Oktoberfest Tonight

View Fifth Avenue Oktoberfest 2010 in a larger map

Tonight is the first night of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Oktoberfest on Fifth. There are more than 30 participating bars and restaurants along the Avenue between Dean and 18th Streets. If you are heading out, here are some tips and tools:

• The party starts at 7 and ends, technically, at 11 pm


• Look for Oktoberfest posters along the avenue to find participants. You can also go to parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/oktoberfest to map out your evening. Speaking of map, visit the bid's website on your mobile device and click on the "Google Map" link to find a participating restaurant or bar near you.


• Be on the lookout for a bus with an Oktoberfest banner on the side, riding along the avenue. Hop on for free to get from one end of the BID to the other.

That's it! We hope to see you out there and have fun!

Beer & Bread at the Old Stone House

MMMMM...Beer
MMMMM...Bread
MMMMM...Beer & Bread

Wow, the folks at The Old Stone House really know how to attract the public's attention, don't they?

If you love both beer and bread, like we do, Save the Date for The Old Stone House's Fall Fundraiser (Thursday, October 14th, 6:30 pm, $45).

Taste a variety of delectable early American staples recreated by historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman and brewmasters Erik Olsen and Chris Prout of Brooklyn’s Brouwerij Lane.

The tasting will include five courses of bread — representing recipes from the Colonial era. Each bread will be matched with a beer brewed by Olsen and Prout that is seasoned with flavors such as spruce, ginger, mustard and molasses.

For more information, click here.

Just for fun, here is a montage of Homer Simpson's famous "MMMMM..." moments, to cheer your day.

Comida at the Corner

Brownstoner has been carefully tracking the progress at 230 Fifth Avenue (at President Street) for some time now. The space has been host to a number of eateries over the past few years and has come to be known as a "cursed" storefront (the latest victim being "La Playa").

Yesterday, it was reported that "Comida", a Mexican eatery that was previously located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, was opening in the space. Good news! We look forward to eating our first meal at Comida and we wish them lots of luck. Break that curse, guys!

You can read the full article and comments here.

Photo via Brownstoner.

This Week: Oktoberfest on Fifth!

Just a quick reminder that this Thursday, September 30th and Friday, October 1st, Fifth Avenue is celebrating Oktoberfest! Lots of local bars and restaurants will be open late with food and drink specials. There will be music in the streets and a shuttle bus to help you move along the avenue throughout the night.

The event will take place from 7 - 11 PM from Dean to 18th Streets. Come on down and party on Fifth!

Here is a list of participating merchants:

200 Fifth (200 Fifth Avenue, between Union & Sackett)
Kappa Sake House (388 Fifth Avenue, between 6th & 7th Streets)
Piramide (499 Fifth Avenue, between 12th & 13th Streets)
Belleville (330-332 Fifth Avenue @ 5th Street)
Bierkraft (191 Fifth Avenue, between Union & President Streets)
Eagle Provisions Co. (628 Fifth Avenue, between 17th & 18th Streets)
Adam's Wine & Liquors (620 Fifth Avenue, between 17th & 18th Streets)
South (629 Fifth Avenue, between 17th & 18th)
Black Horse Tavern (568 Fifth Avenue @ 16th Street)
Melt (440 Bergen Street between 5th & Flatbush Avenues)
Baluchi's (310 Fifth Avenue, between 2nd & 3rd Streets)
Rachel's Taqueria (408 Fifth Avenue, between 7th & 8th Streets)
Gingers (363 Fifth Avenue, between 5th & 6th Streets)
Timboos (477 Fifth Avenue, between 11th & 12th Streets)
Aperitivo Cafe (279 Fifth Avenue, between 1st & 2nd Streets)
Corner Burger (381 Fifth Avenue @ 6th Street)
Coco Roco (392 Fifth Avenue, between 6th & 7th Streets)
High Dive (243 Fifth Avenue, between Carroll & Garfield)
Chip Shop (383 Fifth Avenue @ 6th Street)
Fornino (254 Fifth Avenue, between Carrol & Garfield)
Al Di La (248 Fifth Avenue @ Carroll Street)
La Villa (261 Fifth Avenue, between 1st & Garfield)
Picada y Vino (327 Fifth Avenue, between 3rd & 4th Streets)
Moutarde (239 Fifth Avenue @ Carroll Street)
Commonwealth (497 Fifth Avenue @ 12th Street)
Aunt Suzie's (247 Fifth Avenue, between Carroll & Garfield)
AOC Bistro (259 Fifth Avenue @ Garfield Place)
Bonnie's Grill (278 Fifth Avenue, between 1st & Garfield)
Blue Ribbon (280 Fifth Avenue, between 1st & Garfield)
Mama Rosa (669 Union Street, between 4th & 5th Avenues)
El Pollito (119 Fifth Avenue @ Sterling Place)
Sidecar (560 Fifth Avenue, between 15th & 16th Streets)
Palo Santo (652 Union Street, between Fourth & Fifth Avenue)

