Happy National Gorilla Suit Day

Yes, today is National Gorilla Suit Day!

Originally dreamed-up by Mad Cartoonist Don Martin in 1963, the day largely goes unnoticed each year (that is until you pass someone on the street wearing a Gorilla Suit and you start to panic).

If you feel like celebrating today, you're in luck! Freddy's is hosting a Gorilla Suit Film Festival tonight, starting at 8 pm. For more details, click here.

Life Boutique & Thrift 2nd Anniversary Sale

We saw this sign yesterday while out and about. Life Boutique and Thrift, located at the corner of 13th Street and Fifth Avenue, is celebrating its 2nd Anniversary with a 50% off sale on everything in the store.

It's on through Thursday (Jan. 31st) so drop by and grab some great vintage finds before they are all gone!

Happy Anniversary, Life Boutique & Thrift!

Raffle: February is Nearly Here!

February is nearly here! Don't forget that the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Spending Spree Raffle is on through February 14th!

Make sure to visit a participating merchant (90+ from Dean to 18th Street), make a purchase and fill out your ticket for a chance to win a $1000, $500 or $300 Fifth Avenue shopping spree! The drawing will be held on Valentine's Day.
The full list of participating merchants is available at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/spendingspree2013.

John Hodgman at Union Hall

We're not sure why we're posting this because the show is already sold out. Still, we thought you'd want to know that John Hodgman, Brooklyn's favorite humorist/writer/actor, will be performing at Union Hall (702 Union Street) tomorrow night at 8:30 pm.


JOHN HODGMAN: SECRET SOCIETY 
TUE 1/29: 8pm Doors / 8:30pm Show / SOLD OUT!

News Round-Up

Park Slope School Celebrates Shiny New Bathrooms with Ribbon Cutting [DNA Info]

EPA, Community Begin Dialogue on Gowanus Canal Cleanup [PS Patch]

New Park Slope School Will Use 'Multicultural Approach,' Principal Says [DNA Info]

Park Slope Civic Council to Host Forth on 4th Ave. Committee Planning Meeting Wednesday [PS Patch]

Week 3: Valentine's Raffle

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Spending Spree Raffle is in its 3 week!

Make sure to visit a participating merchant (90+ from Dean to 18th Street), make a purchase and fill out your ticket for a chance to win a $1000, $500 or $300 Fifth Avenue shopping spree! The drawing will be held on Valentine's Day.

The full list of participating merchants is available at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/spendingspree2013.

Brunch at Baluchi's

Park Slope loves weekend brunch. Park Slope also loves Indian Food. But Indian Food for Brunch? That's a new one!

Park Slope's Baluchi's (310 Fifth Avenue) just launched their Indian Brunch menu last weekend, a combination of traditional brunch items with a bit of Indian flair to spice up your weekend. It's just $12.95, served with coffee or tea, orange juice and a complimentary drink.

The menu is below:

Theen unda : 3 eggs any style served with home fries, toast and mixed greens.

Desi frittata: red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, herbs served with home fries, toast and mixed greens

Omelette: choice of any 2 ingredients, add ingredient .75c Served with home fries, toast and salad and Alu baaji (Potato)
onions & cilantro
Saag
paneer masala
Mushrooms
bell peppers 
Tomato
turkey bacon or sausage

Saag unda: sautéed creamed spinach, 2 poached eggs, English muffin, home fries and salad Unda

Benedict: 2 poached eggs, turkey bacon, roasted tomato served with English muffin, home fries and salad

Unda aur machi: salmon tikka, 2 poached eggs, english muffin served with home fries and salad

Baluchi Burger: indian spiced ground lamb, with onion, tomato, lettuce, pickles, served on brioche, vindaloo ketchup and fries

Kasturi Chicken Sandwich: sliced chicken tikka, cilantro, mint, yoghurt, served onan with fries

Mumbai toast: served with fresh seasonal fruits and maple syrup Strawberry pancakes: served with butter and maple syrup

Haggis and Tartans and Scotch, Oh My!

