Kristen's Brooklyn, NY Blog

This summer has been a busy one: Over at 210 Smith Street, the Clover Club, which serves up high-class cocktails and "savory bites," opened in June; the Jake Walk (282 Smith Street), a wine bar run by the cheese-loving owners of Stinky Brooklyn, has been drawing crowds since its spring debut; and One Girl Cookies (68 Dean Street), has expanded into a date-worthy dessert bar with a new weekend evening confection menu that will make you swoon. In Brooklyn Heights, the popular coffee shop Tazza has opened up a second location at 72 Clark Street.

In Bed Stuy, the recently opened Peaches Market Cafe (393 Lewis Avenue) offers fresh Southern food (think watermelon salad and fried green tomatoes). Over in Fort Greene, the General Greene (229 DeKalb) is serving up small plates and cocktails.

At Eurotrip (667 Fifth Avenue) in Windsor Terrace, you can get mouthwatering goulash and gourmet sandwiches. Not to be outdone, Prospect Heights boasts the Abigail Cafe & Wine Bar (807 Classon Avenue), with everything from cheese and charcuterie to savory entrees like seared scallops and pasta. At the nearby James (605 Carlton Avenue), the food is fresh and seasonal. Menu items include a grass-fed beef burger with Cotswold cheese and a pine nut and rosemary crusted rack of lamb.

In other restaurant news, I recently ate a meal at Peter's Since 1969 (168 Bedford Avenue) and am still thinking about the rotisserie chicken and full-of-buttery-goodness spinach that I ate in the restaurant's peaceful (and uncrowded!) back garden. It was Southern food at its finest, and I plan on going back again and again.

Does anyone else have any new (or new-to-you) Brooklyn favorites?

Soaring temperatures call for days spent enjoying the great indoors. Looking for a few ways to stay out of the sun? Try one of these cool ideas:

• Hit your local movie theater.
  
• Explore one of Brooklyn's great museums.
  
• Go swimming.
  
• Make an ice cream run.
  
• Head to the beach.

The Brooklyn Paper reports that food vendors in the Red Hook Ballfields, after a 3-month delay, will officially be open to the public this Saturday. The popular vendors, who serve up treats that range from huaraches and cheesy quesadillas to fresh corn and a seemingly endless variety of various other Latin specialties, have been working for months to meet city regulations.

Not sure what to do after you've feasted on some tacos and ceviche? Spend the day exploring Red Hook, a Brooklyn neighborhood with plenty to offer.

The Red Hook Ballfields are located on Bay Street between Clinton and Henry Streets.

I've written about them before, and it's no secret that I'm a fan of The Trachtenburg Players, a mother/daughter/father trio that pairs pop music with slideshows featuring vintage photos from around the country. Normal? No. Interesting? Yes.

If you're at all curious about this strangely entertaining ensemble, head to Club Europa tomorrow night, where teenage daughter/drumming fiend Rachel Trachtenburg will be performing 4 songs paired with ukuleles and illustrated felt boards. Her dad will also be performing.

The show is free and starts at 8pm. Club Europa is located at 8-104 Meserole Avenue in Greenpoint.

I just read a story on MSNBC that pits Coney Island's Riegelmann Boardwalk as one of the nation's top ten. It's true that Coney Island has plenty to offer: Attractions like the New York Aquarium, Keyspan Park, and some of the city's best pizza make it a great destination.

Plus, nothing says summer like the beach. So why not hop on the F train tomorrow and spend the day exploring what used to be one of New York City's most sought after seaside resorts?

• Beth Orton in Prospect Park
  British singer-songwriter Beth Orton performs in Prospect Park as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn festival.
  Saturday, 7:30pm at the Prospect Park Bandshell
  
  
• Murikami at the Brooklyn Museum
  This is your last chance to see Murikami's works in Brooklyn. The Japanese artist's popular show, which has been running for the past few months, closes today.
  Sunday, 11am to 6pm
  Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
  (718) 638-5000
  
  
• Afro-Punk Festival
  Enjoy live music, DJs, and a free film screening this Saturday in Fort Greene Park; Sunday is the final day of the week-long festival.

Last week we celebrated U.S. independence, but this weekend it's time to wave the French flag: Bastille Day festivities are taking place on Sunday, July 13. Head to Smith Street, where thousands of Francophiles from throughout the city will be gathering for a day of live music, French food, specialty cocktails, and, of course, the 6th annual Bastille Day Pétanque Tournament.

The celebration will last from 12pm to 8pm, in the areas surrounding Smith Street and Dean Street. All proceeds from the Tournament will benefit the local Brooklyn Community Board.

This Tuesday, July 8 marks the beginning of Summerscreen in Williamsburg's McCarren Park Pool. This free weekly outdoor movie series will feature crowd-pleasing classics ranging from "Velvet Goldmine" to "Desperately Seeking Susan," "The Virgin Suicides," and more.

Because Tuesday night is the series kick-off, special live music performances will open the event. Bands playing include Helena Maria, Mattison, A Million Years, and The King Left. The movie (still the main attraction) will be introduced by actor Michael Showalter, who starred in the opening night film, "Wet Hot American Summer."

Music will start at 4pm, and the movie will begin at dusk. The McCarren Park Pool is located on Lorimer Street between Driggs and Bayard Avenues.

• Fourth of July in Brooklyn
  Make the most out of Independence Day in Brooklyn with an entire day's worth of great events.
  
  
• First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum
  This month's theme is "Viva Africa!" Celebrate with a free night of movies, arts, and entertainment.
  Saturday, 5pm to 11pm
  Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
  (718) 638-5000
  
  
• Afro-Punk Festival
  Enjoy live music, DJs, and more at this free launch party for the Afro-Punk Festival, which begins today.
  Saturday, 6pm
  10 Lafayette Avenue

There are all sorts of great events happening in Brooklyn this month. The annual Celebrate Brooklyn Festival is going strong, there are Fourth of July events galore, and free outdoor movies are popping up all over the borough.

And there's more! Click here for the entire July calendar.

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