News Round-Up

Hummus Trouble! Slope Supermarkets Ditch Hummus Company That Abused Workers' Rights [Park Slope Patch]

After Fire, Open Source Gallery Mounts Show in Burned-Out South Slope Brownstone[L Magazine]

Lesbians Only: Park Slope Baby Shop Offers Discount for Same-Sex Moms [NY Daily News]

Man Fined $100 For Leaving Dresser On Curb [HP]

Here Come Dumplings! [Here's Park Slope]

Recent Changes Along Fifth

Once again, we decided to take a walk along the Avenue to see what had changed. We've already taken our walk this month but as things seem to be moving quickly this Spring, we thought we'd do it again. And, of course, the weather is nice, so why not?

New

der kommissar: we've been waiting to see what this tiny storefront would transform into. According to their website, "Der Kommissar brings a little bit of Vienna to 5th Ave." This, we have to try!

Surfish Bistro: is open, and serving Peruvian fusion to great reviews!

Wolf & Deer is opening at 74 Fifth Avenue, in the former Total Wine Bar spot. It is being developed by the owner of Miriam. More details from Here's Park Slope.

Housing Works: in what seemed like record time, Housing Works opened a Brooklyn location at the corner of Garfield and Fifth. With stores like Odd Twin, Guvnor's and more, we think that Fifth Avenue is now officially a vintage shopping destination!

Also, a new bicycle shop will be opening in the giant "Jeans Express" space between 10th and 11th Streets. We look forward to checking it out when they open!

Closed

A&k Tile Studio: we were sad to see an "Out of Business" sign on this 9th Street institution. They had high-quality products, an expert staff and great customer service. They will be missed.


Overall, the number of vacant spaces on the avenue appears to be shrinking, as long-empty spaces seem to be undergoing renovation this month. Good news!

Photo: An addition rises above O'Connor's.

Save the Date: The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair

New York City's greatest street fair returns on Sunday, May 15th from 12 - 5 pm!

Check out this great slideshow from last year.

Can't wait!

This Saturday: Family Fun Festival

Puppetry Arts and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID are teaming up once again to host the 5th Avenue Family Festival on Saturday April 30th 11:00-4:00. The free event will be held along 4th Street at 5th Avenue of Park Slope between Washington Park and MS 51.

Activities will include: face painting, puppet making crafts, and prizes. Explore the science of bubbles with the New York Hall of Science, make pizza box puppets with 7-11 of Park Slope, and create your own mask with Regal Cinemas. The event will also welcome the New York Fire Safety Education Mobile and the USMC Activity Patrol Van. Take a swing with Sandy the Seagull of the Brooklyn Cyclones at the baseball batting cage and meet the Good Neighbear of State Farm. Also patrolling the event will be fan favorites Stormtroopers and Jedi Knights from the 501st Empire City Garrison and Echo Base Rebel Legion. Taste the unique cuisine of Baluchi’s Indian Restaurant and Kappa Sake House of 5th Avenue and enjoy live performances by Waiting for Bobby, Coolsax Jazz Trio, and Tucker & Larson Jazz.

We hope to see you there! Here are some photos from last year's event!

This Saturday: Local Travel Expo

This coming Saturday, April 30th, is shaping up to be a busy day. There's the Family Fun Festival and Sidewalk Sale (more on that later this week). There's also a great event taking place at the end of Fifth Avenue (One Hanson Place) that you should know about.

Park Slope's own (and former Fifth Avenue merchant) Escapemaker.com is hosting a "Green Getaways, Local Food & Travel Expo" all day, from 11 am to 5 pm. Check out exhibits from more than 60 getaway destinations, from counties to towns to local farms and bed & breakfasts within a day's drive or train/bus ride of NYC. See how they are "going green." Plus, you'll find transportation companies offering special getaway packages, and show-only discounts!

Tickets $10 Online, $12 Door and Kids 10 and under are free.

For more information, click here.

Happy Easter!

-from the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and the merchants of Fifth Avenue!

