36 Hours in Brooklyn

Clear skies above the Coney Island Boardwalk. Photo by Declan Mulligan.

By Declan Mulligan

Dec. 1st, 2018

As neighborhoods adapt and advance with the current times, the importance of past artifacts and preserving culture relies on everyone within a community to support local businesses and respect the sanctity of one another’s heritage. The borough of Brooklyn has been rapidly experiencing gentrification therefore many neighborhoods have become unrecognizable to the older generations. “Court Street went from desolate and sketchy to thriving.” Now it is a busy, prosperous-looking strip.” (Benzel, 2018) However, some things never change due to the amount of utmost respect they are given, because they are and always will be a part of Brooklyn. Part of this respect includes the never ending amounts of cuisines available throughout this borough of New York City, in which many restaurants and other food establishments have stood the test of time due to their great service and excellent flavors offered. Food is what brings us together, and Brooklyn is filled with it from authentic to trendy options.

Saturday

1) 9 a.m. Breakfast of Champs

The neighborhood of Williamsburg is home to many unique individuals that thrive on the cruelty free and vegan spectrum of cuisine. Champs Diner is an American style diner with a retro atmosphere and strictly vegan menu. A staple on their menu is the “All Vegan Slam”, which substitutes eggs with a tofu scramble and sausage with “soysage” ($13). The earlier you arrive on weekends, the better of a chance you have of beating the brunch crowd. Champs Diner tends to fill occupancy rapidly, and they do not take reservations. The diner is located one street away from the Montrose Ave L train stop.

2) 11:30 a.m. Strolling the Coney Island Boardwalk

The off season in Coney Island is quite peaceful and quiet. With the gentle sounds of small waves crashing along the shoreline, walking down the boardwalk is a serene experience. This is the time of year when you will see the true local people of the area. With a huge Russian population in this area, the Russian language is more frequently spoken than English. A simple stroll along the boardwalk will leave a lasting impression on the mixture of cultures here.

3) 12:30. Nathan’s.

The original Nathan’s Hot Dogs is located in Coney Island, only one block away from the boardwalk. Still standing here since 1916, everybody from the locals, workers on their lunch break, and tourists come to eat here. A classic hot dog with their signature crinkle cut French fries ($9.50 altogether) are savory on the pallet and extremely satisfying for a quick bite to eat. This is a true Brooklyn staple that lives up to its name, serving American fast foods. Take the F train all the way down to its last stop, Stillwell Avenue. Nathan’s will be visible upon exiting the subway.

A classic hot dog with all available condiments, plus fries. Photo by Declan Mulligan.

4) 1 p.m. Cold Ones at Coney Island Brewery.

Conveniently located right next to MCU Park, Coney Island Brewery offers a wide selection of their beers on tap that are brewed on site. Starting off with a draft of their signature Merman NY IPA ($7), this beer is rich in hops and intriguing fruit notes. Another popular beer on draft at the brewery is the Coney Island Lager ($7), which is an excellent choice for both beer connoisseurs and beginners.

5) 2 p.m. Brewery Tour

After some fresh beer at the bar, you can take a tour of the Coney Island Brewery with or without a beer in hand. Seeing the operations of a brewery in action truly show the hard work and dedication that goes into perfecting the craft of craft beer. The tours are free of charge, and are offered three times daily between 2-6 p.m. Tour guides and staff are extremely knowledgeable and informative about the brewery operations so do not hesitate to ask questions.

6) 4 p.m. Russian Bakery in Brighton

Located underneath the elevated train tracks of the B & Q trains, the neighborhood of Brighton Beach is bustling with all walks of life. There is a huge abundance of Russian cuisine to be found in the area, ranging from fine dining to authentic street food. “Today, the culture thrives in its odd shops, food emporiums serving traditional delicacies, and colorful, Russian-speaking characters.” (Robinson & D’Onfro, 2014) The best thing you can do is find the market place with the longest line of locals, which is how you can come across “Taste of Russia” which is a Russian market and bakery located on Brighton Beach Avenue. With a large variety of breads and pastries to choose from, the best deal is the Pirozhki ($4). This puff pastry is stuffed with cabbage, chicken and potatoes. Take the express B train to the last stop, Brighton Beach for access.

A local Brighton Beach staple offering authentic Russian cuisine. Photo by Declan Mulligan.

7) 7 p.m. Live Indie Music in Williamsburg

The Music Hall of Williamsburg will give you the opportunity to listen to the live sounds of local indie bands and musicians. Prices range from $18-$40 for general admission, with an unlimited supply of cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon ($3). A chance to converse with local Williamsburg hipsters is at its peak at these events, where trends and fashion are abundant. This venue is in close proximity to the Bedford Avenue L train.

