Tag Archives: Brunch

NYC Food Trends Taking The City By Storm

Dining NYC Food Trends Insects Black Ant

Yes, New York has every possible cuisine you can desire or imagine on Earth. That said, take a look at the NYC food trends taking the city by storm. Some are not super new, but probably came to stay!

Dining NYC Food Trends Insects Black Ant
How about a pair of crunchy insects in your dish? Lol! ©BlackAntNYC

New York is the restaurant capital of the world – just consider there are 24,000 eating establishments in Manhattan alone. So, we decided to talk about the upcoming NYC food trends!

It has been estimated that you if you ate at a different restaurant every day, it would take you over 22 years to dine at them all.

One of the reasons that NYC is so diverse for dining, is that there are influences and cultures from all around the globe. This means that there are always great new NYC food trends, which you can even try cooking at home.

Take a look at a few of the food trends below and let’s see how adventurous you are when trying new cuisines! Lol!


Glorious Grasshoppers

Dining NYC Food Trends Grasshopper Croquetes Black Ant
Croquetas de Chapulin: yucca-manchego Grasshopper croquetes with avocado and Chapulín salsa. ©BlackAntNYC

As we think more about sustainability and food ethics, insects are hitting restaurant tables in a big way. They are actually an excellent source of protein and delicious with a little spice.

If you head to Toloache, the Mexican restaurant headed up by Julian Medina, you can sample them in tacos, hot with chili and cooked with crunch.

The Black Ant, in the East Village, is another great eatery that is embracing grasshoppers. In fact, almost every item on their menu uses insects. The grasshopper-crusted shrimp however are a triumph.

If you want to have a taste at home you can easily buy grasshoppers online, they may even become a household staple.

Locations:
205 Thompson Street, Greenwich Village
166 East 82nd Street, Upper East Side
251 West 50th Street, Midtown

www.toloachenyc.com

Location: 60 2nd Avenue, East Village

www.theblackantnyc.com


Beautiful Baogels

Dining NYC Food Trends Baogel Black Seed Bagels
Baogel at Black Seed Bagels. ©BlackSeedBagel

The baogel is another wonderful cultural hybrid, featuring a soft pork belly filling, usually found in a bao bun, and of course combined with a soft, bagel.

It is the creation of Black Seed Bagels and Chinese restaurant Nom Wah Kuai, and usually served with a chili cream cheese on the side for ultimate dipping.

To try this at home, the pork belly cooks best in a sous vide machine, a beautifully gentle slow cook that will leave the pork tender and succulent, ready to be folded into bagel dough.

You can then return the bagel into the machine, to make a really soft baogel. This trend just goes to show how versatile water bath cooking is.

Locations: Several locations, see their websites!

https://www.blackseedbagels.com
https://nomwah.com


Raindrop Cake

Dining NYC Food Trends Raindrop Cake
The peculiar Raindrop Cake. ©RaindropCake

The raindrop cake is a thing of simplistic beauty. Originating from Japan, it is a beautiful dessert that is made from water, agar and sugar.

It is served in bamboo, alongside a flour that is made from roasted soybeans. The dessert is vegan, has very few calories, but it a textural delight in the mouth.

It’s all about feeling that sweet burst of liquid on the tongue. Darren Wong, who originally brought this cake to Smorgasborg food fair said that he wanted the raindrop cake to be reminiscent of the Asian jelly desserts he ate as a child.

You can now buy kits to have a go at making the raindrop cake at home. They are delicious with a little syrup and some fresh mint on the side.

Locations: Smorgasburg has 4 locations.
Thursdays: BK Bridge Park, 6pm
Fridays: WTC, 11am – 7pm
Saturdays: 90 Kent Avenue, 11am – 6pm
Sundays: Breeze Hill, Prospect Park, 11am – 6pm

https://www.smorgasburg.com


New York is a special place for dining – if you can imagine it, the likelihood is that there is a restaurant serving it. These fresh, new ideas and NYC food trends are also changing the way that we consider our home cooking.

So, come explore New York with us and don’t forget to share your discoveries in the comments below! We’d love to hear about them, so we can also check them out!



Guest Writer: Cindy Trillo
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Black Ant, Black Seed Bagels and Raindrop Cake

*Last Updated on Feb/2020.*

Day 1: Siemens NYC’s Hidden Technology – A Behind the Scenes Tour

Curiosities City Secrets Siemens BTSNYC Tour Carnegie Hall Fernanda Paronetto

We had two priceless days with Siemens USA. We visited some of New York City’s major attractions to understand how Siemens actually helped build the city! So, tag along with me to see what “Siemens NYC’s Hidden Technology – A Behind the Scenes Tour” was all about!

Curiosities City Secrets Siemens BTSNYC Tour

It’s even hard to start writing about the amazing 2-day experience I had with Siemens a few weeks ago on their “Siemens NYC’s Hidden Technology – A Behind the Scenes Tour“.

A couple of weeks back I was invited to participate in a priceless experience they had put together. I was immediately exited and curious, especially considering the name they chose for the project, ha!

We have millions of people visiting New York City during the year, over 60million to be more exact. Actually, in 2017 the number surpassed 62 million curious travelers and it keeps growing.

Most of you know about my indescribable passion for New York that I’ve clearly spoken about thousands of times before. And, the more I live here, the more I see the infinite stories and historical facts that together have built this tireless and sleepless city.

What people – not only travelers but also locals – don’t actually stop to think about, is “what is the real power that makes this perfect engine function throughout the city?” And, in obvious ways, enhances our experiences through the world-famous landmarks and historical attractions that symbolize the Big Apple.

