Echo Glass Works at 253 Greenpoint Ave. offers a dazzling variety of one-of-a-kind custom glass jewelry, kiln cast glass, along with blown glass vessels that simply stun. However, this is not the first time that beautiful glass has been created in Greenpoint, which has a history of glass blowing dating back to the Civil War. One of the best-known glass factories in America in the 19th century was the Greenpoint Flint Glass Works located on Commercial Street.
The site of Greenpoint Flint Glass Works pictured in 1907, which later became Gleason-Tiebout Co. (via Brooklyn Eagle Archives)
The founder of the Greenpoint Flint Glass Works was an immigrant from Alsace, France Christian Dorflinger who set up his first glass blowing plants in downtown Brooklyn in 1852. Benefiting from growing demand for glass between 1856 and 1860, Dorflinger, looking to expand, constructed a new factory on the then undeveloped Newtown Creek at Commercial Street in Greenpoint. This factory was larger than his other two and also enjoyed a waterfront location with docking facilities. Because this area of Greenpoint was sparsely developed, Dorflinger also built housing near the factory for his workers, many of whom were also French immigrants.
(courtesy of Friends of The Lincoln Collection)
Quickly, Dorflinger’s annual output reached $300,000, a huge sum for that era, and the quality of his glass was so highly regarded that Mary Todd Lincoln commissioned the Greenpoint firm to produce table settings for the White House. It helped to establish his company’s reputation for fine cut and engraved lead crystal. Many pieces of the Lincoln pattern glassware still remain in the White House collection today. Continue reading →
A guided walking tour of Greenpoint Open Studios, destinations outlined below!
Greenpoint knows its ABCs — the streets, as we all know and love, often move in an alphabetical fashion. But those first couple of streets, shorter and more ostracized than the rest, can sometimes seem a bit off the beaten track. This weekend’s Greenpoint Open Studios (June 2-3) creates the perfect excuse to meander “uptown” a bit and enjoy the free event. Read on below for where we think you should start, stop, and enjoy a sweet pit stop. Follow the map and enjoy!Continue reading →
Franklin Guesthouse’s restaurant space was finally occupied when Bar Glory opened in August under the stewardship of restauranteur Sara Conklin (of Greenpoint’s beloved Glasserie). The restaurant forges its own identity through an inventive and inspired combination of culinary influences. Chef Jeff Kouba’s eclectic menu takes risks in the mashup of flavors and textures with delightful and surprising results. The food is largely influenced by Central Asian and Far Eastern flavors but takes liberties with Uzbek, Thai, and Korean flavors. Its environs can be described as refined rustic-chic decor and cozy ambiance that feels slightly more casual then Glasserie. Continue reading →
Greenpoint and North Brooklyn’s thriving restaurant scene has been turning (professional critic) heads for a while now, especially when it comes to the esteemed Michelin guide. Every year, their incognito inspectors scrutinize all the restaurants who’ve previously won either stars or bibs, plus all the newcomers. The bigger acclaim is when a restaurant wins coveted Michelin stars, from one to three and seemingly always the usual Manhattan high-end spots (those are announced next week). But the restaurants frequented by the hoi polloi aren’t left out. That’s where the Bib Gourmand comes in. This is where you can potentially get two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less, before tax and gratuity.And this is where our local spots shine.
Greenpoint became home to five industrial “black arts” in the 19th century, and one of those black arts was glass production. (Printing, pottery making, oil refining, and cast iron manufacturing are the others.) Our area became one of the first places in the United States where artistic glass was produced. Some of the finest pieces of glass ever smelted in America were locally produced, and today they are still prized pieces in museums around the country.
One of the most famous nineteenth century glass factories—the Greenpoint Glass Works—was located at 95 Commercial Street. Founded about 1852 by Christian Dorflinger (1828-1915), an immigrant from Alsace. He Started in Manhattan, but needing more space expanded his now sizable workshop to the edge of Newtown Creek in 1860. Greenpoint Glass Works was larger than his other two plants and also enjoyed a waterfront location with docking facilities. The operation also included kilns and a large assembly line. Because this area of Greenpoint was sparsely developed, Dorflinger had to build housing near the factory for his workers, many of whom were French. Continue reading →
If you want to erase all memories of 2016 via booze, hardcore dancing and from anywhere but your couch, here’s our list of where to party in North Brooklyn this New Years Eve. From prix fixe dinners to house music legends to open bars, to champagne toasts to confetti explosions and confessionals, we’ve got you covered. Some of these events are sold out already with waiting lists, but most of them aren’t… Yet. Assemble your crew!
