Brownstoner Reviews Frank's

Head on over to Brownstoner for a review of a somewhat surprising Carroll Gardens institution: Frank's Luncheonette. I think they nailed it:

"Five bucks goes a long way here. You can spend it on two eggs, sausage, toast and home fries; a plate of homemade pancakes with ham on the side; a chicken parm hero; or a deluxe burger with bacon (add cheese for another fifty cents). For no additional fee, somebody will probably call you "sweetie," and if you can snag one of the few seats, you'll probably overhear some good jokes -- but they won't sound as good if you retell them without a Brooklyn accent."

While the Brownstone reviewer was kind and honest, hitting the high points, I doubt that the Brownstoner comments will be as kind, if their musings on Vinny's are any indication.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree at Cobble Hill Park

Form the Parks and Recreation Department comes good news for those looking to keep their thumbs green during the holiday season - Mulchfest!:

Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, 10 am – 2 pm. Wreaths and garlands cannot be accepted. Please remove lights and decorations. No artificial trees!

Cobble Hill Park: Clinton Street and Verandah Place
Prospect Park: Prospect Park West and 3rd Street

Coffey Park: Dwight Street and Verona Place
Red Hook Farm/Added Value: Columbia and Halleck Streets


Trees will not be accepted after the scheduled times.

Sponsored in part by: Cobble Hill Tree Fund, Cobble Hill Association, Friends of Cobble Hill Park, & Boy Scout Troops 213 & 815

CHTreefund.org

State Court Deals a Blow to Atlantic Yards Opposition

News of another legal hurdle cleared by the Atlantic Yards/Ratner Development. Looks like clearing and Eminent Domain will start fairly soon. From the Brooklyn Paper:

"The suit, filed by panoply of elected officials and opposition groups, claimed that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority broke a state law that was passed in the wake of Atlantic Yards to curb abuses by state authorities through stricter transparency and ethics guidelines.

The plaintiffs pointed to the fact that the MTA renegotiated the deal with Ratner this summer, getting just $20 million up front instead of the $100 million originally promised. At the time, the transit agency did not seek new bids for its eight-acre train yard at the heart of the proposed arena, housing and commercial development.

But state Supreme Court judges did not agree with project opponents, ruling last Wednesday that the renegotiated deal did not warrant restarting the bidding process."

Looks like the Ratner/MTA Express will be arriving at Atlantic Terminal. Opposition will of course continue, but with the recent successful bond sales and legal setbacks, it looks like the development will proceed.


For more, head on over to Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn.

303 Bond Street Theater Putting on an Interesting Show

A relatively newer performance space in the neighborhood, at 303 Bond Street, and, aptly named, The 303 Bond Street Theater, is putting on an interesting sounding show for the Holiday Season. According to Short and Sweet NYC:

Sex and decadence abound in Brooklyn’s Le Serpent Rouge!, a wonderfully theatrical and somewhat sensational retelling of the story of Adam & Eve through dance by Company XIV. Choreographer Austin McCormick assembles five eclectic performers dressed sometimes only in pasties or a thong (and occasionally less) to reenact the story of man’s fall from grace with a comical, if not feminist edge, and a hip amalgam of pop culture reference.

For more information visit CompanyXIV.com.