Guidebook for Brooklyn

Ray
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Food Scene

Mekelburg's is a high end specialty food shop, fine food restaurant, and craft beer bar. If you like cheese, they have one of the best selections around. The restaurant / bar is hidden behind the food shop. This is a great night spot to hang. Oh!! -- and make sure to go through that door at the back of the bar. That leads to a nice little hidden outdoor seating area.
148 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Mekelburg's
293 Grand Ave
148 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Mekelburg's is a high end specialty food shop, fine food restaurant, and craft beer bar. If you like cheese, they have one of the best selections around. The restaurant / bar is hidden behind the food shop. This is a great night spot to hang. Oh!! -- and make sure to go through that door at the back of the bar. That leads to a nice little hidden outdoor seating area.
The Market (372 Lafayette) is right around the corner and they make the best coffee in the area. They also make homemade dumplings and serve craft beer. They have free-wifi and it's a comfortable place to hang.
22 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The Market
372 Lafayette Ave
22 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The Market (372 Lafayette) is right around the corner and they make the best coffee in the area. They also make homemade dumplings and serve craft beer. They have free-wifi and it's a comfortable place to hang.
Dough (448 Lafayette) is the place that I go in the morning if I don't make my own coffee (which I'm happy to do for you during your stay). Dough is also the best donut shop in NYC. For their drip coffee they use Brooklyn Roasting Company grinds.
638 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Dough Doughnuts
5th Avenue
638 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Dough (448 Lafayette) is the place that I go in the morning if I don't make my own coffee (which I'm happy to do for you during your stay). Dough is also the best donut shop in NYC. For their drip coffee they use Brooklyn Roasting Company grinds.
If you're looking for the best steak in Manhattan, please do yourself a favor and go to Quality Meats (http://www.qualitymeatsnyc.com/home.cfm) This restaurant isn't cheap but if you're looking for an amazing date night or a cool place to propose to your significant other, this is your spot. btw - Peter Luger's and Uncle Jacks are good. But this is THE BEST!
34 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Quality Meats
57 W 58th St
34 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
If you're looking for the best steak in Manhattan, please do yourself a favor and go to Quality Meats (http://www.qualitymeatsnyc.com/home.cfm) This restaurant isn't cheap but if you're looking for an amazing date night or a cool place to propose to your significant other, this is your spot. btw - Peter Luger's and Uncle Jacks are good. But this is THE BEST!
Hiding in plain sight, you'll find Freemans Restaurant at the end of an alley aptly named - Freeman Alley. You'll pass the Freeman barbershop and men's clothier and will land in what looks like a hunting lodge. It's hard to get a table here but the food and the drinks are awesome.
199 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Freemans
Freeman Alley
199 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Hiding in plain sight, you'll find Freemans Restaurant at the end of an alley aptly named - Freeman Alley. You'll pass the Freeman barbershop and men's clothier and will land in what looks like a hunting lodge. It's hard to get a table here but the food and the drinks are awesome.
Carefully sourced Southern fare & cocktails dished amid Americana touches & TVs airing old Westerns. It recently changed management & menus -- but this is a great local spot
150 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Peaches Shrimp & Crab
285 Grand Ave
150 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Carefully sourced Southern fare & cocktails dished amid Americana touches & TVs airing old Westerns. It recently changed management & menus -- but this is a great local spot
Renowned cafe & bakery preparing choice baked goods & prepared foods in a comfy spot. These guys open nice and early. They have GREAT breakfast & coffee.
243 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Choice Market
318 Lafayette Ave
243 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Renowned cafe & bakery preparing choice baked goods & prepared foods in a comfy spot. These guys open nice and early. They have GREAT breakfast & coffee.
Cheerful, modern space offering Cuban-style sandwiches, meat entrees & seafood, plus wine & beer. We've been going to Pilar since they were on Classon and only sat 6 people. The restaurant's new location is awesome and Ricardo, owner & chef, is doing great celebrating the culinary arts of Cuba. If you have the chance, definitely speak to Ricardo about the menu. He is an amazing person, passionate about documenting the history of Cuban food, and loves to share/teach.
253 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Pilar Cuban Eatery
397 Greene Ave
253 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Cheerful, modern space offering Cuban-style sandwiches, meat entrees & seafood, plus wine & beer. We've been going to Pilar since they were on Classon and only sat 6 people. The restaurant's new location is awesome and Ricardo, owner & chef, is doing great celebrating the culinary arts of Cuba. If you have the chance, definitely speak to Ricardo about the menu. He is an amazing person, passionate about documenting the history of Cuban food, and loves to share/teach.
The Grill Yard is actually a private secret dining event. We have an invitation-only private tasting every other Saturday. We'll be opening a fine dining restaurant in the neighborhood later this year. Ask Melissa & Ray for details. more info: www.grillyard.com
139 Clifton Pl
139 Clifton Place
The Grill Yard is actually a private secret dining event. We have an invitation-only private tasting every other Saturday. We'll be opening a fine dining restaurant in the neighborhood later this year. Ask Melissa & Ray for details. more info: www.grillyard.com
This is our local Michelin star restaurant. We go here for Valentine's and special occasions. The Finch IS THE BEST!!!!!
108 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The Finch
212 Greene Ave
108 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
This is our local Michelin star restaurant. We go here for Valentine's and special occasions. The Finch IS THE BEST!!!!!

