Bay Ridge's Robicelli's Market to Close in Favor of Wholesale

With lots of deliciously favorable media coverage (and a Bloomberg campaign commercial!) and a fiercely loyal following for catering and cupcake yumminess, Robicelli's Market will now close. It's a good thing, really, at least for Allison and Matt, the magicians behind cupcakes like the Bea Arthur and The Kiwanis.

In an announcement to the Bay Ridge Parents Group, through Facebook, and with a link on Twitter, the Robicelli's duo announced that they will be closing their retail shop on October 25th (yikes! get over there now!) in favor of growing their wholesale cupcake and dessert business.

This is what success becomes in these days of the internet ordering and massive media exposure. It really is wonderful for the owners, but it's also sad to see a place that has so quickly become a fixture in a neighborhood.

According to their explanations, this will allow them to maintain the quality of their baked goods while maintaining the quality of life they want for their two children (and themselves!). They have several retail opportunities (for their cupcakes and pastries) around Brooklyn, but as of now they are still seeking a retailer in Bay Ridge. Naturally, if anyone thinks a place in Sunset Park would want to carry their cupcakes and cheesecakes and carrot cake, let them know! Perhaps one of the new-ish delis on 4th Avenue? Or one of the coffee shops in Greenwood Heights?

I wish them great luck and great joy in their plans. They have been excellent members of the business community as well as the Bay Ridge neighborhood.

excerpted from their Facebook page:

We have made the difficult decision to close our retail business on Sunday, October 25th, and continue solely as a cupcake and dessert wholesaling business serving the New York City area, with a webshop for national customers. We will miss all of you who have come in every week, who have become not just customers, but part of our family. This has been one of the best years of our lives, because you were in it. As hard as it is to let go, we feel that moving in this direction is not only what is best for our business, but also for our family.

Some of the internet coverage that caused this bittersweet change:

Food Mayhem

Eat It: The Brooklyn Food Blog

Feisty Foodie (awesome pics of cupcakes and other foodstuffs there)

Bay Ridge Food Coop Meeting Tomorrow

For those who want a coop but don't want to travel in the northerly direction, visit the Bay Ridge Food Coop site for information about joining. If you prefer face-to-face information, feel free to stop by the Bay Ridge branch of the BPL on 73rd Street and Ridge Boulevard.

This meeting is for anyone looking to find out more information or those looking to join. Children are welcome.

Bay Ridge Public Library, 2nd fl.
73rd st and Ridge blvd.
10:30am - 12:00pm

www.foodcoopbayridge.com

Bay Ridge Food Coop Launch Party TONIGHT!

This idea has been in progress for a while, and I haven't been paying much attention on the BR message boards due to other concerns. Sorry about the last minute notice, but I only found this when cleaning out my spam folder. Thanks, Jim, for forwarding this to me!

Register for the launch party here.

Sunset Park Salads - local, easy, yummy

One month of summer down, one to go. Cooking in heat and humidity has GOT to be one of the deeper levels of Hell, don't you think? Luckily, The New York Times recently had "101 Simple Salads for the Season" from The Minimalist. It appealed to me on many levels: little heating up my steambox of an apartment, buying greens at the up the block Chinese market (baby bok choy for two at 68 cents), it makes me feel healthy, and it utilizes my greatest culinary skill - easy assembling of food.

So, I took a few minutes and gleaned the recipes that I thought were most appropriate to what we can purchase from the local Chinese and Mexican/Latin American food stores around Sunset Park. From pre-fried tofu cubes to chipotle and jicama, we have it here. I only included the numbers of many recipes, so take the time to click through and check them out. (Numbers 9, 15, 17, 41, 69, 86. 87, 89)

See the complete list for the more meat-centric salads; I didn't choose any because I wouldn't eat them. I left the numbers on the salads to help you navigate the entire article. Enjoy, and let me know how they came out!

from the article:

6. Sichuan slaw: Toss bean sprouts, shredded carrots and celery, minced fresh chili, soy sauce, sesame oil and a bit of sugar. Top with chopped peanuts and chopped basil, mint and/or cilantro. (The full trio is best.)

