Films on Fifth: Night One

Tonight marks the opening night for Films on Fifth!

Here are the films that will be showing tonight:

7:00 Aperitivo- Sparrow 08

Perennial Presidential Candidate "Sparrow" shares his wit and wisdom in his 2008 run for the White House. If you can make it to see the film, the clip below is just a glimpse of what is in store for you:




9:00 Aunt Suzie's- Reel Works Personal Stories

Films on Fifth will feature shorts by teen film makers from Reel Works. Not familier? Check out the video, below:

News Round-Up

New on Fifth Avenue: Kitchen Reis [OTBKB]

A Couple of Closings in The Slope [NYC Rentals]

Brewing Coffee Again in Brooklyn After a Barista Walkout [NY Times]

Shocker: At Fornino Park Slope, Michael Ayoub to Abandon Pizza Oven in Favor of Grill
[Grub Street]

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. [BAS]

BAX SPRING SUPER STOOP SALE

There is more than just Films on Fifth taking place this weekend along the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

If you are in the neighborhood, don't forget to drop by the BAX Spring Super Stoop Sale!

When: Saturday May 1st (rain date: Sunday May 2nd).

Where: Corner of 3rd Street & 6th Avenue

What: Shop the stoop sale … support a neighborhood treasure

- Children’s & Adult Clothing
- Baby Gear
- Toys & Games
- Books/Videos/DVDs
- Furniture: including an IKEA toddler bed
- Electronics
- Kitchen & Household Items
- Hardware/Tool
- and much more

For more information about the Stoop sale, click here.

This event is sponsored by: Mr. Rubbish

Films on Fifth Schedule

Okay, the schedule is here! Check it out, below. Start times will be 7:00 unless otherwise noted but check with the venue listed to confirm. Film descriptions and links to official film sites are available on the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID website.

*please note that the Monday Screening of Lock, Load, Love has moved to Thursday at 8:00. Please consult the official Films on Fifth Schedule at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/filmsonfifth for the most up-to-date information. The schedule in the post will not be updated further.

Friday, April 30th
Aperitivo- Sparrow 08
Piramide- Reel Works New York, New York
Aunt Suzie's- Reel Works Personal Stories (5:30 & 10:00 PM)

Saturday, May 1
Coco Roco- King Corn
Aunt Suzie's- Reel Works Race & Equality (5:30 & 10:00 PM)

Sunday, May 2
Timboos- When Broomsticks Were King, The Confession & Sunday Dinner (films by Jason Cusato)
Melt- Arusi Persian Wedding (8:00 pm)
Belleville- Alice Neel

Monday, May 3
Balchis- Darkon
Kappa Sake House- Reel Works Films Stories of Love

Tuesday, May 4
Ginger's Bar- Misconceptions
Aunt Suzie's - When Broomsticks Were King (6 & 9 PM)

Wednesday, May 5
Coco Roco- New World Order Belleville- Reel Works New York, New York

Thursday, May 6
Black Horse Tavern- Lock, Load, Love (8:00 pm)
Timboos- York Street
Belleville- Half Nelson

Friday, May 7
BAX (Brooklyn Arts Exchange)- Sugar
Old Stone House- P-Star Rising

Saturday, May 8
Aunt Suzie's- Misconceptions (5:30 & 10:00 PM)

Sunday, May 9
Southpaw- Darkon
Aunt Suzie's- Reel Works Stories of Love (8:00 PM)

*BONUS* Monday, May 10
200 5th- Alice Neel

Empty Storefront Series

81 5th Avenue is one property south of local favorite, Miriam Restaurant. Property Shark doesn’t give out that much information on the site—except for an owner in Syosset. And blog searches do not fair much better. Can any of our readers remember what storefront was here before its current state?

Fifth Avenue Family Festival Follow-Up

Saturday was a perfect spring day for the Fifth Avenue Family Festival. We thought we would post some photos of the days activities, in case you missed it. Congrats to Puppetry Arts and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID for all of your work on this event!

Link: Fifth Avenue Family Festival Slideshow

Photo (above): Stormtrooper and Mark Simmons, the Executive Chef of Melt (and former contestant on Bravo Tv's "Top Chef" ).

By the way: Try to say "Fifth Avenue Family Festival Follow-up" five times fast. We dare you!

News Round-Up

Go Al Fresco: BK Open-air Eateries [Brokelyn]

Bend and Bloom Yoga [NY Wellness Guide]

Guide to Outdoor Drinking in Brooklyn [Flexible Thoughts]

Earth Day 2010 [Green Beat Brooklyn]

Forty Years Ago Today in Brooklyn [Dumbo Books of Brooklyn]

Outdoor Drinking in the Slope [OTBKB]

Black Horse Pub [Brownstoner]

Thursday Extra

Out with the red and in with the… brown? Gorilla Coffee changes its signature color? No. Its just that those great red benches are missing. AAF snapped a picture yesterday of a cafe in transition.