News Round-Up

Art in Park Slope: Farm City and G Train Salon [Leslie Travel]

Cooking Demonstrations at the Park Slope Farmer’s Market (on Fifth Avenue) [OTBKB]

New York City Cleans Up After the Storm [WNYC]

Everyone Is Playing Sunday: A Guide [Now I've Heard Everything]

Video Shows Raw Sewage Flooding Into Canal [Pardon Me for Asking]

Events Nearby

Yeah, we know, the blog is called All About Fifth. Occasionally, though, stuff happens near our favorite avenue that is worth mentioning. Here are a couple of events that are not taking place on Fifth Avenue. We'll forgive them this time:

Public Info Meeting: Plaza Design at the Barclays Center

Although not on Fifth, the arena will directly affect the avenue and our nearby neighbors.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street (at Court Street)

Representatives will be present from Forest City Ratner Companies to brief interested residents on plans for the public plaza in front of the arena. There will be a Q&A session.

Park Slope Restaurant Tour

The tour is taking place on 6th, 7th and 8th Avenues but hey, we'll cut them some slack.

Sample food from more than 30 area restaurants in one night. Stroll along 7th, 6th & 8th Avenues for delicious freebies from participating restaurants. Collect "Return Visit" coupons and get a discount when you visit the next time. Thursday September 23rd 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Details at Buyinbrooklyn.com.

UPDATE: A reader reminded us that this weekend is the Atlantic Antic. Oops, missed a big one!

Fall Cooking Demonstrations on Fifth

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and Community Markets are launching a weekly cooking demo series with local chefs. Starting this Sunday from 2-3:30, farm-fresh ingredients will be used to make specialties from some of your favorite nearby eateries. The schedule, so far, is as follows:

• September 26: Fumiko Akiyama of Kappa Sake House will use local produce and seafood to make two kinds of miso soup.


• October 3: a chef from Belleville will demonstrate how to make some of their Parisian Bistro fare.


• October 10: Irene Lo Re of Aunt Suzie's will use farm-fresh ingredients to make her famous Southern Italian/Brooklyn specialties.

Additional demos are being planned. Stay tuned to All About Fifth for more details or go to communitymarkets.biz.

Bon Appetit!

Recent Changes Along Fifth

It was a long, hot summer and, unfortunately, we didn't really get outside as much as we would have liked to. So, to catch up on what's new, we took a walk along the entire length of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID yesterday. Here are some changes we found:

Recently Opened

Like most bloggers, we tend to announce the openings with the most buzz. Here are some important changes that we missed. Sorry!

Green Kitchen: (486 Fifth Avenue between 11th & 12th) from what we can gather, this is a sort-of organic, healthy diner, with sandwiches, smoothies and custom salads.

Yona Lee Vintage & Fifth Eye Optix: Yona Lee is clearly no longer at 186 Fifth Avenue. That space is empty. It looks like their goods are merged into the Fifth Eye Optix space at 172 Fifth Avenue. Anyone know what's going on there?

Milan Optique: (83 Fifth Avenue between Park & Prospect PL) Maybe we just didn't notice this place before or maybe we need new glasses, in which case, we should drop in and say hi. Either way, Milan Optique is a shiny new presence on the street.

Recently Closed

Stoned: (82 Fifth Avenue between St. Marks & Warren)

Serene Rose (331 Fifth Avenue) is merging into Razor (329 Fifth Avenue): This husband and wife team, which owned adjacent men's and women's shops, are merging into one space.

Corduroy Kid: (231 Fifth Avenue between President & Carroll)

Mystery?

Total Wine Bar: (74 Fifth Avenue between St. Mark's & Warren)
There is nothing unusual about a wine bar having its gates closed during the afternoon. However, we have had several people ask us whether it is closed because the gates were down during prime evening hours. We called twice during the evening and got an answering machine and the website appears to be missing but there have been no official announcements. We don't want to start rumors so if anyone has details, we'll post them here.

Prospect Park Lake Clean-up

In 2009, Brooklyn resident Tami Johnson got tired of seeing trash in the Prospect Park Lake. So, she organized a group of 24 volunteers to use pedalboats to clean debris from trash islands inside the lake. They picked up nearly 400 pounds of trash!

