Brooklyn
I have finally created the long-overdue photography section on my website. The first of many galleries to come: ny by iphone. Looking at these really made me miss New York.
I've just added four new galleries of photography. Stop by and have a look!
A friend called to my attention a new burger joint in the neighbourhood called Dutch Boy Burger a couple of weeks ago. So we decided to
walk over there for lunch and try it out. I was naturally curious about the name. The story is, a Dutch Boy paint store used to be in the
same space. The new owners decided to keep and capitalize on the familiar brand name. The extra large Dutch Boy Paints sign established
a great classic diner aesthetic to the small space.
I ordered the Dutch Boy Burger (stout-soaked cheddar sauteed crimini shrooms & caramelized onion; fries included for $8.50) shared a
generous plate of onion rings and a Foxton Park White Birch soda. So what's the verdict? Everything, including the soda, was really really
good. The portions are generous, everything fresh and juicy. I must point out that their (Vidalia) onion rings might be the best I've had.
The batter they coat the rings with was very thin and crispy (and not at all 'bready'). Biting into them revealed the sweetness of the tender
Vidalia onions. Perfection. And for the comfort food connoisseurs: they fry absolutely everything in duck fat – only on Sundays. Also a nice
detail to point out, it's also a good spot for locavores. Their suppliers are primarily local. Next time you're in Prospect Heights having drinks
at Franklin Park, go through the back door and have yourself a burger and rings (the two establishments are attached).
If you've followed my blog for some time, you're aware of my love of dance. My teacher, Karen Arceneaux at the Alvin Ailey Extension remains a huge inspiration to me. Dancing has given me so much over the past few years. Karen's Horton classes continue to teach me strength and grace through dance – not to mention stress relief, humour, live music and endless fun!
I'm looking forward to seeing Karen's own dance company, Genesis Dance Company perform on July 24th, 2010 as part of their 8th annual NY Performance. if you're a fan of dance and in the NY area this month, go see this one night only performance in Brooklyn's Kumble Theater. I absolutely loved last year's show.
Check the Genesis Dance Company website or info@genesisdance.org for more info.
Pictured above: Karen Arceneaux, Photo by: Rachel Neville Photography 2009
I remember walking into Eponymy a couple of years ago the week that they opened. It's a cute shop right on the border
of Park Slope and Prospect Heights just off Flatbush Ave. on Bergen St. I walked in this past weekend while on an errand
run and I must say, I still love their clothes. Owner Andrea Miller has a great eye for a really great mix of clothes with
simple, modern cuts, and beautiful fabrics. She also throws in a selection of hand picked vintage pieces that just work
nicely with everything else. The shop embodies an understated "new old" aesthetic that is so of the moment. The accessory
selection mirrors the beautiful mix of modern and vintage. Go check it out if you haven't already.
The NYC Food Film Festival event this past Saturday was the World's First Food Truck Drive-In. Thanks to two guest tickets via my friends at Whimsy + Spice, I was able to attend the "sold out" event. It was held in Dumbo, Brooklyn – literally under the Brooklyn Bridge. It was food truck and locavore foodist's heaven. I'm not certain why they limited entry to a free event. As a result, they had fewer than expected attendees. It was a great idea that all of NY should have been able to just walk in to. The food was wonderful and the weather cleared up to make a really lovely evening of outdoor summer film viewing. So much fun!
Here's some of the great food that we ate:
Banh Mi style hotdog from Asia Dog
Squid Ink taco from Choncho's Tacos
Green Pirate juice from The Green Pirate Juice Truck
Crostini with Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts and Honey from Pizzamoto
Apricot and Chamomile People's Pops courtesy of The Cooking Channel truck
Tangy Pork and Chicken Sliders from The Krave Korean BBQ Truck
Everything Cookie and Earle Grey Cookie Sandwiches by Whimsy + Spice
Check out the NYC Food Film Festival site for info on next year's events.
Last weekend, I attended my friends Juliette and Cass' baby shower here in Brooklyn. It might be the loveliest baby shower I've ever attended. Four of Juliette's close girlfriends (all interior designers and architects, by the way!) put the whole event together. It was held on the roof of their apartment building. The weather could not have been more beautiful. I didn't learn until yesterday just how much of what I documented there was custom made. In addition to most of the food prepared, the tablecloths, frames/signs and tiered dessert plates were all created by the event organizers. I thought the beverage bar was so beautifully put together. Everything was delicious. I was particularly drawn to the sweets – especially the lemon cheesecake squares!
Here's a quick list of the various items above:
1) Tablecloths & frames by Caroline McKeough
2) Tiered Dessert plates (prototypes made of ceramic and oak) by Caroline McKeough
3) Macaroons from Bouchon Bakery
4) Petit Fours from Divine Delights
5) Lemon Cheesecake squares (to die for!) by Caroline McKeough
My best wishes to Juliette and Cass and the upcoming birth of their baby!
Here's a little bit of Brooklyn and a lot of wishing for sunshine. Have a great week!