Last News Round-Up for 2010

Stalled Buses on Fifth Avenue [OTBKB]

Who Gives A Shit DAY TWO: Has Your Brooklyn Street Been Plowed? [FIPS]

Snow Job! Brooklyn Pols Blast Lackluster Storm Response [Courier Life]

Delayed Snow Clean-Up Was A Sanitation Dept Protest!? [FIPS]

Experts Name the Top Restaurant Standbys of 2010 [NY Eater]

Restaurant Review: Bonnie’s Grill [Local Bozo]

Know Your Bartender: James Menite, Fornino [Here's Park Slope]

* picture from OTBKB 12/27/10

Where to get the Bubbly

So, believe it or not, there are just two days left in 2010. Time to stock up on the bubbly (or whatever your poison is) for the big celebration tomorrow night. We remember just a few years ago when Red White and Bubbly was the only real wine and liquor store on the avenue (and a good one at that). Now there are seven wine and liquor stores on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue (between Dean and 18th Street) to help meet your New Year's Eve needs. Check out the full list and a map on the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Business Directory.

Also, don't forget Bierkraft, which serves a different (but no less important) type of bubbly.

Looking to stay 'dry' and enjoy the evening with your family? Park Slope Patch has a good list of children-friendly New Year's Eve events.

Photo via Sip

New Year's Eve on Fifth Avenue

We've been working on a comprehensive list of Fifth Avenue places to eat, drink and be merry on New Year's Eve. However, the pressures of the holiday season and the logistical nightmare that was/is "Snowpocalypse 2010" has made the whole endeavor more difficult than we thought it would be. Here is what we have so far, though. We'll update the list as we get more information and repost it later in the week:

• Aunt Suzie's Restaurant: Open from 5 PM to 11 PM. Serving their regular menu
.

• Baluchi's Park Slope: Open regular hours. Try cocktails at their new bar.


• Piramide: Join them on New Year`s Eve for live entertainment, free giveaways, noise makers and much more!


• Kappa Sake House: Pre Fix Dinner and Sake pairing. Open till 1:00 am! Check out the menu here.


• Aperitivo: Open New Years Eve 11 am till 4 pm and New Years Day 11am till 12 pm!


• Alta Voce - New Years Eve open 6:30 pm till ? Live Jazz from 9:30 pm till 12:30 am by The Christian Nourijanian Quartet. Check out the menu here.


• Melt: Starting 5:30 pm enjoy a 4 course dinner with a complimentary glass of champagne $50 prixe fixe or a la carte at the Bar. Or drop in at 11 pm for drinks at the bar and a midnight toast to the New Year. Start 2011 with a great brunch from 10:30 am-4 pm. New Year's Eve menu is available here.

By the way, you'll need something nice to wear if you are going to be going out on the town. Check out the Park Slope Patch's look at New Year's Eve Dresses that you can buy on Fifth!

Photo by P*P (Flickr)

Review: Tacos Nuevo Mexico

We are always glad to read positive reviews of Fifth Avenue restaurants. We are extra happy when we read positive reviews of local Mexican restaurants by West Coast transplants (what could be more convincing).

Anyway, Park Slope Patch editor Kristen Brown (a California native) recently posted a review of Tacos Nuevo Mexico (491 Fifth Avenue) and it appears that she gave it a "thumb's up." Looking at the restaurant's other reviews online, it appears that the critics agree!

So, check out the review here and then go out and get yourself some tacos! They are the perfect food to warm you on a cold winter's day!

Photo via Urban Spoon

Snow Day!

Gothamist is reporting that the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has declared today a Snow Day, which means that there will be "FREE, supervised outdoor recreation and winter fun for youth, including sledding, snowman and snow angel contests, friendly snowball fights, music and complimentary hot chocolate," at select parks throughout the Five Boroughs.

Park Slope area residents will be able to enjoy the festivities at Prospect Park, near the Tennis House, from 11:00a.m. — 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy, and don't forget to come down to Fifth Avenue for a warm meal, a hot drink or a little post-Christmas shopping!

Photo by Alex Goldmark

Christmas(ish) Blizzard

The big news today in Brooklyn, of course, is that there is a Blizzard on the way! So, we didnt quite have a "White Christmas", but we will definitely have a "White Day-After Christmas." The whole thing works out pretty well because there wasn't any severe weather to interfere with holiday shopping on the avenue. That's something to be thankful for.

The forecasts are all over the place so stay tuned to the local news for regular updates. Or, keep an eye on Park Slope's own Roadify Blog for updates on street and public transit conditions.

Stay warm, people.

