The Brooklyn waterfront is a vast area spanning through many of Brooklyn borough’s historic neighborhoods. What maintains the waterfront’s history and uniqueness comes a lot from its culinary offerings. The Brooklyn waterfront’s vibrancy of culinary delights that may never go away like the historic Peter Luger Steakhouse and establishments such as Paulie Gee’s that offer unique vegan and non-vegan pies. From the expensive multi-course River Cafe in Dumbo to the fast, inexpensive Nathan’s Hot Dogs at Coney Island, there are dozens to hundreds of unique options that will satisfy any foodie craving more for days.

FRIDAY:

Photo credit: Cynthia D. Retrieved from yelp.com

1.) 1130a: G’day Mate

This cozy, Australian inspired comfort food restaurant and cafe is located on the border of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg neighborhoods and across the street from McCarren Park. Choices range from light (chia pudding with poached rhubarb, toasted almond, and opal basil for $11.00) and hearty (Moroccan scramble with merguez sausage, scrambled eggs with spiced chickpeas, crushed avocado and grilled sourdough for $14.00). Do not leave without trying the famous ricotta pancakes and honeycomb butter. The subtle ricotta flavor blended in the pancakes go harmoniously together with the fresh berries, banana and warm 100% pure maple syrup. The real star of the show and game changer is the ice cream scoop size dollop of honeycomb butter. This whipped butter is combined with crunchy honeycomb pieces that takes this dish to another level. It’s easy to forget paying $16.00 for a plate pancakes when it tastes this heavenly.

  2.) 1:30p: Kick back and relax at East River State Park

While thinking back fondly on the ricotta pancakes that you just devoured, walk five minutes down to East River State Park. As the site of a 19th century shipping dock, visitors to East River State Park may also discover unique historical remnants like old cobblestone streets and railroad tracks embedded in concrete.The seven acre park offers plenty of green space to lay out on, walkways along the waterfront with stunning views of Manhattan, and even free WiFi access.

3.) 4:30p: Perk up

If you’re starting to feel groggy after your time at the park, you’re not far from the nearest pick me up. Five minutes down Kent Avenue or along the waterfront and you’re at the famous Brooklyn Roasting Company. Brooklyn Roasting Company has been roasting their own fair-trade organic coffee beans in Brooklyn since they began just further down the waterfront in Dumbo. The varieties of smooth, full flavored coffees are sure to satisfy any coffee lover. For medium roast lovers, go for the Nicaragua Gold Mountain with its flavor notes of oatmeal and praline that take you back to lazy afternoons at grandma’s house with a plate of fresh baked cookies ($3.50 for a 16 ounce cup). Don’t feel bad for playing favorites with more than one brew. A twelve ounce tin of whole beans to grind and brew at home will cost $15.00.

Photo credit: Northern Territory Business Owner. Retrieved from yelp.com

4.) 600p: More Aussie Fare at Northern Territory

Head back up Kent Avenue or along the Brooklyn waterfront for dinner at another Australian inspired restaurant in Greenpoint. The grilled lamb “lollies” ($14 for 3, $26 for 6, $48 for 12) are seared to perfection, tender and bursting with flavor on the inside with a rosemary and honey-mint yogurt for dipping. Sadly, no shrimp on the barby on the menu but the options of grilled skewers more than make up for it. Options for skewers are chicken marinated in lemon and garlic with grilled onions, mushroom and pepper with basil pesto, skirt steak and onion with chimichurri sauce, and grilled halloumi, a type of Greek cheese ($7 to $9 for individual skewers or a sampler of all four for $30). After dinner, feel free to relax in your outdoor booth. Take in the sunset set along the breathtaking skyline view of Manhattan with the house cocktail, Territory Tea (vodka, kiwi puree, and iced tea for $12).

5.) 900p: Late Night Strikes at Brooklyn Bowl

Get those competitive juices flowing just five minutes walking distance away at Brooklyn Bowl. See how many strikes (or gutterballs) you can make for $25.00 per lane, per half hour for up to eight friends. Brooklyn Brewery whose brewery is on the same block as the bowling alley provides locally made beer for you and your team. The easy to drink summer ale ($7 per 16 ounce glass, $27 a pitcher) with its clean, citrusy, balanced malt and hop flavor will keep you fueled while you try to bowl a perfect 300 (or just crack triple digits).

SATURDAY:

6.) 930a: Home sweet, Home/made

Soothe your sore throwing arm and hoarse voice from the night of bowling in the quaint, relaxing atmosphere of Home/Made in Red Hook. The living room style decor of the restaurant creates an atmosphere being, as the name says, at home with its communal sofa seating and coffee table style tables. Try the French toast which is made with a thick slice of caramelized brioche bread and topped with sauteed apples, pears, and dried cherries or the smoked salmon, dill and goat cheese egg scramble served with home fries and grilled walnut toast  ($11.75 each).

Photo credit: Cacao Prieto. Retrieved from cacaoprieto.com

7.) 1130a: Now, Some Cacao

Follow the scent of chocolate in the air while walking the five short blocks down Conover Street to get to chocolatier, Cacao Prieto. Cacao Prieto is a chocolatier in Red Hook that uses single origin, 100% organic cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic to make their chocolates, chocolate liqueur, and chocolate rum. The factory roasts, ground, prepares, and wraps their products in-house. Cacao Prieto gives visitors hour long tours of the factory and distillery every Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00p to 6:00p, $20.00 per person. At the end of the tour, visitors can purchase a 72% cacao bar in any of the unique flavor offerings such as floral orchid or earthy absinthe ($8.00 per bar), a bag of chocolate drops to add to your homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe ($16.00 each).  

