Dumbo NYC

The 30 Main street unit we featured in October closed last week. According to the owner, after posting the FSBO website, they enlisted Charles Homet of Halstead Property to market the property in mid-November. After 6 months on the market, the condo sold at $1.425mil (10% less than the $1.585mil asking).

Considering the market, 10% below asking seems like the seller got a good price. Back in March 2009, when we talked with a few Dumbo brokers, they said “Dumbo’s condo prices have lowered somewhat around ~5%, it seems to be weathering the economic downturn due to its proximity to Manhattan and the fact that the neighborhood is very small.” But a Time article written yesterday predicted that home prices in metropolitan NYC (which includes Westchester, northern New Jersey and other nearby areas) “will fall 40.6% from the prices that prevailed in March.” But again, Dumbo is a small neighborhood with limited stock. Another FSBO at 70 Washington Street we featured in late April 2009 is already in contract after only 2-3 weeks with Sotheby’s. Time will tell how real estate will play out in Dumbo.

Previously:
{FSBO: 70 Washington Street, #4S, 20Apr2009}
{FSBO: 30 Main Street, C Unit, 21Oct2008}
{FSBO: 84 Front Street #4D Sold, 15Sept2008}

The Dumbo Farmer’s Market will begin this Sunday, June 7, and on every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m until November 22nd at the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge Park on Main Street. There are some new vendors and live music.

Along with last year’s vendors, shoppers will find Greek yogurt, hand-made planters and artisan bread, as well as lively, old-timey music by Johnny Sheppard and Billy Swing. Community Markets is proud to welcome the following vendors to the Dumbo Farmers Market:

Orwashers Bakery: Along with his other beloved artisan loaves, Keith Cohen, the new owner of Orwasher’s Bakery in the Upper East Side, will be selling his “wine bread” or pain de campaigne. To make the bread, Cohen infuses the starter with clusters of Chardonnay grapes from the local Channing Daughters Winery. Cohen plans to recreate new starters with each new vintage. Eventually he wants to get local wheat too!

Likistakos Specialty Foods: Also from the Upper East Side, will be selling their homemade Greek yogurts that are flavored with seasonal local fruit like nectarines, grapes, and peaches, Likistakos also offers dips, spreads and tasty Greek desserts and will be selling at the market beginning on June 21.

Alive Structures: This is a woman owned business that is based in Brooklyn. They have a practical plan to improve air and water quality, reduce energy dependence, and create open green space in New York City. With a focus on native plants, they will be selling planters made from recycled paper and concrete. The planters have an industrial and organic aesthetic and are handmade using entirely local materials.

{Dumbo’s Farmer’s Market Photos, 18June2008}

The L Magazine reports that the neighborhood Mexican bar restaurant, Pedro’s, had to take away their outdoor seating due to permit issues for 120 days (that’s October!). The L writer also wonders if Cafe Baco (discussed in a prior post) would also get their outdoor seating revoked. Whether you love-it-or-hate Pedro’s, it will be a blow to those who enjoy mingling outside with a cold Corona and a nachos during the hot summer.

NY Mag also writes “We kinda disagree with L’s reporter when she says the low-ceilinged bar isn’t a destination in its own right (especially when the jazz band is wedged in there), but this is definitely a blow.” What now?

Pedro’s Bar Restaurant
73 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-797-2851 (Free delivery; Click for their menu.)

Chocolatier Jacques Torres opened his ice cream store today in the Dumbo Brooklyn location at 66 Water Street. The great weather and visitors to the Brooklyn Bridge Park added to the crowd of people waiting in line for the newly opened shop with tables and outdoor seating. As NY Mag pointed out, last week, there are at least a dozen flavors including chocolate-banana, a vanilla brulee swirl, strawberry, hazelnut with chocolate chunks, and four different sorbets including raspberry and mango. Torre’s ‘wicked’ flavor is also available. We haven’t tried it yet, but if anyone has tried, please comment below.

1 scoop $3
2 scoops $4.75
3 scoops $6

Your chance is here to join the DUMBO/Vinegar Hill CSA this season! From the DUMBO/Vinegar Hill CSA:

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a way for people to buy vegetables directly from a local farmer. Before the harvest season, members commit and pre-pay to buy fresh, locally grown organic vegetables. This year the season runs from June 9 to November 10, 2009. Every Tuesday evening from 5-7:30 PM during the 23-weeks members will pick up their share in DUMBO.

In addition to our vegetable share, this year we also have fruit and cheese shares.

The vegetable share is $575 for a full share and $360 for a partial share. Both vegetables shares are for 23 weeks, June 9th-November 10th. To see examples of the organic vegetables we get from Sang Lee farms, please look at the delivery list on our website (www.dumbocsa.org).

The price for the fruit share is $150. The share is for 16 weeks, (mid July-mid October) 5lbs. of fruit each week. The fruits are blueberries, blackberries, peaches, pears, apples. The fruit farm is called Briermere Farms and it is also located on LI, www.briermere.com

The cheese share is $155 for all 23 weeks, 3-4 oz of cheese each week which is freezable. The cheeses are feta, chevre (herbed and plain) and after aging later in the season, cheddar and ricotta. The cheese woman is award winning, Karen Catapano, www.catapanodairyfarm.com/press.htm

If you’d like to join the DUMBO/Vinegar Hill CSA, please visit our website www.dumbocsa.org for information regarding registration and payment.