Merry Christmas

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

News Round-Up

Study: Brooklyn Leads the ‘Chain’ Gang [Brooklyn Paper]

Preservation and Affordability [Save the Slope]

Coming Soon: Rachel's Tattoo & Beauty Salon [Here's Park Slope]

Cynthia Sestito Visits Café Napoli; Julian Medina Hosts a Brunch [Grub Street]

There is only...

day left to finish your Christmas shopping. Don't forget to support Fifth Avenue's local stores, bars and restaurants today!

There are only...

shopping days left till Christmas! Make sure to come out and shop on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue and take advantage of the 60+ Snowflake Specials before the holiday season is over!

Scaredy Kat Holiday Song

Yes, it's that time of year again. Time for another original song and video by Nora Yockey, Damond Gallagher and Leah Hays of Scaredy Kat. Don't forget to check out their song from 2009!

Only 3 local shopping days left till Christmas!

All About Fifth Guide

This past week, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID published a printed guide about the avenue called, appropriately, "All About Fifth."

It features a full directory of the businesses located between Dean and 18th Streets, articles on some of the neighborhood's best stores, bars and restaurants and more!

Where can can you get a free copy? Simply stop by one of your favorite Fifth Avenue businesses and pick one up wherever they display their local publications and flyers.

Grab one, stick it in your pocket, and use it during the last 4 days of holiday shopping along the avenue! Yeah, that's right, just 4 days left!

Carolers and Santa

Here is a brief photo slideshow of this past weekend's strolling Carolers (next performance is Wednesday at 6:30 pm) and Santa's visit to Alta Voce.

Music by Mark Caserta and Kevin Hodge (Electric Campfire)

News Round-Up

Nevermind the Babies, Here’s Park Slope [Brooklyn the Borough]

2010 Park Slope 100 [OTBKB]

Park Slope Plane Crash | How It Happened [NY Times]

Business of the Week: Mega Glass & Sashes, 51 Fifth Avenue [Here's Park Slope]

Dude Gifts [Brooklyn Based]

Santa on Fifth!

This just in...Santa Claus will be making a stop on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue on Sunday, December 19th at Alta Voce
(318 5th Ave between 2nd & 3rd Street) between 12:00 and 3:00 PM. FREE!!!
Ho, Ho, Ho!

OTBKB Picks Fifth

Every year, in December, Park Slope's favorite blog Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn publishes a "Park Slope 100" list of people/places/things that shaped life in the neighborhood over the course of the year. We were really pleased to see the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID named to the list. Very cool!

Other Fifth Avenue mentions include:

• Cog and Pearl


• Freddy's Bar (coming soon to Fifth Avenue)


• Lynette Kirchner of Two Lovers


• Victoria Libertore for her shows at Bax


• Jack "Skippy"McFadden, a founder of Union Hall


• and our friends at Roadify


• Also, we share OTBKB's Shout-out to the Open Source Gallery, which continues to fight on and do positive things in the community despite experiencing a devastating fire.


• Finally, a special congrats to our friend Zohreh Shayesteh, who owns Zora Space on 4th Avenue. We consider her a friend of Fifth!

Oh, also, a list of 2010 Park Slope notables could not be made without mentioning "The Baristas who walked out of Gorilla Coffee." Hopefully, this will be the last time we'll hear of it, though!

Our Holiday Shopping Trip...Part 1?

Despite the frigid temperatures, we had a great little shopping trip along Park Slope's Fifth Avenue yesterday. Unfortunately, we didn't buy all of the Christmas Gifts that we needed to buy because we spent too much time looking around each store and speaking with the merchants. So, we might have to do this again on Monday! Anyway, here is what we found, so far:



We heard that Park Slope Eye was having a "50% off all sunglasses" sale as part of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Snowflake Specials.



Mark fell in love with this pair of sunglasses but he really needs to shop for others before he can consider buying them.



Pink Olive had some beautiful things for children and babies and their Snowflake Special is "Free gift wrapping and Pink Olive tote bag with a $100 purchase."



Mark bought this picture frame for his Great Aunt at Bob and Judi's Coolectibles (217 Fifth Avenue). If you shop on Friday, with any purchase, you receive a $5 gift certificate good thru Dec 24th!



Scaredy Kat is always a good destination for gift shopping. Their Snowflake Special: Spend $50 in their shop and get a free pair of specs (modeled here by Mark).



We got hungry and decided to eat at Bonnie's Grill. Yeah, we usually get burgers and wings at Bonnie's but we were intrigued by the special "Brussel Sprout Soup." Believe it or not, it was delicious (as you can see by the empty bowl, above).



Serene Rose and Razor don't have an official Snowflake Special, but this deal looked really good. We'll have to come back to this on Monday.



We always love to shop at Brooklyn Mercantile. If you mention the Snowflake Special, you'll receive free hand made gift tags with your purchase!