8. Chop or slice radishes (or jicama, or the ever-surprising kohlrabi) and combine with chopped or sliced unripe (i.e., still crunchy) mango, lime juice and mint or cilantro.

11. Chop and steam baby or grown-up bok choy until crisp-tender, then shock it in ice water. Drain, then toss with halved cherry tomatoes, capers, olive oil and lemon juice.

39. Yucatecan street food as salad: Roast fresh corn kernels in a pan with a little oil; toss with cayenne or minced chilis, lime juice and a little queso fresco. Cherry tomatoes are optional.

84. Spring rolls, unrolled: One at a time, soften a few sheets of rice paper in warm water. Drain, pat dry, cut into strips and toss with chopped cucumber, grated carrots, chopped cilantro, bean sprouts, chili flakes and chopped roasted peanuts. Dress with toasted sesame oil, fish sauce or soy sauce, and rice vinegar or lime juice. A few shrimp are a nice addition.

100. Mash a canned chipotle with some of its adobo and stir with olive oil and lime juice. Toss with drained canned hominy, fresh corn cut from the cob (or drained pinto beans), cilantro and green onions.

A Small but Tasty Flea Market

If you've traveled on 4th Avenue on any recent weekend, you've probably seen the signs for a flea market in the median or at the Al Noor School on 20th Street and 4th Avenue. I've never gone, mainly because my experience at flea markets has proved to feature overly expensive items that I want but can't afford or sad-looking items that I can afford but really don't want. However, perhaps this flea market can offer something more.

According to the Fork in the Road feature in The Village Voice, there are a couple of food vendors that are worth a visit. Check out the article for more info, but I have to say that the hot sauce and chick-pea stall sounds promising. Stop by Eagle Provisions for a beer and Laurentino's for a chocolate covered strawberry or pignoli to complete a pretty decent snack-time.

What You See in Sunset Park: Pigs

Thanks to Emily for sending this in. I know that this happens all over, and I know that what we don't see about how our food is treated is much worse. (See Food, Inc.) What I like about this photo, however, is the presence of Sprite cans relaxing on the truck with the pigs. Lovely splash of color, don't you think?

A Few Shares Still Available in the Sunset CSA

I just found out today that you can juice greens. I've had a juicer sitting around for years, unused, while I struggle to use up huge quantities of kale and spinach and other fun leafy things. Now I know that I don't have to worry about wasting greens with a CSA share. I can juice 'em! You know the Mimomex squash blossoms and zucchini wouldn't go to waste, and their famous peppers are inspiring. But I've heard stories from other people who have been members of long-time CSAs, and those stories are scary. Opening the refrigerator and being stared down by bunches of kale and swiss chard is intimidating, but stuffing them into a juicer is satisfying. Bring 'em on, I say.

Thankfully, there are a few shares (full and half) still open in the Sunset Park CSA. Payment in full is due at the end of May (okay, June 1st), but of course it's encouraged before since the deposit date passed at the end of April. Check out the Sunset Park CSA website for downloadable FAQs and membership information. You can also see previous posts about it here.

Quick info:
The Mimomex produce is naturally grown, and it's pesticide free.
The pick-up is on Wednesday evenings at St. Michael's.
Fruit and egg shares are available for an extra cost.
Low-income shares are available.
Each share volunteers a couple of hours; you get to meet your neighbors!
Come on, you'll like it. Everybody else is doing it.

Wednesday Links: Opinionated Food Blogs in a Sunset Park State of Mind

These two links will save you a lot of trial and error. If you enjoy trial and error, let us know about what you found was excellent, mediocre, or truly awful.

The Search for a Good Noodle Soup - Fine Furious Life

The Search for a Good Taco - Writing with My Mouth Full

The Meat Market and What to do With What They've Got - Fein Dining

What You See in Sunset Park: Heads and Weenies

Since I've been on a bit of a food in its various forms kick lately, here's another installation. Both photos were added to the Best View in Brooklyn photo pool on flickr by Venus in Furs. I think they suit each other quite nicely.

