Halcyon
Vinyl Record Store
(1)  718 – 260 9299
57 Pearl Street
corner of Pearl & Water Streets in Dumbo
Brooklyn, NY 11201

www.halcyonline.com.
MAP

Open Hours:
Noon  – 8:00 pm   Mon/Wed/Sat
Noon  – 9:00 pm   Tue/Thu/Fri
Noon  – 6:00 pm   Sunday

One of the last great record shops in NY, Halcyon moved to its Dumbo location in 2006.  Creating community through their weekly instore performances by local and visiting DJs and disseminating extensive information on events throughout the city. (see their BLOG for schedule)

Halcyon faces the magnificent Manhattan Bridge through a couple of very industrial buildings making this spot quite cinematographic. On one side street  there is a graffiti wall on which the art changes from time to time.  Across the street is a public space, complete with parasol tables and chairs, where you can sit and enjoy the area and listen to the music from the store.  Wonderful especially when there are performances.

The store itself is beautifully designed  with an ivy mural framing the windows on the outside,  high ceiling inside, vinyl art on the walls, astroturf grass on the floor and a even a stone garden.

The staff is friendly, helping you with their selection of a little bit of everything:  Acid Jazz, Afro-Latin, Ambient, Noise, Disco+’80s+Dance Classics, DJ Mixes, Downbeat, Lounge, Trip-Hop, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Grime, Electro, Acid, Breaks, Electronica, Exotica, World, Funk, Breakbeats, Hip-Hop, House, Jazz, Nu Disco, Italo, Reggae, Dub, Rock, Pop, Folk, Techno…….. Be sure to check out their wall of suggestions and don’t be afraid to ask for whatever your interested in.

On top of all the great new/used records & disks, Halcyon also carries t-shirts, books and other items to keep you up to date with the scene.

The area of Dumbo itself is a wonderful place to explore.  Having come on in recent years, it is now home to an eclectic mix of businesses and people.  A trip to the park under the bridges is a must for all visitors to NYC.  The views of lower Manhattan are stunning by both day and night.

P.S. Bookshop
(1)  718 – 222 3340
145-A Front  Street
Dumbo Brooklyn, NY 11201

ww.psbnyc.com.
MAP

Open Hours:
10:00 am  – 8:00 pm   Daily

Opened on 2006, the P.S. Bookshop, selling used and out of print books in DUMBO, Brooklyn, is a at the top in its genre in the whole of NYC.   Neatly organized with may categories, they buy and sell all sorts of printed matter.

As you enter there is a large Magazine display and a couple of postcard trees- selling funky, obscure prints.  Then, in the first room you find Architecture, Art, Fashion, Photography, Graphic Novels and every thing related to Design & the Arts.  Tucked to the side, is a locked cabinet with their fine selection of rare, first editions  and collectibles.  I was lucky enough to peruse an Arthur Rackham illustrated first edition.

Tucked behind a low row of books and the counter is a section dedicated to children and young adults.  A wonderland of stories along with a play area for very young ones an their parents.

The back half of the shop is a high ceiling-ed, well fenestrated space home to a loving labyrinth of book shelves cradling all your favorite fiction, history, literature, poetry, etc.

The selection is extensive in every area, surprising you on every shelf with obscure tiles, exciting topics, translations of your favorites and singned copies.  The P.S. Bookshop is one of those lovely bookstores that you should allow yourself the time and pleasure of presence in the joy of the printed page.  Grab a book and curl up in one of the comfy chairs dotted around and enjoy.

Last, but most importantly, the staff is  helpful, knowledgeable and kind.

Union Sq Farmers Market
East 17th Street and Broadway
NYC

www.cenyc.org/greenmarket

Open Hours:
8:00am – 6:00pm  Monday
8:00am – 6:00pm Wednesday
8:00am – 6:00pm Friday
8:00am – 6:00pm Saturday

Probably the largest of all green markets in New York City.  The Union Square Green Market is a wonderful place to show local.  The variety of  vendors peddling their fresh foods is a diversity that you can only find in New York!   Come early in the day to see New York’s’ Top chefs choosing their ingredients- and buy what they buy to ensure the top quality!!! Yum!

Cha-An Tea House
212 228 8030
230 East 9th st 2nd floor (bet, 2nd-3rd Avenues)
New York, NY 10003

www.chaanteahouse.com

Open Hours:
2:00pm-12:00am

A true Japanese tea house nestled in the new ‘Little Tokyo’ of 9th street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues. Traditionally decorated, they use a wide array of lovely dishes, glasses and plates.

Cha-An offers a very nice selection of Black Teas (keemun mao feng, darjeeling 2nd flush, assam, divine earl grey, ceylon), Green Teas (dragon pearls, flower craft, jasmine pearls, sench, genmaicha, hojicha, matcha), Oolong Teas (osmanthus, tieguanyin, twelve trees), Pu-erh Tea, White Teas (white peony, yinzhen, silver needle) and Herbal Teas

One can buy Chef Kato’s cakes, cookies, tea canisters, truffles and tea by the oz. to enjoy at home

The daily lunch set, available until 7:00, is a Donburi; a large rice bowl topped with vegetables and  anything from Eal to chicken.  It is served with tea and 2 small appetizers.

The sesame creme brulee is absolutely spectacular – really a top find, As well,  the sakura flan (cherry blossom) is very delicate and light.  Lastly, there is the famous cha-an toast. Scrumptious!  It is thick white toast, topped with adzuky beans, iceream and sweet cream

A favorite is the soy milk quiche w/ mushrooms & scallions, so silky and savory.  It comes with the 2nd of the main Tea Sets, which are the main offering.  They each are a lovely selection of savories, sweets and tea.

Cha-An Tea Set A
15 grain rice porridge, 6 kinds of mini appetizer, dessert and your choice of tea

Cha-An Tea Set B
15 grain rice, , daily soup & vegetable, soy milk quiche with mushrooms & scallions, tea smoked salmon15 and your choice of tea

For a smaller appetite, try the Afternoon Tea set with its two kinds of sandwiches, freshly baked scones,  assorted cha-an sweets and your choice of tea

Sake, special beers and a few very unique cocktails round out the menu.

Cooking classes with chef Kato are available on request every monday- thursday from 11:00am to 1:00pm

For a very special time experience the full contemplated beauty of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony  Call in advance and plan for one in their tatame matted ce

remony room.

(above left) Barley Soup
(above right ) Multigrain Rice

(above left ) Soy Milk and Mushroom Quiche
(above right ) Sesame Creme Brulee