Brooklyn Bean

Long Island City, Queens

My brother recently came to visit Daniel and me in New York for Thanksgiving. This got us out and about our local area in search of cool stuff. What we found on this adventure was Long Island City is REALLY cool!! When we got off the subway at Vernon Blvd we were like kids in a candy shop, briskly walking down the street in order to see what cool place was next. Bar and restaurant after bar and restaurant we now have a laundry list of places we “HAVE” to go to. Where we ended up was Alobar at 4642 Vernon Boulevard. With its cozy and cool vibe featuring edison bulbs, maison jars full of bourbon and pickled items and marble top bar, this place was exactly “us”. We took 3 seats at the bar and did a few 360’s before deciding we were in love. The friendly bartender handed us a menu and our eyes lit up even more. I am not ashamed to admit that many things were ordered that night and cocktails were flowing, so I can not remember everything that was featured on this impressive menu. I can tell you, however, that the mac and cheese, perogies and the maple and bacon covered popcorn were utterly amazing and beautiful. If you haven’t had maple and bacon covered popcorn I highly suggest you immediately head to Alobar and order it. I promise it will make your life a little better. I can also recommend the apple infused bourbon kept in a mason jar behind the counter. This sassy little cocktail carries quite a punch and is great for a cold winter evening. 

Here is some imagery! 

The legendary bacon and maple covered popcorn (above)

Fantastic Mojitos!

Cute artwork in the bathrooms.

Amazing Perogies!

Check out Alobar’s website for full lunch, brunch, dinner, dessert and cocktail menu

http://alobarnyc.com/menus.html 

Bless Me Tumblr, For I have Sinned.

It has been 5 months since my last entry…..

I must confess I am no longer a Brooklyn Bean (for now..). Nope, I’m a Queens gal. This is an interesting twist in my return to New York. I am learning a lot about a whole new borough of this fine city. Its much more “suburban” if you will and maybe its not quite as hip as my old hood… but I’m starting to love it. Daniel is settling in nicely and when we aren’t making the 30 min train ride back to BK to visit our dear friends, we are investigating this new place. What we’ve found so far is a whole lot of fantastic food.  This is good and bad as we have both packed on a few pounds since our return to the States! In an effort to get back to our former, trimmer, selves we are hitting the streets and exploring new and interesting things.

Our latest adventure led us to Build It Green in Astoria. This place was so cool. It’s basically an old salvage warehouse with tons of interesting odds and ends that could be used for a plethora of creative projects. This particular Sunday we were in the mood for a wander and thought we’d check it out. Here’s what we found:

The entrance displays this amazing mural painted on two planks of wood

A view from the top of a platform high above the ground which held a collection of mix matched chairs.

Daniel checking out an old sign in the barn area. 

Finally, we come to my Christmas wish list. This amazing old sewing table would look fab in my home. The sewing machine inside is in perfect condition. 

These are just a few of the great things we discovered at this interesting place. If you are embarking on a big building project, or just looking for a quirky piece for your apartment, this place is definitely worth a shout.

Build It Green Astoria location:

3-17 26th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102

http://www.bignyc.org/

Inspiring Images and Experiences

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Daniel and I are packing up and heading off for our next big adventure, New York! As exciting as this next chapter is I am desperate to soak up as much of England as I can before we go. Our most recent travels took us to Brighton. It is definitely a place I recommend visiting for a long summer weekend! The Lanes are busy with tourists shopping, eating outdoors and stopping to have a drink and a chat. It has an exciting buzz much like a small neighborhood in New York, yet the relaxing feel of a great holiday. The Royal Pavilion is another “must see”. Since Daniel was there on business I spent 3 mornings sipping my coffee and people watching in this fabulous little spot. If there is one thing I love about a place its the ability to spend an entire day on your own and never feel you’ve run out of things to do. Brighton certainly provided that as well as a fabulous location for a couples holiday. Here are a few snaps of our trip!

Hard at Work

My books have arrived! And as time draws nearer to our move back to New York, I am working hard to create the perfect business plan… while also taking time to enjoy a cappuccino at my favorite coffee shop of course! 

If you are ever in Manchester’s Norther Quarter I highly sugguest you check out Home Sweet Home. Its a cozy little place with fantastic coffee, food, music and people. (http://cheeseburgertoastie.co.uk/)

Back to work! x

Fabulous Find!

I found this 1950s cutie in a fabulous vintage shop called Dusty & Dylan in Leeds. My new favorite summer item!!

To find something special for your summer wardrobe, check out Dusty & Dylan’s website http://www.dustyanddylan.com/ which also contains a link to their blog!!

M.I.A.

I haven’t written in a week or so because I’ve been doing this!

Quiet on the set!

While cleaning my kitchen I started to notice a lot of buzz outside our apartment. We live on the 5th floor so this buzz must have been something interesting! I ran to the window, and what do I see?  A movie set! As they have used this area for many films, including the recent Captain America movie,  most people wouldn’t find it quite as enthralling as I did. None the less I grabbed my camera and Daniel (for moral support!) and had a look around. Here are some photos!

The view from our window

Me deciding we need to go investigate

What we found

And finally, Daniel. He was clearly just as excited as me! Although we aren’t exactly sure what movie they are filming, I will continue to hope that while on my way to the gym or the grocery store I am discovered and asked to play the leading lady. I’m sure that part hasn’t been cast yet.