bklynography-blog

[bklynography-blog]

Next up from Brooklynography... a video starring these two supremely adorable human beings (of Deb Oh & The Cavaliers!) taking us on a tour of their 'hood: Prospect Heights.

[bklynography-blog]

Brooklynography Plays at New York Food Film Fest!

This past Saturday Brooklynography history was made: one of our videos was screened in front of a sold-out theater as part of the New York Food Film Festival!

I was immensely proud and honored to be part of the event and to see something I created play on the big screen, and owe a mountain of thanks to all the people who made it possible like.... Matt & Allison Robicelli (of course!), NYFFF festival director George Motz, NYFFF executive producer Seth Unger, my friends and crew - shooter Zack Akers & sound recordist Kenny Lewis - and my colleagues/friends/post-production angels at Crew Cuts - title designer Ian Glaum and mixer Nick Montgomery. After my film screened I went up to say a few words and got a little nervous and forgot to say most of the stuff I wanted to say, so there it all is.

Of course no one who attended the festival will be reading this anyway, because I completely failed to mention that Brooklynography is a website. D'oh.

Sandwiches... Sandwiches are a lot like cupcakes. They're something you can hold in your hand, and take everything that you want on the subway.

-Allison Robicelli

But besides my minor personal freakout, the New York Food Film Festival was easily one of the most amazing events I've ever attended. Food was served during many of the films, so you are literally tasting what you're seeing. And of course we wouldn't have had the fantastic food without all the fantastic films, which, individually and as a whole, were mighty impressive. Congrats and great job to all the filmmakers involved, and the tireless efforts of the festival staff to bring it all together into a week of incredible events.

And to top it all off, Brooklynography won the "Best Made in New York" award and I was presented with a slotted spoon! And with my second chance to speak, I again completely blew it with the profound words, "Wow! This is awesome! Thanks! Bye!" It truly was magical.

Anyway here's the acceptance speech I would've given if I wasn't a complete melvin:

"Oh my god! Wow! Thank you! This is such an honor! I wouldn't be here today if not for my generous, selfless, hard-working friends and crew and all the hours they put in on this film with me. I'd also like to thank George Motz and Seth Unger for putting this event on and for being so passionate about the food and the films. Y'know, I used to tell people, I never won anything in my life except for a paring knife at a Pampered Chef party when I was like 12, so finally my unlucky streak is broken! (Cue awkward sympathetic laughter.) Anyway, I unfortunately don't have any food puns or jokes prepared, so please enjoy the rest of the show and check out Brooklynography.com! Later though, not right now. (Booing, coughing.)"

Now that I've got that off my chest, here's the film!

Brooklynography: Matt & Allison Robicelli from Alison Grasso on Vimeo.

For more info on the places featured in the video (and more!) check out this link on Brooklynography.com

[bklynography-blog]

This New York Food Film Festival is THIS WEEK! Our screening of the Robicelli's video is this Saturday at noon as part of the Edible Adventure event (which is sold out!), marking this the first public screening of a Brooklynography work!

For the second year in a row, a film about little old us has become an official selection at the prestigious NYC Food Film Festival! This time last year I was telling you how amazing it was- getting to watch short films about food while actually EATING the food- and how you needed to get tickets ASAP. This year….

You’re already out of luck. Hopefully it’s because you all remembered my notes from last year and already got your tickets!

I’m completely bummed that I personally won’t be there to hang out with the audience and stuff my face, but Matt will still be there handling the Q&A and representing Robicelli’s alongside Alison Grasso, the filmmaker behind “Bklynography”. …

[bklynography-blog]

Here's kind of a trailer for the Robicelli's Brooklynography video!

So the full-length version of this video is about 12 minutes long, but a truncated 5 minute version will be screening on Saturday October 20th at the New York Food Film Festival as part of the Edible Adventure event. Cupcakes and other goodies will be served, you can buy tickets and check out all of the festival's events here!

[bklynography-blog]

If you aren't reading Robicelli's blog written by the hilarious, clever, and ever-accomplishing Allison Robicelli, you should start! She is forever entertaining on the topics of food, small business, and parenting, and one of my favorite internet and real-life personalities. Her personality is in real-life! So constantly impressed by the Robicellis and all of their continued awesomeness/epic Microsoft Paint web novels.

I’m actually going to talk about stuff that pertains to the business today!

I’m super serious, Shut Up Cat! And I’ve missed you. It’s been a while.

Seriously, this cat needs to learn to watch his friggin mouth otherwise I’m going to start blogging with manatees or otters or...

[bklynography-blog]

The Great GoogaMooga: The Good, The Bad, & The Hungry

If you live in Brooklyn and use the internet, you are probably sick to death of hearing about The Great GoogaMooga. For anyone who visits ONLY this website (hi Mom) and doesn't know what I'm talking about I'll fill you in real quick - the Great GoogaMooga was a food festival that took place this past weekend, featuring food vendors from all parts of New York City as long as they fell into the category of totally delicious.

Each vendor offered one outstanding item to guests, usually in half/whole or single/double portions. The festival occurred outside (duh) in Prospect Park's Nethermead Meadow, and also featured live music from such bands as Holy Ghost and Hall & Oates. In theory, this is the most genius event ever devised by man.

Read more on Brooklynography.com...

[bklynography-blog]

Yesterday the crew and I spent the day with Matt & Allison Robicelli of Robicelli's Cupcakes, Brooklyn's most fantastic and original dessert company. We toured their favorite food spots in their home neighborhood of Bay Ridge, essentially eating our way through some of the best foods the borough has to offer.