First, the raw form.

Then, the more processed version.

Both are on 5th Avenue in the low 50's.

Sunset CSA to Offer Fruit and Egg Shares

In addition to a working website for the Sunset Park CSA, there's more exciting news for those who wish to partake of non-pesticide, humanely grown and cared for, and fresh food: Optional Fruit and Egg Shares are also available!

As per an email from one of the core members, a person must purchase a vegetable share in order to purchase the optional fruit and egg shares. The optional fruit and egg shares can be purchased separately (fruit or egg...). The website has the FAQ and the Membership Agreement as PDF downloads. You can also download the request form for the fruit or egg shares. The fruit is from a conventional farm, but the chickens are true free range - meaning they actually get to run around; they're not just offered a hole in the wall to leave if they so choose. See below for an excerpt about the optional shares.

The Sunset Park CSA is pleased to announce the addition of Fruit and Egg shares for the summer of 2009. These optional shares are only available if you have purchased or are purchasing a Weekly or an Every Other Week vegetable share. The egg and fruit shares will
be available for pick up at the same time as the vegetable shares, Wednesday evenings from
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Food Porn from Laurentino's

I showed you the dollar or so chocolate covered strawberries the other day. Now you can check out the mini pies they have (blueberry and cherry - blueberry is pictured) and the biscotti. 5th Avenue between 20th and 21st. See you there. Thanks to veesvision for these fantastic shots of the treats.

Sunset Park in Chowhound via Brownstoner

A comment yesterday indicated that this blog has been very useful to some people when it comes to finding/choosing eating establishments. While I'll admit that I have some skill in finding and posting links to other people's opinions, my own palate is relatively limited due to my habit of neglecting to eat anything with a face.

So, in an effort to further assist my neighbors, and inspired by both the commenter (thanks for the compliment Nick D.) and Wednesday's blurb from Brownstoner (go down to the Red Hook Vendor bit) that was from a link to a Chowhound thread about the new Casa Vieja on 5th and 60th, I'd like to direct those who are interested to another Chowhound thread that has been my guide several times. This thread started in August of 2008, and it's been added to by several better-informed-than-I diners in Sunset Park. Bookmark it, seriously. Highlights from this thread include Peter Cherches' posts and a mention of the juice and tamale stand outside on 5th Avenue and 40th Street. But really, the entire thread is chock full of helpful tips about where to go and what to try around the neighborhood. It's heavy on suggestions in the 40's and lower 50's, but I'm sure it can be added to.

The new Casa Vieja (an oxymoron, I know) was also featured in the Village Voice's Fork in the Road.

Yoga, Beer, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Walking on the other side of the street is truly informative.

After attending the Spanish story-time and sing-a-long at El Pequeno Artista, my neighbor and I crossed 5th Avenue to walk down to Eagle Provisions and check out the plants. Before we got there, however, we dawdled in front of a gallery gone yoga studio called Under Minerva (presumably because if its proximity to Green-Wood Cemetery's Minerva). As we turned to go, a young woman (Sorry, I don't remember her name. Blame it on sleep deprivation.) jumped out of a car and asked if we were interested in yoga classes. After letting us know that there is a "bring a friend and you both just pay $5" deal, she told us there were classes almost every day of the week.

According to the postcard she gave me, Under Minerva is an Art Gallery and Event Space. We were admiring the chandelier in the window and the style of the logo on the storefront while we dawdled, so I'm sure the rest is worth an actual stop. They have an Artist's Den (which makes me think of a nook that's carpeted from floor to ceiling) with 24 hour access and a Wifi lounge (weren't we just wondering about that?). It also hosts meditation, yoga, children's classes - there's even a book club.

The website isn't the easiest to navigate or most informative I've seen, but I'm sure a phone call would help. I have an email in asking for prices and more information; stay tuned.

Continuing on 5th Avenue, we went to Eagle Provisions where the plants looked good, but the beer got bought. Happily, I didn't go nuts in the chocolate section of Eagle because I was about to discover my new favorite Green-Wood Heights Happy Place.