Drinks & Nightlife

Our local live music venue offers eclectic programming ranging from live Afro-Punk to deep-house DJ sets and everything in between. Make sure to tell Eric (owner) that Ray & Melissa sent you.
135 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
C'mon Everybody
325 Franklin Ave
135 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Our local live music venue offers eclectic programming ranging from live Afro-Punk to deep-house DJ sets and everything in between. Make sure to tell Eric (owner) that Ray & Melissa sent you.
Our good friend, Matthew Garrison, is one of the top bass players in the world and is also the son of the legendary Jimmy Garrison (John Coltrane's bass player). Matt and his business partner, Fortuna, opened ShapeShifter Lab a few years ago and we are huge supporters of the space. It's set up like an art gallery and has some of the best live new music, jazz, and fusion in NYC. If you want to go to Shapeshifter, please let us know that you're headed over. We'd be happy to set you up with tickets, drive you over, or even join you for the show.
ShapeShifter Lab
837 Whitwell Pl
Our good friend, Matthew Garrison, is one of the top bass players in the world and is also the son of the legendary Jimmy Garrison (John Coltrane's bass player). Matt and his business partner, Fortuna, opened ShapeShifter Lab a few years ago and we are huge supporters of the space. It's set up like an art gallery and has some of the best live new music, jazz, and fusion in NYC. If you want to go to Shapeshifter, please let us know that you're headed over. We'd be happy to set you up with tickets, drive you over, or even join you for the show.
PDT (Please Don't Tell) is a bar hidden inside of a hot dog shop (Crif Dogs). PDT took a page out of Angel Share's book. Just head over to the phone booth, pick up the phone (it'll auto-magically ring), and when someone answers tell them the number of people in our party. PDT only has a few tables that can seat 4 or more so... make sure to go with a small group of people. oh -- And the drinks are great. Novel cocktails in a cool dark space. How much more New York do ya want?
287 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks Pl
287 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
PDT (Please Don't Tell) is a bar hidden inside of a hot dog shop (Crif Dogs). PDT took a page out of Angel Share's book. Just head over to the phone booth, pick up the phone (it'll auto-magically ring), and when someone answers tell them the number of people in our party. PDT only has a few tables that can seat 4 or more so... make sure to go with a small group of people. oh -- And the drinks are great. Novel cocktails in a cool dark space. How much more New York do ya want?
Angel Share is probably the most well known secret bar in NYC - but it's still a good place to check out. To get to Angle Share, head upstairs to the Village Yokocho restaurant and walk down the left side of the restaurant towards the black velvet curtains. Behind the curtains is a door to one of the swankiest cocktail lounges in Manhattan. Please note, Angel Share doesn't allow a line and there's no standing. Everyone has a seat - and thus has ample room. The service is amazing and overall this is a good date spot.
172 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Angel's Share
45 Stuyvesant St
172 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Angel Share is probably the most well known secret bar in NYC - but it's still a good place to check out. To get to Angle Share, head upstairs to the Village Yokocho restaurant and walk down the left side of the restaurant towards the black velvet curtains. Behind the curtains is a door to one of the swankiest cocktail lounges in Manhattan. Please note, Angel Share doesn't allow a line and there's no standing. Everyone has a seat - and thus has ample room. The service is amazing and overall this is a good date spot.
A food truck serving tacos and then some in the back yard of a unique modern mezcal upscale casual dive bar from the culinary genius' behind Mayfield.
236 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Chilo's
323 Franklin Ave
236 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
A food truck serving tacos and then some in the back yard of a unique modern mezcal upscale casual dive bar from the culinary genius' behind Mayfield.
This is a favorite place of ours. It has great live music. Please check out the open-mic jam on Sundays!! BTW - the food is great too.
30 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Basquiat's Bottle
1198 Fulton St
30 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
This is a favorite place of ours. It has great live music. Please check out the open-mic jam on Sundays!! BTW - the food is great too.