Check out these photos for a sneak peek of what's to come in the video!

[bklynography-blog]

Combining biography and geography, the Brooklynography series attempts to create a portrait of an individual and their environment, depict how public spaces become personal, and highlight the unique communities of Brooklyn, New York.

Our first video focuses on local musician Chris Littler, who is an LA transplant and new-ish resident of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

To learn more about Chris & and his band, Chamber Band, visit their website here.

Directed, Produced, and Edited by Alison Grasso Shot by Alison Grasso & Zack Akers Production Sound by Kenny Lewis Post-Production Sound Mix by Nick Montgomery Titles & Color Correct by Ian Glaum Original Music by Chris Littler

GIANT THANKS to: Urban Rustic, Blue Bottle Coffee, Main Drag Music, Nitehawk Cinema, Ugly Luggage, & The Drink and John Christon

[bklynography-blog]

Best Brooklyn Bites 2011: Top 10

2011 was a cool year. The summer was stupid hot, the winter has been weirdly mild, lots of new stuff opened up in the borough, and coincidentally, it's the year Bklynography was born! Hooray! I'd like to take this time, the 10th day in 2012, to recap my top 10 best bites, eats, and meals I enjoyed in Brooklyn in 2011.

Had I planned ahead for this post, I would've been a much more conscientious eater and photographer of my meals out in Brooklyn to provide super gorgeous photos and very detailed accounts of all foods & ingredients. The truth is, I hate being that person (NERD/weirdo) who whips out a DSLR in a quiet, dimly-lit restaurant, and I also can't spare the 5 minutes it would take to adjust the settings to take a picture before I can eat my food. So please, bear with my iPhone photos.

10. Apple Blueberry Bran Muffin from Blue Sky Bakery in Park Slope, BK

I know, a bran muffin!? But believe me, this muffin kills all other muffins, and I am a picky, muffin purist. I used to work at Amy's Bread, so I know my muffins.

Blue Sky Bakery is only open from 7:30/8:30am - 2pm, during which time they are baking those muffins fresh. So fresh, that you can almost always order one that is still hot from the oven. And instead of your traditional cakey, sort of slimey, oversized, over-sugared (yet under-flavored) muffin, these things are absolute beauties. As fresh as they come, the bran muffins are gritty and dense while remaining fluffy on the inside, and crisp on the outside, making a perfect light but satisfying breakfast. And instead of having like 5 blueberries sprinkled throughout, all of Blue Sky's fruit muffins come with a yummy, generously fruit-filled center, which will still be hot if you're lucky.

And for the record, Amy's Bread makes a damn good muffin too. If only they'd open in Brooklyn.

9. Veg Loaf #2 Sandwich from Court Street Grocers in Carroll Gardens, BK

Court Street Grocers is getting a major rep for being a purveyor of excellent, list-worthy sandwiches, so it's no surprise that even their veggie sandwich is a stand-out.

The Veg Loaf #2 Sandwich from Court St Grocers, to be precise. Hearty, warm, and much more satisfying than most vegetarian sandwiches, you won't feel like you're missing out on the meaty sandwich party with this one. The "loaf" is made of chickpeas, and the sandwich comes topped with pickled veggies and roasted tomatoes for lots of added flavor which makes it a little more exciting than a sandwich you'd make at home. The ciabatta also helps to make it a very comforting hand-held meal in a sea of boring veggie sandwiches and cold salads.

8. Fish Tacos from Nitehawk Cinemas in Williamsburg, BK

Tacos are pictured on the left, but on the right are the empanadas which are equally fantastic.

2011 is the year that a movie theater finally opened in Williamsburg, but more importantly, an awesome movie theater finally opened in New York City. My definition of awesome? Something that combines eating with just about any other activity. So whatever.

Offering tasty cocktails and great film programming, the food really is the star at Nitehawk. After spending numerous summers in search of the best fish taco (in New York), Nitehawk has me pretty sold on theirs. I'm not from California or anything, so what the hell do I know about fish tacos right? Right. Well, I liked these, so shut up. The fish was fresh and well-cooked, it had nice traditional additions like cabbage and whatever that sauce is, and the portion was totally decent. AND I got to watch a movie while scarfing them down. Be sure to give them a try, and follow up with a Nitehawk dessert, if you can manage (you had me at "ice cream sandwich.")

7. Black-Bottom Oatmeal Pie from Four and Twenty Blackbirds in Gowanus, BK

This pie is not a dessert, it is a meal. If you eat too much before going to Four & Twenty, you will probably be a failure and be unable to finish your piece of pie, like a chump. They give you giant slices here, and the Black-Bottom Oatmeal in particular is one dense, slightly gooey, filling beast of a treat. Add that thick scoop of cream they put on the side, and you'll probably be all set for breakfast or dinner or whichever meal you choose to replace with sweet, sweet, pie.

The BBO is a longstanding favorite at Four & Twenty, and it seems to know no season, being available most times I've visited. Chocolate, oats, sugar, pie crust; it's a solid bet you can't lose. My second favorite pies are the Strawberry Balsamic or the Pear Bourbon Crumble, but alas, those are subject to the seasons!

6. All Food at Shake Shack from Shake Shack in Downtown Brooklyn, BK

Thank god this opened in the final days before 2012, or else I wouldn't be able to count it!