Good Room | 98 Meserole Ave. NYE Love Bombs, with dj’s Soul Clap, No Regular Play & Love Tempo; champagne toast at midnight and an open bar from 12-1am, balloon drop, confetti cannons and a breakfast buffet! 9pm-6am. Tickets $65 available here, more info on Facebook.
St. Vitus | 1120 Manhattan Ave. Slowly sway to post-punk emo rockers Rainer Maria, with openers Snail Mail, 8pm. $25 tickets here.
Black Flamingo | 168 Borniquen Place A Good Flocking Time: DJs and dancing from 9pm-4am, Jacques Renault, Midnight Magic, Beto Cravioto, Higgins. Tickets $15-20 here, info here.
Brooklyn Winery | 213 N 8th Street Brooklyn Winery presents an Alice In Wonderland themed party titled World of Wonder. From 9pm-1:30am, ring in 2017 in the forest of whimsy! Don your most fantastical cocktail attire and raise a glass to the end of another great year with a four and a half hour open bar, lavish antipasti spreads, and passed hors d’oeuvres. The space will be transformed into a fantastical world where reality is altered and nothing is quite as it seems. Dance the night away in a mystical forest, find surprises in every room, and capture it all in a one-of-a-kind custom photo booth! Tickets $150, here.
Brooklyn Bazaar | 150 Greenpoint Avenue From 9pm-4am Brooklyn Bazaar is hosting The Greatest New Year’s Party Ever 2017, aka F#CK 2016! As quite possibly the worst year on record, let’s destroy it like a teenage house party! Titus Andronicus, High Waisted, & Toys in Trouble will be performing live, with DJs Michael T, Dirtyfinger, Cousin Cole and more to fill out the rest of the night. Complimentary Midnight Champagne Toast with their own Ballpit Drop! Bring your worst moment of 2016 on a piece of paper, shred it in the shredder and watch your worst moment become a confetti explosion at Midnight. See-saw your troubles away, scream out your 2016 angst in our screaming high striker and play Pin the Blame on the Politician! Lose yourself in our ball pit and come dance in 3 floors of possibility and installations so you can forget 2016 and start 2017 off right. Tickets $40-$80, info hereContinue reading →
As the temperature drops and it officially becomes winter, we turn our palate to this comforting and convenient genre. Soup’s been trending of late on a national scale, perhaps fueled by the increase in popularity for pho and ramen or simply because chefs are now integrating more interesting ingredients and combinations—making soup a farm-to-ladle experience.
We surveyed some local restaurants to get the scoop on soup. Overall, and it comes as no surprise, folks found that as it gets colder, soup gets more popular—especially the heartier/creamier ones. However, there’s definitely a healthy overtone as well, with non-dairy or vegetarian options and even substituting yogurt for cream. Many restaurants are also regularly changing up the menu based on what’s at the market/in-season and to continually keep customers surprised. See a sampling after the jump of what’s on offer around town and get souper excited. Continue reading →
For those sticking around this Turkey Day and not interested in hosting a mob of friends and family, where can you go to keep your gullets full?
We’ve scoured the streets to find who’s open and what’s cooking. There’s a lot to choose from. So rest assured whether you want to give thanks with a traditional spread or go cold turkey on typical Thanksgiving fare, there’s a place for you! Continue reading →
Welcome to our new Greenpointers food series called Behind the Toque.
Behind the Toque is where we’ll be featuring Greenpoint’s most talented chefs discussing their cooking philosophies, restaurant operations and community relationships. As a special treat, we’ll also feature a recipe pulled directly from their current menu, so you can enjoy Greenpoint’s favorite cult dishes in the comfort of your very own home.
Chef Eldad Shem Tov is the new chef at Glasserie, the chic, sophisticated Middle Eastern haven nestled in an old, repurposed glass factory at 95 Commercial Street. He welcomed us to his restaurant on a snowy Sunday evening with the perfect appetizer: luscious tahini and a heavenly housemade grilled flatbread.
Read on to find out how Chef Eldad is trying to reframe American notions of sharing food, to cook his delicious recipe, and to get one of the best dining deals in Brooklyn.
Chef Eldad, hard at work. Photo via Kimisa H. courtesy of BrunchWith.
Good Room
As the temperature drops and it officially becomes winter, we turn our palate to this comforting and convenient genre. Soup’s been trending of late on a national scale, perhaps fueled by the increase in popularity for pho and ramen or simply because chefs are now integrating more interesting ingredients and combinations—making soup a farm-to-ladle experience.
