Halloween on Brooklyn Bridge (Photo by Ian Fox)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Commandant’s Mansion, 26Oct09, Ephemeral NY
• Audio Postcard from Gleason’s Gym, 26Oct09, Brooklyn Ink
• Restaurant at 7 Old Fulton Street, 28Oct09, Brownstoner
• The Park Takes Shape, 28Oct09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Brooklyn’s Most Expensive Condo, 28Oct09, TheStreet
• Will Watchtower Society Sell Brooklyn?, 28Oct09, exjehovahswitness
• Tuning in to Gravity at Galapagos, 27Oct09, sequenza21
• Heights residents fight tourist choppers, 28Oct09, YourNabe
• Gang Activity in Brooklyn Heights, 29Oct09, BHB
• Martha Stewart Visits Dumbo Flea, 25Oct09, Brokelyn
• NY Photo Fest Curators 2010, 26Oct09, PDN
• Astonished by a Tour of Brooklyn Bridge Park, 28Oct09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Drunk drivers targeted in 84th Precinct, 28Oct09, NY Post
• Irish import at St. Ann’s Warehouse is truly ‘Electric’, 30Oct09, BP

Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10pm-4am
Monsters Ball
1 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

See going.com for more info

 [+larger]

Poor Bryan got all four, count ‘em four, wisdom teeth pulled on Monday. I stayed home with him to make sure he was okay, and planned a day full of slurpable meals. Vanilla milkshake for his first foray into food after the surgery. Banana, yogurt and frozen fruit smoothie for lunch. Homemade, healthy, and hearty pureed vegetable soup for dinner. The three H’s!

I followed a recipe in a Williams Sonoma cookbook for soups, and riffed off of it a bit. Here’s the loose version – and know you can add ANY vegetable to this soup. Use what you have at home. Use what’s on it’s way out. Use what you love best, and use as much of it as you want! This is just a guideline, and as in all homemade rustic soups, a base for you to have fun and experiment with.

Chop 3 leeks, small onions, or shallots (which ever you prefer) and sautee in olive oil. Once softened add 3 chopped zucchini, 3 peeled and chopped waxy potatoes, 3 peeled and chopped carrots. Cook until soft and add 6 cups chicken or veggie stock and 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Simmer for 30-35 minutes and add 1 drained and rinsed can of chick peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend with a hand mixer or in batches in a blender. Before serving add chopped fresh parsley, and the zest and juice from 1 lemon. Also a healthy grating of fresh parmesan can’t hurt.

Like I said, there are infinite ways to play around. Use a can of stewed tomatoes, chopped spinach, or shredded cabbage. Have a can of cannelini beans lying around? Dump that in. Add rice or pasta! Go crazy, and please, report back. I’d LOVE to get some new ideas and see what you guys are up to.

Until next week, B.B.

Dumbo General Store (or DGS) has announced their new chef, who will be replacing the space that is left by Hecho en Dumbo after Saturday. According to their announcement today, chef David Conn, owner of Edisto Restaurant will be the resident chef at DGS. According to the announcement, Chef Conn “recently arrived from Nashville, where he owned Edisto, a well-received restaurant of Southern-inspired flavors.” His specialty is authentic Southern food, but incorporates dishes from other regions. He is also a “master of classic brunch food, including supergood weekend fare like his signature Hangover Pancake (Goldschlager infused apples in a Bailey’s pancake batter and Grand Marnier syrup!) or his Brie Stuffed Brioche French Toast w/ Rasberry Coulis.”

We spoke with Anna Castellani, owner of DGS on about the new chef and the upcoming changes.

How did you end up picking Chef Conn for your space? Does he already live in NYC or is this a move for him?

A bit like Danny with Hecho, David came to me through his good friend. In this case it was Tom, our manager. Also a bit like Danny, he’s a young ambitious chef without capital for his own restaurant. He moved to the city 6 months ago. I tasted some of his cooking and loved his energy and enthusiasm. I really enjoy being a venue for young chefs to showcase.

How much of Edisto’s menu will be coming over to Dumbo? Will Chef Conn’s Sweetgrass Smokerie menu items also make it to the Dumbo General Store?

