Ajimas Grocery (54 Jay Street, Brooklyn NY 11201), the bodega next to Jimi’s Deli (52 Jay Street), has closed. The space is now empty and we asked the workers who were cleaning up about plans for the space. They said that either a “pizza place or a fancy sandwich shop” will open up in its place. Does anyone know for certain?

Tasting Brooklyn is only one week away, so get your tickets before they’re sold out. At Tasting Brooklyn, you’ll be able to sample food and drinks from the borough’s best restaurants from one location in Dumbo. We spoke with Brooklyn Exposed founder Sharon Beason about the event.

Congratulations on your first year of Brooklyn Exposed (Your Guide to Everything Brooklyn). How did Brooklyn Exposed get started and what was your vision for it?

Brooklyn Exposed launched because I felt there was a need for other happenin’ and cultured neighborhoods in Brooklyn to be ‘exposed’ beyond what many media platforms generally overlook. My vision was to create a comprehensive platform to provide individuals info about what’s happening with Brooklyn’s arts, dining, entertainment and social scene.

You have a great list of participating restaurants for the Tasting Brooklyn event. Are you friends with many of them?

I wouldn’t say friends, but I will say that prior to Brooklyn Exposed I had already established relations with some of them and really began fostering great relations with them and others since Brooklyn Exposed launched.

We’re looking forward to the event and glad to see this annual event kick off in Dumbo.

Tasting Brooklyn at The DUMBO Loft
155 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (at Anchorage Place in Dumbo)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 from 5:30 to 9pm
Tickets $45, $60 for a 5:30 pm VIP hour. For info, visit brooklynexposed.com

Additional coverage on Brooklyn Paper.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2011 from 5:30 to 9pm Brooklyn Exposed (“Your Guide to Everything Brooklyn!”) will celebrate their one year anniversary at The Dumbo Loft (155 Water Street) presenting Tasting Brooklyn. We’re proud to be a sponsor celebrating Brooklyn’s diverse food culture at Tasting Brooklyn, their first annual food and drink tasting event. There are 25+ food and drink purveyors who will be representing the best of Brooklyn with live cooking demonstrations from Fairway Market’s TV personalities Dan Glickberg and Mitchel London. Proceeds will go to charity partner Brooklyn Food Coalition.

Tickets will not be availble for purchase at the door, so get tickets before they are sold out.

Meet Fred Lee of Sang Lee Farms to learn about Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA program and sign up for the 2011 season.

Tuesday, March 8, 7:30pm at the Phoenix House (50 Jay Street between Water and Plymouth Street). If you cannot make it, membership for the 2011 season will be open March 8 to new members. Email core@dumbocsa.org. Also check out dumbocsa.org.

Elisabeth Anderson and Audrey Yoo of The Brooklyn Ink created this cool video of Herve Poussot, owner of Almondine Bakery in Dumbo on how he creates his delicate and delectable macaroon.

Almondine Bakery
85 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: 718-797-5026

Rockaway Taco had a “pop-up” dining in Dumbo last night at Rice (81 Washington St). Too bad it was one night only, since there was a long line for the fish, chorizo, or tofu tacos (with guacamole and grilled corn) they normally serve in Queens.

For those who had a chance to try it out, how was the food? Hope they’ll come back soon.

from Gothamist

reBar is starting a breakfast menu on Monday, February, 22, 2011. Breakfast hours will be between 7am-11am on Monday through Fridays (dine-in).

At $2 or $3 per option, prices are reasonable for the a la carte options. There is even an 8oz 24-day dry aged NY strip steak for $9 for the hungry morning cravings.

(reBar is a current advertiser on DumboNYC. Thanks!)

reBar (rebarnyc.com)
147 Front Street (between Pearl and Jay Street), Brooklyn, NY 11201
Ph: 718.766.9110

Groupon’s deal of the day is at O’Crepes in Dumbo. for $7, you get $15 worth of organic crêpes, homemade soups, coffee, and more. Per Groupon:

Combining traditional French and Russian techniques, O’Crepes is a fast-casual café that specializes in delicate, organic crêpes filled with sweet and savory ingredients. The menu showcases both breakfast and lunch-friendly fare, from the vegan crêpe loaded with tofu, pumpkin seeds, guacamole, and red peppers ($8), to the J Hook, a buckwheat crêpe cradling smoked salmon, cream cheese, spinach, and capers ($11) with such flawless technique that bagels study it at toaster college. Sweet teeth clamor to caress dessert options such as the Hula Hoop, brimming with strawberry, banana, Nutella, and whipped cream ($8.50), or the Applepod, a dough envelope stuffed with apple or pear, walnuts, and honey ($7.50). Pancake pioneers can also build their own sweet or savory creations, padding an original ($6), buckwheat ($6), or gluten-free ($7) batter-base with a hearty hodgepodge of more than 20 fresh fillings (starting at $0.50). Defrost after a chilly urban hike or snowman group hug with a bowl of homemade minestrone, chili, or cream of broccoli soup ($3.50–$6.50), or sip your way to steamy satisfaction with a cup of coffee or tea.

O’Crepes (o-crepes.com)
145 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Night Market, hosted by Luckyrice is returning to The Archway in Dumbo on Wednesday, May 4, 2011.

Night Market brings festive Asian night market traditions found across Asia from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur back to the historic Archway in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Serving up traditional Asian street grub as well as more inspired offerings interpreted by local gastrohipsters, this popular LUCKYRICE event recreates the celebratory chaos and delicious energy of the quintessential Asian night market experience–with a distinctly Brooklyn flavor.

Along with tastings of street food grub from nearly 50 participating restaurants and eateries, admission includes custom cocktails, sake, shochu, beer and wine at our indoor bar. Whether you’re in the mood for hot dogs dressed with banh mi toppings or authentic Taiwanese stinky tofu, you will find it all under the Archway.

Last year’s sold out event was hosted by David Chang. See our video recap of last year’s event (done by Dumbo based Kitano Pictures).

Purchase your tickets at luckyrice.com.

Water Street Restaurant has a new menu selection of southern-inspired cuisine. The new menu includes southern dishes like shrimp and grits, slow-cooked ribs, deviled eggs, fried chicken, and Chef Reggie’s homemade crab cakes and “lobster puffpie”. Desserts include sweet potato and pecan pie, or Red Hook’s Authentic Steve’s key lime pie.

If anyone has tried the new dishes, let us know what you think in the comments below.

Water Street Restaurant
66 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-625-9352