has been packed ever since with returning loyal customers, desperate for their favourite crossants. What to try: Almondine are well-known for their croissants, macarons and loaves of bread.

Almondine
85 Water St, Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Best candy in town – Dewey’s Candy Store, DUMBO.

Best candy: Dewey’s Candy Store
Venture into this store only if you’re ready for the smell of sugar and a desire to eat everything in sight. Dewey’s Candy Store is an adorable retro candy store that will make you feel like you’re in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Just don’t lick the wallpaper. What to try: Get a little clear bag and fill it with bits and pieces of everything. Our particular favourites are the cola bottle sours.

Dewey’s Candy Store
141 Front St, Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 12pm-7pm, Thur 12pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

Best chocolate hit – Jacques Torres, DUMBO.

Best chocolate hit: Jacques Torres
Whenever we need a major chocolate hit, there is no place in the neighbourhood like Jacques Torres for really good chocolate. They currently have a huge range of Easter treats like bunnies, chickens and traditional Easter eggs, as well as their usual supply of delicate chocolate bonbons, pastries and chocolate-covered nuts and pretzels. What to try: We’d say one of everything, but if you can’t handle that much sugar, the must-haves are the hot chocolate (think pure chocolate melted in a cup) and the chocolate-covered almonds.

Jacques Torres
66 Water Street, Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm

What are your favourite places to go for sweet treats in your neighbourhood?