Well, that's as far as we got. Yes, it looks like we'll have to finish up this weekend or on Monday. Stay tuned! In the meantime, take a look at the Snowflake Specials and Shop Local!

We're Going Shopping

Yeah, it's going to be cold today but we really need to finish our Christmas shopping! We're taking a look at the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Snowflake Specials now and picking our targets.

Check back tomorrow to see what we bought on Fifth!

Holiday Music Coming to Fifth

No matter what time of year it is, Fifth Avenue is always better with a little bit of live music. In the Summer there was Make Music NY and Dancing Under the Stars, which really gave the Avenue a nice festive, community feel.

Starting Wednesday, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID is once-again sponsoring live music on Fifth. This time, of course, there will be live holiday music performances to make your local Christmas Shopping experience even better.

Here is the schedule:

• Wednesday, December 15: @4th Street and 5th Avenue, 7:00 to 8:00 PM



• Saturday, December 18: Strolling performers from Opera on Tap, 6:30 to 8:00 PM



• Sunday, December 19: Strolling performers from Opera on Tap, 3:00 to 4:30 PM



• Wednesday, December 22: Strolling performers from Opera on Tap, 6:30 to 8:00 PM PM



• Thursday, December 23: Strolling performers from Opera on Tap, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

News Round-Up

City Council Hears Sides of Bike Lane Battle [NY Times]

WSJ Close-Up on the South Slope [Brownstoner]

Emily Lloyd to Head Prospect Park & Alliance [OTBKN]

BQE makeover? Plans aired to heal the hated Brooklyn Queens Expressway 'scar' [Daily News]

Holiday Craft Fairs Hit the Slope [Park Slope Patch]

Cooking Class with Chef Jacques Gautier

Park Slope Foodies:

This Friday, December 10th, Chef Jacques Gautier of Palo Santo (652 Union Street between 4th & 5th Avenues) is giving a cooking class on "Pre-Columbian Cuisine" at the Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center (540 President Street).

As Chef Gautier said on his blog, "What better way to study history and culture then through food?" Sounds like a good opportunity to learn something in the most painless (and delicious) way possible.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Welcome Park Slope Patch

All About Fifth welcomes the newly-launched Park Slope Patch. We'd tell you all about it, but the video, above, does a better job than we ever could.

Don't forget to check out our Patch post about Shopping Local.

Upcoming Fundraiser and Cross-Promotion

We just learned about a couple of good things happening this month on Fifth Avenue. Asha Veza has organized a fundraising raffle to benefit GEMS, a NYC organization committed to empowering girls who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.

Sixteen Fifth Avenue businesses have each generously donated a $50 gift certificate towards the fundraiser.  One lucky winner will receive all 16 gift certificates (a total $800 value)!

Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each (cash only please) between the 9th and 15th of December at Asha Veza, Bierkraft, Gorilla, Tabeel and at Southpaw's Kings County General Store on December 12th from 12-5 PM.

Gift Certificate Donors: Alchemy, Amazing BK Race, Asha Veza, Aunt Suzie's, Beacon's Closet, Bierkraft, Canaille, Element Beauty Lounge, Gorilla, Luscious, Miriam, Olia Designs, SIP, Southpaw, St. Kilda, and Tabeel.

The raffle drawing will take place at 8 PM on Thursday, December 16th at Asha Veza (69 Fifth Avenue) at a Special Fundraising event for GEMS.

Also, a number of Fifth Avenue Businesses are offering their customers an extra-special Snowflake Special cross-promotion discount on the 9th and 16th December.   On those evenings, bring a receipt from earlier that day from any of the following participating Fifth Avenue businesses into any other participating venue for a 10% discount:

Alchemy, Asha Veza, Bierkraft, Canaille Bistro, Element Spa, Gorilla Coffee, Lulu's Then & Now, Luscious Food, Miriam, SIP, Tabeel and The V Spot.

Tonight: A Taste of New Zealand

Last week, we dropped by Melt for dinner for the first time ever. Wow, what a meal! We were really impressed with the food.

Tonight and tomorrow they are featuring a "Taste of New Zealand." Sounds interesting!