Shake Shack is always wonderful, and now we won't have to visit that frigid bitch Manhattan to satisfy our craving for perfect burgers and crinkly fries. And cheers for that, because all the recent burger pop-ups aren't even coming close to Shack perfection. Mooburger? Five Guys? Cheeburger Cheeburger? BAD Burger? All pathetic! I'm sorry but it's true.

Conveniently located near many subways, the new Shack at the corner of Fulton St and Boerum Place has all your familiar favorites, plus some new specialty concretes that are available in regular and half sizes, and additional hot dog choices! The prospect of summer crowds doesn't seem too pleasant, as this location has no outdoor seating (for now?) and the dining room is fairly small, so my advice is get in early. What's that you say, it's too cold for custard right now? You're out of your mind! It's never too cold for custard, just like it's never too hot for doughnuts. In fact my favorite item of the moment if the Cinnamon Cream Cheese custard, January's Monday flavor. Get your priorities straight, god!

5. Robicelli's Cupcakes from Robicelli's in Brooklyn, NY

I should really stop raving about these things because it's going to start looking like Robicelli's is paying me. They're not. For detailed adoration of the Robicellis and their cupcakes, click here.

Aside from that, the Robicelli's made their cupcake presence even bigger this year with stints at the Madison Square Market and the ever-crowded Union Square Holiday Market. Currently they're open as a pop-up in Soho at the Openhouse Gallery.

This year they also introduced whoopie pies, brownies, and seasonally available hot chocolate to their line-up. I didn't get to try any of those items (my dad stole my single whoopie pie) but my favorite flavors of the year were classic PB&J, The Iona, Strawberry Rhubarb, The Odessa, and the winter-only Creme Brulee and Riskreme. And there are dozens that I didn't even get to try! 

For more info about Robicelli's and their ever-changing, forever thrilling flavors, visit their website.

4. Glazed Donut from DOUGH at Smorgasburg in Bed-Stuy, BK

Doughnuts from DOUGH were the talk of 2011. After opening shop in Bed-Stuy and making major noise on the haute doughnut scene, they quickly expanded by setting up outposts at Williamsburg's Smorgasburg and Cobble Hill's Stinky Bklyn cheese shop. I have yet to visit the original bakery location in Bed-Stuy, but these things are absolutely worth any trek. They've garnered a faithful following and raving reviews from just about any blog that's had them in hand. While they provide numerous exciting and gourmet flavors (hibiscus, dulce de leche, cafe au lait), if you can't decide, the original glazed is sweet, puffy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection on its own.

Pictured is me and my first Dough doughnut at Smorgasburg on the hottest day of summer. You might think 100 degree heat and warm doughnuts don't go together, but these donuts go with everything. If I could make a house out of these donuts and live in it for the rest of my life, I would. That doesn't make any sense but fuck it these things are the greatest.

3. Fried White Beans at Lodge in Williamsburg, BK

Now according to Yelp, people seem to have very mixed opinions regarding Lodge. The prices may be a little steep, but you can just con some guy from OK Cupid into taking you there for free, right? Personally, I've only had great experiences there with a chill but friendly waitstaff, no crowds, and excellent food. I love that their specials almost always include a great vegetarian option and offers some variety from their usual daily dishes.

It was one of these such specials that blew my mind. Fried white beans. Sounds totally lame, right? Fried beans? What are we, Boyscouts? We took a chance and tried the special, only to be wonderfully surprised with the dish we were given - each white bean was breaded and deep fried, similarly to calimari, and they were served drizzled with some sort of spicy oil with fried chilis on top. They were crunchy, spicy, delicious nuggets of awesome.

In the same meal my boyfriend had a short rib grilled cheese sandwich (also a special) that was also on the brink of life-changing, it was so good. So maybe give this place a shot! I've heard they have long waits for brunch on the weekend, but dinner on weeknights is probably A-OK.

2. Zuzu Ramen at Zuzu Ramen in Gowanus, BK

Zuzu exploded this year when they sold a Groupon because people love Groupons. For the record, I've been going to this place for 2+ years and I want all you Groupon people to know that I hate you for making it crowded. Haha, just kidding (no I'm not.) Anyway, the secret is out that Zuzu is bangin'. It makes Naruto Ramen around the corner in Park Slope look like some college microwave Maruchan shit (which it sort of is.)

Out-deliciousing most Manhattan ramen that I've had so far (except maybe Ippudo on a pork bun technicality), Zuzu's noodles (not 100% sure they are made in-house so I don't want to make that claim) are tender and toothsome, just like they should be, and seem hand-pulled (straighter vs. crinkly). The Zuzu Ramen is my favorite dish on the menu, but all their options are a little more creative than your traditional ramen offerings, and often include more veggies & variety which I definitely appreciate. The pork is always tender, the egg perfectly soft.

1. Doug's Pecan Pie Ice Cream Sundae & Pecan Pie French Toast from Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens, BK

I realize this picture isn't great, but it was dark and all I had was an iPhone. You're lucky to get a picture at all because I hate when my ice cream gets melty.

Holy. Crap. Buttermilk Channel is a great restaurant for a number of reasons (not among them the fact that Jay-Z and Beyonce eat there), and at the top of that list for me is the service (they're so friendly and laid-back!) And then right below that is the way this place manages to reincarnate pecan pie as numerous different things. Two different things, to be exact, but two magnificent, head-exploding, freaking incredibly delicious things.

Doug's Pecan Pie Sundae is it. This isn't your Friendly's Happy Ending sundae. This is vanilla ice cream, pecan pie filling, more vanilla ice cream, more pecan pie filling, I think some hot fudge (???), MORE pecan pie filling, and homemade whipped cream that is about five whips away from being butter. Or, heaven in a glass. In the moment after eating this, I felt like I wouldn't be that upset if I got hit by a bus and died because I wasn't sure how life would ever get any better.