Here are some of the Easter happenings on Fifth and beyond:

• Kappa Sake House: Open for Sunday Japanese home style Brunch tomorrow & their "Sake & Beer Garden" is open! The weather today is perfect!


• Park Slope Parents: Their Easter Egg Hunt in Prospect Park is on for 11:00 am. Details are available here!


• ZuZu's Petals: will be open Easter Sunday from 11:00 a.m.until "the lamb is cooked." They have a delicious selection of potted bulbs, garden annuals and perennials,fresh spring flowers.


• Baluchi's Park Slope: Easter drink special,$ $4.00 Margarita and Mango Daiquiri on the rocks.


• Melt: Special Easter brunch and spring menu!
  
  Brunch
  
  
  STRAWBERRY HAZELNUT SALAD 10.­­­
  
  GRASS-FED BEEF BURGER SLIDER 3.5 ea
  
  MELT OMELET 11.
  
  MIMOSA FRENCH TOAST 10.
  
  AVOCADO TOMATO BENEDICT
  
  Poached Eggs, Brioche, Hollandaise 10.
  
  EGGS BENEDICT 11.
  
  BEEF SHORT RIB HASH 15.
  
  BREAKFAST BURRITO 11.
  
  STEAK AND EGGS 15.
  
  COCOA CHICKEN SANDWICH 13.
  
  FREE RANGE FRIED CHICKEN 15.
  
  3 CHEESE GRILL CHEESE MELT 8.
  
  VEGGIE BURGER 12.
  
  MELT BURGER 15.
  
  

If we missed anything, feel free to post it in the comments, below!

News Round-Up

A Bunker Sets the Scene for Veterans to Exhibit Art [NY Times]

City to Turn Parking lot into Children’s Playspace [Brookyn Paper]

The Fifth Avenue Family Festival is Almost Here! [Park Slope Patch]

Park Slope Profiles In Courage: Amy Sohn [FIPS]

I Love Park Slope [52 Projects]

Reminder: April Tweet-Up Tonight!

Just a quick reminder that All About Fifth, in conjunction with our fellow Brooklyn bloggers and tweeters, is hosting another Tweet-Up tonight (here's the definition of a Tweet-Up if you are unfamiliar).

We look forward to seeing you tonight at 61 Local in Cobble Hill to talk about Brooklyn, small business, technology and more!

To RSVP (free), click here.

Join Us on Foursquare

Do you use Foursquare?

It's a funny thing: people either love it or they hate it. Or, they have no idea what Foursquare is. If the latter describes you, watch the video, above, before reading more.

Anyway, we recently joined Foursquare as "All About Fifth" and we'd love to interact with more users. So, go to Foursquare.com/allaboutfifth and add us as a friend! We try to drop by Fifth Avenue area venues on a regular basis and leave tips and we hope to get some great tips from you, as well!

Passover at Miriam

We really love to eat long, slow meals at Miriam (79 Fifth Avenue @ Prospect Place). Sadly, we don't get out to eat as much as we used to but tonight might be a good night to visit Miriam. According to their website, they still have a special Passover meal for one more night. Whats on the menu?

Appetizers, Soup and Salad


Spring salad $7

Asparagus, artichoke hearts and endives with crumble bleu cheese and apple honey mustard vinaigrette

Shredded carrots and cabbage salad in lemon garlic dressing $4

Matzo ball soup with chicken, carrots and fresh herbs $6

Gefilte fish and Hraine (horseradish and beets salad) $7

Nuts and apples haroset $4

Chopped liver $4


Main courses


Whole roasted leg of lamb $200

Roasted filet of grouper with Charamula $60

Fresh herbs with garlic lemon juice and Mediterranean spices

**Herbed rubbed maple glazed Cornish hens $20

Braised Beef brisket $14


Side dishes $6


Potato and dried fruit kugel

Carrot and parsnip tzimmis

Roasted rosemary and garlic mini new potatoes

Rice with lentils, caramelized onion and pine nuts


The menu says to "Please call at least a week in advance" but it might be worth calling to see if there are any last-minute openings.