TASTE OF NEW ZEALAND

A celebration of New Zealand food and wine
Tuesday, December 7 and Wednesday December 8

PAUA AND LEEK FONDUE
Alana Estate, Sauvignon Blanc 2009

MANUKA, MARMITE CURED KING SALMON
Alana Estate, Chardonnay 2008

KIWI BURGER
Ground Lamb, Quail Egg,Beet Relish on Brioche
Alana Estate, Pinot Noir 2008
 
MILO RUBBED VENISON
Truffled Polenta, Pomegranate Molasses
Gunn Estate, Syrah 2007

PAVLOVA
Kiwi Fruit, Berries
Selaks Ice Wine

Food $30, Wine Pairing $20

RSVP:
Call 718.230.5925
email meltnyc@gmail.com

Snowflake Gift Shopping Specials

Last week we focused on the Snowflake Specials that were being offered by Fifth Avenue restaurants. Today, we thought we would highlight all of the stores that are offering specials and discounts this holiday season. It's December 6th, Park Slope. Time to get shopping! Remember to support your local stores this season (here's why):

Square Stores 426 Fifth Avenue: Items listed at $155 on sale for $95.00

Leopoldi Hardware 415 Fifth Avenue: $5.00 off the purchase of $25.00 or more

Platinum Couture 487 Fifth Avenue: Mention the BID and receive 20% off any purchase.

New Style Clothing 58 5th Avenue: TBA

Milan Optique 83 Fifth Avenue: 25-40% off designer eyewear & $99 selected frames

ZuZu's Petals 374 Fifth Avenue: 5% discount on flowers over $50. Fridays 10-7

Under the Pig Antiques & Collectibles 355 Fifth Avenue: 20% off any item

Brooklyn Mercantile 335 Fifth Avenue: TBA

Active Transport 285 Fifth Avenue: 5% off on UPS or Fedex when shipping any box.

Brooklyn Eye Works 537 Fifth Avenue: 50% off frames.

Brooklyn Frame Works 142 Fifth Avenue: 10% off all matted and framed prints. Mention BID receive 10% discount.

Park Slope Hardware 593 Fifth Avenue: Buy one gallon semi-gloss paint and receive a tray set free. Energy saver light bulbs $1.99. Wall mount for flat panel T.V.s $29.99

St. Kilda 71 Fifth Avenue: On Tues and Wednesday spend over $500 and receive a pair of Diamond Set Pansy studs, 40% off.

Tabeel Aromatherapy Gifts 76 Fifth Avenue: TBA

Blooms on Fifth 431 Fifth Avenue: 10% off.

Edible Arrangements 500 Fifth Avenue: Receive a free box of chocolate covered fruit with a purchase of any arrangement over $40

LuLu's Then & Now 75A Fifth Avenue: 10% off all holiday clothing

LuLu's Cuts & Toys 48 Fifth Avenue: 10-20% off selected items including playable Legos, Minitick Scooterd, Doll Houses and more.

LuLu's For Baby 44 Fifth Avenue: 30% off selected strollers, footmoof, baby soy, and much, more

Scaredy Kat 232 Fifth Avenue: Spend $50 and get a free pair of specs.

Adam's Wines & Liquors 629 Fifth Avenue: Tasting Saturdays 4 to 7 PM

Eidolon 233 Fifth Avenue: Mention the Snowflake Special and get ten percent discount on all shoes and boots

Picada Y Vino 327 Fifth Avenue: Friday night tastings 6 to 8:30 and Saturday tastings 4 to 7. Tasting wines are 10% off on the day of the tasting

Bob and Judi's Coolectibles 217 Fifth Avenue: Every Friday with any purchase, you receive a $5 gift certificate good thru Dec 24th

Fifth Eye Optix 172 Fifth Avenue: Free anti reflective coating with fame & lens purchase. Now selling vintage clothing

Paws in Paradise 410 Fifth Avenue: Doggie day care, grooming, walking

Fifth Avenue Record Shop 439 Fifth Avenue: Discount prices on oldies

Asha Veza 69 Fifth Avenue: 15% off cashmere shawls

News Round-Up

Local Shopping Ideas from Brad Lander [Brooklyn Green Team]

Business of the Week: Aunt Suzie's, 247 5th Avenue [Here's Park Slope]

Snowflake Food Specials [AAF]

Reminder: Fifth Avenue Tree and Menorah Lighting!

We mentioned this in Mid-November but in case you missed it:

Where: The Old Stone House/Washington Park, 3rd Street @ Fifth Avenue

When: Saturday, December 4, 2010 - 5:30pm

What: Tree and Menorah Lighting, Live Music by The Stringers, Hot Chocolate & Brownies, Holiday Cheer!

Be there, people!

Historic 271 Ninth Street

Yesterday, Brownstoner featured 271 Ninth Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues) as their 'Building of the Day'. The building currently houses Slope Music (a member of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID). It is a landmarked structure that is easy to notice, with it's bright colors and beautiful details. We love walking by on our way to the R train on 4th Avenue!

We learned a lot by reading the building's profile. We thought you would enjoy learning more about it, as well:

Building of the Day: 271 Ninth Street [Brownstoner]

Photo via Brownstoner