Siemens’ technology is literally scattered everywhere you can possibly think about. From the Statue of Liberty, the subway system, the Amtrak and the respected World Trade Center Memorial Fountains, to the ceilings at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the acoustics of Carnegie Hall and even, hidden within the top breweries that make your days eternally memorable experiences.

After all, in a digital area like the one we are living, people are craving these unforgettable moments to share with friends and family. Aren’t you?

So, let me start telling you what where we went and what I saw!


11am – Kickoff Brunch at The Trading Post

Curiosities City Secrets Siemens BTSNYC Tour The Trading Post

We meet the entire group at a great spot I have never been to: The Trading Post.

It was great to meet the group, we all introduced ourselves, learned a bit more about Siemens and had a glimpse of what was about to happen during the day!

The itinerary sounded extremely exciting and up my alley, since I’m all about explore the “behind the scenes” spots and facts about New York!

Oh, and the food was fantastic!

I had the asparagus risotto with fava beans, English peas, goat cheese and soft poached hen’s egg, a refreshing salad and a trio of ice creams!

A great way to start the day!


12:30pm – World Trade Center Memorial Fountains

Curiosities City Secrets Siemens BTSNYC Tour World Trade Memorial Fountains

Ok, so this place is quite special. We all know about the 9/11 event, how it impacted not only the lives of so many families out there that lost their loved ones, but also of an entire Nation.

It took years of very hard physical and emotional work to reconstruct that part of the city. And, World Trade Center Memorial Fountains, came out to be a beautiful homage to the lives that were lost.

Obviously the hardest part of it all, was not the physical exhaustion. It was being able to think and put together a project so beautifully and carefully thought for, that was able to truly and respectfully honor ever single life that was lost that day – from people in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the Stonycreek Township in Pennsylvania, to all passengers in the planes, the brave firefighters that fought through the smoke and law enforcement officers.

The project was led by Delta Fountains, experts in designing and manufacturing the most renowned fountains in the world. All the motorized pumps and totally integrated automation technology is Siemens.

Joe Petry, President of Delta Fountains, talked to us about this monumental project.

Did you know that The World Trade Center Memorial Fountains are the largest man-made waterfalls and reflecting pool in the entire world?

The fountains sit exactly where the towers were originally located. They had phenomenal planning for it to be as perfect and precise as it is – mechanically and visually.

Here is the list of the most relevant and even curious facts that you should know about it:

  • Idea of the project was to reflect the absence of the lost souls
  • Fountains run 24h / day at a constant flow what is automated to monitor itself in an energy efficient way regardless of the weather
  • The recirculation systems are able to pump as much as 18,000 gallons of water at peak performance, every minute of every season
  • It’s intelligent enough to know the environmental conditions and understand if, for example, it needs to adjust the water in the system, not to over flow the pumps, in case it’s raining
  • The fall is 29-feet tall and had to be precisely planned to allow water to flow constantly, despite the weather conditions
  • The total drop – including the waterfall and the void in the center – add to 49-feet
  • The void is 40ft x 40ft
  • But, the water pool you can see, is only 1,5-foot deep
  • You can touch the sterilized water beneath the engraved names around the fountains
  • The stainless steel weir structure, designed by Delta Fountains was the most challenging. Through numerous testing, they found out that the weir structure needed to be exactly at 1/16th inch from each other, with an even water flow, over the entire 1,400 linear feet structure, to have the desired results
  • Water rises up peacefully, looks very still and fall perfectly into the fountain because of gaps in the stones
  • Sandy flowed in from the Hudson River, around the fountains, into the structure, causing over U$100 million in damages and flooding all the 9/11 artifacts in the Museum

Siemens cutting-edge automation technologies:

  • It offered high tech engineering, automation control and pump flow precision
  • 16 motorized pumps – controlled through Siemens VFD’s (Variable Frequency Drives) – regulates water passing through weirs. Their biggest challenge during the project was to figure out how to keep 600,000 gallons of water in each pool constantly flowing and crystal clear
  • The solution was the comprehensive Siemens SIMATIC S7-300 programmable controller solution, a first generation technology, that dramatically reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions
  • It’s controlled daily and remotely from Jacksonville, Florida, through the WinCC Flexible, an engineering software
  • The weather station, with PLC’s (Programmable Logic Controllers) monitors the wind temperature, velocity and pressure to control and even shut down the system, in case of extreme necessity
  • Its fully integrated diagnostic system monitored with HMI (Human Machine Interface), with touch-screens make advanced graphics to detail and oversee all details with precision and operating cost-savings
  • The sensors on it and the ability to have preventative maintenance make it electronically sustainable
  • Siemens has the greatest equipment in the market to integrate with the computer system, with 3-year warranty, sustainable practices and was a company clearly not focused only on making money, hence the success!

3:30pm – Carnegie Hall

Curiosities City Secrets Siemens BTSNYC Tour Carnegie Hall Fernanda Paronetto

The Carnegie Hall is one of the world’s most famous concert venue and in the words of many experts “It’s the #1.” It was founded back in April of 1891 – built by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and designed by the architect William Burnet Tuthill.

How did the idea to build the Hall come to life? Andrew Carnegie’s wife, Louise Whitfield, sang at the Oratorio Society and during their honeymoon, she asked Mr. Carnegie to build her a music hall as a wedding gift. And, voilá! In no time, it was up and running beautifully!