“Fortune! if thou'll but gie me still
Hale breeks, a scone, an' whisky gill,
An' rowth o' rhyme to rave at will,
Tak a' the rest,
An' deal't about as thy blind skill
Directs thee best.”
-Robert Burns

Since the 18^th century, it has become an honored Scottish tradition to hold a special dinner for the man considered that country’s national poet, Robert Burns, on or around his January 25^th birthday. Known as a Burns Dinner or Burns Supper, this typically consists of a procedural gathering to sip Scotch, recite Burns’ poems (including separate tributes to participants of both genders, plus new and old friends) and yes, eat haggis, which is presented in a type of ceremonial march. While Burns Suppers have gained popularity in New York City in recent years among Scotch enthusiasts, one usually associates them with pubs and whisky bars. But an Italian restaurant in Park Slope? 

Aye!

This year will be Aperitivo’s (http://www.aperitivocafe.com/) Second Annual Burns Dinner on Fifth Avenue, held on “Burns’ Eve,” Thursday, January 24^th.  It comes complete with all the ceremony, bagpipe playing and yes, the men even wear kilts. Owner Mario DiBiase mentioned that the Italian connection is not such a huge leap, as there is a sizeable community in Glasgow. There is even an Italian Scottish tartan. 

But that’s not what ultimately inspired DiBiase to create this event. He has long enjoyed holding special theme dinners at the restaurant, usually with wine pairings.  A couple of years ago, a customer and fellow Scotch devotee requested a whisky pairing dinner, which then morphed into a Burns Supper. DiBiase liked the idea of adding an “informative purpose” to a Scotch pairing dinner, staying “as traditional as possible” while contributing an Italian spin on the traditional Scottish delicacies. 

There was just one problem – the haggis.  For those who aren’t familiar with the dish, it is a challenging mixture of sheep organs such as liver, heart and lungs minced with onion, oatmeal and spices, served inside the sheep’s stomach. As you can imagine, this doesn’t always turn out to be very appetizing. But in the right hands, it can actually be quite tasty. No. Really. 

So to make the haggis not only edible (even one of his Scotch distributors said he won’t touch the stuff), yet delicious, DiBiase decided to alter the procedure a bit. Instead of boiling the meat, it’s sautéed with extra lamb meat to temper the usual “gaminess.”  More Italian spices such as oregano and rosemary are added, and steel cut oats instead of quick oats add some extra bite. The result? DiBiase says even his Scotch rep loved it last year. 

Though haggis is the star attraction, other dishes are also traditionally presented. Aperitivo flame-sears and slow cooks a prime rib for 20 – 22 hours. They also serve a Raspberry Cranachan (a whipped dessert) made with sweet marscapone cheese and amaretto. 

Aperitvo’s Burns Dinner was a smashing success last year. DiBiase was thrilled to see regular customers attending, as well as newbies and Scotch devotees who want a new atmosphere in which to celebrate. This year, the dinner was sold out in a matter of days. 

If you weren’t one of the lads and lassies lucky enough to secure a reservation to the dinner on the 24^th, you can still enjoy the bagpipes on the Avenue outside the restaurant around 7:30 and watch the fun begin. Though wherever you are that night, it’s a great time to reflect on “Auld Lang Syne” with a sip of Scotch. Cheers to you, Bobby! 

- Amanda Schuster, peachesplums.blogspot.com/

MLK Day and Inauguration Day 2013

Today is an important day of remembrance...

and a day of new beginnings.

We hope you enjoy it! - Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID

News Round-Up

Weekend Rails in Park Slope, Jan. 19 to 20 [PS Patch]

Neckerchiefs and Khakis for Everyone! Slope Scout Group Open to Gays, Gals [Brooklyn Paper]

BAM to Host Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Brooklyn Tribute [PS Patch]

Important Question: Does Miss America Live In Park Slope Or Windsor Terrace? [Gothamist]

Runner & Stone Serves Up A Taste of Historic Gowanus [PS Patch]

Celebrate the 80's and 90's at Union Hall

Union Hall has a couple of events planned on Saturday that will take you through the mists of time (two decades of bad hair and fashion) in just a few hours:

At 7:30 pm, celebrate the 80's with:

PRETTY IN PINK: THE FIRST NOVELIZATION 

A READING SERIES BASED ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE

Dramatic readings of literary masterpieces such as Pretty in Pink, Grease 2, Jurassic Park (NOT the one by Michael Crichton), and so much more by:

"TV's Frank" Conniff
Liam McEneaney
Marlow Riley
Heidi Vanderlee
Maggie Serota
+more


Later that night at Midnight:


CRAZY $INCE DA 90$

"...shake that money maker and bust a move. Get down with the running man, cabbage patch, humpty hump, electric slide, robocop, and the snake all in one breath." Enough said.

So, do you think you can make it through both decades in one night? Bring lots of hair spray, just in case.

Hide and Seek at the Old Stone House

Moms and Dads: this Saturday and Sunday, January 19th and 20th at 10 am, be a part of an interactive performance specially designed to spark the curiosity and imagination of children (ages 0-7).

Aidee, the newest original work by Brooklyn's Spellbound Theatre, is a unique performance that is like an adventurous game of hide and seek.
Theater and hide and seek combined? Sounds like a dream come true! Can children 41 years old join in?

Tickets are on sale at Brownpapertickets.com  $15/adults, $10/children

National Hat Day

Yes, we're serious. It's actually National Hat Day!

So, pull your favorite hat out of your closet today and wear it with pride. Or, stop by a hat store like Goorin Bros. (195B Fifth Avenue) or one of Fifth Avenue's fine clothing or vintage shops and buy something new in honor of this great national celebration.

Week 2: Fifth Avenue Raffle

The Fifth Avenue Spending Spree Raffle is in its second week.

Make sure to visit a participating merchant (90+ from Dean to 18th Street), make a purchase and fill out your ticket for a chance to win a $1000, $500 or $300 Fifth Avenue shopping spree! The drawing will be held on Valentine's Day.

The full list of participating merchants is available at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/spendingspree2013.

Mulchfest This Weekend!

Time to take that Christmas Tree down, Park Slope! We're almost half-way through January, already!

Luckily, this weekend is Mulchfest at local parks throughout the five boroughs. On Saturday & Sunday, January 12th and 13th, take your tree to Prospect Park West & 3rd Street or Park Circle at Parkside Avenue between 10 am and 2 pm and watch as your holiday decorations are turned into wood chips. The event is free and wood chips are available to take home at chipping sites.

To see a full list of drop-off and chipping sites throughout the borough and city, click here. Or, download the Brooklyn poster and help spread the word!

Macbeth: The Musical at BAX

When a performance called "Macbeth: The Musical" appears on our Fifth Avenue events calendar, it definitely catches our eye. But, when it features students from the Hellenic Classical Charter School, well then we just have to feature it!

Go check it out at BAX this Friday January 11, or Saturday January 12 at 8:00 PM!
Get your tickets here.

Picture (above): A Macbeth word cloud!

Fifth Avenue Spending Spree

The Fifth Avenue Spending Spree Raffle is back again in 2013!

From now through February 14, shop at a participating Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID businesses (list below) and receive a raffle ticket. You could win a $1000, $500 or $300 Fifth Avenue shopping spree! The drawing will be held on Valentine's Day.