Doug, I've never met you, but will you marry me??

Fortunately I didn't die after eating the sundae. I asked myself 'what do you do when you wake up with a sugar hangover the day after and are wondering what will fill the void left in your mouth by Doug's Sundae?' Never fear! You can have nearly the same damn thing as breakfast. That's right. ("Reese's cups for breakfast!?" No fuck you! Pecan pie for breakfast!)

So this french toast is super thick. Not totally sure what sort of bread they use (looks like eggy challah?) but they soak it so that they inside becomes like custard. Not soggy or drippy at all, just perfect spongy sweet bourbony custard inside the crispy outer crusts. And then there's sugared pecans AND whipped cream! If this is the work of Doug again, someone give that man an award.

So 2011 was an epic year in food, which is why I am on an epic diet at the moment. Stay tuned for my list of Brooklyn spots to eat healthy in 2012!

Blue Sky Bakery - 53 Fifth Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn Court Street Grocers - 485 Court St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Nitehawk Cinema - 136 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Four and Twenty Blackbirds - 439 3rd Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn Shake Shack - 409 Fulton St, Downtown Brooklyn Robicelli's - DeKalb Market, 332 Flatbush Ave Ext, Downtown Brooklyn DOUGH - 305 Franklin Ave, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Lodge - 18 Grand St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Zuzu Ramen - 173 4th Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn Buttermilk Channel - 524 Court St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

I know this list is somewhat lacking in recommendations from outer areas of Brooklyn, so in the next year I'm making it my mission to get out and expand my geographical (and foodographical) coverage of Brooklyn. Please leave suggestions in the comments!

[bklynography-blog]

61 Local: A Local Place for Locals

This post will be part recap of the Pint Mash-Up on Saturday and part review of 61 Local. Mostly because I hate reading recaps because they bum me out about something I missed, so why on earth do I even write recaps. I write them because it would be weird if I posted photos with no text or explanation, when really I just want to show you my photos. Look at the photos! The text is meaningless.

Anyway keep reading please...

So on Saturday 61 Local hosted the Steve's Pint Mash-Up, an event designed to debut Steve's Craft Ice Cream's new beer-inspired flavors. So what better place than a bar that serves exclusively local beer?! They handed out free samples of all the flavors, along with free mini scoops, so this was already a wonderful way to spend the gloomy afternoon.

After tasting all three of the new flavors Steve's was promoting (Maple Porter Pecan, Beer Pretzel Caramel, BKLYN Blackout), I can say they were all very tasty. The idea of combining beer and ice cream was something I wasn't entirely sure about, but the beer flavor was actually very mild and cut the usual sweetness of ice cream. I thought the flavors were all really great and complex. Listen to me! It's like I'm a professional ice cream eater or something.

In addition to the free offerings, ice cream sandwiches and beer floats were for sale! I tried a beer float with Sixpoint Diesel Stout and the Beer Pretzel Caramel ice cream - it was pretty tasty. There's no picture because I consumed it before I thought to even take a photo. Oops.

Not being a big beer drinker myself, I thought I'd foray into the land of local brews with a few 5 oz. samplers. I don't know if other bars do this, but 61 Local will let patrons try their beers at the bar for free (just a sip!) or you can purchase a little sample glass for only $3. I ordered my very own "flight" of three beers for just $9, and had a really fun time sharing them - I would definitely recommend this for people who can't commit to a drink (or anyone, for that matter!)

Left to right: Aphrodite Fruit Ale, Brewery Ommegang; Liquid Gold, Captain Lawrence Brewing; Javahead Coffee Stout, Troeg’s Brewing Company.

Of the three, I think the Javahead was my favorite - it had a nice coffee flavor without being bitter or overly strong.

After a few sips of our trial beers, I got down to business - the ice cream sandwich and a pint.

The cookies in the ice cream sandwiches were provided by Ovenly - I chose the sandwich with Steve's Mint Cacao Chip coconut créme (dairy-free!) ice cream, Ovenly's chocolate chip & cherry cookies, and a smear of fudge. It was delicious. The beer pictured was my favorite of the day, some kind of Koelsch which is no longer on their menu and I can't remember the exact name! In any case, it was very good.

Boyfriend ordered a sandwich while we were at the event ("The New Hamster Grilled Cheese: Landaff cheese, Dickson’s Farmstand ham and spicy pickle relish on parma country bread"), and while I yet again didn't manage to photograph the elusive grilled cheese, he said it was very good. I can confirm that it looked and smelled good.

So on to some stuff about 61 Local. The whole theme here is "local," obviously, so they only serve local Brooklyn brews and the food on their menu is sourced locally. They don't have much in the way of a kitchen, but a sandwich press, quality ingredients, and some knives seem to get the job done, providing a menu that transcends typical bar food but isn't really dinner either.

As for the beers, the menu changes regularly and seasonally, which keeps things fresh and interesting. It's always nice to be surprised and try something new, and 61 Local definitely provides an experience beyond your typical four beer tap. There's no liquor at 61 Local, but they do have a nice selection of "local" wines, mostly coming from upstate (hard to find room for vineyards in the 5 boroughs.)

