Friday, June 28, 2013

WHAT'S GOOD // SHOPS

Brooklyn, NY // Cobble Hill
HOLLER & SQUALL

Antiques // Furniture // Jewelry // Custom Shelving // Things Unlimited

Holler & Squall // Henry +Atlantic








+ I have had the extreme great fortune of having stumbled across this place in its infancy- three weeks old to be exact.  I saw it through the bus window on my way to Red Hook, I hopped off the bus went inside and the love affair started.  I believe that day, I purchased a tiny wooden swan with a broken neck that was given as a gift.  Since this initial trip I have purchased more tiny animals, jewelry and lighting.   As for Holler & Squall they have greatly expanded their inventory, moved to a larger corner location and have been able to lengthen their hours from just a weekend spot- all without compromising vision or service. 

I love a lot of places and a lot of things but H&S has made a tightly edited and deeply coveted list of top 5 shops in the country.  Hands down. 

+ Hours:
      Wednesday-Friday 12p-6p
      Saturday-Sunday 11a-7p
+ Owned by Zac and Gilette Wing- who are often there and are collectively some of the nicest, kindest and most willing to help and chat shop proprietors I have come across.
+ The selection of goods changes seasonally and based on new finds // you can always expect an impressive assortment of leather furniture, excellent lighting, a range of taxidermy and curiosities as well as some jewelry and trinkets
+ Holler & Squall also provides custom shelving and tables upon request
+ Also available for private appointments

+ A short walk from Court St. F & G stop // Off the Atlantic and Henry stop on the B61 bus

Holler & Squall
119 Atlantic Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone // 347.223.4685
www.hollerandsquall.com

Enjoy,
LMB

I SCREAM // THURSDAY

Brooklyn, NY // Boerum Hill
VAN LEEUWEN


Van Leeuwn // Bergen St. + Smith

+ One of my favorite store fronts, Van Leeuwen provides the ideal place to grab a coffee on a lazy rainy morning, a midday cone for instant heat relief or a late night shared scoop.

+ Hours:
      Monday-Thursday 7a-11p
      Friday 7a-12a,
      Saturday 9a-12a
      Sunday 9a-11p
+ $4.50 for a single scoop in a cone
+ Daily flavors include // Hazelnut, Ginger, Currants & Cream, Earl Gray Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, Pistachio (above) & Palm Sugar to start.   Van Leeuwen also recently introduced a Vegan Vanilla and Chocolate options.
+ Specialty flavors rotated in small batched include // Sweet Sticky Black Rice & Passionfruit
+ Also a great coffee spot, serving Toby's Estate Espresso, roasted in Brooklyn- which explains the 7a weekday opening // coffee post to be continued...
+ Other locations // Greenpoint, BK & East Village NY // Roaming ice cream truck since '08
+ Also served in a handful of restaurants and grocery stores in NYC // Pints also available in Whole Foods throughout NY, NJ & CT

+ Off the Bergen St F & G stop // Off the Smith and Bergen stop on the B65 bus headed downtown

Van Leeuwen
81 Bergen St.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone // 347.763.2979
www.vanleeuwenicecream.com

Enjoy,
LMB

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

WHAT'S GOOD // SHOPS

Brooklyn, NY // Prospect Heights
PARK DELICATESSEN

Skate Shop // Gift Shop // Men & Women's Apparel // Florist


Park Delicatessen // Park Pl + Classon






+ Open from 12p-7p Monday-Saturday,  12p-5p Sunday
+ Well curated assortment of men & women's apparel, gifts, skate paraphernalia and fresh flowers
+ Gifts include // letterpress, jewelry, smalls and one of a kind antiques
+ High quality florist // Flowers for weddings & occasions, provides business to business services, will make bomb arrangements upon walk-in and offers delivery every day.
+ Park Deli is about two blocks from my spot in Brooklyn and it was my weekly go to for around the house flowers // The staff is insanely knowledgeable and wildly friendly.  Such a good place to make part of your routine
+ Accepts credit cards

+ Off of the Washington // Brooklyn Museum stop on the 2/3 train // North of Eastern Parkway

Park Delicatessen
533 N Park Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Telephone // 718.789.8889
www.parkdelibk.com