Laurentino's Pasticceria Caffe (with an accent over the e) has been open since October, but since that's also when I had a baby, I guess I've been a little out of it. I had passed this place by a few times, but never crossed the street to check it out. What attracted me this time were the chairs and tables in the window. Then we got a whiff of the baking inside. Oh. My. Goodness. Take a look at the chocolate covered strawberries.
I didn't buy one. I can't believe I didn't, but I didn't. They were only $1 each, but I resisted. I did, however, buy their pignoli. (I know, so much more naughty.) Having lived on the outskirts of Bensonhurst for several years, I was skeptical about whether or not these cookies would be worthy of being called pignoli. Let's just say I'll be purchasing some for when I need a treat for visiting miei amici. Next time I want to try one of the cheesecakes. My neighbor bought one of the blueberry mini-pies. She wanted to take photos, so hopefully she'll let me post those up when she's done.

The women who waited on us were incredibly friendly and helpful, and they encouraged us to check out all the pastries. They weren't annoyed by our many questions and paltry purchases. There are several cozy tables for sitting while you snack and have a cappuccino. There aren't yet any high chairs, but there is enough room to stash a stroller in the corner.

In the summer months they make their own gelato and ices. Oh yeah.

Check out Laurentino's on 5th Avenue between 20th and 21st. They do "cakes for all occasions" and they are looking forward to serving you treats and coffee.

Shares in New Sunset CSA Still Available

While some of the more established CSAs around town have been sold out for a while, the brand new Sunset Park CSA has some unattached shares. They have regular shares and low-income shares available. The farm, MimoMex in Goshen, has been working with Green Markets and CSAs for several years. They grow many of the more typical vegetables, but their specialty is Mexican produce; they are well known for their beautiful squash blossoms. If you went to the Sunset Green Market last year, you probably saw them. One of the links below includes a recipe for squash blossoms. So, if you're looking to get fresh produce right off the farm this season, don't wait! Write to the Sunset Park CSA for more information.

And isn't their logo fantastic? Check out JoFolio's link on the right to see more of his work.

from the informational posting by one of the organizers:

The Sunset Park CSA is still selling farm shares in the CSA. A CSA is a partnership between a farm and a group of people who pay in advance to receive fresh produce throughout the summer. This is a great chance for folks in the neighborhood to meet neighbors and come home with freshly picked produce from MimoMex farm in Goshen, NY. MimoMex sells produce at the Sunset Park farmers market as well as at other farmers markets in NYC. Below are some links to articles about the farm. The CSA drop off site is Wednesday from 5pm to 7:30 pm at St. Michael's Church on 4th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Street. You can purchase either a weekly share (every week for 20 weeks) or an Every Other Week share (every other week, 10 weeks total.)

If you need more information, email sunsetparkcsa@yahoo.com and we will send you a PDF of our Information/FAQ and a membership form. These contain the share price and other info about the CSA.

Here's a 2004 article from The Daily News about the farm and farmer, Martin Rodriguez

And here's a New York Times Article from 2007.

What You Eat in Sunset Park: Lucky Eight

Duck feet, abalone, and baby bok choy. Still interested in hearing about some interesting 8th Avenue dishes? The review of a meal at Lucky Eight Restaurant from a blog called For the Love of Food actually had me considering trying the duck feet. And I haven't eaten any warm-blooded animals for twenty years.

She describes the dish of duck feet (deboned, happily) and pickeled carrots and daikon as refreshing and a soft landing into the culinary adventure of Lucky Eight. Check out the review and see what you think.

Pig Heads and Tacos in Sunset Park

Hello from Sunset Park, Brooklyn, originally uploaded by ext212.

This photo comes from ext212 on Flickr (click on the photo to see more); she has a photostream that shows some yummy looking tacos from Matamoros on 5th Avenue and 45th. Enjoy.

If you have cool Sunset Park photos, consider adding them to the Best View in Brooklyn photo pool on flickr. We'd all love to see them!