Fifth Avenue Family Festival

Happy Earth Day, everyone! It's the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day but really it's just another big reminder to live every day like it's Earth Day.

Park Slope's Fifth Avenue will be celebrating Earth Day at the Fifth Avenue Family Festival, this Saturday, April 24th between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Lots of free activities, games and even crafts geared towards making our planet a little bit greener. There will also be food and costumed characters like Snoopy and Sandy the Seagull.

The event is sponsored by Puppetry Arts and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

We hope to see you there!

Fifth Avenue BID on Facebook

Last week, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District set up a new Facebook profile. If you are on Facebook regularly, joining their group might be a good way to get the latest on what is happening along Fifth Avenue, right in your Facebook news feed.

You can join the group by clicking here.

Films on Fifth Update

Films on Fifth 2010 kicks off on April 30th. The schedule should be available soon but, until then, here is a list of the films that will be shown along the Avenue:

Arusi Persian Wedding

Sparrow 08

Mardi Gras: Made in China

Alice Neel

Darkon

King Corn

Misconceptions

Half Nelson

Short Films by Jason Cusato (Park Slope Films)

Sugar

PStar Rising

Lock, Load & Love

Short Films by teen film makers from Reel Works

Wine & Beer Tasting for RightRides

Fifth Avenue's Belleville Lounge is hosting a fundraiser on Friday, May 7th to benefit RightRides, an organization that works to build safer communities by ending gender-based harassment and sexual assault, mainly by giving free late-night rides home to women, LGBTQ and gender nonconforming individuals.

Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Enjoy beer, cheese and more, all for a good cause! Get your tickets here.

News Round Up

Al Capone Park Sloper [Save the Slope]

Park Slope Pizza Tour [OTBKB]

Post Tax Time [Brownstoner]

Blue Ribbon Brooklyn: Order Smart Leave Happy [Between Courses]

Gorilla Coffee Staff Reportedly Quit Because of "Mean" Co-Owner; Shop Closed Indefinitely [Village Voice]

Gorilla Coffee Coming Back Bigger and Stronger??? [FIPS]

Bergen Street in Park Slope is this Month’s ‘Favorite’ Block [Brooklyn Paper]

Call for Local Artisans

The annual Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair has always been a bit different. The organizers (previously the Fifth Avenue Merchants Association and now the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID) have always put special emphasis on making sure that the local stores, bars and restaurants are well represented in the booths that line the street. They have also actively recruited local artisans and artists to fill the remaining spaces. The result is a street fair with local flair, rather then just gym socks and zeppole.

The 2010 edition of the street fair is fast approaching and the spots along the avenue are being claimed very quickly. If you are looking for an affordable way to show off your handmade goods to a large crowd, the Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair may just be the opportunity you are looking for.

Interested? Sign up now!

We mentioned the below information last week but it's worth repeating, given the tight deadline:

Sign up at clearviewfestival.com.

The rates for spaces are below:

Before April 16:

* Exhibitors (non-food): $125
* Food Vendors: $225
* Arts & Crafts: $55

After April 16:

* Exhibitors (non-food): $135
* Food Vendors: $275
* Arts & Crafts: $75

We Know Where to Spend Your Refund

Reminder: Tomorrow is tax day!

Yeah, we know, you probably already knew that. Just in case, though, you still have a few hours to get your receipts together and run down to your nearest tax preparer.

If you already completed your taxes and you are expecting a refund, though, consider spending it locally at some of Fifth Avenue's many local bars, stores, boutiques and restaurants! Remember: spending your tax return locally is an investment in your community.

To start planning your night out on the town, go to the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District's online Business Directory.

For more information on why shopping local is so important for our community, check out The 3/50 Project.

We're Number One

So, what neighborhood is New York Magazine's Best Place to Live in NYC?

Park Slope, of course!

The Magazine's recent edition ranked 50 city neighborhoods according to their livability, with Park Slope topping the list. According to the article's author, Nate Silver:

No neighborhood is the butt of more stroller jokes or the recipient of more anti-gentrification scorn. But any way you slice it, Park Slope is the very definition of a well-rounded neighborhood.

And what Avenue is featured on the front page of the livability article? Yes, that's right, it's Fifth Avenue!

Let us know what you think about the results of this index. Do you think Park Slope is the best? What makes it great?

To read the whole article, click here.

The Weather Does Wonders

We had a chance to stroll along Fifth Avenue yesterday on what was one of the nicest Sundays in recent memory. It's amazing what a little warm weather and some improved economic news can do for a commercial street! The shops were busy and the restaurants were filled with diners. What a change from a few months ago when the cold weather and the economy had turned the Avenue into a virtual ghost town!