Here, we were hosted by Richard Malenka, the Chief Administrative Officer and an “unofficial historian.” He is known for having super valuable and curious stories of Carnegie Hall and a priceless knowledge too.

Oh! One of the highlights was actually being able to go on stage at the Isaac Stern Auditorium, also known as the Main Hall. It’s considered the most prestigious concert stage in the US. Why? Because of the mix of acoustical quality/warmth and visual experience. The totality of the experience makes it one of the best.

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Now, here are the top curiosities about the place that called my attention:

  • The fluke!!! Andrew Carnegie hired the architect William B. Tuthill to travel world and build a totally different music hall, from what he’d seen. It ended up being more an Opera house than concert hall. The Fluke: Tuthill never actually built a concert hall!
  • Carnegie Hall boasts its fantastic 165,000 square feet, 3 auditoriums and over 3,600 seats
  • They host up to 700 concerts and 700,000 visitors a year. WOW, right!?
  • Names like Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, The Beatles, Igor Stravinsky, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas, Caetano Veloso, Luciano Pavarotti and others have been on stage
  • The building was fully redesigned thinking about technology mixed with sustainability
  • The unique acoustics is a driving force and it’s important to maintain it and to keep the high levels and quality

Siemens was part of the project to modernize the building. Their technological partner, responsible for implementing fire safety, electronic security and building automation. The project not only modernized this historical landmark, but also make it more energy efficient.

Plus, Richard said something super important: “Tech is serving the institution well when it is invisible.” And this is exactly what Siemens has done!

Because of this brilliant partnership, Carnegie Hall has been awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, 1 point from Gold.

Siemens cutting-edge automation technologies at work here:

  • They’ve installed sensors outside to have a more responsive and immediate response and had to learn how to problem solve the reality of working on a landmark structure and implement a contemporary technology
  • The security system (Siemens SiPass access control), ensures the highest security for guests, staff and talent inside the building
  • The Fire and Life Safety System’s precision and velocity guarantee the emergency control system to immediately activate the fire door closure, elevator management and air handlers
  • The Centralized Control manages the ventilation, air conditioning and heating in one platform, permitting even being remotely controlled, if desired. The system keeps track and analyzes any necessary electrical repair and maintenance
  • The challenges revolved around working on a landmarked building, that restricts countless interventions
  • Now, the 125+ year old landmark is utilizing the next-gen tech found in brand new buildings throughout NYC!

Siemens was able to bring Carnegie Hall into the 21st Century!


7pm – Bateaux New York Dining Cruise

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To end this fantastic day, with some of the most amazing experiences and priceless knowledge, we headed to Chelsea Piers for a boat-dinner!

The Bateaux New York Dining Cruise was a great experience and way to end the day. But, the interesting information about it, is that the route passes very close to Lady Liberty! To be very honest, I always thought it was a bit too touristy, and it still is, but it’s worth experiencing it once in your life!

And, this is where Siemens comes into play again! They told us that back in 2012, Siemens technology was chosen as the perfect solution to be part of the Life Safety Upgrade Program, led by the U.S. National Park Service, for the Statue of Liberty.

The purpose was to upgrade not only the Statue of Liberty’s emergency rescue elevator, but also the engineering framework called Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal software. In addition, they also used Siemens safety PLC’s – safety modules and comfort panels to ensure redundancy or operations!

As said above, the best type of tech, is the invisible one. And, once again, Siemens showed us how they are part of New York City’s engine!

Here is more on the TIA Portal, in case you’re still curious: 

The TIA Portal allows automation processes to be designed optimally and efficiently from a single computer screen. This ground-breaking innovation shortens the engineering cycle, saves commissioning time, and reduces maintenance costs and TCO (total cost of ownership).

The Life Safety project included the need to upgrade both the safety and function of the 30-year old obsolete rescue elevator which had reached the end of its useful life. The new rescue elevator is a special purpose personnel machine that uses innovative technology to enhance safety and reliability making the system more user friendly. The TIA portal brings efficiency and reliability to the project by allowing and integrated work platform to manage the world class Siemens Safety PLC and Comfort Panel hardware, which make up the heart of the safety rated elevator controller.

The elevator is designed and intended for emergency personnel, not public use, giving EMTs, firefighters, and other service personnel access to the Statue when someone in distress needs to be reached and retrieved. The system includes the Siemens Fail Safe Safety CPU, various digital inputs and outputs, and the Siemens’ HMI comfort panel, all of which were designed and commissioned using TIA Portal. The project also uses PROFIBUS communication protocols and PROFINET industrial Ethernet.


As I mentioned, this was a 2-day experience, so take a look what Day 2 looked like!

We started at the Arthur Ashe Stadium where the US Open is currently happening. Then, we headed for tasting and lunch at the Other Half Brewery in Brooklyn. Finally, we finished our day at LO3. They are a young NY company working on the Brooklyn Microgrid project with a blockchain enabled transactive energy platform!


Follow Siemens online:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Hashtag: #SiemensInnovates


Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC
#Sponsored

*Last Update on March/2020.*

Exploring The Coolest Spots In Industry City, Sunset Park

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Industry City Frying Pan BK Outdoor Area

Some of New York’s coolest spots are located in Industry City. This area of Brooklyn has been completely transformed from old warehouses, into a fantastic center with thriving local Brooklyn-based businesses!

Back in the 1890’s Sunset Park, in Brooklyn, was full of warehouses and distribution centers.

Industry City was called Bush Terminal and in no time, had over 25,000 daily workers, transforming it into one of the world’s major international seaports.