Participants

• South (629 Fifth Avenue)
• Eagle Provisions (628 Fifth Avenue)
• Freddy’s (627 Fifth Avenue)
• Balance Life, Inc (624 Fifth Avenue)
• Has Beans (620 Fifth Avenue)
• Adam’s Wines (620 Fifth Avenue)
• Baba’s Deli (599 Fifth Avenue)
• Caesar’s Carpet Center (596 Fifth Avenue)
• Lenny’s Pizza (594 Fifth Avenue)
• Park Slope Hardware (593 Fifth Avenue)
• Royal Fried Chicken King (590 Fifth Avenue)
• CNS Family Hardware (584 Fifth Avenue)
• Grill’s Delight (587 Fifth Avenue)
• #1 Brooklyn Furniture (564 Fifth Avenue)
• Time Galleries (562 Fifth Avenue)
• Sidecar (560 Fifth Avenue)
• Der Kommissar (559 Fifth Avenue)
• Lisa Lo Bue Studio (268 14 Street)
• FAMA Party Center (268 14 Street)
• Brooklyn Eye Works (537 Fifth Avenue)
• AE Diamond Cuts (259 13 Street)
• H &A Jewelers (526 Fifth Avenue)
• Accurate Photo (524 Fifth Avenue)
• Fabco (522 Fifth Avenue)
• 7-11 (520 Fifth Avenue)
• La Casa Artesanal (512 Fifth Avenue)
• Edible Arrangements (500 Fifth Avenue)
• Franchezka Unisex (500 Fifth Avenue)
• Sonia Beauty Supplies (494 Fifth Avenue)
• Optical Illusion (490 Fifth Avenue)
• Nuevo Mexico (489 Fifth Avenue)
• Lullaby Baby (488 Fifth Avenue)
• Pearl Gate (482 Fifth Avenue)
• Payless (472 Fifth Avenue)
• Peppino’s (469 Fifth Avenue)
• Daisy’s Diner (452 Fifth Avenue)
• Blue Butterfly Hair Salon (318 11 Street)
• Filfila Falafel (310 9th Street)
• Bagel Pub (287 9th Street)
• Empire Express (319 9th Street)
• Atomic Wings (321 9th Street)
• 5th Avenue Record & Tape (439 Fifth Avenue)
• Leopoldi Hardware (415 Fifth Avenue)
• Paws in Paradise (410 Fifth Avenue)
• Slope Barber Shop (393 Fifth Avenue)
• Corner Burger (381 Fifth Avenue)
• Du Jour Bakery (365 Fifth Avenue)
• Ginger’s Bar (363 Fifth Avenue)
• Café Martin (355 Fifth Avenue)
• Fez Salon (351 Fifth Avenue)
• Cozbi (351 Fifth Avenue)
• Surfish (351 Fifth Avenue)
• Culture (331 Fifth Avenue)
• Razor (329 Fifth Avenue)
• Picada Y Vino Wine Shop (327 Fifth Avenue)
• Belleville (330 Fifth Street)
• Zuzu Petals (374 Fifth Avenue)
• M & S Meats (312 Fifth Avenue)
• Baluchi’s (310 Fifth Avenue)
• Aperitivo (279 Fifth Avenue)
• Radiance Salon (264 Fifth avenue)
• La Villa (261 Fifth Avenue)
• Fornino Park Slope (256 Fifth Avenue)
• Kos Kaffe (251 Fifth Avenue)
• Beauty Bar (249 Fifth Avenue)
• Pork Slope (247 Fifth Avenue)
• Eidolon (233 Fifth Avenue)
• Scaredy Kat (232 Fifth Avenue)
• 5th Avenue Shoe Repair (231 Fifth Avenue)
• Two Lovers (227 Fifth Avenue)
• Goldy & Mac (219 Fifth Avenue)
• NYC Pet (218 Fifth Avenue)
• Cog & Pearl (190 Fifth Avenue)
• Hiho Batik (184 Fifth Avenue)
• Chairman (176 Fifth Avenue)
• Impeccable Attire (172 Fifth Avenue)
• Mailboxes on 5th (172 Fifth Avenue)
• Kiku Asian Bistro (163 Fifth Avenue)
• Bhoomki (158 Fifth Avenue)
• D’Mai Urban Spa (157 Fifth Avenue)
• Benny’s Barber Shop (143 Fifth Avenue)
• E Lingerie (140 Fifth Avenue)
• Arias Unisex Haircutters (135 Fifth Avenue)
• El Pollito Mexicano (119 Fifth Avenue)
• R & A Hardware (109 Fifth Avenue)
• R & A Cycle (105 Fifth Avenue)
• George’s 2 Barber Shop (78 Fifth Avenue)
• Pure Bistro (88 Fifth Avenue)
• Milan Optique (83 Fifth Avenue)
• Sky Ice (63 Fifth Avenue)
• Yayo's Latin Cuisine (36 Fifth Avenue)

Winter Hat Sale

Fifth Avenue's favorite hat store, Goorin Brothers, is having their annual Winter Hat Sale right now. It's a pretty good deal: 50% off 100 styles of hats while supplies last!

