This is Mr. Kiwi's on Myrtle and Broadway, conveniently located just underneath my home stop on the J train. Their craft beer selection is super affordable and will blow your face off.
This morning begins for me at a compromised pace. Somewhere around 9:45 this morning I am overwhelmed by the craving for whole wheat spaghetti with cheap store-bought marinara. Luckily for me, there's an open-24-hours mega-bodega that's no more than a seven minute walk away on Myrtle and Broadway, and they've got Gimme Lean fake sausage meat and better-than-Ragu cheap marinara in a can.
The beer selection is also remarkably affordable and diverse and, to top that, you can get 16 ounces of fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices (combined to your liking) for just $3. This store, called Mr. Kiwi's, is another reason I've come to love Bushwick, and Brooklyn.
When I'm back home, fabricating the spaghetti meal-ette is a rote and thoughtless chore, as is my subsequent inhalation of the results and return to bed, where I remain all afternoon. Now, it's 3:00 PM. I don't believe I've slept this late in quite a long time, but I have a suspicion as to why.
Today in New York it is uncommonly cold, as it was yesterday and as it will likely be tomorrow. The cold is more than just biting. With ease and maybe a little enjoyment, it slices through my jackets and scarf. The chill is aggressive and licentious and it chews up my insides. The Subway platforms for all trains except the L in Brooklyn are above ground, where it's even colder and windier than it is at ground level. The prospect of exploring my new homeland is overshadowed by the embracing warm arms of my apartment, not to mention the convenience of readily available (and inexpensive) warm food.
Sunday offers little change in my routine from Saturday. I wake up nursing a small cold, but I'm convinced that it might go away if I go out and explore. Armed with my unlimited ride Metrocard, I set out to train myself with grace and proficiency on New York's very expansive Subway system. After a phone call to Mom (hi, Mom!), I'm back home re-reading the instruction manual for the Astoria Plus 4 You. Sunday Funday, indeed.
It dawns on me that I have less than four months to make this place my own. I scrawl out a quick exploration agenda for Brooklyn coffeeshops using Google search, Yelp!, and a top-9 list presented by Anne "TempTamp" Nylander's blog.
Brooklyn Cafes / Coffeeshops I Want To Explore This Week
(I'll explore Manhattan later)
Gimme! Coffee
Gorilla Coffee
Cafe Grumpy
Cafe Pedlar
Outpost Lounge
Naidre's
Potion Cafe
Vox Pop Cafe
I've already been to Cafe Pedlar and Gimme!, and more on these great spots later... but this is where I ask for feedback - where are some of your favorite Brooklyn places? What should I check out?! Let me know!
I should have loaned you my duster. I know it's not as cold here, but we walked to the grocery store last night in 17 degree weather and I broke a sweat with it on. You should look into an oilcloth duster... if you're down with going from the Professor to Professor Wyatt Earp. Mayhap one day I will travel north to one of these bodacious bodegas.
Hey Seth---Be sure and hit that really cool and innovative bakery called BAKED! They sell salted caramel cake! They have a new recipe book too Sounds divine!
Wish you were here. We had a penultimate snow again and went sledding all afternoon on Dix Hill.
Love you --miss you have a great time in NYC!
Three things:
-The Bean and Stumptown in Manhattan, of course.
-Gorilla Coffee is a bit crowded most of the times.
-And about the weather: Well, count your blessings that weren't here for the December blizzard. That was just terrible.
Hey Seth,
When your coffee adventures take you down to Park Slope let me know! I've got a list of places there to check out myself. I'll be there for good next Friday the 19th!