By the 1960’s businesses started to close down and the area was practically abandoned for over 40 years.

Finally, in 2013, a new group started to renovate and redevelop the area. Today, they’ve created over 2,000 jobs and have leased over 2million square feet to new local businesses that are now thriving!

We came here today to show you a few of the coolest spots to visit, while you in the neighborhood!


Extraction Lab

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UNFORTUNATELY THIS PLACE IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

This is a very special place for the coffee and tea lovers! I’m certainly part of the list!

Alpha Dominche Extraction Lab is famous for brewing their own coffee and tea, in Brooklyn! You can actually choose your drink based on origin, variety, brand, roaster and other specifications.

They work with 50 world-class roasters and tea producers for all over the world.

Here, you also learn the details of the drink you’re ordering and can even pair them with delicious pastries.

Get ready to explore and uncover their world with me!

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm

Location: 51 35th Street


Li-Lac Chocolates

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Hey chocoholics! Li-Lac Chocolates is one of NY’s oldest chocolate houses with a 4 spots in Manhattan and 1 in Brooklyn – where we came to personally explore.

This Brooklyn location is not only a store, but it’s also their factory. The smell is truly indescribably and amazing. As soon as you walk in, you’re wrapped into this fantastic aroma that fills the air.

Some recipes are still the original ones and some production techniques still date back to the 1920’s! Oh! They do offer tasting tours in the factory!

We spoke to Anthony Cirone, Co-Owner and President at Li-Lac Chocolates, so check it out in the video!

Hours: See website for hours based on their different locations.

Locations: 68 35th Street, Brooklyn

And, in Manhattan:
40 8th Avenue, West Village
162 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village
43rd Street & Lexington Avenue, Grand Central Market
75 9th Avenue, Chelsea Market

www.li-lacchocolates.com


Avocaderia

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This is one of the best ideas ever launched in New York! Why? Well, if you live here, you’re probably a huge fan of avocados too!

Avocaderia has so many variations in how to prepare this unique single-seeded fruit, from savory dishes to sweet ones. They are the first avocado-bar with a menu filled with different toasts, salads and bowls, smoothies, sweets and some special creations, like the Avo Burger.

To kill your curiosity about what an Avo Burger is, here you go: avocado, smoked salmon, arugula, pico de gallo, herb yogurt dressing, everything bagel seasoning, quinoa, watermelon radish and lime citronette, served with baked pita chips. Oh. My. God. Right!? I’m salivating just  writing about it!

Francesco Brachetti, one of the 3 Co-Owners, shared with us which are the best sellers, so be sure to go try it out, asap! Yum!

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm
Weekends: 11am – 5pm

Location: 238 36th Street

www.avocaderia.com


Industry City Store by Wanted Design

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Industry City Store by WantedDesign is another great place to stop by.

They have a fantastic curation of works by several emerging designers, as well as products created by some the best local designers in Industry City.

What you’ll find? Countless accessories, candles, pillows, furniture, books and so much more!

See what it looks like in our video and check out their website to read about their upcoming exhibitions, talks, workshops and other curious happenings that they host.

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 12pm – 6pm

Location: 274 36th Street

www.wanteddesignnyc.com


Frying Pan BK

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Have you heard of Frying Pan, a great vessel on the Hudson River, right on 26th Street? It’s open from May through October and is known for being an unusual type of bar that you should certainly explore!

More recently they opened Wheel House by Frying Pan as a great alternative for those that enjoy them, but are based in Brooklyn.

And, wanna know something cool too? You can also order bar service outside and even rent Ping Pong rackets and balls to play a bit and enjoy the day.

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 8pm; Kitchen closes 7:45pm; Bar will extend ‘till 10pm when busy
Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 9pm; Kitchen closes 8:45pm; Bar will extend ‘till 11pm when busy
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm; Kitchen closes at 5:45pm; Bar will extend 8pm when busy

Location: 51 35th Street

http://fryingpanbk.com


If you enjoy exploring different neighborhoods that are far from the crowded touristy areas, you might also want to check out these amazing Greenpoint restaurants and Brooklyn cocktail spots in Greenpoint. Lastly, check out the places where I did a drink and food crawl in Brooklyn with a foodie friend!

Have fun!


VideographyBlack3 Agency
Photo Credits: All the venues

*Last Update on March/2020.*

My Top Food Spots in Greenpoint Brooklyn

Dining Top Food Spots in Greenpoint Restaurants Glasserie Thumbnail

I’ve chosen a few of my top food spots in Greenpoint Brooklyn to shoot a great video and share with you! Come see which are the spots that I love going to with my friends. I’m sure you’ll love them too!

Greenpoint has some pretty amazing places to go for lunch, brunch and dinner! As we’ve previously mentioned, the neighborhood is growing rapidly and new businesses are opening all the time.

One of the great things of Greenpoint is that, since the neighborhood is relatively small, everything is walking distance from each other and along the way you’ll probably find other amazing stores, cafés and happy hour places to go back to.

So, this time, I decided to list a few of my top food spots in Greenpoint that I truly love going to:


Glasserie

Dining Top Food Spots in Greenpoint Restaurants Glasserie
Photo Credit: Glasserie

Glasserie is super unique restaurant and quite an experience too!

Why? Well, to start, it’s inside a former glass factory dated back to the 1860’s, which I personally think is pretty awesome. We do love exploring spots with interesting stories behind it.

It serves Mediterranean food with a few dishes inspired in Egyptian street food. They have a fantastic full bar and yes, the décor is simple but cozy.