A great place for groups, 61 Local has lots of large tables to gather around, ample standing/moving space, and high ceilings with good light during the day. Based on my experience on Saturday, it would seem that children are allowed (during the day at least) which might be great for families, but is a bit of a detractor for very young cool people who don't want to face their impending doom at the hands of a future baby. (I hate future babies.) Keep in mind, the neighborhood is teeming with families.

61 Local is an unpretentious, relaxed spot, great for a beer and a sandwich, probably better for a few Sunday drinks rather than a Saturday night rager. Come with friends and appreciate what Brooklyn has to offer.

61 Local 61 Bergen St (between Boerum Pl & Smith St) Brooklyn, NY 11201

[bklynography-blog]

Head's Up: 61 Local & Steve's Ice Cream Beer Social

Beer and ice cream finally unite in what could be a perfect if not somewhat unholy marriage this weekend at Boerum/Cobble Hill spot 61 Local, in what Steve's Craft Ice Cream is presenting as a "Pint Mash-Up".

According to the Steve's Ice Cream official blog, Saturday, August 13th promises to be an ice cream and beer extravaganza, featuring the debut of their new beer-inspired flavors and much much more.

Starting at 11am, the Steve's pop-up ice cream shop will be selling scoops, ice cream sandwiches, and floats (with beer even!) alongside the Kickstand Coffee bicycle cart. Floats come with a raffle ticket that gets you a chance to win prizes from such outstanding locals as Cut Brooklyn, Mike’s Hot Honey, Liddabit Sweets, Ovenly Bar Snacks, Anarchy in a Jar Jam, and more!

61 Local's regular roster of refreshments and food will also be available through the course of the event. Things get real though at 6pm, when free samples of Steve's new flavors get handed out! FO' FREE. Check them out:

BEER PRETZEL CARAMEL Sixpoint Brownstone ice cream swirled with Liddabit Sweets Beer & Pretzel Caramel

MAPLE PORTER PECAN maple syrup and porter ale with toasted pecan pieces

BKLYN BLACKOUT milk chocolate ice cream swirled with Ovenly’s chocolate stout cake pieces and dark chocolate pudding

An all-day beer and ice cream fest with local goods, food, and free stuff? This is my kind of party. Spread the word and invite your friends, this ice cream isn't going to eat itself.

61 Local 61 Bergen St (between Boerum Pl & Smith St) Brooklyn, NY 11201

[bklynography-blog]

Wet Hot American Summer 10th Anniversary Celebration Show: M. H. of W'Burg

Last night, the Music Hall of Williamsburg hosted a monumental event: the Wet Hot American Summer 10th Anniversary Celebration Show! For those of you who haven't seen Wet Hot American Summer, why am I even talking to you? Get your head out of your ass!

Wet Hot American Summer is only the greatest film of our generation. It used to come on Comedy Central all the time in the early 2000s, which is basically the same thing as having won a dozen Oscars (the film won 0 Oscars, actually [that's okay, Oscar is an idiot anyway]). And if you seriously haven't seen it, I'm pretty sure it's streaming on Netflix Instant. Go watch it now, I'll wait.

The important thing is that Wet Hot American Summer is one of the funniest movies of all time with one of the greatest casts of all time - of course the promise of getting them all together resulted in a sold-out show that was absolutely packed.

Hosted by the much-loved, highly-demanded Stella, i.e., Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, and David Wain, there were such special guests from the film as Janeane Garofalo ("Camp Director Beth"), Zak Orth ("J.J."), and Marguerite Moreau ("Katie").

Even Judah Friedlander made a brief, blood-stained appearance as his old Wet Hot character "Ron von Kleinenstein".

The highlights of the evening were probably Michael Showalter's reprisal of the Alan Shemper character (video above) and A.D. Miles' resplendent interview with Can of Vegetables/Beans as voiced by Jon Benjamin.

Everyone knows that Jon Benjamin has a voice like butter, but it wasn't until Jon Benjamin Has a Van that I took notice of his spell-binding, azure eyes. He's the whole package ladies, and he's single*!

Also impressive were appearances by lesser-known cast-members, including Gideon Jacobs ("Aaron") and Gabriel Millman ("Caped Boy"). You may remember them as Molly Shannon's craft room marriage counselor/camper, and the Dungeons & Dragons nerd who took being called "douchebag" as a compliment, respectively.

Marisa Ryan ("Abby Bernstein") and Ken Marino ("Victor Pulak or maybe Kulak [?]") also made an appearance, and Ken serenaded the audience with a captivating rendition of "Danny's Song".

I was really surprised at how genuinely well he sang. It was beautiful.

There was also a rousing "sweater-fondling" competition (the winner of which got to keep their sweater, I think?) and musical performances of some of the movie's more notable tracks.

In addition to the live appearances, some cast members who were unable to attend the show provided videos in their absence. Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, and Joe Lo Truglio all came through with video shorts for the occasion; Paul Rudd acting in classic "Andy" fashion and trashing his Hollywood trailer, Amy as "Susie" encouraging the audience to leave their bullshit attitude and baggage at the door, and Joe Lo Truglio as "Neil" incredulously observing his son do a skateboarding trick off-screen ("He's doing it! I can't believe he's really doing it!!").

Paul approves.

Unfortunately missing from the show were Molly Shannon, Bradley Cooper, David Hyde Pierce, Elizabeth Banks, and Christopher Meloni. I mean, if Rainbow Sock Girl could make it to Williamsburg, I'm just dying to know what their excuses are.

All in all, it was a fantastic show. Let's meet back here again in 10 years, okay? And you can make it your beeswax to be there on time.

*Jon Benjamin may or may not be married. Fact checker is on vacation.