The event was such a success, that they decided to do it again this year! Clean-up Day 2010 will take place on Saturday, September 25th, starting at 9:00 am. To learn more about the event or to volunteer, click here.

Fifth Avenue businesses, you can help to sponsor this year's event. A little goes a long way! [Donation Page]

News Round-Up

New York City Battered by Fierce Storm [NY Times]

Oktoberfest in Brooklyn [24/Seven Brooklyn]

LOBO in Park Slope [Eat Out Boy]

Naruto Ramen Opens on Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue [OTBKB]

DOT Installing Countdown Pedestrian Signals In Brooklyn [NY1]

So, About That Tornado Thing in Park Slope [FIPS]

LuLu's Then & Now Opening Party

We received the above invite in our inbox yesterday. We hear that the public is welcome to the party so... consider yourself invited!

Oktoberfest on Fifth

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has announced a two-day Oktoberfest event at participating bars and restaurants along the strip. The event will run on September 30th and October 1st from 7 - 11 pm and it looks like a free bus will provide transportation along the street, to make it a little easier to try the food and drinks at multiple locations (aka "get your beer on").

For more details, as they develop, check out http://www.parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/oktoberfest.

Get out and Vote

Today is Primary Day! Remember to take the time out of your busy day to do your democratic (small 'd') duty.

By the way, Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn has a series of blog posts this week about the new voting machines, paper ballots and more. Check them out before you head out to the polls.

When you are done voting, don't forget to drop by Fifth Avenue for some shopping or a bite to eat. We hear that Naruto Ramen is finally open (they got their first Yelp Review already) and that Ozzie's has reopened its doors.

Baluchi's Happy Hour

We just learned that Baluchi's Restaurant (which has 11 locations in 3 boroughs) recently received a full liquor license for their Park Slope, Fifth Avenue location (310 Fifth Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets). To celebrate, they have launched a Happy Hour with 2 for 1 drinks from 5 to 7 pm. Then, they are offering a late night lounge with cocktails on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights!

We took a look at the bar last week and, to say the least, it's pretty stunning. Go ahead and give it a try during Happy Hour and help Baluchi's break in that liquor license!

News Round-Up

Top Ten Things to Do in Park Slope [Spunky Girl Monologues]

A Ray of Sunshine in Every Bite [NY Times]

Ozzie's Also Shuttered by the DOH [Brownstoner]

The Weekend List [OTBKB]

Reviewing Fornino Park Slope [NY Times]

Eidolon End of Summer Shoe Sale

We just learned about the shoe sale at Eidolon (233 Fifth Avenue). It looks like summer shoes are $109 or less, which is a pretty sweet deal.

Eidolon is a cooperative boutique owned and operated by three independent designers. Their shop features lots of great locally hand-made clothing and accessories.

If you drop by the shoe sale, make sure to check out their new fall collection and more!

You Are Going to Need A Bigger Calendar

Wow, there seems to be an endless supply of events coming up in Brooklyn over the next two weeks or so. Here are just a few, with more to come later this week (not to mention the events on Bergen that we announced yesterday):

BAX Fall Open House:

Saturday, September 11, 10:00am - 2:30pm
Sample FREE dance, theater, tumbling and related classes for ages 18 months to 18 years. Meet the BAX faculty and staff, register for the Fall Trimester, enjoy refreshments, tour the facilities and check out their Playspace for ages 1-4.
 
For more information visit bax.org/youth/fall-open-house/


The Brooklyn Trade Show

The Brooklyn Trade Show is described as: "the premier business event in Brooklyn. You will have the opportunity to meet over 175 companies and over 1,000 key decision makers. There will be plenty of business opportunities to learn about new products and services, network, and create strong business relationships face to face."
Sounds like an interesting event for our local businesses to check out. It will take place on Tuesday, September 14th at Stage 6 in the Steiner Studios

Brooklyn Business Expo:

So at first, we confused the Brooklyn Trade Show with the Brooklyn Business Expo, which we had written about back in February (it took place in March). When we got to the expo's website, though, we found that another expo show will be taking place on September 15th at Steiner Studios. What??

Oh well, you can check the details about the September 15th Expo at Brooklynbusinessexpo.com

Photo via Flickr.

Big Nights Out on Bergen

On Friday, September 10th and Saturday, September 11th, don't miss the big events on Bergen Street near Fifth Avenue! The Bergen Lot Party, a collaborative initiative of businesses on the burgeoning block of Bergen Street between Flatbush & Fifth Avenues, will celebrate Vogue Fashion’s Night Out 2010 and raise money for The Center For Anti-Violence Education.

