Gems of Park Slope

After some online back and forth, a list was born on Brooklynian, detailing Park Slope’s hidden gems (it’s ongoing, if you want to add your own or contest theirs). Below is what they’ve generated so far [Note: this is their crowdsourced list, not ours]. Others?

Donuts: “7ave, btw 8th and 9th. For my money there is not a better BLT in the hood. Plus they are open at 4am which is huge for me…”

Best ping pong game: Yes, Brownstone has some tables, but at $11.95/hr and with the risk (or accidental, uh, joy) of backhanding a stray teenager from the duck bowling lane wouldn’t you rather check out Royale? From time to time they set up a table on the dance floor… think daytime, or early Tuesday evening.

Closest thing to an after-hours joint: Royale, again. That place is still bumping on a Saturday at 3:30… the rest is up to you.

Best dive bar: Canal Bar. It truly is a divey bar on a divey street (3rd ave + President or Union). Popcorn machine, pool table, bucket nips of MHL, Bud, and Corona. The bathroom doors don’t close all the time, the inflatable ornaments are not for show, and the giant plastic shark will scare you on an acid trip. Bonus features: at any given moment the owner may come in from the back with giant try of sausage and peppers (they have a garden and a grill), a biker gang might roll in thick, or that one dude might fart mid sentence… there is no noise limit and I doubt that even I could get cut off here. Seriously, good times.

Best doctor: Dr. Burton Fletcher. He is bearded, left handed, kind, and old school. He admits when he doesn’t know and will not over prescribe. He is a member of a dying breed: classically trained in the art of family care with a wide ranging knowledge base. I like that he delivers your fate directly, clearly and without deviation.

Best pickup softball game: Let me start by saying: http://www.buttermilksoftball.blogspot.com/ Field 5, 4pm, Sundays, 4th of July through Labor Day and possibly beyond… anyone is welcome. You will have fun, you will laugh, you will pull a hamstring…

Best one-two punch of a corner: If Barbes didn’t smell like a French woman’s armpit and if Collson’s wasn’t always out of whatever I might want I’d say 9th St and 6th Ave. As it stands, however, 6th Ave. and 20th street gets the nod. Kitchen Bar is just flat out good. Nice bar, good, small, fresh dishes… next door is BBQ or something… huge plates of meat like bring a suitcase for leftovers size plates, beans, collard greens, etc… Much more importantly, it has the best bourbon menu in Park Slope and likely beyond. We are talking 30-40 wide ranging varieties all for $5-$7. You cannot beat this place.

Worst loss to the hood: the Bourbon menu at Bar BQ. They’ve closed.

Best way to blow $20: Car wash. 4th Ave. and Garfield or Carroll. This one also falls into best massage chair. I recommend getting blazed beforehand. Anyway, it’s one of those where you get out and watch your four wheeled steed through soapy glass. While you’re waiting on that crack team of cleanliness technicians to barely vacuum your floor yet somehow get every penny out of your ashtray I recommend checking out the store. There you will find some of the best air fresheners and fuzzy dice along with a wonderful, coin op, massage chair and tons of other shit you don’t need. On your way out your snag
a gum ball and don’t forget not to tip. You just blew $20. Bonus: your radio is now blasting that Mexican station you didn’t know existed.

Best place to boycott: Sheep Station. 4th Ave. Why you ask? Well, you’ll have to come up with your own reasons. Mine are that the bartender is a complete dickhead… and second, well, I have my reasons. It’s really too bad because that place has some interesting drinks, good food, and is gay friendly.

Best way to extend a weekend of partying: Sunday, 8pm, Bar Reis.
5th Ave btw 5th and 6th. Jim, the bartender, is cute, engaging, and funny. Pool table, backyard, and a decent crowd for a Sunday. The literal bar is brand new. The bars namesake, Reis, may pop in to answer any trivia specific to the bars’ decade plus history. Also, pretty soon they will be opening a restaurant next door. I hear it’ll be Tapas type stuff.. small dishes, affordable and certainly tasty. Oh, don’t ask
about the full bar tour because it doesn’t exist.

Best bagel alternative: The Pie Shop. Prospect Park West at 16th st. We’re not talking your grandmother’s thanksgiving day standby; these pies are meaty and bursting with flavor. They are designed to be easy-to-carry and eat on the go, perfect if you’re looking to skip the bagel joint across the street on your way to the train. My personal favorite is the mince steak and cheese.

Best Sandwich Counter: The sandwich counter at the back of A&S (5th
and Garfield, I think), is money. You might pay a couple dollars more than at a regular deli, but it’s worth it — I live and die for Il Classico , just-salty-enough mozz, perfectly thin proscuitto, fresh basil, tomatoes on awesomely delicious bread. Add oil and vinegar if yr nasty.

Tuna Melt that gives you yum-tingles: Ale House (the bartender gets their own nomination as well)

Best cheap shoes: FabCo Shoes — down on like 15th and 5th — sometimes surprises with great style for like eight bucks.

Best beer selection: Eagle Provisions

Best coffee: Java Joe’s, the coffee shop on 8th St. (7th/8th Aves.) Their beans blow away Gorilla’s or anybody else’s & the staff are beautiful people.

Sandwich that is a fookin’ treat: The Peter Luger sandwich at Pollio (across the street from Bar Reis)

Chicken tacos: Jirasol Bakery on 5th and 22nd. Add their homemade red and green sauce and you’re in heaven.