Hello Friends! Welcome to the first weekly round-up, a series where I share my week with you. Each Sunday evening I'll post about where I've been, where I ate and what I thought about it all.

This week, I had the whole week off work, which meant plenty of time to both get outside the city and explore different neighborhoods.

Culture

Moniker Art Fair & Superfine Art Fair: It seems to be art fair season - or at least art fair week, with Frieze and The Other Art Fair (and more, I imagine) all happening now. These are fun activities to make part of your afternoon or evening. You can speak with the artists, drink booze if you like and experience the art first hand, by living artists. You’ll see a lot of things you don’t like and a lot of things you do. And don’t forget to people watch too.
Moth Slam @ The Bell House: The moth slam is a storytelling event. This week's story theme was "falling". If you haven’t been before i very much recommend it! Especially if you have a story to tell. The themes are released in advance and those in attendance can put their name in a hat, in the hopes that their name is drawn. allowing them to tell their own story to the theme on stage. The Bell House itself is a great venue with a lot more going for it than just the Moth Slam. I am a particular fan of “The Rub”, one of their monthly dance parties, but check out their events page for all the goods.
Socrates Sculpture Park: I’ll admit, I was a little disappointed by this one. But only because of misplaced expectations. When I first saw this little park on Google maps while looking for something entirely different, in my mind i pictured a little Parisian enclave in the heart of Astoria. Its a lovely little park, with some modern art sculpture pieces, but this green space definitely feels more like a neighborhood gem than a spot worth riding your bike across Brooklyn for. But, if you’re in the nieghborhood, they have free events happening all summer long.

Out & About

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Friday’s before noon the garden’s are free. If you have to go to work on a Friday, its worth the early rise to see the blooms before you head into the office. And if you’re hungry, there is now a breakfast taco stand in Grand Army Plaza from 7am on weekdays.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns: Cafe & Grain Bar and the Rockefeller Trails. About an hour north of the city (37 minutes if you get the express train), sits the town of Tarrytown. About a ten minute drive from the train station you have access to Blue Hill at Stone Farms. If you’re a fan of Chef’s Table (Netflix), you know what I’m talking about. We didn’t eat at the restaurant (not this time!), but instead walked the grounds of the farm (a working farm!), spent time with some sheep and chickens and walked on the Rockefeller Trails (part of the Rockefeller State Park Reserve). At the farm there is a cafe with some delicious bites, both savory and sweet, as well as some coffee and other refreshments that you can enjoy on the patio and in the gardens. Its a great and easy day trip from the city - well worth the small effort in getting there. I’m certainly hoping to go back and explore more of the trails over this summer. And if you're interested in Blue Hill - be sure to make your reservation a month in advance and save up your monies to cover the meal at $258 per person (excluding beverages). A price, I'm sure, worth the experience - I'm certainly hoping to go!
Prospect Park - New York got HOT this week. It was finally warm enough to be outside without a coat or even a contingency jacket ‘just in case’. This meant that the parks were filled with picnickers and I was one of them. With a homemade salad in hand, a roast chicken from Union Market and a bottle of bubbly rose (thanks Brian!) we hit the park for a dinner al fresco. Worth the extra effort.

Food

Los Mariscos - New York isn’t known for its tacos. More and more good shops are popping up and I definitely have some go-to shops in the city where I know i won't be disappointed, but Los Mariscos was introduced to me earlier this year and it is now one of my favorite spots. They serve up the best fish taco in the city (which is even more difficult to come by) and it feels like you are on vacation from the second you walk in. Makes me wish I worked closer to this little shop, just so I could frequent it more often during my work lunch hours.
Paulee Gee’s - This pizza place is worth the schlep to Greenpoint as well as the wait once you arrive. Get yourself some pizza with some of Mike’s hot honey on it and you'll be a happy camper. Be sure to arrive earlier than you want to eat, put your name on the list and head to either Tender Trap next door or Brouwerij Lane up the street - just don’t be gone too long, if you’re not there when your name is called.. they’ll move on without you. Quick Tip - if you happen to be lucky enough to arrive when some seats at the bar open up - claim them! Those little seats are first come, first serve.
Saraghina - This pizza and italian restaurant in Bed-Stuy has all the trappings of the authentic Italian and local neighborhood gem restaurant dreams are made of. Next door to the restaurant is their cafe, serving up not only espresso and some delicious cream filled italian pastries, but also some homemade pastas and sauces as well. Buy some and cook them up for yourself or for you and your beau. Makes a great night in and will make you feel fancy.
Smiley’s Pizza - If you're in Park Slope and need a late night bite and can't find anything open because you're in Park Slope, where everything closes early because it's a family friendly neighborhood, Smiley’s is there for you. Smiley's was the first slice i ever had in New York - where i went with a group after a show at Celebrate Brooklyn in the early summer of 2013. I couldn’t find a website for it, but it sits on the corner of 7th Ave and 9th Street in Park Slope. The pizza is good and easy to eat in or on the go. Enjoy.

Drink

Gowanus Yacht Club - This is my go-to summer bar. It is, essentially, an outdoor dive bar, but feels like you are at a friend's BBQ. Good for groups, with a chill vibe, cheap hamburgers, hot dogs and beers. While this is the type of place I would recommend you get beer, they also happen to serve up a decent Rose. @gycnyc
Other Half Brewery - This Brewery, located between Cobble Hill and Red Hook serves up some of the best IPAs i've ever had. About this time last year they revamped their tasting room - making it great for groups and a great place to spend some time in the summer when their garage door is open.
Hops Hill - This little shop is located in Prospect Heights / Clinton Hill and is a great spot for the beer lover in your life. They have an outdoor patio (though small) and is a great place to go if you want to have a conversation in a spot that won't be too loud. Happy Hour is from 3-6pm, but its only $1 off your brew, so don't expect to be saving too much.
Brouwerij Lane - Another great spot for the beer lover in your life. Located in Greenpoint, this spot also has a back patio and is dog friendly. The staff are extremely beer knowledgeable and will help you choose which tap, or can/bottle is right for you. A great spot to start your night or wind it down.
Dirty Precious - This little gem is located on 3rd Street in Gowanus. It is a large enough (but not too large) space, serving up good cocktails and some delicious bites (I was eyeing up their Mac n' Cheese). They also have a decent happy hour. The bartender made me one heck of an amazing Old Fashioned - this specific cocktail when made well is something I consider to be a good sign of a great cocktail bar.

Coffee

Hungry Ghost - This is my morning go-to and regular place to hang on the weekends when i need to get things done but also need OUT of the house. Their black brewed coffee is delicious and the cold brew they serve up may be my favorite in the city. They have many locations across BK.
Stonefruit Cafe - This weekend was the first time I went to this spot, although I’ve walked by several times. It's adorable and the plant shop connected to it is a divine place. But the cafe has had a little fire and so they are now (temporarily) only serving up hot & iced coffee (along with some delicious treats) out of their plant store until the renovations on the cafe are complete. Worth a stop by if you happen to be in the Clinton Hill / Bed-Stuy area.