8) 9:30 p.m. Oddfellows Ice Cream

Ending the night with freshly made, unique flavors of ice cream at Oddfellows is perfect while in the Williamsburg area. They have new flavors daily, and tend to sell out quickly as they have limited amounts. A scoop of their unique coffee crunch ice cream ($5) has a perfect balance of coffee and ice cream flavor. Plus, they offer vegan ice cream as well for those that are cruelty free or lactose intolerant. This location is a pleasant 10 minute walk from the Bedford Ave L train station.

Sunday

9) 10 a.m. Coffee Time

Coffee is a necessity in New York City, and there is an undeniable importance in the quality of coffee you’re consuming. Head over to Brooklyn Roasting Company, where they roast their fair trade, single origin coffee beans on site. A hot latte ($4.50) will wake anyone up in the morning. Their Ethiopian roast is extremely smooth and flavorful, and whole beans are available for purchase as well. Located in the heart of DUMBO on Jay Street, the York Street F train station is a short walking distance for some of the most exquisite coffee in all of New York City.

The prized possession of Brooklyn Roasting Company, the coffee roaster. Photo by Declan Mulligan.

10) 11 a.m. Bagels in Park Slope

Bagel Hole in Park Slope makes their bagels on site, thus being constantly hot and fresh. Established in 1985, they offer old fashioned, hand rolled bagels. An everything bagel with cream cheese ($1.75) is a true New York City staple at a great price, and with its crispy outside and soft, doughy inside of warmth your taste buds will be begging for a second bagel. The F train stops just 3 small blocks north of this gem at 7th Ave station.

11) 1 p.m. Owl’s Head Park

Overlooking the Verrazzano Narrows and Staten Island, Owl’s Head Park offers space for leisure such as picnics or a stroll along one of its trails. There are many recreational activities available to partake in here, from basketball courts to a skate park. The skate park here is known as Millennium Skate Park, but the locals know it as Owl’s Head. This is New York City’s first ever skate park, and this concrete creation of walls, bowls and ramps has stood the test of time to this very day. Take the R train to Bay Ridge Avenue station, and head a few blocks west to Owl’s Head.

Local skateboarder Ian DiGiovanni catching some air at Owl’s Head Skate Park. Photography by Declan Mulligan.

12) 4 p.m. Italian Dinner

If one is to have a slice of Sicilian pizza, it must be at L&B Spumoni Gardens, located in the neighborhood of Bensonhurst. Their square slice ($2.50) comes in the upside down fashion in which the cheese is beneath the tomato sauce. Established in 1939, this is a true Brooklyn staple that has stood the test of time because it never fails to impress your taste buds. There are three sections of L&B Spumoni Gardens including a pizzeria, Italian restaurant and ice cream parlor. The Shrimp Oregenato over Penne ($23.95) is cooked in a white wine and garlic sauce, and topped with fresh bread crumbs. Pair this with a glass of Chablis ($6.95) for a delightful beverage to compliment the meal. This legendary establishment can be accessed from both the D train (25 Avenue Station) and N train (86 Street Station).

13) 7:30 p.m. A Final Treat

Ten dollars will satisfy you at Arnor Crepes & Bubble Tea in Bensonhurst with a bubble milk tea ($3) and a green tea custard sweet crepe with your choice of fruit ($7). With Asian inspired treats and beverages, this is a great dessert spot for a quick bite to eat. The service is fantastic, and the staff is all friendly. This delicious quick service establishment is only two blocks from the Bay Parkway Station on the N train.

Lodging

Located in the heart of Williamsburg, The Hoxton offers rooms with king sized beds starting at $159 a night, and more spacious rooms for $189. This hotel is conveniently located near the Bedford Avenue L train location, and offers awesome views of the borough of Manhattan.

For those on more of a budget, there are endless Airbnb options in the Williamsburg area and beyond with prices as low as $64 for a private bedroom.

If one has a luxurious desire, the Williamsburg Hotel is a 5-Star hotel with rooms starting at $255. Offering one of a kind views of the NYC skyline with floor to ceiling windows, as well as a rooftop pool.

Works Cited:

Benzel, J. (2018) Living in Brooklyn Heights. 19th Century Streets and 21st Century Changes. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/realestate/living-in-brooklyn-heights-new-york.html

D’Onfro, J, & Robinson, M. (2014). Welcome to ‘Little Odessa’. Inside the Brooklyn Neighborhood That’s a Miniature Version of Russia. Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/tour-new-york-little-russia-brighton-beach-2014-1