Did you get a chance to shop, drink or dine on Fifth this weekend? If so, was it the weather or the "improved" economic news that brought you out? Or both?

The only downer was seeing Gorilla Coffee's gate closed. According to the New York Times, the dispute between the owner and employees has not been solved and the gate will likely remain closed for some time. We'll keep our eyes on this story, as Gorilla Coffee is such an important institution on Fifth.

Fifth Avenue Street Fair: Register Now!

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District is finishing up plans for the annual Fifth Avenue Fair.

If you are interested in being a part of this year's fair (selling goods,food, etc.), you can register online at clearviewfestival.com. Be forewarned, the rates go up after April 16th, so hurry!

The rates for spaces are below:

Before April 16:

• Exhibitors (non-food): $125


• Food Vendors: $225


• Arts & Crafts: $55

After April 16

• Exhibitors (non-food): $135


• Food Vendors: $275


• Arts & Crafts: $75

Brooklyn Exposed

Last night, we attended the launch event for a new website called Brooklyn Exposed, an online guide to all that the borough has to offer. On the site you'll find listings for many of the our great restaurants, shops, nightlife hot spots and more, along with customer reviews and in-depth articles.

It's almost like a Brooklyn-focused...Yelp.

Check it out at www.brooklynexposed.com. The site is adding more and more listings every day. We are looking forward to seeing Fifth Avenue well-exposed!

Photo (above): Brooklynites checking out the site, live at the launch party.

Change in Prospect Park

We don't often have the time to read the New York Times these days. That must be why we completely missed the important announcement that Prospect Park Alliance President Tupper Thomas is retiring! In fact, we only noticed after Brownstoner's brief piece yesterday.

Tupper has done an amazing job in making Prospect Park the green jewel of Brooklyn. We all recognize that the park's rennaisance has played a big role in Fifth Avenue's recent success. So, Tupper, we are all eternally grateful for your service to this community!

To read the entire New York Times article, click here.

Photo by CassieShotz

Fornino Park Slope?

Rumor has it that Chef Michael Ayoub is returning to the neighborhood with a new restaurant! Ayoub, now the owner of Fornino Pizza in Williamsburg, was the owner of Cucina, a beloved Park Slope Italian eatery which occupied the former Tempo Restaurant space for many years.

On a recent walk past 256 Fifth Avenue, it seemed clear that the work crew was trying to meet a coming deadline. Our suspicions were confirmed by several Fornino job postings on Craigslist, which said that the spot would be opening by the middle of this month.

We are trying to secure an interview with Mr. Ayoub about his latest Park Slope hot spot. Stay tuned!

By the way, if you have restaurant experience, these Fornino jobs might be for you. The links are listed below:

SOUS- CHEFS, LINE COOKS, AND BAKERS

Chef de Cuisine

CHEF DE CUISINE AND SOUS CHEFS

Roadify BAM

When we last mentioned Roadify here at All About Fifth, we got a pretty strong reaction from folks who were concerned about participants in their parking program texting and receiving texts while driving.

Roadify's latest idea, known as BAM (Buses Around Me), will probably receive a pretty positive reaction from public transportation advocates, though. The idea behind the BAM program is simple. If you ride buses regularly in NYC, you likely spend a great deal of time standing and waiting for the bus to arrive. Where is the next bus? A BAM participant on a bus can tell you by texting their position to Roadify. People who are waiting at the bus stop can then get that update via text on their phones.

Actually, the video above does a great job of explaining it all. Check it out and if you are a bus rider, it probably couldn't hurt to join the BAM program. It's free and with more participants comes better, more accurate bus location data.

If only it was possible to run a program like this on the subway!

Happy Easter!

-from the gang at All About Fifth and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID!

Photo by Aussiegall [Flickr]

News Round Up

Predictably Irrational Parking Politics [How We Drive]

Best Beans and Rice in Brooklyn [Brokelyn]

86-Year 0ld Locksmith in Park Slope [Lost City]

Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up [Brownstoner]

Plane Truth? The Feds Will Not do Anything about Slope Airplane Noise [Brooklyn Paper]

Interview w/ Farid Ali Lancheros

All About Fifth recently caught up with Farid Ali Lancheros, co-founder of Bogota Latin Bistro & Mojito Bar (141 5th Avenue):

AAF: Tell us about the food you serve at Bogota Latin Bistro & Mojito Bar. What was the inspiration?