Friday, September 10th: Stores on Bergen will stay open until 11 pm, hosting in-store events in conjunction with Vogue Fashion’s Night Out. In addition, the empty lot between 450 & 448 Bergen Street will be transformed into a Lot Party from 8-11pm with local DJ's and food, wine and beer.


Saturday, September 11th: (almost too many to list)


10-11am- lululemon athletica hosts an open level yoga class to kick off your Saturday morning. Get a good sweat in the September sun with local teacher Derek Beres... and expect to flow with some great tunes!
11:15am-12pm- bring the little ones out for a Kids Class with Lauren Maples of Bija Kids Yoga.
11:30-2:30- Facepainting with cocreative Faces
11:30-7:30pm– The Bergen Feast featuring the very best of the block cuisine.
12:30-2pm- Bergen Idol – Brooklyn’s best and most outrageous sing their hearts out for a chance at becoming the next Bergen Idol.

12-3pm– Photographer Orrie King will be shooting family portraits. $25 for 15 minutes and 2 instant prints.
3-4pm– Family concert with City Stomp, co-sponsored by A Child Grows in Brooklyn and Bump Brooklyn.
3-8pm– Biker Show & Pin-Up Girl Contest hosted by Private Stock, featuring some of the bikes & bikers in the Denim and Chrome exhibition.
4-6pm- Skate and bike related competitions for cool Ride Brooklyn merchandise.
4:30-8pm– DJ & live music.
6-7:30pm– Eponymy will hold an extravagantly wardrobed game of “Malcontent Croquet” on the Bergen Lot lawn.
7:30-8pm– Winners Announced.
8pm-11pm– Melt will have $5 Special Cocktail and $15 Sangria Pitchers.

Happy Labor Day

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

Fall...here we come!

News Round-Up

MORE New Park Slope Restos [FIPS]

New York's Cursed Restaurant Spaces [NY Eater]

New Chinese Spot Coming to Fifth Ave [Brownstoner]

Help Save Puppets Vegetarian Restaurant (and um, Jazz Bar) [Easy Delicious Recipies]

A Vegan Walking Tour of Park Slope, Brooklyn [Girlie Girl Army]

Naruto Ramen Comes to Brooklyn [Zagat]

Enjoy Your Weekend

Well, the end of summer has finally arrived. Whatever your plans are this weekend, enjoy and please be safe. Again, if you are going to be in town, remember to shop local on Fifth Avenue (local Labor Day weekend specials and savings are available here.)

For your entertainment: we shot the video, above, at the last night of Dancing Under the Stars (August 31). The band, L.A. Blacksmith, put on an impressive performance and, while the crowd was quiet at first, it got up and danced when the sun went down (who can blame them, it was scorching hot out there). We think these guys need a website and an agent. Lots of talent!

Have a great weekend!

Labor Day Weekend Specials

If you are in town for a staycation or if you have visitors coming during this last weekend of summer, please remember to support your local stores, bars and restaurants.

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID is putting together a list of specials and offers from local merchants for this labor day week/weekend. The list is short right now but check back to see if anything is added. In the meantime:


ZuZu's Petals (374 Fifth Avenue): Saturday and Sunday Sept. 4th and 5th, 15% off their collection of garden plants, shrubs, and  trees, 15% off their cotton table cloths. Free Re-Zuzable bag with every purchase over $50.

Prego's Pizza (349 Fifth Avenue): Get one large pie for $13 and half price of the second one, Baked Zitti with fresh Mozzarella cheese for $5, Meatball Parmagiana and Pasta for $6, Chicken Parmagiana Hero for $6,Eggplant Parmagiana Hero or with Penne Pasta for $6. Please mention that you are ordering the special.

Asha Veza (69 Fifth Avenue):15-50% off select items, and will also have a sampling of their fall collection.The Asha Veza collection comprises unique and stunning international design tethered to social justice and the alleviation of poverty.

Tabeel Aromatherapy Gifts (76 5th Avenue)
Affirmation Candle holders 50% off
Chocolate and Floret scented heat wraps 30% off
Hand painted vases 25% off
Buy 1 figurine, get the other half off.

LuLu's Then & Now Open for Business!

LuLu's Then & Now opened yesterday with the perfect mix of "new and gently used" children's clothing, baby gear, books and toys at 75A 5th Avenue near Prospect Pl. Partners Anne Marie and Brigitte (pictured here, left to right, respectively) have you covered-- from newborn to 8 years-- offering 25% cash or 40% store credit for your items. They only ask, in return, that all items be in excellent resalable condition. Swing by, or call for an appointment 718.398.LuLu.