Past Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA posts.

(Photo by Julienne Shaer, courtesy of brooklynbridgepark.org)

Brooklyn Bridge Park announced their 10th year movie line up for their Movies with a View season, which starts on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Movies With A View is an outdoor film series with an ‘eclectic’ lineup of films and views of the NYC waterfront.

“The films are chosen by an all-volunteer Film Committee and each feature is preceded by a short film. DJs from Brooklyn Radio kick off the evening, spinning tunes as the sun sets, and RICE sells delicious dinners onsite. Bike valet provided by Transportation Alternatives. Presenting sponsor: SCI FI.”

DATE: Thursdays, July 9–August 27, 2009
TIME: 6:00pm–11:00pm
LOCATION: Lawn, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park (FREE!)

• July 9: Raising Arizona
• July 16: The Maltese Falcon
• July 23: Paper Moon
• July 30: To Catch A Thief
• August 6: The Return Of The Pink Panther
• August 13: Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
• August 20: Catch Me If You Can
• August 27: Edward Scissorhands

The Rickshaw Dumpling Truck is in Dumbo on Front Street near Mikey’s Hookup, per Rickshaw’s Twitter page. They have been in Dumbo every Monday.

Previously: {Rickshaw Dumpling Truck in Dumbo, 16Mar2009}

• Ignazio’s Pizza (IgnaziosPizza.com) - Ignazio’s is officially open today, and early reports from emailers give it a thumbs up on the pizza. Steven posted his review on nubloom and says, “The pizza was absolutely awesome. Thicker crust than Grimaldi’s but just slightly, giving a great crunch that I look for in pizza. The slices are not sloppy or overly loaded with sauce or cheese.” There will be delivery service starting mid-April to Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, and Vinegar Hill. Their menu items include baked anchovies, meatballs, and a regional Italian cheese plate for appetizers and salads. They also have an apple and ricotta ‘pizza’ dessert that has baked apples, chilled ricotta, honey and mint on a pizza and gelato from Il Laboratorio del Gelato.
• Cafe Baco - This space formerly occupied by Baco Living at 71 Jay Street has soft launched this week as Cafe Baco. The space has been redesigned and reconfigured for a cafe, restaurant, entertainment, and vintage shop. Currently, they offer coffee and smoothies, but will offer a full lunch and dinner menu in the next week or so. Their plans for the restaurant include Mediterranean cuisine, with late night bar with live entertainment and DJ nights (the DJ booth sits above the kitchen.) Further information to come.
• Choice Market Dumbo - As posted last July, Choice Market will open on the corner of York and Jay Street. Originally slated to open in April/May, but they’ve updated interior design elements to the location, which pushes back the opening to late June.
• Hecho en Dumbo (hechoendumbo.com) - Not exactly new news, but for those familiar with Hecho, Sunday nights are Sunday Night Serenata, which is a perfect way to wind down after the weekend in a cozy and romantic night with acoustic performances by candlelight, while you enjoy the traditional Mexican cuisine, considered by many one of the most authentic Mexican food in the city.

(Photo from Thrillist)

After some delays, according to Thrillist.com, Ignazio’s will be opening next week, ‘barring any unforeseen circumstances’. Thrillist says:

“A supremely confident upstart will throw the gauntlet right in their competitor’s face — Red Mango opened mere feet away from Pinkberry, while Google took on Yahoo! in the very same internet. Baking pies in the face of a Dumbo legend, Ignazio’s, planning to open next week.”

They’re referring to Grimaldi’s, of course, which is around the corner from Ignazio’s, right under the Brooklyn Bridge. There are enough interest in the pizzas to support both restaurants, as long as the quality and taste are high. Based on emails and comments, there is a lot of anticipation for Ignazio’s pizza. Owner Louis Termini imports his cheese from Italy and is very picky about how the pizza is made. There will be entertainment with the baby grand piano in one corner of the restaurant, while patrons enjoy the pizzas.

4 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.522.2100

{Ignazio’s To Open Soon?, 06Jan2009}
{Ignazio’s to Open at Fulton Ferry Condos, 06July2007}

(Photo courtesy of midtownlunch.com)

The Rickshaw Dumpling Truck is in Dumbo on Washington and Front Street today. The owner Kenny Lao, and the chef, Anita Lo (of Annisa) have received numerous requests from the businesses in Dumbo for the truck to come to the neighborhood, and they’ve responded by coming out today. We spoke with Kenny, who said about the visit, “we are psyched that we got requests to come to your neighborhood and hope that it works out. I think DUMBO is full of people that are doing amazing things in new york city and there is a shortage of food for sure! If all goes well we make make it a Monday DUMBO Dumplings thing!” If you like them, please visit them and grab a snack.

You can track them on their website or on their Twitter page. Check out the Midtown Lunch blog for a review of the dumplings. We used to go to the Dumpling Bar on 8th Street until it closed recently, but their dumplings were addictive. The Peking duck dumplings may not be part of the truck but those were delicious, but they have their classic pork and Chinese chive dumplings, which are excellent too. Did anyone get a chance to get some dumplings today?