As for the Sweetgrass Smokerie items, Two Trees wouldn’t be too thrilled with a smoker. We are contemplating a mobile truck smoker though. I think he will be bring some of his Edisto menu here with some changes. There will be a lot of small plates, a changing entree menu, seasonal desserts, an expanded brunch menu on the weekends and homemade soups everyday with sandwich specials at lunch using house-roasted meats. Prices will be in-line with my commitment to be a great neighborhood value.

Will there be a new name for the restaurant similar to what Hecho en Dumbo had?

In order to reduce confusion both day and night will be the DUMBO General Store or DGS.

Will Chef Conn’s interest in music be a part of the restaurant? Will there be live music?

There will definately be music.

The opening date is scheduled for first week of November with small plates, tastings, and new cocktail offerings. There are also two new bartenders from NYC who will be making great cocktails (No worries to Hecho regulars, there will be a killer margarita.) There will also be a happy hour feature for all the mom’s in the neighborhood. On weekdays between 4-6pm, DGS will be family-friendly event, offering drink and wine specials for the adults and a healthy, kid-friendly menu. Please welcome Chef Conn to the Dumbo General Store.

Dumbo General Store (dumbogeneralstore.com)
111 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718.855.5288

(100 Gold Street)

What are the least expensive Dumbo condos on the market today? If you can’t afford the much publicized $25 million penthouse at One Main Street (For that one, see our prior post or its own website at clocktowerny.com), the current entry cost for owning a condo in Dumbo is $450,000 ($642/sqft) at 100 Gold Street (#2F). When we looked at the lowest priced Dumbo condos in Aug 2007, June 2008, June 2009, the lowest prices were $475k ($880/sqft), $550k ($686/sqft) and $450k ($773/sqft). These are the lowest cost condos for sale in Dumbo today, which fall within the range of past lowest cost condos:

• $450,000 (100 Gold Street, #2F, 700 sq.ft, $642/sqft)
• $459,000 (206 Front Street #2E, 540 sq.ft, $850/sqft)
• $465,000 (206 Front Street #2D, 540 sq.ft, $861/sqft)
• $475,000 (100 Jay Street #7J, 582 sq.ft, $816/sqft)

As we did back in June 2009, we asked a few local real estate brokers (who wished to remain anonymous) about the state of real estate in Dumbo, and cited that Dumbo prices are holding steady according to recent sales despite the economy. We all know they’re an optimistic bunch, but can it be true that Dumbo is saved from the downturn?

Dear Neighbor,
I saw that your driver’s side windows of your RAM1500 truck was smashed tonight (at approx 6:50pm), parked on the corner of Water and Jay Street (on Water St) while walking by. I told the nearby police patrol about it, who said “there’s nothing we can do about it.” Hope you or your friends will go and cover the window to prevent further damage.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen

1) Digital Dumbo Halloween Party

When: Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

“The October Digital DUMBO is a good old fashioned Halloween costume party! We encourage serious creativity. DUMBO is home to some of the most innovative and imaginative agencies in NYC so we have HIGH expectations. For those of you coming straight from work, we do understand that a costume might not be an option. Don’t let this discourage you from partying with us!”

“We will be awarding prizes from local DUMBO businesses for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place best costume. Join us Thursday October 29th for costumes, DJ’s, and dancing and of course, great networking opportunities.”

2) Hecho en Dumbo’s Last Week in Dumbo

When: Last call in Dumbo: October 31, 2009
Where: 111 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201

As we noted last month, Hecho en Dumbo‘s last day in Dumbo will be on October 31, 2009 before they relocate to 354 Bowry in Noho. Get your fix of authentic Mexican this week before they close. See Chef Danny Mena and Ethan Smith’s farewell letter to Dumbo (PDF).

3) Halloween themed art crawl, Collect Dumbo

When: Friday, October 30, 2009 from 6:30-9pm
Where: Various locations

Artlog.com & Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) present a special one night Halloween themed art crawl, Collect Dumbo, in partnership with Two Trees Management & the Dumbo Improvement District. Following the success of DUMBO’s monthly 1st Thursday Gallery Walks, Artlog has partnered with BAC, Two Trees & the Dumbo Improvement District to produce a special Halloween themed Collect art crawl, the sixth event in Artlog’s “Collect” series. A portion of all the proceeds from the ticketed event go to supporting the nonprofit Brooklyn Arts Council based in DUMBO.