Enjoy,
LMB





Thursday, June 13, 2013

I SCREAM // THURSDAY

Los Angeles, CA
SCOOPS



Scoops // Melrose + Heliotrope



+ Open from 12a-10p Monday-Saturday, Closed Sunday
+ $3.00 for a single scoop in a cone (a single is actually a double !) // Cash Only
+ Flavors change daily // Brown Bread, Cheesecake Oreo, Strawberry Basil, Dirty Chai and Black Sesame  to get you started.
+ Salty Honey Avocado + Thai Iced Coffee (above)
+ Daily flavors include a handful of vegan options // Apple Burnt Sugar + Peanut Butter Oreo... to name a few.
+ All flavors can be hand packed in a pint upon request

+ Ample metered spaces available

Scoops
712 N Heliotrope Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Telephone // 323.906.2649

Enjoy,
LMB




Monday, June 10, 2013

FARMSHOP

Santa Monica, CA
BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART

Exploring the Brentwood Country Mart, starting with FARMSHOP
Inside the Market and Bakery


FARMSHOP at the Brentwood Country Mart // 26th + San Vicente


+ FARMSHOP is an exemplary execution of Restaurant + Marketplace // comprised of a bakery, market and restaurant.
+ FARMSHOP specializes in artisan, local and seasonal products
+ Hours vary // Bakery is open daily from 7a-6p // Restaurant is open from 7.30a for breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at varied times  // Brunch is served from 8.30a-2.30p on Saturdays & Sundays
+ Accepts credit cards

Market



+ Impressive selection of wine, cheese and charcuterie
+ A wide and varied selection of sides and salads along with perfectly prepared main dishes // excellent for entertaining or lazy evenings in
+ Specialty jams, butters, composts and honeys
+ All of the chocolate you could want
+ Everything you would need to host or attend a party


Bakery



+ Serves LAMILL coffee + tea
+ Full assortment of house made cookies, bars, and pastries- including the Cinnamon Roll with Orange Icing pictured above

+ Free parking available // The Mart has a parking lot that can be difficult to maneuver, but once you snag a spot you can stay all day

FARMSHOP
225 26th Street, No. 25
Santa Monica California 90402
Telephone // 310.566.2400 (ext. 2416 for private parties)
Reservations //  www.urbanspoon.com
www.farmshopla.com

Enjoy,
LMB










Thursday, June 6, 2013

I SCREAM // THURSDAY

Los Angeles, CA
MASHTI MALONE

Ice Cream is the favorite and to say thank you, Thursday's are officially Ice Cream dedicated.


Mashti Malone // LaBrea + Sunset


+ Open from 11a-11.30p // $3.00 for a single scoop in a cone // Accepts credit cards
+ Equipped with the typical fanfare, Rocky Road, Bubble Gum and Vanilla on the counter to the right, but the reason to come to this little gem located in a burnt out strip mall is for whats on the counter to the left // Saffron Rosewater with Pistachios (above), Orange Blossom, Green Tea, Pomegranate Sorbet- and that only where it begins...
+ Available in packed pints and half gallons to go

+ Free parking available // spaces are clearly delineated and thoroughly patrolled

Mashti Malone
1525 N. LaBrea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Telephone // 323.874.6168
www.mashtimalone.com


Enjoy,
LMB




ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN

Los Angeles, CA
RUNYON CANYON // GRIFFITH PARK

You will never get anywhere if you don't start somewhere.  Here is to putting one foot in front of the other.  

Hikes in Los Angeles that will get your mind and your body on the same path- and they are for beginners.

Runyon Canyon // Franklin + Fuller

+ Located in the Santa Monica Mountains // open from 6a-9p
+ Extremely dog friendly, most of the trail is an off leash area // plus water and bag stations
+ Parking can be an issue, especially during peak hours (9a-11a & 4p-6p) plan for a few minutes to hunt down a spot
+ Park also includes // free yoga 3-5 times daily // an "advanced"trail that is a bit of a steeper climb // some of the best views of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and on a clear day, the ocean

www.runyoncanyon-losangeles.com


Griffith Park // Los Feliz Blvd + Hillhurst



+ Located in the Santa Monica Mountains // open from 6a-10p
+ Dog friendly // most of the trails are on-leash areas with plenty of trash cans
+ Parking is not a problem, ample parking throughout the park
+ Not only is the park home to the Hollywood sign & The Observatory but a few more // Merry-Go-Round, golf course, The Greek Theater, a zoo, guided tours by The Sierra Club and horseback riding
+Incredible views of downtown LA and surrounding areas

www.lamountains.com

Enjoy the climb,
LMB