The Becoming Brooklyn Approved Sports Bar

Honestly, I’m not a sports bar kinda gal. The massive TVs, neon beer signs, and tubs filled with bud light cans just aren’t my thing. BUT, there is one sports bar that’s not only a great place to watch a game, but also a quality Becoming Brooklyn-approved drinking establishment. It’s Red Star in Greenpoint.

I stopped by the bar last week to watch the Syracuse basketball game (I don’t want to talk about it), and discovered that Red Star’s beer list goes much further than the standard Bud-Coors-Gross Watery Beers that I hate. They also had Brooklyn Brewery, Sixpoint, and their own home brews. We went all out (it was March Madness after all) and ordered a beer tower of Red Star’s Amber Lager. The casual menu is also high quality– like their award winning wings, hummus platter, sweet potato fries, and sliders.

My group had a corner spot at the bar, with a perfect view of the TV, and easy access to the friendly staff. If you have a game to watch with a crew of friends and don’t want to deal with the frustrating sports bar crowds, this is the place to go. Visit Red Star at 37 Greenpoint Ave.

Brewklyn Grind Now Available at Brooklyn Fare

So here’s some great news to end your week. Brewklyn Grind coffee (AKA my favorite coffee ever) is now available for purchase at Brooklyn Fare. The guys from the Grind dropped the freshly roasted beans off today, so it’s ready for you to get your caffeine fix right away. If you haven’t tried it yet, you may as well start running over there now to get your brew.

Stop by the India Street Murals

To check out some fab street art, visit the India Street murals in Greenpoint.

Your Next Subway Commute Read

Looking for something page-turning to read while you ride the G train? Pick up a copy of Brooklyn boy Paul Larosa’s memoir, Leaving Story Avenue, with an April 2012 publishing date. 

Emmy-Award winning CBS News producer Paul LaRosa’s evocative memoir of his days growing up in a Bronx housing project and working as a reporter at The New York Daily News in the late 1970s.

Paul was a clueless kid growing up in a Bronx housing project when he discovered there might be more to life. As the projects went from idyllic to dangerous, Paul made his way to The New York Daily News where he became a copyboy and later a reporter.

The memoir follows Paul through the most distressing periods of NYC’s history– a brush with bankruptcy, the terror reign of Son of Sam, the blackout riots, and the murder of John Lennon.

Aside from being a memoirist and journalist, Paul is also passionate about Brooklyn. Follow Paul on Twitter for even more updates.

Where to Eat Right Now: The Vanderbilt

Thanks to “Live to Eat, Love to Cook‘s” twitter suggestion,  I dined at The Vanderbilt this weekend. I had passed by the restaurant a few times (on my way to Chuko) but had never been before. I loved the rustic and comfortable atmosphere, the stretching bar, and the selection of small shareable plates on the menu.

I started with a cocktail. The Glyda Rose– a clean and refreshing mix of Gin, Campari, blood orange, and champagne. We heard the brussels sprouts were “the best ever,” so I made sure to get an order of those. They’re unlike any other brussels, cooked with Sriracha, honey, and sesame seeds. It was hard to top those, but we also ordered the Brandade de Morue, beet salad, house cured salmon, and Bouchot mussels with red curry. Every dish was just as good or better than the last– and the one of a kind flavors separated theirs from other restaurants I’ve visited.

My one disappointment? The pumpkin doughnuts for dessert. They were a little too crunchy for my liking, but it didn’t make me think less of the experience. If you haven’t been yet, I suggest stopping by for dinner soon.

Where Will Becoming Brooklyn Eat Next?

My never ending list of must-try restaurants is growing by the minute. Today I asked my Twitter followers for their opinions… where shall I go next? Here’s the list of their answers. Which one do you like best?

1. Talde 

2. The Vanderbilt 

3.  Betto 

4. Zenkichi

5. Cafe Ghia

6. Frej

7. Chavelas

8. Paulie Gees

9. BK Fish Camp

10. Roll N Roaster 

11. No. 7 Sub

12. Korzo

Also selected but I’ve already been: Farm on Adderley, Buttermilk Channel, Traif, Lucali, Rosewater, and Isa.

It’s time to meet your makers.

I hope you’re not sick of hearing me rave about upcoming 61Local events. I can’t help it– they’re all so fabulous, I have to share. So here’s the next one. The Meet Your Makers tasting series starts in April. They’re collaborating with some extraordinary brewers, mongers, and ice cream makers. Plus, it’s for a good cause. Proceeds from the tasting series will be donated to the Brownsville Schoolyard Farm Project, a new urban farm.

At each tasting, guests will be presented with a selection of pairings in order to judge the best pairing for themselves. Founder and head brewer from Kelso of Brooklyn, Kelly Taylor will be at every tasting to tell you about his fine brew and what his favorite pairings are. The winning pair from each tasting in the series will be presented at the finale evening in July.

Here’s the schedule.

April 4, 7-9pm 

Kelly Taylor of Kelso and Saxelby Cheese Mongers pair a selection of brews and Hudson Valley cheeses.

May 2, 7-9pm

Kelso, Brooklyn Cured and Brooklyn Brine Co. taste Kelso beers along with a selection of Brooklyn’s finest cured meats and pickled veggies

June 6, 7-9pm

Kelso of Brooklyn and Phin & Phebes. It’s time for beer and artisan ice cream floats!

July 11, 7-9pm Finale Tasting

No blue ribbons, just winning flavors. 61 Local brings back the pairings voted best by each tasting group for a round-up grand finale meal.

Sip on this: The Nose Dive

Next time you're at Clover Club, order the Nose Dive, a mix of Gin, lemon, maple syrup, orange, amaro Abano, and Champagne.

Learn the Secrets of a Pizza Chef.

Here’s your chance to impress your friends with your perfect pizza producing skills. On Wednesday March 21 from 8 to 10pm at the Brooklyn Brewery, learn the secrets of the three parts to the ultimate slice– crave-worthy crust, uber-fresh mozzarella, and tasty tomato sauce. The experts from Pizza a Casa Pizza School, Murray’s Cheese, and Motorino will teach you all three.

The best part? While you learn “How to Knead, Top, and Toss,” you can snack on pizza from Eddie’s Pizza truck and sip on Brooklyn Brewery beers. The event is sponsored by Edible Brooklyn and Brooklyn Brewery, and tickets are only $5! Get them here.

Celebrate a Year of the Folding Chair

On April 3rd from 7-9pm, head to 61Local to celebrate the one year anniversary of The Folding Chair reading series with words, art, music and libations. Hang out with cool people like poet Cathy Park Hong, visual artist Mores McWreath, and poet and novelist Ben Lerner, while enjoying live music and sipping on local brews.

In usual 61Local fashion, the night will celebrate all things local, with a special TFC brew menu that includes generously donated drinks from Kings County Distillery, Red Hook Winery and local brewers Jared Greenfield and Austin Haase. There will also be anniversary pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds, a limited edition poster designed by artist Graham Parks and generously printed at Kayrock Screenprinting, and a door prize donated by Cut Brooklyn.

Fore more info about The Folding Chair, visit their website here.