It was a long time coming, but the past week’s snowfall seems to indicate that winter is finally upon us! To fully equip you for the season, we spoke with eight local businesses to get their Greenpoint winter survival tips and favorite local haunts for the cold days ahead of us, and this is the first one in our series. I’m feeling better already.
WELLNESS: MAHA ROSE | 97 Green Street Gabrielle Gray, Studio Manager
Greenpointers: What tweaks should we make to our routines in the winter months?
Gabrielle Gray: One of my favorite things about the winter is that naturally we just go within. The weather is so terrible that you want to hibernate a little bit and we want to quieten down and we want to get cozy. That instinct I think is natural and we can all honor that a little more. New York City is such a go city, but allow yourself to relax a little bit more. That’s what the weather is calling for.Continue reading →
This month is definitely going to be a lot more pleasant—and less harsh—than all the changes September brought. Until the 22nd, the sun will be in the sign of peace, love, and harmony—giving us all those fun, romantic vibes. Mercury and Jupiter will be visiting Libra, putting love on everyone’s minds. Love wins when Libra is in the house. Then the sun moves into Scorpio on the 22nd, making everything much more intense.
A powerful supermoon emerges into Libra on October 16—giving us romantic energy and partnership vines, and then there is a new moon in Scorpio on the 30th, giving us spooky and ethereal vibes. This will definitely make for a rather interesting and mystical Halloween—be on the look out for anything unusual.
♎ LIBRA ♎
This is your month, Libra—at least for most of it until the 22nd. You are in your element, which means you should go bold. Everyone is attracted to you this month—and it’s largely due to your confidence and charm—you feel independent and in control, and that’s attractive to others. Venus in your money zone until the 18th, which means you should expect some extra cash this month—whether it’s from freelance or an unexpected birthday gift. However, also keep in mind that the full moon on the 16th is in your relationship house—making you commit to a partnership—which could be romantic and/or financial.
Be mindful of tensions at home, whether with a roommate, partner, or family member. Be diplomatic—which is a strength of yours. The new moon on the 30th also indicates a time for your job to become a focus on your mind—especially if you want a promotion.
Suggestion: Buy a pumpkin at The Garden (921 Manhattan Ave.) & carve it into something adorable and/or scary—like a ghost cat.
♏ SCORPIO ♏
You are absolutely dazzling this month—your sultry nature is magnetizing. Until the 18th, Venus is in your sign, making you feel extra passionate. Then, on the 22nd, the sun will land in your sign, making you focus on your goals and passions—this is your time to be ambitious and put yourself out there. This month is also a time for you to heal and rest, as the sun will go through Libra and your 12th house of subconscious healing. This calls for you to work through any emotional issues with have with yourself and others, and attempt to fix them. Otherwise, these problems, like relationship insecurities, will only keep popping up. This is also a time to end toxic relationships, jobs, and other aspects of your life holding you back.
This month will also prove to be busy in your social life, which is a good thing even if you feel tired, since you need all the support from your friends that you can get.
Suggestion: Buy a banging new record—or an old favorite like T.Rex’s “Electric Warrior” at Rough Trade (64 N 9th Street)—and throw a dance party.
♐ SAGITTARIUS ♐
You are a social butterfly this month. Everyone in your life is looking to you for fun and support—and luckily for you, you’re good at both of these things. You want to be there for everyone, but make sure to schedule in enough relaxation time so your work isn’t affected by everything you’re doing. Mars lands in Capricorn, which is your income zone all month, which means you’ll be busy with your career—whether that means you took on more work or are trying to get your name out there more. Venus moves into Saturn and align in Sagittarius on the 29th, which means good news on the job front is on the way.
Venus comes into your 12th house until the 18th and you’ll rock the rose-colored glasses—which means you’re about to get more attention—and it’s not always attention you want though. Let yourself have freedom, but also don’t get overwhelmed by everything. The new moon on the 30th will remind you of the importance of boundaries and saying no—because a burned out Sag is a sad Sag.
Suggestion: Get a “Hey Ladies” cocktail over at Hail Mary (68 Greenpoint Ave.) and have a spooky date with someone special.
♑ CAPRICORN ♑
You’re on this month, to say the least. Until the 22nd, the sun moves alongside Jupiter, putting you in your ambitious zone. Since Mars is sailing through Capricorn all month, this only intensifies how determined you are when it comes to your career. Beware of keeping a healthy work-life balance, though. Be sure to plan a few social events in the beginning of the month to keep you balanced. Venus is visiting you until the 18th, indicating you feel a little restless in your romantic life. Keep your options open if you can. If you have a partner, make sure to do new things and have a separate life, in order to keep the mystery alive. On the 29th, Saturn meets with Venus, making it a very romantic night.