Held on Friday, October 30, 2009 from 6:30-9pm, Collect Dumbo encourages attendees to wear art inspired Halloween costumes. The event includes numerous participating galleries, Halloween themed special events and a dance party at the UnderWater Lounge. (Tickets cost $15. Attendees must be over 21 years of age for this open-bar event). Enjoy free drinks as you tour the DUMBO galleries.

Schedule:
6:30pm – 9:00pm Gallery Crawl (Check-in at 111 Front St & 55 Washington )
10:00pm till late: After Party with dancing, video projections and one hour open bar at the Underwater Lounge (@66 Water St.)
More Special Events TBA

For more info or to purchase tickets.

4) One World Symphony’s “Nightmare on Montague Street”

When: Friday, October 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Where: St. Ann and the Holy Trinity on 157 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn’s One World Symphony will celebrate Halloween by performing the world premiere of “The Headless Horseman” written by DUMBO’s own Charley Gerard, Schubert’s “Erlkonig,” Dukas’ “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” Elfman’s from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and more.

Guest artists include the immensely popular ensemble from backyards of Brooklyn, Hungry March Band and AfterShock, a vocal rock band from Albany. The artists will be under the guidance of the dynamic and versatile conductor and composer Sung Jin Hong.

Net proceeds will benefit St. Ann’s Roof Restoration Fund. A reception will follow immediately after the musical celebration.

View from J Condo (Photo by Jeremy Presner)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Gunpoint Robberies in Dumbo, VH, BH, 23Oct09, YourNabe
• Clocktower New Website, 21Oct09, Brownstoner
• New Park ‘Advocacy’ Group Old?, 21Oct09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Gatehouses Land in Brooklyn Bridge Park, 21Oct09, Brownstoner
• New Galleries Diversify DUMBO’s Art Scene, 21Oct09, Brooklyn Ink
• 1 Main St $25mil Apt, 22Oct09, Brooklyn Paper
• Dumbo’s JAR Group Hiring, 22Oct09, SMJW
• A Slice of Bohemia in DUMBO, 22Oct09, THINK
• Time Isn’t Right For $25mil Apt?, 22Oct09, Brooklyn Paper
• Will Jehovah’s Witnesses Abandon Dumbo?, 23Oct09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Flower Shop for Dumbo, 21Oct09, Brownstoner
• Return of the Brooklyn Trolley?, 21Oct09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Mr. Junkersfeld Talks Brooklyn Bridge Park Finance, 20Oct09, BHB
• Texas-tinged soap opera to DUMBO, 22Oct09, NY Post

Having some friends over for a little TV watching mid week? Want to make a yummy snack without spending too much time or money? Forget spending over 5 buckaroos at the bodega for store bought hummus. I’ll show you how easy it really is.

Lemons? Check. Can of chick peas? Check. Garlic? Check. Tahini? Well, I did have to make a run to the store for that, but honestly tahini never seems to go bad. So I’d say that was a good investment. Plus, it’ll give me an excuse to finally try my friend Barbara’s insanely delicious and hearty tahini cookie recipe.

Drain a 16 oz. can of chickpeas but keep 1/4 cup of the liquid from the can and set aside. In a blender (if you don’t have a Cuisinart you can use a regular blender) combine chickpeas, 2 cloves crushed garlic, 1.5 tbsp tahini, juice from 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons olive oil and a pinch of good salt. Add the liquid you’ve saved from the can and blend until smooth. Or a little chunky, depending on how you like it.

We drizzled some olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper on some sliced up pitas and baked in the oven to crisp up. Accompanied with the hummus and some good olives this is a major hit.

The above recipe makes more hummus than you can eat, so be sure to bring some to work the next day for a little baby carrot dipping action. Oh, and some gum too – I can guarantee garlic breath with this one. Enjoy!
-BB

PS8‘s annual Readathon kicks off today with a book fair at Barnes & Noble. For one week (Oct 22-28), all purchases using a special PS 8 voucher (available here (pdf): bookfair voucher) will result in a percentage of sales being donated to the school. The voucher can be used in any Barnes & Noble store nationwide, as well as at www.barnesandnoble.com.

There is a kickoff event tonight, Thursday, October 22, at 6:00 PM at the Court Street store (106 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY); PS 8 students and faculty will be reading, and the event will be hosted by Stephen Ringold, Big Apple Circus clown and PS 8 parent. Get started with holiday shopping and help support our wonderful neighborhood public school.

More: Barnes & Noble Book Fair 2009 Readathon