Shop online or, preferably, at their Park Slope store, located at 195B Fifth Avenue.

Recent Changes Along Fifth

Last year at this time, we took a walk along Fifth to see which businesses were opening and closing after the holiday season. We were surprised to find a lot of change, with 6 businesses closing and 3 opening.

For comparison purposes, we took a walk late last week to see how the Avenue had faired during the 2012/2013 holiday season. This time, there were many fewer changes to report:

CLOSED

• Rita Knox Realty (241 Fifth Avenue)
• #1 Brooklyn Sleep Products (586 Fifth Avenue)

OPENING

• Torres Tattoos (635 Fifth Avenue)- appears to be moving into the former Little Buddy Biscuit Company space from 643 Fifth Avenue (outside of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.)

Welcome to Torres Tattoos!

We hope that the lack of January closings is a sign that the holiday season was strong this year.

Here's to a great 2013!

News Round-Up

First news Round-Up of 2013!

Murder Rate in Brooklyn At Its Lowest Since 1960 [Patch]

Merry Mulchfest [Park Slope Civic Council]

Brooklyn’s 13 to watch in 2013 [Brooklyn Paper]

Join the Riders Alliance Petition for a Better G-Train [Park Slope Stoop]

Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2013 Peak: When to Watch [PS Patch]

First NYC Baby Of 2013 May Have Been Born In Park Slope [Gothamist]

Get Out! The Weekend Guide Jan. 4 to 6 [PS Patch]

The Park Slope Almondine Space Is Now For Rent [NY Eater ]

January 2013 Calendar

It's a new year with lots of great stuff taking place along Park Slope's Fifth Avenue, from hootenannies,  to comedy nights to ukulele shows.

Check out the January 2013 merchant event calendar here. And, as always, if we've missed something, let us know!

2nd Annual Burns Dinner at Aperitivo

If you'll remember, last year at this time Aperitivo (279 Fifth Avenue) hosted a Burns Dinner, celebrating poet Robert Burns, Scottish culture and food. The dinner was so popular that it returns again later this month, with Premium Single Malt Scotches, Prime Rib and Haggis.

Seats are filling fast, so click here to reserve a space via Facebook, call 718.369.1123 or email AperitivoCafe@gmail.com.

Menu

7:30pm Thursday, 24 January 2012 $85.00 Cullen Skink Smoked Haddock Chowder Pairing - anCnoc 12 Year Old (Knock in Aberdeenshi, HighLand) Soft, very aromatic hints of honey & lemon Presentation of the Haggis Accompanied by Scottish Pipes Followed By A Reading of “Address To a Haggis” Pairing – The Balvenie 21yr (Port Wood) (Dufftown on Speyside) fruity & ripe raison notes. Creamy and silky with fruit, honey &  spice. Long, gentle, nutty finish Haggis, Chappit Tatties & Bashed Neeps House Made Haggis with Mashed Potatoes and Turnips Pairing - Ardbeg Corryvreckan (Isle of Islay) peaty, lemon & lime peels. sweet, fiery, lime and smoke  long & powerful Finish, heavy peat & smoked coffee 20Hr Slow Roast Prime Rib To Be served Medium to Medium-Rare Served With Charded Vegetables Pairing – Glenkinchie 20yr (Speyside) Tart and fruity then crisp acidity; delicate fruits Finish: Quite short, sweet, & slightly lemony. cleansing and slightly drying, like a gingery lemongrass cordial. Raspberry Cranachan Whipped Cream, Whisky, Heather Honey and Fresh Raspberries Topped with Whiskey Soaked Toasted Oatmeal Pairing – Edradour 12y Cask - Sauternes (Perthshire, Highland) honey & apple sauce with a big chocolate orange of a palate and a biscuity finish

Happy New Year

-from the merchants of Fifth Avenue and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID. Thanks for a great 2012!