[bklynography-blog]

Robicelli's @ DeKalb Market: All In

"If you're gonna eat a dessert, and you're gonna eat 5 billion calories, you need to be all in. You need to be 100% present and remember what the hell you're doing."

- Allison Robicelli

Let me tell you a little bit about Robicelli's.

It all started earlier this year when I had my first Robicelli's cupcake. Even before I bought the cupcake, and I stood before the four flavors to be chosen from at Crespella, I knew this would be different. There were no vanilla cupcakes! No chocolate! And certainly no sprinkles! And thank goodness, because fuck that.

Cupcakes are great and all, but vanilla is vanilla and chocolate is chocolate and I'm 24 years old. I've had enough chocolate and vanilla, goddammit! These are cupcakes for grown-ups who want something new and interesting but still in that familiar, comforting, handheld package that is so gloriously American and nostalgic.

That's Robicelli's. They offer different flavors every day and they are all exceptional. Even if you come across one that you don't like, you have to appreciate the creativity, thought, and love that goes into these complex little creations. No plain chocolate. No plain vanilla. Not even Red Velvet. There are no easy flavors, there are no artificial ingredients, and there are no cut corners. These are $12 desserts packed into $3 cupcakes.

Robicelli's employs quality, seasonal ingredients for their cupcakes, the flavors of which change several times a week. There will be no Strawberry Rhubarb cupcake in Winter, and there will be no Sweet Potato Pie cupcake in Spring. And if you want a Mint Julep cupcake, you best plan ahead, because it only comes out once a year for the Kentucky Derby.

The constantly changing line-up of Robicelli's flavors is hugely appealing, to me at least, and reminds me of those times when you were a little kid and just had to get to McDonald's on a certain day because it was the only time to get the Happy Meal toy you just couldn't live without. Robicelli's doesn't just provide cupcakes - they provide the exciting experience of discovering something new, something "limited-edition" and special, that has earned them fans, and not just customers.

Did I mention how pretty they are? And yes, that is a piece of fried chicken atop that cupcake.

And excuse me, what's this???

Butterbeer cupcakes!?! As a brand new Harry Potter devotee, this nearly brought tears into my Hedwig-loving eyes. I mean, there's gold dust on them!! Flavors aren't just delicious and gourmet, they're fun and interesting too, perfectly encapsulating the experience that a cupcake should provide.

But as good as a product ever was, it's only as good as the people behind it, and I can tell you firsthand that the Robicellis are great people. Warm, welcoming, and sharply funny, Matt & Allison, both originally from Brooklyn, might even be more interesting and engaging than their baked goods.

I got to know them a little bit when I made a video to support their IndieGoGo fundraising campaign, and after spending a night with them baking in their commercial kitchen in Sunset Park, they sent me home with nearly a dozen cupcakes for my "hard work." My "hard work" involved tasting "prototypes," peering over the shoulders of their interns as they frosted and decorated, and soaking in their stories of life in the food industry.

They are tirelessly hard workers, devoted parents, talented chefs, and just all around awesome, cool people. If there is an off-the-beaten-path event in Brooklyn, there's a good chance the Robicelli's will be there. They are active within their community and supportive of other small businesses (Liddabit Sweets and The Good Batch to name a couple), bloggers (theskint.com), and customers alike, often taking to Twitter to publicize community endeavors or ask for flavor recommendations.

And, on Sunday, their storefront at DeKalb Market finally opened!

Hooray! They finally have a long-term home for their goods, which have now expanded beyond cupcakes and into the world of brownies and whoopie pies.

The Robicelli's shop has a cute, homemade feeling, no doubt owing to some expert decorating advice coming from their young sons.

In addition to their own goods, Robicelli's offers marshmallow treats made by Kitty Lee Thomas, which have even reformed self-proclaimed marshmallow-hater Matt.

They've got drinks too, including chocolate milk from Battenkill Valley.

Wow! Mexican Coke for only $2! David Chang charges $5 for it and he's a millionaire!

While the Robicellis now have a solid home base for their goods, they will still be available at select outlets around Brooklyn, my personal favorites of which are Crespella (crepes & coffee) and Blue Apron Foods in Park Slope, for those occasions when you need that cupcake fix and can't make it to DeKalb Market.

So, congratulations, Matt and Allison, on hard work well-done and a wonderful new shop! Now, where do I sign up for the frequent buyer's program?

Robicelli's Cupcakes @ DeKalb Market 332 Flatbush Ave Ext

For more information on the shop straight from the Robicellis, click here.

[bklynography-blog]

DeKalb Market: It's Got A Tent!

So perhaps you've all noticed that Brooklyn has become something of a mecca for independent markets and outdoor social events. The trend continues with the recent opening of DeKalb Market, an outdoor arrangement of shipping containers that have been re-purposed to host both food and retail vendors.

The first thing you're probably asking is "What makes DeKalb Market different from Brooklyn Flea or Northside Market or the GreenMarket or a boat show?" Well I'll tell you. First of all, there are no boats at DeKalb Market. Secondofly, DeKalb Market is largely made out of old shipping containers, making it weatherproof while also providing spells of air conditioning, and promoting the re-use of old junk. Recycling!

Thirdly, it will be open seven days a week! This is great, because now you will no longer suffer the debilitating pressure of cramming all your outdoor eating/drinking/shopping into two measly weekend days. And fourth of all, DeKalb Market is located in Downtown Brooklyn, making it a little more convenient for the Park Slope crowd and everyone else from South-er Brooklyn.