Essentials

If you've run out of toothpaste (and don't want to ask us for some) or if you need an aspirin, this is the closest place to get all of those home essentials.
89 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Family Dollar
548 Lefferts Ave
89 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
If you've run out of toothpaste (and don't want to ask us for some) or if you need an aspirin, this is the closest place to get all of those home essentials.

Getting Around

The closest train station is right around the corner. It's the Classon Avenue stop on the G train.
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Classon Avenue
Classon Avenue
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The closest train station is right around the corner. It's the Classon Avenue stop on the G train.

Arts & Culture

This is our local 'art-house' theater. They also have great live music and art exhibits.
521 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
BAM Harvey Theater
651 Fulton St
521 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
This is our local 'art-house' theater. They also have great live music and art exhibits.
Storm King was recommended by one of our guests. It's about an hour north of NYC and is one of the most highly regarded Sculpture Parks in the world. The park sits on 500 acres and features a permanent collection of over 100 sculptures. more info: http://collection.stormking.org/sculpture-guide/
471 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Storm King Art Center
471 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Storm King was recommended by one of our guests. It's about an hour north of NYC and is one of the most highly regarded Sculpture Parks in the world. The park sits on 500 acres and features a permanent collection of over 100 sculptures. more info: http://collection.stormking.org/sculpture-guide/

Shopping

Atlantic Commons (aka Atlantic Center) is right across the street from the Barclay's Center. If you want to do some shopping in Brooklyn (groceries, clothing, etc.), this is our closest large shopping area. It's a quick 10 minute train ride away.
Atlantic Commons
Atlantic Commons
Atlantic Commons (aka Atlantic Center) is right across the street from the Barclay's Center. If you want to do some shopping in Brooklyn (groceries, clothing, etc.), this is our closest large shopping area. It's a quick 10 minute train ride away.
On Saturdays from 10am - 5pm, the Fort Greene Flea market features goods from over 150 vendors. Melissa and I love to go there for local antiques and handmade 'one-of-a-kind' goods. This is one of those local New Yorker fun activities for a lazy Saturday afternoon.
266 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Brooklyn Flea
51 North 6th Street
266 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
On Saturdays from 10am - 5pm, the Fort Greene Flea market features goods from over 150 vendors. Melissa and I love to go there for local antiques and handmade 'one-of-a-kind' goods. This is one of those local New Yorker fun activities for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Sightseeing

You can get details about the Statue of Liberty here: https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm Statue Cruises offer both Ferry and park tickets: https://www.statuecruises.com/#/ Melissa and I suggest buying this ticket in advance.
1303 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Statue of Liberty Museum Shop
1 Liberty Island - Ellis Island
1303 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
You can get details about the Statue of Liberty here: https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm Statue Cruises offer both Ferry and park tickets: https://www.statuecruises.com/#/ Melissa and I suggest buying this ticket in advance.
For the Empire State Building, you can buy tickets here: http://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets Ray usually goes up there as a radio engineer and jumps the line. If he's free, he can try to take you up for free. The line is a terrible waste of time. Worse case, we suggest that you pay extra to jump the line. Oh -- and there is no reason to purchase this ticket in advance.
1787 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
엠파이어 스테이트 빌딩
20 W 34th St
1787 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
For the Empire State Building, you can buy tickets here: http://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets Ray usually goes up there as a radio engineer and jumps the line. If he's free, he can try to take you up for free. The line is a terrible waste of time. Worse case, we suggest that you pay extra to jump the line. Oh -- and there is no reason to purchase this ticket in advance.
If you have a short stay in NYC, we advise that you chose between Empire and the Top of the Rock. The last thing you want to do while in NYC is wait in lines all day right? Top of the Rock lines are shorter than Empire State lines and the area isn't as busy (touristy). Also, there are great places to eat around Rockefeller Center.
423 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
바위 꼭대기
30 Rockefeller Plaza
423 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
If you have a short stay in NYC, we advise that you chose between Empire and the Top of the Rock. The last thing you want to do while in NYC is wait in lines all day right? Top of the Rock lines are shorter than Empire State lines and the area isn't as busy (touristy). Also, there are great places to eat around Rockefeller Center.