8.) 200p: A Taste of New England

Step into the Red Hook Lobster Pound to satisfy that craving or try for the first time New England style lobster. The lobsters are delivered fresh from Maine and visitors can choose their lobster from the in-house tanks. The lobster is then steamed and served with potatoes, corn on the cob, and coleslaw ($25.00 per 1 ½ pound lobster dinner). If the task of taking down a whole lobster is too ambitious, then try one Red Hook Lobster Pound’s lobster rolls. The restaurant offers four different types of lobster rolls, each made with tender claw meat and named after different New England regions; Maine (served cold with mayonnaise), Connecticut (served warm with butter and lemon), Tuscan (tossed in basil vinaigrette), and BLT (mixed with chipotle mayo and crisp applewood smoked bacon). All lobster rolls are topped with paprika and scallion and served on a buttered roll ($24 for all rolls except BLT which is $26).

9.) 400p: Afternoon Wine Tasting

After lunch, head down to the waterfront for a wine tasting at Red Hook Winery. For $15.00 per person, visitors can try four different types of red or white wines. Red Hook Winery also makes grappa, an Italian spirit made from distilled pomace (leftover grape skin, seeds, and stems). But drinker beware–Red Hook Winery’s grappa packs a serious 50% alcohol punch. As a bonus for coming on Saturday or Sunday, visitors can take a fifteen minute tour through the Red Hook Winery with their wine tasting. Individual wine bottles range from $20-$60 each.

Photo credit: Hometown Bar-B-Que. Retrieved from hometownbarbque.com

10.) 630p: Meat Lover’s Paradise

Five minutes walking from Red Hook Winery is Hometown Bar-B-Que. Be ready for a long wait because Hometown wood smokes their dry-rubbed meats for that fall-off-the-bone goodness that one would expect great barbecue to be and serves them up by the pound (brisket $14, pulled pork $11, lamb belly $12, turkey $12, beef ribs $28, pork ribs $24). Don’t forget to get sides like collard greens, Texas-style queso mac and cheese, or smoked pit beans with burnt brisket ends ($4 to $8 per side depending on size). The live music from local and touring artists on weekend nights will definitely keep your head rocking as you take down your plate of ‘que.

11.) 930p: Nightcap

With what strength you have left from fighting off your food coma, drag yourself down to Botanica for one last drink. On warm nights, Botanica will open up their floor to ceiling windows to create an outdoor patio atmosphere for patrons. For $12.00, you can get a crafted cocktail, like the Amaro Cobbler which uses dry sherry, amaro bitters, and chocolate liqueur from the Cacao Prieto chocolatier or a Widow Jane on the rocks, both distilled right next door.

SUNDAY:

12.) 9:30a: Only in New York

It wouldn’t be a successful visit to New York without a New York style bagel. Look no further than La Bagel Delight in Dumbo. La Bagel Delight serves up traditional boiled, hand rolled New York bagels with the crunchy crust, and warm, soft chewy inside that have become synonymous and unique to the city. You can’t go wrong with a toasted plain bagel and smooth, tart cream cheese ($3.00) but start the morning right with a lox (salt brined salmon), cream cheese, sweet and crisp red onion, and fresh tomato and cucumber ($8.99).  

13.) 1130a: Rooftop Farming

A fifteen minute walk from La Bagel Delight will bring you to Brooklyn Grange located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The 65,000 square foot Brooklyn Grange, the world’s largest rooftop farm, is set in a World War I era factory that produces some 50,000 pounds of vegetables a year, most of which are sold directly to local restaurants and small greengrocers. 45 minute guided tours of the farm are given from May to October for $10 per person at 10:00a and 1130a.

LODGING:

Photo credit: Wythe Hotel. Retrieved from wythehotel.com

Wythe Hotel

The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg is a 72 room boutique hotel with renowned restaurant Reynard and Ides rooftop bar was converted from an early 20th century factory. The hotel features luxurious accommodations such as high ceilings, vintage ironwork, and handmade reclaimed wood beds. A big draw of the hotel are sweeping Manhattan skyline views through the rooms’ big factory windows; upper floor loft rooms offer floor to ceiling panoramic views. From $299 per night.

The Look Hotel, Red Hook

For the Brooklyn waterfront visitor that wants a no-frills, clean, comfortable accommodation, look no further than The Look Hotel, Red Hook. Comfortable rooms with attentive staff, free wifi, and on site mini market make this hotel a great choice. From $186 per night.

WORKS CITED:

Chevriere, Maryse. Retrieved May 14, 2017. Bartender’s Choice: What to Order at Botanica in Brooklyn. Retrieved from www.drinks.seriouseats.com

Dixler, Hilary. June 30, 2015. From Maine to NYC, the Story of Red Hook Lobster Pound’s Rolls. Retrieved from www.eater.com

Heins, Scott. May 19, 2014. Inside Cacao Prieto And Widow Jane, Red Hook’s Delicious Chocolate & Whiskey Operation. Retrieved from www.gothamist.com

Jacobs, Karrie. August 16, 2016. The farm upstairs: From Brooklyn to Chicago, high-tech agriculture and mother nature meet on urban rooftops. Retrieved from www.curbed.com

Teeter, Adam. September 12, 2014. Understanding Grappa and How to Find a Good One. Retrieved from www.vinepair.com

Retrieved May 14, 2017. East River State Park. Retrieved from www.parks.ny.gov.

Retrieved May 14, 2017. Wythe Hotel. Retrieved from nymag.com