V-Flyer

My brother Dave and I are going on a "beer 'n' baseball" weekend in mid April. Unfortunately our schedules didn't fit in with the Redsox fixtures and we are unable to go to our beloved Boston when there are games with tickets available.

As second best we are going to the Big Apple to watch the Mets at Shea Stadium. We have decided to base ourselves in Brooklyn, as we have done Manhattan and the Jersey side a few times but neither of us has really explored that area before.

Has anyone got any tips for eating, drinking or shopping in Brooklyn, please? Any 'must-sees' or places to avoid type advice would be appreciated.

Nick

Don't know if bargain hunting is your thing Nick but the Century 21 in Brooklyn (472 86th street) is a hundred times better than the one near Ground Zero.Not a tourist in sight last time we were in there and loads of genuine bargains (particularly on quality menswear).
Julie

Thnaks Julie, that's exactly the sort of tip we are looking for. [y][y]

Nick

Originally posted by DragonLady
Don't know if bargain hunting is your thing Nick but the Century 21 in Brooklyn (472 86th street) is a hundred times better than the one near Ground Zero.Not a tourist in sight last time we were in there and loads of genuine bargains (particularly on quality menswear).
Julie

Nick ... If you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge just across the road from Century 21 near Ground Zero opposite City Hall is J & R the huge electrical retailer.

http://www.jr.com

You'll also get some great pictures of the Manhattan skyline from the Brookyln Bridge as well as the Satue of Liberty against the other buildings.

There's also a really nice Deli next to Century 21 as well.

If walking is your thing then Wall Street is very close, and worth a stroll.

Great recommendation Andrew - I see a camera there for $599 which is £499 in the UK, massive saving!

Thanks

Check out the MTA Museum for an interesting hour or so exploring the New York Transit system history.

It is based at an old station and there is an historic walk through collection of carriages at the platform level.

More information here.

Phil

P.S. Check opening times as it is not open 9-5 7 days a week.

Hi Nick

Not sure if you like Pizza.... but if you do, try Grimaldi's (19 Old Fulton St. under the Brooklyn Bridge). Small restaurant but somewhat of a NY institution and well priced. Google 'grimaldi's brooklyn' and the website comes up.

Also, worth taking a trip down to Coney Island and Brighton Beach / Little Russia. Lots of good local bars and eateries.
Coney is the home of the original 'Nathans hot dogs' - No hot dog will ever taste better than a Nathan's dog eaten on the boardwalk at Coney Island!

Don't forget to visit the old Dodgers site if you have time -
55 Sullivan Place, in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn
Ebbets field now long gone, but still the spiritual home of 'Dem Bums' from Brooklyn.

Good luck at Shea....

Jon B

A great place to eat is at The River Cafe, it was recommended by a friend and is a great favourite. The restaurant sits on a barge (don't let this put you off though ) in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge, the staff and food were quite excellent. [y] Always a stop off for a bite to eat when in NYC.

A few pics of the superb view:
http://www.imagestation.com/4592222/3962340165
http://www.imagestation.com/4592222/3962339753

They even make a chocolate version of the Brooklyn Bridge! I couldn't resist a photo...
http://www.imagestation.com/4592222/3962339495

For obvious reasons ask for a table by the window, you won't be disappointed!

Alternatively if you like steak then try Peter Luger Steakhouse, another one that my father enjoys. I prefer the RC personally.

Sincere thanks for all the suggestions, so far. Plenty of food for thought. [^]

Nick

A couple of Brooklyn film locations to have a look at Nick.



From Goodfellas, KarenÕs edgy meeting with the increasingly paranoid Conway was filmed on Smith Street at 9th Street, alongside the Gowanus Canal, under the elevated railway F Line in BrooklynÕs dodgy Red Hook district.

The ex-policeman tour guide Gary Gorman (who is brilliant and a very nice guy) lives in Brooklyn and his childhood neighborhood was the Red Hook mentioned above, sure he could point out a few "interesting" sites, he is very flexible.



From The French connection, PopeyeÕs home is the Marlboro Housing Project, on Avenues V, W and X off Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, where Frog Two takes pot shots at him.

He requisitions a passing car and begins the movieÕs famous chase sequence at Bay 50th Street Station. The car chase filmed (over five weeks) beneath the Bensonhurst Elevated Railway Ð 26 blocks (count Õem) of BrooklynÕs Stillwell Line from Bay 50th Street Station along Stillwell Avenue, into 86th Street and finally right into New Utrecht Avenue, ending at 62nd Street Station, where Frog Two gets shot.

The chase was filmed, unusually and not entirely legally, at full speed, with real pedestrians and traffic(with some staged stunts).