It's also my hope that DeKalb Market will help to revitalize this otherwise sort of weirdly industrial, abandoned area in prime Brooklyn. It's so close to all the subways! Yet, sort of strange and empty? Anyway, things look like they're on the up, and DeKalb Market does seem to have to community's improvement in mind.

Their website outlines the overall goals of the market, and they include more than just providing a new space to shop and eat (while that is a major benefit!) Creating an outlet for small local businesses and entrepreneurs to flourish while also promoting a sense of community and sustainability are at the top of the market's to-dos.

So, there are cool independent retailers at DeKalb Market! Check here for the full list.

In addition to the shops/boutiques hosted inside of shipping containers, there are also traditional flea-style booths/tables by independent "artisans" and craftspeople.

How nice! It reminds me of the Union Square Christmas Market, but this is all year round and isn't ungodly crowded with tourists.

And now, my favorite order of business: food! DeKalb Market has a little food court of sorts, centering around a big tent with lots of picnic tables - another factor that distinguishes it from other flea markets around the city. It was so refreshing to be able to sit down in the shade and enjoy a beer without being jostled by tons of people, or resorting to sitting down on the ground in a spot where a bird may have pooped.

Also, you can bring your dog! I think! These people brought their dog, anyway, and no one seemed to give a crap!

Cute!

And as I mentioned above, yes! There is beer! And during happy hour, cans of Brooklyn Summer were 2 for $8. Not too shabby.

Among the food vendors, very few were familiar to me. One container hosts Mazie's Bites, which I regrettably didn't get to try (damn you, pre-Market pizza!) but their menu looked awesome.

Fish tacos? Shrimp & grits? Collard greens? Hell yes please.

And I was also excited to see Nile Valley Juice & Salads, offering lighter, vegan options that can be difficult to find.

And for refreshments and little snacks, there's also a Joe Coffee, Sour Puss Pickles, Tea by Tiffany, Cuzin's Duzin mini donuts, and Wooly's Shaved Ice, to name a few.

And of course, my favorite of all favorites, the long-awaited Robicelli's store!

I'll be writing a longer, more in-depth post devoted to Robicelli's in a bit, but til then, this shot of their cupcake case says pretty much everything. Bourbon Bacon brownies. Chicken 'n' Waffles cupcakes. These are the most creative and delicious treats in all of Brooklyn (maybe even the 5 boroughs!) so it's more than worth checking out. Personally I walked out of there with an armful of goodies, but more on that later...

Since the market just opened on July 23rd, it's still got a few things in development and is working up to full speed, so hopefully all vendors will be fully operational soon. In the meantime, check it out, bring your friends, and have some beers!

For more information and super details regarding vendors, hours, and location, check out their official website! It's very pretty.

DeKalb Market 332 Flatbush  Ave Ext Downtown Brooklyn T (212) 529-9262

[bklynography-blog]

Nitehawk Cinemas: A Place for Human Beings

This past Friday, June 23rd, Nitehawk Cinema opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. On Saturday, June 24th, I went to Nitehawk Cinema for the first time. My life would never be the same.

CUT TO: EXT. NITEHAWK CINEMA - EVENING

CUT TO: INT. NITEHAWK CINEMA DOWNSTAIRS BAR - EVENING

CUT TO: INT. NITEHAWK CINEMA UPSTAIRS BAR - EVENING

CUT TO: INT. NITEHAWK CINEMA - SCREENING ROOM

(Not pictured.)

CUT TO: EXT. NITEHAWK CINEMA - NIGHT

END SCENE.

Okay now on to the boring text portion of the post.

You can probably already tell from the photos, but Nitehawk Cinema is an awesome place. It's got a classy but not pretentious bar downstairs, separate from the theater, should you just want a tasty cocktail, and an additional bar upstairs outside the actual theaters, should you want to keep a close eye on the line to get into your screening. (No cutting!) Bars are great!

But that's not the best thing about Nitehawk Cinema - the best thing about Nitehawk Cinema is that it makes going to a movie an enjoyable, pleasant experience instead of a quasi-nightmare in which you are charged $18.50 for a gallon of soda you didn't even want and a pack of gummi bears that were manufactured by the criminally insane in 1982. At Nitehawk Cinema, you can pay $18.50 for stuff, but that stuff will be good stuff like Fish Tacos and/or Watermelon Salad and/or Cheese Empanadas.

You're probably thinking, "Wow, those items sound like actual food! Things I might actually like to eat!" And you're right - Nitehawk Cinema serves real food that you will enjoy eating, and on top of all that, they will bring it to you! In the theater! At a little table! There will be napkins and utensils! Like you are an actual human being! I can't stress how wonderful this is, and at the same time, I can't believe that it's taken this long for a place like Nitehawk to arrive in Brooklyn.

You're probably wondering, "How much does it cost to have a wonderful experience like this, one where I feel like an actual human being and not a chimp who just happens to enjoy movies?"

Well I'll tell you! $11! $11 is the answer. Tickets to this theater where you are treated like a person will cost you $11, the same or less than any other theater like Loews or AMC or Royal Crown Cola. Yes, the food and drink cost extra money, but still less than shitty concessions at a major theater chain. That massive bowl of delicious popcorn pictured above? $5. Three items off the "small plates" menu will cost you $15, which is about as much or less than three boxes of candy anywhere else. And this food was cooked by a person that very same day!

Gone are the days where you stuff your pants with contraband snacks and soda and sneak uncomfortably into the theater! Gone are the days where you must awkwardly explain the rogue Sour Patch Kid stuck to your underpants! Finally we are free!!