Oh! It’s also a great spot to celebrate an important day with your loved ones, or impress on a date!

Location: 95 Commercial Street

www.glasserienyc.com


The Brooklyn Barge

Dining Top Food Spots in Greenpoint Restaurants Brooklyn Barge
Photo Credit: Brooklyn Barge

The Brooklyn Barge is one of my hidden gems and sometime not even locals know about it.

I’ve written about this place before and mentioned that it has one of the best views of Manhattan, since it’s right by the river.

Getting there is an adventure on its own, since you’ll probably think you’re lost. You’ll pass by old warehouses and abandoned cars, but just continue walking. You’re going on the right path.

They serve food and drinks and it does get quite busy, so be sure to arrive early.

Location: 3 Milton Street

www.thebrooklynbarge.com


Milk & Roses

Dining Top Food Spots in Greenpoint Restaurants Milk and Roses by Kayoko Ogawa
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kayoko Ogawa

Milk & Roses is also one of my favorite spots and it will make you feel like you’re in Italy!

I love to take people that have never been to Greenpoint, to start their experience here.

The result: they always love it and want to come back for more!

The place is beautiful, the décor is quite special with a beautiful piano in the center of the main dining room, big red leather couches and a priceless garden in the back – where I always prefer sitting during the warmer months.

If you decide to go there on a weekend, you might take a while to sit down. So, try making a reservation, or just relax at the bar with a drink, until your table is ready!

Location: 1110 Manhattan Avenue

http://milkandrosesbk.com


Le Fanfare

Dining Top Food Spots in Greenpoint Restaurants Le Fanfare
Photo Credit: Le Fanfare

Still in the spirit of Italy, Le Fanfare is another great option! The owner, Luca, is also the owner of Epistrophy, located in Soho!

Here, you can expect live music on weekends Jazz nights, large communal tables and a beautiful bar in the front.

Oh, they also have a small private patio in the back open during the hot months. As about the special nights where Luca plays Jazz for everyone there!

Have fun!

Location: 1103 Manhattan Avenue

www.lefanfare.com


If you enjoyed this short list of my top food spots in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, you’re now probably craving a coffee and pastry, right?

And, you should also see which are the coolest bars in the area, if you decide to take the day and just explore this neighborhood! There are great options there if you’re a night owl in search of fantastic signature cocktails!

Have fun exploring!


Videography: Renata Meirelles
Photo Credits
: Renata Meirelles and courtesy of Diamond Big Co., Ltd/Kayoko Ogawa
Beauty
: Leila Soldeira

The 5 Top Coffee Shops in Greenpoint Brooklyn

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 5 Top Coffee Shops Greenpoint Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

I love coffee and exploring new spots and revisiting old ones is always a thrill! Today I share my 5 top coffee shops in Greenpoint, Brooklyn! If you are also a coffee fan, go check them out!

Yes, everyone that knows me, knows that I’m c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e-l-y addicted to coffee (good coffee!) and I drink it throughout my entire day! Being Brazilian, I think it’s just a natural part of me. Ha!

I have friends that tell me that if they drink coffee after lunch time, they can’t sleep at night. And, that just sounds so crazy… I can literally drink a gallon on coffee at night, roll over and sleep like a baby.

That said, I love exploring all the new coffee shops in New York. We also have some pretty amazing traditional ones that are still going strong. Those bigger chains are certainly not up my alley at all. I like the smaller ones, independently owned that roast their own coffee and the smell just fills up the entire place.

We’ve already shared the 5 best bars in Greenpoint I love.

So, today I’m sharing my favorite and 5 top coffee shops in Greenpoint. After all, I do love everything about that neighborhood.


Maman

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 5 Top Coffee Shops Greenpoint Maman
Photo Credit: @thebrothersbuoy

If you enjoy good coffee and pastries, you’ve probably already heard of Maman.

The name means “mom” in French and the owners were inspired by their childhood memories of their mother’s recipes! They’ve got countless pretty tasty pastries, as well as savory options and healthy salads.

Besides this Greenpoint spot, they have a few other locations in the city, in the neighborhoods of Soho, Tribeca, Nomad and the Meatpacking District.

Each location is a bit different from the other and the one in Tribeca is also one of my favorites, for the have a great restaurant in the back!

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7am – 6pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 6pm
Brunch: Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 4pm

Location: 80 Kent Street

www.mamannyc.com


Búdin

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 5 Top Coffee Shops Greenpoint Budin

Búdin was founded back in 2013 and serves not only tasty Scandinavian specialty coffees, but it also has a craft beer and wine bar. The Nordic menu offers sandwiches, salads and delicious Swedish pancakes.

One of the dishes I love is the Portobello + Fennel Sandwich with portobello cap, caramelized onions, fennel, whole grain Dijon mustard on a baguette.

But wait! That’s not all! In the back, they have a small, but pretty awesome design shop and an opened patio! The design shop brings together a curation of Japanese brands selling t-shirts, accessories and even a few jewelry pieces.

NOTE: On June 12th, Búdin sent out a message saying: “Due to an ongoing dispute with our landlord we have been forced to shut down for a while. We thank you for all the good times and hope to have more soon. We are trying to resolve the issue and find a positive solution as quickly as possible, be it reopening at our current location or finding a new home in Brooklyn.”

So, we’ll keep our eyes open to share their new spot!

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7am – 12am
Friday: 7am – 1am
Saturday: 8am – 1am
Sunday: 8am – 12am

Location: New spot to be announced!

www.budin-nyc.com


Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 5 Top Coffee Shops Greenpoint Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

Probably the first thing you’ll notice while entering Sweetleaf, is the décor. It has beautiful brick walls, original wood beams, as well as a fantastic variety of antique furniture collected from all over the world!

