“I love my neighborhood because it’s a secret,” says Samantha Terry, TONY’s marketing manager. “Who would ever guess that just west of the dirty, noisy and crowded Flatbush Avenue lies the charming enclave of Victorian homes?”
Unfortunately, TONY’s been letting the cat out of the bag: Two spots on the main strip, Cortelyou Road, have been named Eat Out Awards Critics’ Picks (The Farm and Sycamore). Award-winning restaurants aside, there’s even more to love about this ‘hood. The superspeedy Q train brings Terry’s commute from the Cortelyou Road stop into lower Manhattan to only 30 minutes. And at just a short distance from Prospect Park, the neighborhood is perfect for leisurely afternoon strolls. There’s also the Ditmas Park Concert Series, featuring neighborhood musicians each spring, and Terry’s looking forward to the September 13 Flatbush Frolic, which takes place annually on Cortelyou Road.
More of her favorites are after the jump.
Favorite restaurants:
Picket Fence (1310 Cortelyou Rd between Argyle and Rugby Rds; 718-282-6661, picketfencebrooklyn.com) “This homey spot is my favorite for brunch. French toast topped with fresh fruits: perfection! Plus, you can snack on a basket of blueberry minimuffins while you wait.”
Vox Pop Cafe (1022 Cortelyou Rd between Coney Island Ave and Stratford Rd; 718-940-2084, voxpopcafe.com) “Equal parts community café, bookstore and performance space, Vox Pop is a great place to grab a light organic snack, listen to live music and spoken word, and discuss politics with your neighbors.”
Purple Yam (1314 Cortelyou Rd between Argyle and Rugby Rds, no phone yet) “This place hasn’t even opened yet, but I know I’m going to love it. The owners of the now-shuttered Cendrillon in Soho are bringing Purple Yam to Cortelyou Road in September. Like Cendrillon, it will feature Filipino fare, and will also incorporate Pan-Asian cuisine.”
The Farm on Adderley (1108 Cortelyou Rd between Stratford and Westminster Rds; 718-287-3101, thefarmonadderley.com) “Upscale food is served with a casual vibe, and the backyard is nice for dining in warm weather.”
Mimi’s Hummus (1209 Cortelyou Rd between Stratford and Westminster Rds; 718-284-4444, mimishummus.com) “What’s not to love about hummus? Mimi’s includes five homemade varieties, with reasonable prices.”
Her favorite bar:
Sycamore (1118 Cortelyou Rd between Stratford and Westminster Rds; 347-240-5850, sycamorebrooklyn.com) “This place is both a flower shop and a bar. The strange combination somehow works here. I like to grab a drink in the backyard when the weather’s nice, and they also host live music each week.”
Her favorite shops:
John’s Bakery & Pastry Shop (1322 Cortelyou Rd between Argyle and Rugby Rds; 718-287-6799, johnsbakery.com) “I like to get my carb fix with the freshly baked breads here, and they make tasty sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.”
Cortelyou Greenmarket (Cortelyou Rd between Argyle and Rugby Rds, cenyc.org) “This Greenmarket sets up shop every Sunday, and while it’s no competition for the Grand Army Plaza and Union Square varieties, it is nice to not have to travel for farm-fresh produce.”
Sacred Vibes Apothecary (376 Argyle Road between Cortelyou Rd and Dorchester Ave; 718-284-2890, sacredvibeshealing.com) “A wide variety of herbs, spices and loose-leaf teas are for sale here. Plus, the owner also offers public workshops on herbal medicine.”