All About Fifth's New Dairy Destinations

Believe it or not, yogurt and ice cream have been hot topics on the avenue over the past few days. Why?

Well, recently Culture: An American Yogurt Company opened up at 331 Fifth Avenue (between 4th St. & 3rd St.) to good reviews. Said one Yelper: "Delicious! Creamy, fatty, tangy delicousness that reminds you of why buying lame fat-free yogurt with pie filling on the bottom of the container will never compare to real fresh, plain home-made yogurt."

Also, this week Sky Ice opened at 63 Fifth Avenue (@ St. Marks). Everyone seems to be talking about their delicious, creative Thai Ice Cream and their friendly customer service. That is definitely a winning combination for a small business. Read the reviews here .

Here's what others have been saying about the avenue's new dairy destinations:

Open for Business: Culture Yogurt [Here's Park Slope]

Open for Business: Sky Ice [Here's Park Slope]

Park Slope is Awash in Frozen Dairy [Village Voice]
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Photo via Flickr [jankopetkovic]

News Round-Up

Community Board Vote Clears Way For Prospect Park West Bike Path [CBS]

Park Slope Is Awash in Frozen Dairy [Village Voice]

With Fonda's Chef, Comida Mexicana at Home [Park Slope Patch]

Food Fight! Epic Battle Pits Classicists vs. Newcomers [Brooklyn Paper]

Profiles in Courage: Anna Klinger Of Al Di La [FIPS]

Social Media Training with Park Slope Eye

Do you want to learn how to use Facebook and Yelp to effectively promote your business (or future business)?

Join the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID on Wednesday, May 4th at 9:00 am at Park Slope Eye to hear how Dr. Justin Bazan uses these tools to interact with his customers and grow his business.

The event is free and refreshments will be served.

Interested? RSVP to info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com
We'll see you there!

April Brooklyn Tweet-Up

All About Fifth, in conjunction with our fellow Brooklyn bloggers and tweeters, is hosting another Tweet-Up this month (here's the definition of a Tweet-Up if you are unfamiliar).

We missed March but the monthly event is back on track again in April. We hope that you can make it out to 61 Local in Cobble Hill next Thursday, April 21st, to talk about Brooklyn, small business, technology and more!

To RSVP (free), click here.

Recent Changes Along Fifth

Well, the empty spaces on Fifth Avenue are starting to fill up (or are at least undergoing renovations that make them look like they will soon be full). Here are some changes we saw yesterday, on our walk along the avenue:

• Action at former bar section of Long Tan- soon to be a new bar!


• The no-name coffee shop at 186 Fifth Avenue finally has a name: Konditori. Yelp says their coffee is Badass.


• Action at the former Total Wine Bar site


• Sky Ice- soft opening at 63 Fifth Avenu. Dessert and snacks, Thai Ice Cream and more. Details on this unique new cafe from Here's Park Slope.


• Patio Lounge is closed and empty


• Culture (an American Yogurt Company) is now open at 331 Fifth Avenue (although their website doesn't seem to think so.


• There appears to be action at the old Jeans Express site (476 Fifth Avenue). Anyone know what's going on?


• Blockbuster Video (550 Fifth Avenue) is closed.


• Alta Voce (318 Fifth Avenue) is for rent. Interested?


• Housing Works is coming soon to the old Garfield Kitchen space (Fifth at Garfield Place)

Films on Fifth Details

Films on Fifth, sponsored by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and Rooftop Films is coming up this Saturday, April 16th, at MS 51. The list of films being screened at the event has just been released. Looks like it will be a lot of fun. Oh, and FREE!

Short Films for Kids!

This program will be a Rooftop Films-style twist on films for kids, featuring family friendly, fun, smart, shorts from all over the world. There will be wild animation featuring knights, birds, cowboys, robots, monkeys, dragons, people made of sand and snow and all sorts of other creatures that are too crazy to describe. Not only that, there will also be live action films with ping pong balls flying all over the place, and more.