Besides the amazing smell when you walk in, it’s also very laptop friendly if you need to pull it out and work a bit!

They have a few other locations, but this one is the one that actually houses the roastery in the back. Don’t forget to peek inside to see the coffee being done.

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 7pm

Location: 159 Freeman Street

http://sweetleafcoffee.com


Homecoming

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 5 Top Coffee Shops Greenpoint Homecoming

Homecoming is certainly a different style coffee shop. Why? Because they have not only a charming flower shop inside, but they also sell accessories from amazing designers.

You’ll find everything from apparel, apothecary, objects for your home, jewelry, notebooks and planners, and even some creative gift cards!

It’s a great place to swing by for coffee and also check out the products if you’re looking for a special gift for a friend or loved one.

They also have a 2nd location in Williamsburg, at 92 Berry Street.

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 7pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 7pm

Location: 107 Franklin Street

https://home-coming.com


Champion Coffee

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 5 Top Coffee Shops Greenpoint Champion Coffee

Even though Champion Coffee’s first location dates back to 2006, the North Greenpoint spot is kinda new and opened just a few years back in 2016.

You can also take their coffee home. They roast their beans in Maspeth, Queens and have 3 flavors: Decaf, Drip Blend and Espresso. The spot also serves a nice breakfast and lunch with a few options of sandwiches and salads.

They have 2 locations in Brooklyn with a 3rd one that just launched! Where? Inside the North 3rd Street Market, in Williamsburg, that opened a few weeks back and unites 25 fantastic vendors in one spot!

In Manhattan they have 2 locations and the 3rd one is on its way! 

Hours: See website for hours of specific locations

Location: 1107 Manhattan Avenue

www.championcoffee.com


Videography: Black3 Agency
Photo Credits
: Black3 Agency, courtesy of thebrothersbuoy and of the venues

Beauty
: Leila Soldeira

The 7 Best Cocktail Places In NY By Rachel And Kyle Ford

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel Kyle Ford The Rum House Iced

Rachel and Kyle Ford, from Ford Media Lab, know cocktails. They shared with us their 7 best cocktail places in NY and we can’t wait to check them all out!

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel and Kyle Ford

This week we bring you a super talented duo to talk about the best cocktail places in NY.

Named two of Saveur Magazine’s 15 Cocktail Instagrams to Follow in 2017, Rachel Ford and Kyle Ford of Ford Media Lab know cocktails.

Formerly cocktail bartenders and brand ambassadors for top spirit brands, Rachel and Kyle used their insider knowledge when creating 1806 Magazine.

To discover more of their favorite spots and behind-the-scenes stories of the people behind cocktail culture in New York City – including more about those listed below– pick up a copy of 1806 Magazine, Volume 1: New York City at Ford Media Lab (FML). 


Rachel Ford:

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel Ford

After attending OTIS College of Art and Design for Fashion, Rachel earned a degree in Business, merging her creative talents with a keen understanding of brand marketing and strategy.

A love of creating a unique consumer experience led Rachel to the hospitality industry, where she made a name for herself internationally.

Rachel went on to represent Tanqueray gin as the National Ambassador, demonstrating unparalleled influence and strategic vision.

Her inimitable story-telling ability served as a basis for FML’s expansion into creative brand consulting and independent publications.

She is known as a figure in the world of media, appearing on Bar Rescue, and within the pages of Chilled, Cocktail Lovers, and The Daily Beast.


Kyle Ford:

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Kyle Ford

With a degree in Economics and Philosophy, Kyle began his professional life in
Finance. Creative energies eventually prompted him to quit his job and pursue his keen interest in craft cocktails and photography.

Kyle became the resident cocktail and spirits expert for Rémy Cointreau and managed their international brand advocacy initiative.

During this time, his strategic use of social media and photography inspired a business opportunity.

The combination of these two worlds served as a basis for the formation of FML and its first creative partnerships with international spirits companies.

Kyle’s work and personality has been featured such places as Fox & Friends, VH1, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Wine Enthusiast, and Nylon Magazine.

 

Take a look below to see their 7 Best Cocktail Places in NY:


Lighthouse – Williamsburg

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“Have you ever walked into a space and felt a positive energy that you couldn’t quite put your finger on? For us, that place is Lighthouse. Run by the kindest brother/sister team on the planet with a passion for sustainability, Lighthouse serves great food that you can feel good about eating. Be sure to visit for brunch; the chilequiles are a favorite and the house-baked bread is some of the best around. The cocktails are not to be missed either!”

The siblings, Assaf and Namma Tamir, truly do a great job at this neighborhood spot. Their entire business model revolves around sustainable values that we definitely support.

They offer a menu with New American fare, working with super fresh and seasonal ingredients, sourced locally from local growers and farmers. There is also a Pre-Fix Family-style option that is great for bigger groups and they can accommodate diet restrictions too!

Their drink options range from their signature cocktails, to a great selection of organic, biodynamic and natural wines.

“We recycle, compost, and collaborate with other green minded organizations to grow, improve and educate ourselves, our staff, our guests.”

It’s a great spot for brunch or dinner, so be sure to add them to your To-Go List! Oh! And still, they offer spaces for private events and catering services.

Note: We loved it so much that we went back there to shoot with Assaf and Namma for our YouTube video Where To Go For The Best Cocktails In Brooklyn?

Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 6pm – 11pm
Friday: 6pm – 12pm
Saturday: 12pm – 4pm | 6pm – 12pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm | 6pm – 11pm

Location: 145 Borinquen Place

http://lighthousebk.com


Long Island Bar – Cobble Hill

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“Imagine enjoying a Cosmopolitan cocktail – made by the man who created the recipe we know today – in a bar that feels both modern and preserved in time. With a team of bartenders formerly behind bars like Death and Company and Flatiron Lounge, at Long Island Bar you’re in good hands – even if Toby Cecchini himself isn’t around to make you feel like Carrie Bradshaw.”

The story of this place starts back in 1951, when it was family owned by Emma Sullivan and her husband, in partnership with her cousins. Then, in 2013, it was renovated and relaunched by Joel Tompkins and Toby Cecchini.

Today, they’ve been chosen and featured by food experts for having the best burgers, French fries and cocktails.

As Tompkins said to Grub Street: “It’s a fifties bar, it’s near the water, and it’s the most gorgeous, warm place you’d want to have a drink in.”

Go check it out!

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 5:30pm – 12am
Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm – 2am

Location: 110 Atlantic Avenue

http://thelongislandbar.com


The Rum House – Times Square

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“The Rum House is literally the best place to get a drink in the worst place on earth. Once a seedy bar with an honor-system beer cooler and clouds of cigarette smoke, The Rum House has transformed the space into a magical cocktail haven with nightly live music and old New York nostalgia. Word has it they make a mean Daiquiri.”

Times Square is definitely not a place in our radar, but we have to confess that there is a hand full of great hidden spots there. This one is a great option if you’re into run and cocktails in general.

If you’re into good live music, be sure to see their website and see which bands are lined up for the week!

Hours: Daily, 12pm – 4am

Location: 228 West 47th Street

http://therumhousenyc.com


Amor y Amargo – East Village

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel Kyle Ford Amor y Amargo

“The name of this beloved thirteen-seat bar and bitters shop, Amor Y Amargo, literally translates to “love and bitters.” Responsible for turning those in-the-know on to the world of Italian amaro, at this intimate East Village bar you’ll find a carefully curated menu of stirred and spirituous cocktails – but first you need to find a seat. Go early!”

Founded in 2011, this is a great spot to go if you’re into tasting. Plus, it’s a small space, just like we enjoy.

They have a bit of everything and you’ll be surprise by their cocktail options. If you’re not really an expert, even better! They’ll be able to recommend their best drinks, catered to what you like.

We’re positive you won’t leave disappointed!

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 5pm – 1am
Friday: 5pm – 3am
Saturday: 3pm – 3am
Sunday: 3pm – 1am

Location: 443 East 6th Street

www.amoryamargony.com


Bar Goto – Lower East Side

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel Kyle Ford Bar Goto
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“When the former Head Bartender of the famed Pegu Club decided to open his own bar on the Lower East Side, Bar Goto, he paid homage to his Japanese heritage. From the meticulously-crafted cocktails, to the delicious okonomiyaki, to his grandmother’s obe belt hanging on the wall, he did just that. Standout items include the Sakura Martini and the celery (trust us, you’ll love it – even if you’d never pair “love” and “celery” together).”

Ahhh, the Lower East Side of Manhattan is definitely one of the neighborhoods we enjoy exploring the most!

This place is a “first come, first serve”, so depending on the day, you might wait a while. But, it’s surely worth the wait.

Bar Goto opened in 2015 and from the day they launched, they have collected countless nominations from “Best NYC Bars” to “Top 15 Cocktails” and more!

They offer everything from wine, sake, beer and champaign. Their menus is based on Japanese comfort food from curry ramen and miso wings, to spicy cod roe spaghetti with squid and other delicious options.

Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 5pm – 12am
Friday & Saturday: 5pm – 2am
Sunday: 5pm – 12am

Location: 245 Eldridge Street

www.bargoto.com


Cocktail Kingdom – Flatiron District

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel Kyle Ford Cocktail Kingdom by Alice Gao
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Alice Gao

“Where do all the top bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts purchase their barware? Cocktail Kingdom. While you can order online, it’s much more fun to visit in person – but you have to know where to look.

Tucked inside an office building on 25th Street is a treasure-trove of everything from copper-hued bar spoons to etched glassware and cocktail books filled with mouth-watering recipes. If you’re lucky, owner and cocktail savant Greg Boehm may show you his vintage book library.”

Yup, they have it all! It’s surely an experience to go there and see everything they offer.

Make your list and go crazy with everything from bar spoons, strainers, jiggers, mixing glasses, to bitters bottles, trays, bags, cases and shakers!

Hours: Monday – Friday 10:30am – 5pm

Location: 36 West 25th Street, 5th Floor

www.cocktailkingdom.com


Jupiter Disco – Bushwick

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists Rachel Kyle Ford Jupiter Disco

“If you weren’t looking for Jupiter Disco, you’d probably never know it’s there. Marked by a single red light, it feels like you’ve discovered a super cool secret when you walk through the unmarked door to find a dark cocktail bar and a DJ spinning for a hip industry crowd. The cocktail menu is displayed on screens on either side of the bar amongst the neon lights; remember to look up!”

Looking for a hidden, sci-fi inspired spot with fantastic cocktails and DJs playing all night long for a hype crowd? This is the place for you!

They have only a few food options: the empanadas, but their drinks are awesome! Plus, it’s divided in the menu into some fun topics like: “Introduction to Orbit”, “When the Kite String Pops…”and “Generation Ship”.

