You should never enter a jungle without proper provisions. The same goes for an evening of hardcore gawking in Dyker Heights. Every year, the neighborhood mansions get majorly decked out with gigantic inflatable snowmen, motorized reindeer displays and enough colorful wattage for some small Christian countries. The displays are a bona fide Brooklyn attraction, but if you’re traveling all the way out there (no offense, Dyker Heights-ers) you’ll need some fuel.
A few friends made the hike last Friday and their experience wasn’t encouraging. Their plan was to land at Gianni’s Focacceria, which seems to be closed. The hot chocolate and popcorn vendors they read about weren’t there either, so they hoofed it to Bay Ridge. Barry at Chowhound recommends Karam (8519 Fourth Ave. at 86th St., 718-745-5227), but that looks more like Bay Ridge to us. Tommaso’s, though, Barry’s other suggestion, is much closer by (1464 86th St. at Bay 8th., 718-236-9883) and it looks like a grand time, with fine wines, opera singing and maybe even Christmas specials. Any other suggestions? Don’t leave us in the lit-up jungle with cold toes and a motorized Jesus. Each helpful commenter gets a free Christmas wish.
Dyker Heights goes from 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th streets. Take the D/M trains to 18th Avenue or the R train to 86th Street.
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L&B Spumoni Gardens!
Krispy Pizzeria on 13th btw 71st and 72nd Vegas Diner on 86 Street closer to 16th Avenue
Meze (Greek) on 13th Avenue and 66th
Tanoreen at 3rd Avenue and 77th St
Spartan Souvlaki on 8th Avenue and 68th St
Hinsch's Confectionary on 5th Avenue btw 85th and 86th Street
Schnitzelhaus on 5th Avenue and 74th
The Pearl Room on 82nd and 3rd Avenue
Just under the 71st street D train stop there is amazing Turkish food: http://www.turkishbayridgecafe.com/
or Fortune Cookie Open Kitchen for chinese
Mona Lisa on 86th has good pizza, and their gelato is delicious, too.
I agree with Ada F. YOU CANNOT miss Spumoni Gardens for the true Brooklyn experience.
We always go there for our Christmas lights gawking
Go see Sal at Mama Rao's
6408 11th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219-5639
(718) 745-2269
They're awesome and the food is great.