This food is only a representation of next Saturday's meal.

Vegetarians and scarred Food Inc. watchers love to evangelize more than Tim Tebow (especially you vegans), but the point is, the only way you’re going to convert meat lovers is by letting the food do the talking. If adzuki beans and seitan are really all that, then prove it, people.

Next Saturday (Jan. 28), the folks at Sustainable Flatbush are going to give it their best shot at a free (now you’re speaking our language) vegetarian lunch prepared by chefs David Cohen and Alissa Bilfield (The Cookbook Project). (more…)

Everything must go at Whisk. Photo via DP Blog.

Ditmas Park has been reeling since beloved community member and owner of Whisk Cafe & Bakery Josh Rubin was found murdered in Pennsylvania earlier this month. The shop has been closed since he disappeared this fall. To help Josh’s family recoup some of the costs, Ditmas Park Blog reports the entire cafe’s contents will be up for sale this Saturday. The full (huge) list is on this Craigslist ad, but it includes oven, freezer, mixer, juicer, ice machine, coffee grinder, pots and pans, a router, chairs, even sugar packets and garbage cans. It’s from 10am to 3pm Saturday, at Whisk Bakery Cafe, 1119 Newkirk Ave., Ditmas Park.

Amazing Savings mock antique kitchen tools, $1.99.

Back when we started this blog way back yonder in 2009, one of our first posts was on the wonders of Midwood’s Amazing Savings, where you can get all kinds of books, toys, dishes, small appliances, crafting gear, gift wrap galore for super cheap. We just went back to the Avenue M location after a decent spell away, and it’s actually gotten better. Now that it’s in a bigger space, there’s more of the stuff we want (kids’ books, brand-name toys, fashion-fun shopping totes, adorable crockpots for one) and less of the stuff we don’t want (unrecognizable kosher dry goods; under-the-sink necessities.) How good are the prices? We did a comparison shop.  (more…)

We’re all about the DIY gifts around here — but not the lame ones. That’s why we’re heading to Third Root in Ditmas Park tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 27) for a workshop on DIY body cream, facial cleanser and body scrub. For a $15 materials fee and a $5 to $15 sliding-scale instructional fee, you get to take all three products, along with a lifetime of homemade beauty know-how. Details:

Sunday, November 27
2 to 4 pm
Third Root Community Health Center, 380 Marlborough Rd. at Cortelyou.
RSVP in person, by phone at 718-940-9343 or by email at rsvp@thirdroot.org

Led by Liz Neves, maker of Raganella’s Botanical Solutions

[via Krrb]

If you work your way into the right hand-me-down loop, you won’t have to buy your kid clothes until at least age 5, when the castoffs start to get a little ratty. But Tuesday night at to the Old Navy outlet in Flatbush (a fave), the Halloween costumes were so cute they bear mention here. Dragons, hamburgers, strawberries, ice cream sundaes, some monkey-looking creature, all for $14.94, which is four bucks cheaper than you can buy them online. (All originally labeled $24.94). So much nicer than the garbage-y vinyl costumes they sell at drugstores. By the way, if you haven’t been to Old Navy (1009 Flatbush at Tilden), it’s worth a visit. They don’t seem to officially call it an outlet, possibly because some of the merch is full-price, but there are loads of wicked deals, especially among the clearance racks.

This is the 30th (and last!) in our series on the venues featured in the second Brooklyn Beer Book. This week we pay homage to one of our first-ever Beer Book participants, Ditmas Park’s adorable little flower shop bar. 

SYCAMORE
1118 Cortelyou Rd., Ditmas Park

What it is: A bricky, woody destination bar and flower shop combo that’s one of the biggest reasons under-30s are rediscovering the once-sleepy hamlet of Ditmas Park. (more…)

Barista Patrick Cronin at Qartha. photo via Daily News

The Daily News, last seen coming in second in the porn headline war, weighs in on a topic New Yorkers take extremely personally: coffee shops. The best in the whole city, according to the tab, is the relatively new Qathra in Ditmas Park. The paper extols the sunny back patio as a choice spot for sipping fair-trade next to a garden, where Qathra grows parsley, scallion and cilantro to use in salads. “The sound of water flowing from the fountain out back creates a serene environment rarely found within the five boroughs,” gushes the paper. We’re fans too, and have even held a few meetings there since the demise of Vox Pop. But is it the best in the whole city?  (more…)

We’re big fans of Mr. Ben Lerman — crazy-talented ukulelist, comedian, Kensington resident and friend of Brokelyn in myriad ways. Now the recent NYMag approval matrix sensation is recording a new video — and you’re invited. Lerman is looking for volunteer “fashionistas” (people who would look at home in the audience of a fashion show) to populate the audience of his Brooklyn shoot Jan. 26. Here are the details: (more…)

Photo by Stephen Baldwin

Update: Saturday’s safari has been CANCELLED due to the snow. Check back for the next safari in February (date TBA)

You’ve probably heard they’re here; you may have even craned your neck to catch a squawking flash of green up above. Brooklyn’s got parrots. As legend has it, the early avian settlers escaped from a container at JFK Airport back in the ’60s. Now, they’re practically a native species to the NYC environs, and Brooklyn’s become home to more than its fair share. This Saturday, Jan. 8, one of our local parrot ambassadors is leading a free Wild Brooklyn Parrot Safari to see the birds. Whether BK’s parrots are news to you and you’ve gotta get a glimpse, or you’ve just never known how to spot the famous flying Argentines, this weekend’s your chance. (more…)

You could use this. Or just some bags.

The fall leaves have fallen. While you may be enjoying the burnt shades they’re bringing to your yard or patch of grass for now, come first snow, things won’t be feeling so pretty underfoot. So it’s time to rake ‘em up, bag ‘em and… wait for the Dept. of Sanitation to haul ‘em off for some large-scale composting? Nope. That’s been canceled. Luckily, though, some others are filling the void in the composting game. NYCLeaves: Project LeafDrop is running a number of leaf collection spots this weekend and next, so you can bring your eco-material and have it put to good use. (more…)