Bogota Latin Bistro serves the foods of Colombia and Latin America. Latin America is a very diverse area of land that holds various cuisines that vary from nation to nation. Colombia, for instance, shares elements from indigenous, African and European influences which is what makes it so diverse. We serve popular Colombian items such as empanadas, arepas, arroz con pollo, rice, beans and plantains in addition to typical steak and seafood items one would find in Colombia. We like to punctuate our menu with dishes from Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba and Mexico that we also love eating whenever we go out. The inspiration for Bogota Latin Bistro's menu came from the food we grew up eating and enjoying which we could not find in any restaurants as well as dishes we discover on our culinary travels throughout the U.S. and South America.

AAF: Your "About Us" page on your website said that you were working at a Law Firm before opening your restaurant. What made you want to get into the restaurant business?

I had a very short stint as a busboy back in the early 1980's. I worked at the Russian Tea Room as well as a few other places of note in Manhattan. It was some of the hardest work I had ever done and, aside from the money, I received very little gratification from it. When I left the restaurant (never having gone further than becoming a busboy), I vowed I would never work in a restaurant again due to the hard work involved. Fast forward 20 years, I met my partner, George Constantinou, who at that time managed a restaurant in Fort Greene, who convinced me to leave my law firm job working in Information Technology to open a restaurant with him. It wasn't an easy decision. Other than that short busboy gig 20 years earlier, I knew nothing of the restaurant business. I had been working in IT for 15 years at the law firm and I felt I had reached my full potential there both professionally and financially. There was no where else to go. It was a very comfortable job. George came along and presented me with an opportunity for a change in my life. It was frightening leaving the comfort of the familiar, albeit very dissatisfying, for something completely unknown but the pain of being stuck in a dead end job was greater than the fear of taking a leap of faith.

AAF: Are you glad you did it?

Am I glad I did it? I wouldn't have it any other way. When I look at the opportunities and possibilities afforded to me now, it's one of the best decisions I ever made. When I see the countless faces that leave Bogota Latin Bistro, night after night, smiling and thanking me for a memorable experience, I know I've done the right thing. When I see how many jobs I've created, how many people's lives I've changed through this restaurant, both employees and guests, including my own, my partner's and our families, this decision has been the best thing I've ever made. When I see the positive feedback, the return guests and the media attention that we are generating through basically doing everything a hospitality based business is supposed to be doing (which so many don't do), it's extremely gratifying to see hard work pay off.

AAF: Following up on that, what are some of the biggest challenges of opening and running a restaurant in New York City?

There are so many challenges for a budding restaurateur. Coming up with financing is probably the biggest hurdle. Getting good help, developing internal systems, training people to work those systems, constantly developing one's self to become better and find new ways to stay fresh and inventive, finding balance between work and one's personal life, and remaining consistent are things that constantly challenge one in this business. It's very easy to burn out in this business. Running a restaurant in New York City under so many governmental regulations also makes it difficult.

AAF: I noticed that you and George Constantinou Fernandes (the other co-owner) are more web savvy than most restaurant owners. Your website is always up to date, you use Twitter and you started your effort with a blog that chronicled your restaurant adventure. How important have these web tools been to your business? Any advice to other Fifth Avenue restaurant owners who have not used these tools yet?

The use of the internet, our blog, the website, our Facebook fan page, Twitter, online video and all other forms of social media marketing and internet technology have been absolutely instrumental for us as a business. It's the wave of the future and the future happens to be now. Experience with technology is crucial these days for any business. It makes no difference whether you're new or been on the block a while. It's important that one stay relevant and get the message out there about what one is doing. In addition to allowing us to stay engaged with our current customer base, it allows us to reach out to a wider audience of people who have yet to hear about us but who we know we would appeal to. It's central to brand building. My advice to other restaurant owners is that if you're going to get started using these tools, be prepared to make the commitment involved. It's very time consuming and can prove to be a challenge keeping up with it. Many businesses have created social media positions to help them stay on top of it. It's basically a fulltime job in itself.

AAF: When (or if) you have free time away from the restaurant, where do you shop and eat along Fifth Avenue? Any favorites?

Whenever I do have free time and need a quick break and am craving something different to eat, I head over Nana just down the block. Owner Eric Ong is a personal friend of mine and I enjoy talking shop whenever I see him. I happen to love the food at Luscious Foods. On occasion, I head over to Paul Kenney's place, Belleville for lunch. For staples, where else would I go but the Fifth Avenue Market. Those guys in there pretty much have cornered the market with their product selection and the entertainment they provide from behind the counter. As far as shopping is concerned, I am a minimalist and just don't enjoy shopping at all. I hate carrying bags around with me and I don't enjoy surrounding myself or my home with clutter. I will say I love Fifth Avenue (I grew up right on Sackett Street in the early 1970's and attended P.S. 282 and St. Francis Xavier growing up). Fifth Avenue very much is home to me. Not only do I have great memories of growing up here, I'm making new memories too.