the northern edge of park slope, which is the edge closest to where celebrate brooklyn! is held at the bandshell, has not exactly been leading the way in style, and tends to make park slope feel and look as dowdy as it sometimes can seem (at least food and shopping wise). the main drag of 7th avenue is slowly, very slowly improving, and i am guessing the reason why is that those landlords just won’t cut anyone a break so it is difficult to move in unless you have a chain (so disappointing to see things like five guys there).

the northern part of 7th avenue (from 9th street to flatbush) is definitely the most bedraggled so while there is a lot of shopping, not much is exciting or worth a trip. if i had some time to kill before a concert, i would spend it on the southern half of 7th avenue which runs from 9th street to 16th street and beyond. for a few years, this strip was worth a trip with some real gems like rare device and greenjeans among other interesting small shops. sadly, many of those are now gone (those two just mentioned included) but there are a few bright shops left and i’ve mentioned one below. and just roaming down here is great as it is my favorite part of park slope. it’s a little more sleepy down there, things aren’t quite as gentrified and it just feels friendlier. south slope is definitely one of my top places to move if and when we get the opportunity to do that. see below for some places to pick up goodies for a picnic before a concert as well as some shopping ideas in both the north and south slope.

food:

bklyn larder: operated by the owners of franny’s, this is my new favorite spot for take out prepared foods. very yummy pork shoulder and excellent sandwiches (the blt was amazing). they also have a picnic in the park special with comte, country pate, a demi baguette, olives and a dark chocolate bar for $18 - no bargain but i bet it is really really good. 228 flatbush avenue between bergen street and 6th avenue, brooklyn, new york, 718.783.1250.

blue apron: if in the north slope, blue apron is a good if expensive standby for premade sandwiches with meats and cheeses, luscious cheeses, great basic breads and very rich treats like my faves from whimsy & spice. 814 union street between 7th and 8th avenues, brooklyn, new york, 718.230.3180.

grab specialty foods: if in the south slope, grab is my choice for cheese, charcuterie and breads. they sometimes have sandwiches and also carry baked’s brownies and cupcakes often. they also have beer growlers with excellent beers on tap which would be fun in the park. 438 7th avenue between 14th and 15th streets, brooklyn, new york, 718.369.7595.

shops:

loom: maybe not always the friendliest spot, but this store does carry an excellently edited, though very pricey, gifts (or treats for yourself) that include soaps, stationery, casual jewelry, very cute handbags (in the $100 to $200 range), some kids toys and clothes, and other random bits. 115 7th avenue between carroll and president streets, brooklyn, new york, 718.789.0061.

living on seventh, maybe my favorite all purpose store in park slope with beautiful candles, kitchen accessories, bath supplies, and a great very limited selection of blouses, skirts and sometimes pants and even shoes. 291 seventh avenue near 3rd street, brooklyn, new york, 718.788.1651.

goldy & mac: if in south slope, goldy & mac is great for affordable, stylish women’s clothes. they change their stock constantly so it is always worth popping in to see what’s new, and they have excellent sales. staff attention seems to have gotten worse (not mean, just much more indifferent) but given the pricing it really doesn’t matter. 396 7th avenue between, brooklyn, new york, 718.832.4868.

red hook is a bit of a trek, especially without a car although the ikea bus and ferry service make things a little better, but there are definitely a few destinations worth visiting. if you’re already here you might as well spend a few hours. the highlights, at least for me, are the views off the piers looking toward the statue of liberty, the red hook pool and the red hook ball field vendors. this quirky little neighborhood, which still seems somewhat preserved with lots of low-rise buildings and cobbled streets as well as reconfigured warehouses, is very “new york” and great to walk around if you know where to go. in addition to the two big box draws of ikea and fairway, there are a few good restaurants and snacks as well as some fun shops to explore and as will become obvious, nearly all of these run down the happening strip of van brunt street.

food:

baked: one of my very favorite bakeries in all of new york. i am especially fond of their cupcakes, their hostess cupakes and their sweet and salty brownies. they also carry some sandwiches from luscious food. 359 van brunt street between wolcott and dikeman streets, brooklyn, new york, 718.222.0345.

good fork: although i had heard of this place forever, i only recently went and was pleasantly surprised even though some of the reports in the last year had suggested some decline but since i had never been i couldn’t tell. amazing crisply fried onion rings, the really tasty “steak and eggs” korean style and and the fried oyster po’boy when we went. 391 van brunt street at coffey street, brooklyn, new york, 718.643.6636.

