Now Open: Blue Roost Petite Cafe

Linda and Billy began welcoming people to the Blue Roost this morning. I* was only able to pop in, snap a photo, and grab a $2 cup of strong coffee in a classic Greek cup, so I have nothing to share but this photo and these kind words from a commenter. You can see most of the menu if you click to expand the photo, though, so there's that.

Blue Roost gets much more seating in a small space than I thought possible. Color me impressed.

PLG Meets With Fried About 205 Parkside "Hotel"

ClarksonFlatbed from The Q at Parkside has filed a report on the meeting between Moses Fried, owner of 205 Parkside, and a number of neighborhood representatives. His conclusion? Nothing good will come of this.

The lines that jumped out at me were these:

• "While legally he's bound to allow stays no shorter than 30 days, he was quick to add that he wouldn't turn people away for, say, a week (oops!)."
• "Construction starts in the next couple weeks and goes for 6 months to a year."
• "I'm sorry Mr. Fried. You have every legal right to build your fleabag motel. But we have every right to watch your every little move."

It really is a great write-up and I encourage you to read the whole thing. Bonus speculation: scroll to the bottom here and wonder, as I do, if Fried has found a way to get his insurance company to pay to renovate two of his properties at once.

In better development news, ClarksonFlatbed also shares word of the low-income housing being developed at 97 Crooke Street, east of the Parade Grounds. CAMBA bought the lot and is building the 9 story, 53 unit building. You can read more about on CAMBA's website.

New Yoga Options in PLG

A couple of new yoga classes are starting up in the neighborhood. Renée Skuba will be leading a prenatal yoga class, beginning this Thursday, October 31, from 9:30 am to 11 am. The series of 3 classes is $35 (drop-ins are $15) and will take place at 74 Fenimore on the parlour floor (up the stoop). Info: 917.655.2540.

For non-pregnant people, there's going to be yoga claases held at Tafari Tribe Globe, 593 Flatbush Avenue (between Rutland and Midwood). Those classes will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 am, 10 am, and 11 am. Suggested donation is $7.

 

Introducing Our Other (Quasi) Blog, for PLG Families

If you read this blog and have small kids, you might be interested in following my website for Monk's Trunk. Much of it is about things in the consignment shop/toy store, but there is (and will be) random commentary on the parent life, textile recycling, and other things that aren't particularly fitting for this blog.

Thank you. Carry on.

Opening Tomorrow: Blue Roost Petite Cafe

According to Brownstoner, Blue Roost was supposed to open today. Alas, the opening has been pushed back until tomorrow.

I was able to get a quick look at the menu and I saw, for breakfast, Irish oatmeal and cheddar grits and, for lunch and later, Carolina barbecue. It will be nice to have pulled pork back in the neighborhood since the closing of the not-really-missed-in-light-of-Lincoln-Park-Tavern Whiskey Sunday.

Reader Adrian also sent us this pic of co-owner Linda setting up the restaurant and there is no good reason not to share it. Thanks, Adrian.

I'll be on the scene - at 539 Flatbush (gmap) - tomorrow morning for the opening - well, not the actual opening, since that is supposed to be at 7AM, but the extended breakfast period and I'll at least report back about the coffee.

Fundraiser Tonight For LG Charter School

Tonight, you can show your support for the Lefferts Gardens Charter School by attending a soire at Lincoln Park Tavern. The $15 door fee benefits the new elementary school on Parkside.

Tuesday October 19, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park Tavern
49 Lincoln Rd, between Flatbush and Ocean Aves
Steps from the B, Q, S and B41

New Stop Work Order Placed on 185 Ocean Avenue

For those wondering when the 8 story building being put up at 185 Ocean Avenue will be completed, the answer is... probably not soon. There has been a stop-work order entered on the property by the Department of Buildings for "failure to protect adjoining properties during construction." Someone appears to have called earlier this month to complain that the retaining wall was compromised. Following an inspection on Thursday, the stop-work order was issued.

Anyone who has been in the neighborhood for more than a few years (and is at least a little responsible-development-obsessed) remembers the drama regarding 185 Ocean Avenue.  In 2007, a developer purchased the charming single-family frame house as a tear-down to put in an 8 story, 20 unit property. Sadly, the Ocean on the Park historic district did not make it through the landmarking process nearly soon enough to save the building or prevent the approval of plans for this large building. After a long delay and at least one attempt to sell the lot, it appeared that once construction was inevitable at least it would be completed quickly.

Now, who knows.

Halloween Events In and Around Prospect Lefferts Gardens

There are so many family Halloween events in and around Prospect Lefferts Gardens this year, it's hard to decide what NOT to do. This year is the year we decided to break the bank and get gorilla costumes for the entire family (I figure this may be the last year that we can coerce my son, 2, into wearing a costume we picked out) so you can bet that we will milk these costumes for all they are worth.

Onward!  To the events!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Ghouls and Gourds, noon to 6 pm
"Barn dancing! Stilt dancing! Giant pink gorillas playing bass and dancing! Shake a tail feather, show off your costume, and carouse with colossal puppets at Brooklyn’s wackiest costume parade! Chat with celebrated children's book authors and illustrators, pet pretend chickens, grab a gourd to help build our giant pumpkin mandala, and create your very own monster on a leash!"

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

Noon to 3 pm: Jeremy Plays Guitar and special guest Oran Etkin
$5/person over 1 years old
Lincoln Park Tavern
49 Lincoln Road (between Flatbush and Ocean)
Q/B/S Train to Prospect Park
Oh, Jeremy, why do you torture us so with your poorly timed events! We want to see you - really we do. But you're not only up against the Montessori parents (again) you're practically up against Halloween itself.... because...

Noon to 3 pm: Prospect Park: Annual Halloween Carnival and Haunted Walk, at Neathermead.
We had a great time at this last year, and this year the kid is old enough to try out the hay ride. There are also neat Halloween events at the Audubon Center, the Carousel, the Historic Lefferts House, and the Zoo both on Saturday and Sunday. You can find all of the details here.

2 pm to 6 pm: Lefferts Gardens Montessori Presents: Kiddie Costume Disco Party
Rustik Tavern (471 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205)
This is a fundraiser for Lefferts Montessori and a good way to meet Montessori parents and learn more about the preschool. $10 adults, $5 kids, LGM students free. Indoor and outdoor space - rain or shine.

Got Leaves For Composting?

Now that New York City is no longer collecting leaves for compost, I'd love to find a way for neighbors with fall leaves to get them to someone who can use them. If any of you PLGers compost and could use some leaves, please leave a note in the comments (or email me at brooklynite282 at gmail). Likewise, if you have leaves that you're going to trash, note that in the comments. Hopefully, with minimal wrangling, we'll be able to keep at least a few piles out of the landfill.

(Photo: Sustainable Flatbush)

 

New Pet Store Trixie's Opens Its Doors

Walking down Flatbush on Saturday night, we were able to check out Trixie's, which had opened its doors for the evening. The store isn't quite fully loaded yet, but the joint was jumping...