Suggestion: Get a lobster roll and a drink at Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. (114 Nassau Ave.) as a way to keep the summer alive.
♒ AQUARIUS ♒
This is a month for you to open up to others and focus on your relationships. The sun joins Jupiter in Libra and your ninth house of honesty until October 22. You want everything to feel real, which is partially why you also are hit with the travel bug this month—you want to explore. That being said, Venus is in your career house until the 18th, meaning that you have obligations you need to be present for.
The sun will be in Scorpio for a month on the 22nd, which makes your professional life a priority for you. The Scorpio new moon on the 30th could bring brings a huge development for you—and it’s a good one. Make sure to keep your stress levels at bay, since you’re clearly working overtime. This is not a time for you to not be on you’re A-game.
Suggestion: Check out the smoked salmon benedict for brunch over at Anella (222 Franklin St.) with your BFF.
♓ PISCES ♓
This month is all about the deeper meaning for you. The sun joins Jupiter in your esoteric house until the 22nd, which are also joined by Mercury from the 7th on. Basically, you’re really going to get to know the people around you this month, and you’ll be forming new bonds with people—or getting closer to those you already know. Keep in mind, however, not to get codependent with someone. It’s easy to do so, but never healthy. Your career is about to get revamped on the new moon on the 16th as Aries is in your house of income. All of your hard work be coming to fruition. That being said, be careful with those around you at work, you don’t want to be ruthless.
Suggestion: Time to get mussels for lunch and catch up with a friend over at Esme (999 Manhattan Ave.). Great for a rainy day.
♈ ARIES ♈
October is super relationship-focused for you, to the point that you may be totally lost in your relationship. Your partnership is growing into something special and exclusive, especially since the sun moves on to Scorpio on the 22nd. Love is definitely in the air for you, whether you’re with someone new or old. However, you still need to focus on your job and career, especially as Mars is drifting through Capricorn, which is your 10th house of success all month. Aim high—because if you don’t, you won’t get what you want. Your hard work will pay off at the new moon on the 16th—there will be a change for you coming on the 29th, both in your home life and career.
Suggestion: Get a group together and eat order a pizza at Adelina’s (159 Greenpoint Ave.)—maybe after an unofficial workshop.
♉ TAURUS ♉
You need to slow down this month, and really evaluate what you want in all aspects of your life, since you’ve been on “go” for awhile. The full moon on the 16th lands in your 12th house of endings, which means you should let go of all your relationships that just aren’t working out—even if it’s super hard. Sometimes these relationships aren’t going to end forever, but morph into something else. That being said, your month is full of social events and opportunities, so take hold of them.
Suggestion: Delight in a delicious macaroon at Bakeri (105 Freeman Street).
♊ GEMINI ♊
October is the month of love for you. Libra is brining out the flirt in you, and because Mars ins in your seductive 8th house all month, you are basically just pure magic. Venus also slides into your commitment zone on the 18th, making a relationship super serious for you. That being said, the 22nd brings your health into picture. You need to start paying attention to your body, especially when you’re so busy with other people.
Suggestion: Reinvent yourself at Beacon’s Closet (74 Guernsey St.).
♋ CANCER ♋
You are a hermit this month, and that’s not a bad thing. You seek solitude in many ways, but there are going to be many moments of socialization this month too. A lot of friends from out of town may decide to visit you, which will make your home life and social life combine. But don’t think this means your romantic life is on the down low. It’s not. Mars is in Capricorn all month, which basically means your seventh house of relationships is on fire. You’ll be busy with dates, which means you may definitely find yourself enthralled by someone at the end of the month.
Suggestion: Check out the East River Ferry rides from the base of India Street and do some writing/journaling on the ride.
♌ LEO ♌
Guess what? This month is for you. You are keeping busy in really great ways. Whether it’s drinks with friends, new hot dates, or taking a writing class, you are really upping your game. The full moon comes in your house of publishing on the 16th, which indicates a boost in your passions and career. This full moon also makes you want to travel—so do it. Plan a short trip somewhere.
Venus heads into Sagittarius from the 18th, which means your romantic life is about to take a seductive turn. But don’t forget about your job, because you need that money.
Suggestion: Go to the Brooklyn Night Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave.) on the weekend with a few friends and check out the live music.
♍ VIRGO ♍
October is going to be a successful month for you, as the sun will be in your money zone until the 22nd. This also means you should be networking as much as you can, since a dream opportunity may land in your lap. When it comes to your love life, Mars and Capricorn align in your fifth house of fame, self-expression, and romance. This means you’re going to be attracting many people, so don’t be surprised if you get a lot of attention and offers. The new moon on the 30th indicates you may team up with someone in a deeper way—a friend may also need your support by the end of the month.
Suggestion: Get your art on and go to PS1 MOMA (22-25 Jackson Ave., LIC) for a quiet day by yourself.