Get ready for take off!

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6pm – 4am

Location: 1237 Flushing Avenue

www.jupiterdisco.com


Thank you Rachel and Kyle for sharing your 7 best cocktail places in NY, and keep up the amazing work at Ford Media Lab!

If you enjoyed these tips, you might also enjoy reading out other places to enjoy New York’s nightlife!

To organize Corporate Events with tastings and the best mixologists in town, contact our experts.


Photo Credits: Courtesy of Rachel and Kyle Ford,  Alice Gao, and all the venues.
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Avant Garden: Vegan Restaurant If You’re Skeptical About Vegan Cuisine

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This East Village vegan restaurant called Avant Garden is a tiny fine dining spot, with delicious food, that you’ll surely fall in love with!

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We had always heard about how good this Vegan restaurant called Avant Garden, but not only by our Vegan friends! Our our non-Vegan friends loved it as well and this amazed us!

We love everything Vegan (food, fashion, beauty products, etc) and love sharing information on how true Vegan food can be delicious!!! It’s definitely a misconception that the food is “boring” or “tasteless.”.

That said, we didn’t take long to head to Avant Garden to try it out ourselves! The result: OMG! Hard to put into words how beautifully presented and delicious everything was. Plus, the restaurant itself is super small and charming, just like we love.

Their mission?

While it may not seem a revolutionary act to simply enjoy a meal in a restaurant, the elimination of animal flesh and animal byproducts in one’s diet not only eases or eliminates an animal’s suffering, it’s also the most effective way an average person can ease the unmitigated environmental disaster that we as a species are collectively creating.”

Chef Anthony Mongeluzzi, certainly does a great job recreating the Vegan cuisine and highlighting all the flavors of the ingredients he uses in his unique open kitchen.

With extremely original creations, the menu is divided into 3: Toasts, Cold and Hot….and offers salads, a great variety of very tasty vegetables, pastas and breads. The small, but curated wine list, balances out with their super generous serving.

We’re confident that anyone who feels skeptical about Vegan cuisine will experience a major shift in their convictions after one bite at Avant Garden, and we like to think that through this act of changing hearts and minds, we’re helping to make the world a little bit of a better place, one beautiful dish at a time.”

It’s surely a place to go for a different experience – from the food and ambiance, to this great lifestyle!

Plus, if you’re skeptic about Vegan restaurant, we are sure that this restaurant will break down all of your preconceived ideas!

This is what we’d recommend, but basically everything in the menu is great:

  • Avocado with carrot ginger dressing, crispy rice, miso glaze, blistered shishito
  • Artichoke toast with spinach artichoke puree, black truffle vinaigrette, jicama, cashew
  • Sunchoke toast with olive, pistachio, pickled pea
  • Hen of the Woods with mushroom puree, kohlrabi, pickled hon shimeji
  • Celery Root with shiitake veloute, mushroom gremolat
  • Paella with calasparra rice, merguez royal trumpet, almonds, red pepper cream

They have a few sister restaurants that you should also try!

Mother of Pearl is a Vegan Polynesian restaurant & tiki bar. They were chosen as one of the restaurants with the most Instagram-worthy cocktails. Exciting right? And, Lady Bird is just around the block with trendy vegetable tapas!

Yup, they are all Vegan restaurants, and truly delicious!

And lastly, we shot a super fun video named “Will a Meat Eater Survive In 3 Vegan Restaurants?“. Go check it out to see if he made it alive, lol!

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 5pm – 11pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm – 12am

Location: 130 East 7th Street, East Village

www.avantgardennyc.com


Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Venue
*Last Update on Feb/2020.*

Gallow Green: Explore One Of The Top 10 Rooftops In NYC

Nightlife Bars Sleep No More McKittrick Hotel Gallow Green Benches

We simply love rooftops in NYC during spring time. Even during the cruel summer, we’re always looking for the best spots. Gallow Green is one of the top 10 rooftops in NYC with a garden restaurant and bar located in The McKittrick Hotel, in Chelsea.

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Gallow Green is definitely a must-go, must-see in town! The view is great, the place is beautiful and the atmosphere has a nature-vibe to it.

When you arrive downstairs, just mention that you’re going up to the rooftop and they’ll let you in.

It’s definitely a different experience! With this hot spring-summer weather, the place makes everything refreshing with it’s countless plants and flowers. Surely makes everything more pleasant and also, gorgeous to the eyes.

The place was ranked as one of the top 10 rooftop bars & restaurants in New York City to visit! This is a pretty big thing, since the city has so many other rooftops.

The are currently offering every Saturday and Sunday a Rooftop Garden Brunch. There you’ll have great live music, special craft cocktails and sweet and savory open buffet.

Gallow Green also offers a dinner menu and a prix-fixe menu that are made with seasonal ingredients.

You can go online for reservations, which we do encourage. The place can get quite crowded and overflowing with beautiful people.

It’s easy to see why it’s considered one of the top 10 rooftops in NYC, right?!

Are you searching for a place for a Private Event? This is definitely a great spot! We can give you a hand, if you need. It’s also great for corporate groups and nights.

Lastly, the hotel houses one of the most amazing long-running interactive theatre productions in the city, called Sleep No More. We do recommend attending it! It’s pretty awesome!

We just love these rooftops in NYC.

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 5pm – 12am
Friday: 5pm – 3am
Saturday: 11am – 3am
Sunday: 11am – 12am

Location: 542 West 27th Street

https://mckittrickhotel.com/gallow-green


Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gallow Green
*Last Update on March/2020.*

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