View from The Roof

THE ANCHORAGE is a new place in DUMBO for those seeking a moment of stability intermingled with some creativity in Brooklyn, NY

After moving around the country for a year and a half we recognized the need for a place where artists, friends, travelers, and all those with positive energy and good intentions could meet new people, express their thoughts, and lay their heads. And so, we put aside our serious case of wanderlust for a moment to provide the community (local and global) with THE ANCHORAGE.

THE ANCHORAGE offers 2,000 sq. ft. of whimsical enjoyment and is a place to drink, buy vintage clothes, and meet great people. Stop by for our  happy hour bar night, Monday – Thursday, 6 – 10pm and make sure to try our infamous mini cupcakes.  Or, if you need a place to stay, check out our B&B.

For more information visit, http://www.theanchorage.wordpress.com or follow us on Facebook, Anchorage inDumbo.

Stop wondering what you will be doing this weekend (September 25 – September 27th 2009) and catch the F train or A/C train down to DUMBO for the DUMBO Art Under The Bridge Festival.

Now in its 13th year, the DUMBO Art Under The Bridge Festival is a quirky gathering of young artists, their work and their admirers in the latest hipster hub of Downtown Brooklyn.

Enjoy palpable art pieces emerging from wondrous nooks and crannies. “Art Under the Bridge is an opportunity for young artists to use any medium imaginable to create temporary projects on-the-spot everywhere and anywhere, completely transforming the Dumbo section of Brooklyn, New York, into a vibrant platform for self-expression,” writes The Dumbo Arts Center.

Just to give you a taste, last years festival was comprised of video projections of monkeys onto the Manhattan bridge and surrounding buildings, pretentious art galleries showcasing phenomenal photographs, man-made (and hilarious) interactive environments and a machine game containing plastic baby fetus’

With the increase of visitors and inhabitants to the area (also known as gentrification) the streets are bound to come alive this year.

Make sure to stop by DAC Gallery where artists are busily working on a massive indoor installation of red paper mache columns and 68 Jay St. bar where two young men where feverishly drawing two-headed monsters on the walls with chalk.

Morgane Veronique Richardson, Writer/Editor

Once in a while you stumble upon music that miraculously guides your travels and eases the pain of the unknown. Here is an artist who is not only incredibly talented, but who has inspired many of the writers of So Elsewhere to explore their hidden travel fantasies. Introducing, Jan Bell!

For more information or to purchase her music visit, http://www.janbellmusic.com.

Cubana Cafe in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

There are hundreds of restaurants that you shouldn’t go to, but here are a few not to miss (Prices do not include drinks).

Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim, Vegetarian ($11-20)
329 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

Who knew vegan could be so delicious? Try the stir fries, get a spinach wonton soup, and the fried tofu is too good to pass up. A mellow candle lit dinner with friendly service. As healthy and tasty as can be.

Hampton Chutney ($7-12)
68 Prince St, off Lafayette, Soho, Brooklyn

Ever tried a dosa? If not, don’t miss this Indian predecessor of a salty french crepe. Ignore the rest of the menu. Dosas is where it is at. Spiced potatoes, spinach, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese–they take the staple mid-Indian dish and take it to tastes done nowhere else. Fun, low key, and no table service.

Cubana Cafe ($9-15)
272 Smith St, Carrol Gardens, Brooklyn

Rice, beans, plantains and mango salsa. Simple dishes, simple ingredients. No exuberance, but a lot of flavor. An amazing space, but they will pack you in there. No better way to have a communist retreat.

Hummus Place ($5-10)
109 St. Marks Place, btwn A and 1st ave, Lower East Side, Manhattan

Not the heaviest of meals, but great humus, falafel and other Mediterranean appetizers. The prices and the flavors are right- a great nook near Tompkins Square Park for a quick bite to eat.

Vegetarian Dim Sum House ($10-20)
24 Pell St, off Mott St, Chinatown, Manhattan

The best Dim Sum you will ever have. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to be vegetarian if you could always eat like this? The best components both inside and out, I can never get myself to try anything non-dumpling on the menu. And free jasmine tea. Quick and friendly service in the heart of Chinatown, a guarantee to walk away through the surrounding markets fully satiated.

Tai Thai Thailand Homecooking ($6-12)
78 E 1st St, Lower East Side, Manhattan

There may be hundreds of Thai restaurants in New York, but none as cheap and tasty as this one. Each bite so full of flavor, and the prices good enough you can try something new. Try a curry entree, and one of the many appetizers. A cozy place in a great location, for a little Thai, it’s the place to be.

7A ($12-15)
Corner of 7th St. and Ave. A, Lower East Side, Manhattan

Hungover? Want one of twelve egg dishes, a coffee, and a bloody Mary or mimosa all for one low price? Look no further than 7A, where you will feel much better walking out than walking in.

Please post any of your favorite local haunts to keep the great tastes a-coming!

Gone are the days when one could smoke a joint in the dilapidated parks of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and stare at work done by Shepard Fairy. Now, luxury high rises crowd this beautiful part of Brooklyn and stay at home moms married to stock brokers dot the streets with 4-digit baby carriers and minority nannies. Though DUMBO has kicked out most of the artists who made this place interesting and welcomed wealthy families, there are a few genuine “DUMBO” spots remaining whose business we would gladly support.

Superfine
126 Front St. between Jay and Pearl Sts.; 718-243-9005

Started by local DUMBO artists, Superfine has grown into a successful DUMBO establishment. The Mediterranean-style food is creative and moderately priced for the booming area and the sunken bar and orange-felted pool table is a great place to catch up with a friend.
Price: Moderate

68 Jay Street Bar
68 Jay St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

Also known as “The Corner Bar” to the editors of So Elsewhere, here one of the few places that caters to the art-world crowd and DUMBO locals. The drinks are well priced, especially during happy hour, and the patrons will not hesitate to start up a conversation with anyone who walks in. The fact that you can bring in outside food is really the cherry on top. Make sure to enjoy a drink after hours and listen to some live music.

Note: Watch out ladies, there are a few characters (including the owner and a Frenchie) who believe they are entitled to any woman of their choice.

Happy Hour: Mon – Fri $3 drafts, $4 well-drinks

Pedros
73 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Enjoy excellent Latin American/Mexican food at one of DUMBO’s original dive restaurants. While the interior is gritty, take a bit of the food (and look at the prices) and you will have a hard time leaving this place.  During the summer months, order their famous Margarita and take a seat outside to study the magnificent murals that decorate the building.

P.S. Bookshop
145A Front St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 222-3340

Finally a relaxing used bookshop in Brooklyn. The moment you walk into the store it is impossible to leave without a book, or at least dreaming about them. If you happen to enjoy the smell and look of old poetry books head to the back, crawl into one of the hidden couches and enjoy.  You will also find a wonderful collection of travel books, rare artbooks and a fun children’s section… Who said 20-somethings can’t enjoy reading Alice in Wonderland (have you heard Tim Burton’s movie?).

Getting There: A/C to High St. or, 2/3 to Court St. or, F to York St.

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