Woolly Pockets

Union Square is in bloom thanks to the amazing creation Woolly Pockets, in collaboration with the New York Restoration Project and NYC Grows Festival. I discovered Woolly Pockets, an innovative and ambitious LA-based company, through my good friend Alex and I was so thrilled to see that they would be making a grand appearance in NYC for Earth Day. Woolly Pockets are flexible, breathable, and modular gardening containers, that make green space possible where there is very little space at all including cities and schools. In Union Square they've installed a forty foot long living Woolly wall, their largest ever. It features 400 Wallys planted with edible plants and native species. It's up through today and I highly recommend a visit.

Croton Petra (Codiaeum Variegatum)

Nothing is making me happier right now than watching my Croton Petra (thanks Ben!) plant grow. It is much more exciting than I imagined. Sadly, I've managed to kill most of the other plants I've brought home. I bought this Croton Petra at the Union Square Green Market back in January and it recently started sprouting new leaves. Now it grows a little bit every day and I check on it every few hours when I am home so I can see all the small changes. I will continue to document the progress and the birth of all new baby leaves.

You say you want a revolution

Jamie Oliver, chef-activist and recent recipient of the TED Prize given exceptional individuals to grant their "One Wish to Change the World," has a new show about revolutionizing the way American families eat (frozen pizza and chicken nuggets) and the way schools feed (frozen pizza and chicken nuggets) our children. It's called Food Revolution and everyone should watch it. I know it is reality TV. But it's real. He is bringing major issues to the forefront on a major network. It's horrifying and it often feels that he is hardly scratching the surface, but it also feels like the beginning of what really could be a revolution. He has a list of Food Heroes on his site and I think he belongs right there with them.

Sunday

This Sunday was lazy and wonderful. Greenpoint was bustling with doors open at old, new, and brand new businesses.

We ventured out for lattes and other treats at the brand new Le Gamin (a previously Manhattan-based) french restaurant. It is opening any day now and they are currently serving crêpes and omelettes from a truck parked outside. It's a cozy atmosphere and simple but special food. I'm sure there will be lines out the door for brunch and dinner especially this summer when they open the garden in the back, but on this Sunday, we just walked right in.





I dropped by at my favorite wine store Dandelion Wine to stock up on rosé (including one from Long Island's Wölffer Estate) because 'tis the season.


Had dinner at Paulie Gee's around sunset. The pizza only gets better. We had the Mootz, the Arugula Shmoogala, and the Jimmy the Greek (a special).



And I finally checked out the Van Leeuwen ice cream shop on Manhattan Avenue. It's very cute and I'm sure I will go often, but the ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory still has my heart.

All Over Greenpoint

Greenpoint is all over the New York news right now. New York Magazine ranked it New York's 5th most livable neighborhood in its most recent issue, followed up by a New York Times follow up, not to mention the shout out in Time Out's "Best Indie Shops" issue. And I am all over Greenpoint. We were in the neighborhood all weekend, mostly laying low, on the couch, with movies, but stepping out every few hours to walk, eat, or see the gorgeous skies we've been experiencing lately. One of my favorite things about Greenpoint is that, because we are so close to the river and because the buildings are low, the sky is more expansive here than anywhere I can think of in the city.

Waygu Brisket

At The River Barrel - a divine presentation and a delectable dish. This was our treat after driving to and from Washington DC in two days. Waygu brisket, braised into submission, served with bibb lettuce, dressed scallions, house-made kimchi, and rice. MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Around Greenpoint

We've been away a lot lately


Spring sprang


Looked one way


Then the other


It's good to be back for a while