Doors open at 3:00. Films start at 3:00.

Rooftop Films Park Slope Sneak Preview

Rooftop Films is using the evening at MS 51 to give a sneak preview of the short films that are part of the coming "Rooftop Films Summer Series."

Doors open at 7. Films start at 7:00.

The full list of films, along with a description of each, is available here.

News Round-Up

Pedestrian Struck by Car on Fourth Ave. [Park Slope Patch]

What's *Really* Going Down On Seventh Ave [FIPS]

Dine In Brooklyn 2011: Hits and Misses [Park Slope Patch]

Crafting a Vision for Park Slope [OTBKB]

Worst Flyer Ever? [FIPS]

Clean Up the Slope at the Spring Civic Sweep! [Park Slope Patch]

Empty Storefronts on Seventh: Is Fifth to Blame?

It's no secret that the economy has had a negative effect on storefront vacancy rates in Park Slope. In fact, the alarming number of store closings has been a hot topic on local blogs over the past couple of months (see Park Slope Patch, The L and Fucked in Park Slope (FIPS)).

Yesterday, FIPS highlighted an article on a real estate news site about the recent increase in Seventh Avenue vacancies. The article acknowledged the link between high rents and empty storefronts and showed that the real story behind some storefront vacancies is often more complicated than it seems. Some of the people interviewed blamed improvements on Fifth Avenue for Seventh Avenue's woes.

What do you think? Is Fifth Avenue harming Seventh?

"Slippery Slope" [The Real Deal]

Note: we decided not to post the obligatory photo of a shuttered storefront. You get the idea, right?

Upcoming April Events

Well, April is starting to shape up as a busy month on Fifth Avenue.

On Saturday, April 16th, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and Rooftop Films will be sponsoring "Films on Fifth" at MS 51 (Fifth Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets). Last year, Films on Fifth was a 10 day affair with screenings at stores, bars and restaurants along the avenue. This year the event is only at MS51 for 7 hours or so but with Rooftop Films on board, the event promises to be very entertaining. Festivities start at 3:00 with a "children's matinee." The adult program starts at 7:00.

Plan ahead: Saturday, April 30th will be a good day to stick around, especially if you have children. From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, drop by 4th Street near Fifth Avenue for the Fifth Avenue Family Festival. Lots of free (and cheap) family activities, food, music and fun (including a lot of Star Wars Stormtroopers)! Click here to see photos from last year's event.

Also at 11:00 am on Saturday the 30th, take a stroll along Fifth Avenue for this month's Sidewalk Sale! Look for merchants to place their goods in front of their store windows during store hours. Check out photos from last month's Sidewalk Sale here.

Finally, don't miss the Green Getaways Local Food & Travel Expo by Escapemaker.com. The event will take place on the 30th at One Hanson Place. Details are available at Escapemaker.com

Tonight: Tasting Brooklyn

Tonight, Brooklyn Exposed turns 1. Wow, that was fast! Congratulations!

If you haven't checked them out, Brooklyn Exposed does a great job of highlighting the borough's amazing local businesses and events. Highly recommended.

Anyway, to celebrate year one, they are hosting a party at the Dumbo Loft tonight called Tasting Brooklyn, featuring food from some of Brooklyn's top restaurants. Fifth Avenue's Baluchi's, Fornino Park Slope, Palo Santo, Stone Park Cafe and The Chocolate Room will be there and you should be too! Good food, drinks, cooking demos and a beautiful loft space on the waterfront. What's not to like?

To purchase tickets, click here. You can find out more about the event at BrooklynExposed.com.

Wanted: Craftspeople & Artists for the Fifth Avenue Street Fair

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District is looking for local craftspeople and artists to participate in the Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair (Sunday, May 15, 2011)

Discounted space will be offered to local artists and craftspeople to exhibit their own works.

Discounted booths are $55 if you apply on or before April 15th. The price increases to $75 after April 15th, so act now! Space is limited.

To download a .pdf of the application, click here, or contact Clearview Festival Productions, clearviewfestival.com, 646-230-0489