Champion Coffeemay have recently shuttered at 1108 Manhattan Avenue (due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’), but caffeine addicts have no reason to be be sad. Two new Champions are soon to spring up elsewhere in Greenpoint to replace it.
First up will be a new cafe at 142 Nassau Avenue, on the site of Sweet Fox, which has now closed down. Champion’s Talitha Whidbee tells us that “Sweet Fox owner Jean Marc was ready to get back to his catering life and away from the constant demands of a cafe so we bought Sweet Fox from him which we will remodel over the next month and re-open as Champion Coffee.” This location will be almost exactly the same as the original Champion (with a slightly pared down food menu), and will be opening around September 22nd.
There is also a second, larger space in the pipeline, at 1107 Manhattan Avenue, directly across the road from the original. “Due to its size it will be a little longer in coming to fruition, but we are shooting for end of November”, Talitha tells us. This location will have the standard Champion food and drink menu, with the addition of kombucha on tap from Mombucha and a few other exclusive beverages.
In the meantime North Greenpointers craving a coffee fix could do worse than to try out the newly opened Sweetleaf Coffee (or Propeller, or Early, or Bakeri…).
Bakeri treats going down a storm. Photos by Rosie de Belgeonne
The fifth annual Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint event happened on Sunday and it could not have been a better day for it.Brilliant sunshine, smiling faces, great music, totally manageable lines (mostly you just had to hover for a moment before getting a taste of something incredible) and best of all a whole load of ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FOOD AND DRINK!
There’s a trillion great places to eat and drink in the area, but rarely enough time (or stomach space) to give everywhere a try. That’s why this Sunday’sTaste Williamsburg Greenpoint event is a splendid idea. Now in its 5th year, the East River State Park flavor extravaganza will host stalls from dozens of local restaurants, bars and makers all offering appetizer-sized tastes of their delicious wares.
Among the 50+ vendors you’ll find The Elm, Reynard, Extra Fancy, Maison Premiere and Brooklyn Winery, along with Greenpoint gems such as Bakeri, Ovenly, Dirck The Norseman, No Name Bar, and our all-time favorite ice cream makers Phin and Phebes. Continue reading →
Picnic season is here! And, just in the nick of time, brand new store Greenpoint Cheese + Meat (192 Driggs Ave) has flung open its doors to provide us with a dazzling array of treats perfect for enjoying in the park on a lazy summer afternoon.
The store is run by friends and business partners Ursula O’Hara and Jessica Mark and, as the name suggests, they’re focusing mainly on specialist cheeses and cured meats (along with some exceptionally lovely Italian olives). Continue reading →
There’s plenty happening in Greenpoint’s food and drink scene right now. Here’s a few things you should know about:
NOW OPEN: Greenpoint Cheese + Meat Greenpoint Cheese + Meat softly opened their doors last week. We will have full coverage of all their tasty wares soon but in the meantime you should pop in and check out their delicious meats and cheeses for yourself (not to mention the fresh loaves from Bakeri)! The store is at 192 Driggs Ave and is currently open from 12-7pm Tuesday-Sunday (though these times are likely to change in the coming weeks…we will keep you updated). Continue reading →
Before moving in with my boyfriend, I lived on the second floor of a house on Huron Street with a group of amazing Norwegian roommates. I have a lot of happy memories from that time, but one of the vividest was at a dinner that two of us made together out on our large terrace in July with our guys. It was a relaxed, wine-filled night of funny stories, delicious food, and good company – the things that perfect summer nights in Brooklyn are made of. After the meal, my roommate presented a box to everyone from a Scandinavian bakery in Williamsburg called Bakeri. She lifted the lid to reveal a couple of perfect skolebrød or “school bread,” which she obtained earlier in the day during a morning pilgrimage there (Bakeri sells out of skolebrød well before noon). One bite and I was smitten – skolebrød is like a dream Danish, except instead of a cheese filling, the pastry has a heart of custard and coconut. It was like nothing I had ever eaten before. Continue reading →
Bakeri has been baking delicious small batch breads and dessertsin Brooklyn for over five years. Inside their bakery you will find amazing cookies, pastries, warm sandwiches, soups and great coffee. If you haven’t been to Bakeri yet, now is the time to come in and enjoy this friendly and authentic place where bread and baked goods are made daily with the utmost craftsmanship.
And now that the holiday season has begun, get your Thanksgiving Breads and Desserts made just for you by the ladies at Bakeri. Order by Sunday Nov. 24 to have your dessert by Wednesday after 4pm or Thursday before Noon. Enjoy classic Apple & Cherry Pies, Tarts, including a vegan version and my personal favorite, the Pumpkin Whoopie Pie with cream cheese and crystalized ginger filling!