My love for eating food in places where you wouldn't normally (a movie theater, while standing, etc.) is enough to make me want to hug Nitehawk Cinema. But wait! There's more! In addition to totally reasonable ticket prices, awesome atmosphere (& overall coolness), and tasty eats, this place features nice, friendly service and a great film selection. After all the great things I've said about the food, you could probably give a shit about what movie you're seeing. Honestly, I could be sitting down for Cars 2 and as long as I had some mini corn dogs, would probably have a wonderful time.

But you won't have to sit through Cars 2! You will be able to choose from good movies! Independent ones. We saw Submarine on Saturday night - a cheeky, British/Welsh coming-of-age film about a teenage boy and his struggles with parental discord and first love. You know, life.

Anyway, we really enjoyed the movie and the "pre-screening show" that Nitehawk provides beforehand! Before the movie, instead of watching stupid "first look" features about crap movies you don't want to see, or way-too-easy trivia ("What character did Matthew Perry play on Friends?" Seriously? C'mon) you will be treated to thematically appropriate snippets like music videos, short film clips, and even vintage advertisements. Our pre-screening show included the Portishead music video for "Only You," so that's about all I needed to see (thematic because they are British!)

On the one hand, I am happy to be so excited about a new place. On the other hand, I feel a little depressed that either I am so simple that things like good food and friendly service excite me, or that the world is so generally shitty that these things are worth getting excited about. I guess it doesn't really matter, because I have found my one and only.

Nitehawk Cinema, will you marry me?

Nitehawk Cinema 136 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn NY 11211 between Berry & Wythe Williamsburg T (718) 384-3980

[bklynography-blog]

I thought this dismal weather week on the cusp of summer would be the perfect time to bring this video* back.

Remember the summer of 2009? Pheonix's "Lisztomania" was the anthem of the season, Williamsburg was at the height of an artistic and musical renaissance (enjoyed by hipsters, reviled by everyone else), and a bunch of people made this video, mimicking the classic "Brat Pack" dance scenes of the John Hughes movies that so intensely influenced people of the aforementioned "hipster" generation, that perfectly encapsulated that summer. It was only two years ago, but feels like a decade. It was before rent in Williamsburg rivaled Manhattan prices, while McCarren Park Pool was at its peak, and before Bushwick was the new East Williamsburg (which was, at the time, the new Williamsburg).

It was a simpler time. A warmer time. Summertime. 

Yes, this video is a bunch of inordinately care-free twenty-somethings dancing on a rooftop like a bunch of jerks as if they've got nothing better to do (and maybe they don't!) which is precisely the complaint most people have about Williamsburgers, but we can't deny that's enviable. I want to be care-free and dancing on a rooftop! But more than that, I want the sun to come out, and the days to get warm, and for everyone to listen to same song, over and over again, til we just can't stand it anymore.

*This video not by or affiliated with Bklynography.

[bklynography-blog]

Four & Twenty Blackbirds: It's Pie Time

Do you like pie? Of course you do!!! Unless you are absolutely, irreparably, bat-shit crazy! Which I hope you are not. Please don't kill me.

When you need to satisfy your murderous (yet entirely sane) craving for delicious pie, you need to go to Four & Twenty Blackbirds. Located in Gowanus (what is this? Gowanusography.com!?) this shop is yet another example of the sort of business that will hopefully pull this industrial wasteland right out of the proverbial dumpster.

Owned by Emily and Melissa Elsen, the shop opened in 2010, and based on my visits there, is doing very well! It always seems to be filled with smiling, creepily-happy types, but maybe that's just what pie does to people. In addition to a selection of various seasonal pies, Four & Twenty offers coffee drinks, soups, salads & other baked treats etc etc. And the decor is just the cuuuuuuutest.

'Twas a bright & sunny May Sunday when I last visited Four & Twenty Blackbirds with my gentleman love (ew I just gagged a little bit writing that) and we stopped in for a treat to enjoy in Prospect Park. Did I mention that the ladies who work here are super nice? They are. One of them insisted that I get whipped cream with the pie, which I was hesitant to do since we'd be traveling with it. But what the hell, right?! After all, you only eat pie every time you feel like going out to eat pie!

And nothing says "springtime" like pie in the park. Park pie. Well a lot of things say springtime more than that, but fuck it. It was fucking pie time. We ordered a slice of the Strawberry Balsamic pie, and a Rosemary Garlic Scone, then hustled over to the park to save the whipped cream from the warming day.

You are probably looking at that bite of pie and thinking, "What're you kidding me????!" And no I'm not kidding you!! That pie was unbelievably good, and the whipped cream had such integrity that it laughed in the face of the 70-degree weather. It was unaffected! And the savory scone, which reminded me more of a biscuit, was equally fucking awesome. This entire experience made me want to weep and toss my Kitchen-Aid out of my third-story window, as I'd never be able to match the wonderfulness of these treats. Okay that was hyperbole but seriously try this stuff.

Now that you'd kill your own mother to go eat pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds, I will offer you this helpful tip:

Oh no! The dreaded "Cash Only!" sign! Be prepared everyone. And, one more word of wisdom: try to get there early - the best and most exciting pies definitely sell out before the end of the day. And there is no more despair-inducing scenario than having high, up-in-the-sky, apple-pie hopes reduced to pie-less disappointment.

Four & Twenty Blackbirds 439 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215 Corner of 8th St & 3rd Avenue Park Slope / Gowanus T (718) 499 2917