Fresh, Local, Chemical-Free Veggies in Sunset Park

Today a neighbor and I were walking on 8th Avenue and we stopped to pick up some greens. Looking at the pears, and scoffing at the THREE layers of foam and plastic wrapped around them, we saw the stickers that announced their origin: China. Well, no wonder they needed all those layers; they had already traveled the world!

This summer, thanks to a dedicated group of Sunset Park residents, there is another option. The inaugural season of the Sunset Park Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is currently signing up members. Both full and half-shares are available.

Pick-up will be Wednesdays from 5 PM to 7:30 PM at St. Michael's on 4th Avenue and 43rd. The shares run from the end of June through October for a total of 20 weeks. There is four hour volunteer commitment involved. It's a great way to get to know your neighbors! A full share for households making over 30K costs $525, households under 30K pay $375. A half-share (every other week) for households making over 30K costs $270, households under 30K pay $195.

For more information, email SunsetParkCSA@yahoo.com, or leave questions here in the comment section.

This Week's Restaurant Inspection Winners

Not as bad as some past weeks, but there are still some disturbingly high numbers.

Grand prize goes to:

Munchy Coffee Shop on 5th Avenue and 53rd. It earned 53 violation points for a few things, including mice. Mmmmmm. The violation about the wiping cloths or inadequate lighting must add lots of points because there were only five violations. The runner-up (see below) had ten violations (including the mice) and fewer points.

Just a few points behind is Lucky Zhang's Family on 8th Avenue between 56th and 57th. It earned 50 violation points for many more items, included roaches AND mice. Yeah!

Rounding out the top three is Zhen Yuan Inc. at 7th Avenue between 61st and 62nd. It earned a measly 37 violation points. No mice here, but the wiping cloths were improperly stored to add a bunch of bonus points. Ick.

Comfort Food

My students would often pick up Cheese Fries or Chili Cheese Fries at the place across the street from the school. These gooey-soon-to-solidify tins of fries and Velveeta weighed about three pounds and looked like it would disintegrate stomach lining in about 90 seconds. The photo of the Salchipapas at La Cuarta (at 4th Avenue and 28th Street) featured in Fork in the Road from the Village Voice looks a lot more attractive. Before reading the article, I thought the hot dogs were roasted red peppers. That's what I get for being a vegetarian.

Robert Sietsema's description of the dish calls it a "Strange Snack of the World." Are mini-hot dogs, fries, and a hard-boiled egg really that strange? I suppose it's the combination that is odd, but even then, it's not too strange. Here's a sampling of Sietsema's commentary:

And therein lies some of salchipapas' specialness -- the flavors swap off between the two foodstuffs, as the frank fat renders, seeps into the deep fat, and is thereby transmitted to the very core of the admittedly inferior-on-their-own french fries.

He also uses the word "proteinaceously" - which is the first time I've seen it as an adverb. Check out the article at the link above.

Sunset Park CSA Informational Pot Luck

Sunset Park CSA Pot Luck Brunch

Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 10 am to 12 Noon on 41st Street between 6th and 7th (RSVP for the specific address).

We invite you to come to hear about and sign up for the Sunset Park Community Supported Agriculture. Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership between the CSA members and a farmer, in our case MimoMex Farms in Goshen, New York. The farmer is supplied with a predictable income, and members are supplied with freshly harvested vegetables on a weekly or every-other-week basis throughout the summer and into the autumn.

In addition to the vegetables that you may be familiar with -onions, squash, carrots, greens, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, cabbage, parsley, herbs, etc., MimoMex Farms also grows an array of pesticide-free, traditional Mexican and Central American vegetables and herbs as well as a large selection of peppers.

Details on the share price and structure, vegetable pick up location and volunteer commitment will be provided at the meeting. Signing up for a share requires a deposit, which can be made by personal check or cash.

In addition, this will be a pot-luck brunch, so please bring a small dish/pastries/bagels/drink to share with others. Coffee and tea will be provided.

Please RSVP to SunsetParkCSA@yahoo.com.

If you cannot attend the meeting but would like more information about the CSA, please send us an email.

We look forward to seeing you on the 28th!

The Core Committee - Abby, Jane, Joelle, Kate, Kenzie, Leah and Liz