Subway Horror

Should we tell these 300,000 poor souls that we have access to several subway lines, the Long Island Railroad which gets you into Manhattan in 20 minutes, as well as express buses? Nahh.....

Tunnel Repairs Could Disrupt L Train in Coming Years

Priced out of Brooklyn? Try Manhattan?

I added the question mark to the headline of this NY Times article, because you all know what I'm thinking. Do I have to say it?

Priced Out of Brooklyn? Try Manhattan.
Brooklyn real estate prices have become so high that parts of Manhattan are starting to look like bargains.

Where Can We Fit One of These?

Now, this would be amazing here in FoHi. Where could we fit one?

Cologne-influenced German beer hall opens in Slope

Brooklyn is getting another whiff of Cologne thanks to a massive new beer hall inspired by the German city. A 200-seat pub opened for business on St. Marks Place near Fourth Avenue under the name Die Koelner Bierhalle — the borough’s second tribute to Germany’s fourth largest metropolis.

Gentrification Express Rolls On...

As I said, think of Manhattan as the epicenter, and it keeps rippling outwards...

N.Y. / REGION
Unease Lingers Amid a Rebirth in Crown Heights
By LIZ ROBBINS
Published: January 31, 2012
The Brooklyn neighborhood, once stigmatized by violence and segregation, is now luring young people and new businesses, but some longtime residents are not sure the change is good.

One Sweet Apple

Whether we end up getting the Apple Store or not, the story sure has brought Forest Hills a shot of some great -- and far-reaching -- buzz! And, there ain't nothing wrong with that!

Apple Store Coming to Queens, NYC: Why Not Brooklyn?

It feels kinda nice to be seeing headlines like these. We've been playing second fiddle to Brooklyn for so long, it's cool to see the tables turned for a change! :)

Changing Restaurant Scene

Bareburger

There's an interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal about the changing restaurant scene in Park Slope. One of the restaurants they highlight is the recently-opened Bareburger (with a nice color pic to boot). I used to live in Park Slope and it's interesting to hear about these changes. When I lived there, in the 90's, there were just a handful of good restaurants. When I recently went back, there were too many to count. It was unbelievable. And now this article in The Journal says the restaurant scene is evolving again. Some old favorites, like Aunt Suzie's on Fifth Ave., closed this month.

Slippery Slope For Brooklyn Restaurants

Not saying Forest Hills will follow this path exactly, but our restaurant scene is perking up a bit. So maybe there is some foreshadowing of what's to come here as well.

By the way, I am particularly intrigued by this Dizzy's Diner the article discusses. I haven't been to that one, has anyone? Interested to know what you think about it if you have. An excellent, upscale, fun and modern diner is just what Forest Hills needs.

Branding Brooklyn

Maybe Queens and Forest Hills needs a little more of this? Maybe not? What do you think? What local stuff could we turn into a brand? How about: Genuine Queens Mothballs - Tested by Native Queens Octogenarians. Or Genuine Forest Hills McMansions: Bringing a Touch of Third World Europe to First World USA?

From The Times:

DINING & WINE
Brooklyn: The Brand
By STEVEN STERN
Published: December 14, 2010
Small restaurants and large companies alike are hitching their wagons to Brooklyn’s D.I.Y. chic.