home/made: this is a cute, casual spot offering a heavy cheese menu (straight cheese, cheese sandwiches, fondue) and a nice selection of wine, beer and cider. definitely not a destination, but if you’re there and want a good place to relax, the atmosphere is so warm and friendly it’s hard to have a good time (just go light on that cheese). 393 van brunt street between pioneer and king streets, brooklyn, new york, 347.223.4135.

and just a few other mentions: kevin’s (a newly opened very affordable place for sunday brunch and dinner), 277a van brunt street between visitation and pioneer streets, 718.596.8335; steve’s authentic key lime pies, excellent pies obviously, 204 van brunt street between conover street and van brunt streets, 718.858.5333, fort defiance, currently cafe and about to become, maybe today, a restaurant and cocktail bar, which i am eager to try out, 365 van brunt street at dikeman street, 718.522.7996.

shops:

saipua: this is one of those places that keeps coming up on cherrypatter, but i just cannot help it. great soaps and flowers in an amazing little shop. they are just moving to new location so i haven’t gotten to check it out yet. 147 van dyke street at van brunt, brooklyn, new york, 718.624.2929.

erie basin: a beautiful antique jewelry store featuring 19th century and early 20th century works as well as more contemporary jewelers, and they also have a few select pieces of furniture too. 388 van brunt street at dikeman, brooklyn, new york, 718.554.6147.

liberty sunset garden center: a great garden center with a tremendous selection of whatever plants you might need if you have a garden inside or out in new york city. 204-207 van dyke street (at the most western edge of the street at pier 41, brooklyn, new york, 718.858.3400.

perch!: amy adams designs beautiful ceramic pieces including great modern-looking bird feeders, fun trays and napkin rings, and really great pot holders in beautiful nonearth colors. they have a teeny tiny spot right next to steve’s authentic key lime pies and the liberty sunset garden center.

when my destination is the brooklyn museum of art, now matter how great the event, finding something to do or somewhere fantastic to eat nearby can be a little challenging. my sense is that the closest neighborhoods, prospect heights doesn’t really have that many dazzling eating choices (other than franny’s of course), so here is my mini guide documenting some of my thoughts on what might be good based on a little research:

food:

glass shop: a very new coffee shop in crown heights serving australian espressos using la colombe torrefaction. the coffee is good and the space is great. 766 classon avenue between st. johns and sterling places, brooklyn, new york.

chavella’s: this very small spot serving mexican in prospect heights is a favorite in the neighborhood. 732 classon avenue near park place, brooklyn, new york, 718.622.3100.

james: a little fancier, might need a reservation, james (pictured above) is a lovely adult spot with decent american seasonally-based food with what they call old-world european influences. although the atmosphere is really excellent atmosphere it’s not worth a trip or the expense if you’re not in the area 605 carlton avenue at st. marks avenue, brooklyn, new york, 718.942.4255.

cheryls’s global soul: with a food network pedigree that would normally put me off, the eclectic menu focusing on the worldly comfort food seems like it might be good, and i think that despite the variety of opinions it would be interesting to try, and it is super close to the museum. 236 underhill avenue near eastern parkway, brooklyn, new york 347.529.2855.

vanderbilt avenue bars: according to my insider friend, and the new york times, there are a bunch of fun places here for drinks so these might be good to check out post dancing festivities including weather up (589 vanderbilt avenue at dean street, 718.788.1756) and barrette (601 vanderbilt avenue at, 718.230.5170), both in brooklyn, new york.

shop/do:

brooklyn botanic garden: not to point out the obvious, since the gardens are really right next door to the museum, these gardens really are lovely especially this time of year as those cherry trees begin to blossom. for little kids (or even bigger ones), i am an especially big fan of their well-run and designed children’s garden. 1000 washington avenue, brooklyn, new york, 718.623.7200.

prospect park carousel: one of my favorite things to do with kids in brooklyn. this is a fabulous carousel running from spring to late fall with sweet horses and very affordable pricing. located at children’s corner, just outside willinick entrance to the park at the intersection of ocean and flatbush avenues and empire boulevard, brooklyn, new york see here for a better map. 718.282.7789.

vanderbilt avenue strip: starting close to grand army plaza, there are a few cute shops lining this main drag of prospect heights including fabrica with some lovely cheerful household items, pieces with some interesting clothing, red lipstick with a more sophisticated take on knitting and corduroy kid a pretty cute children’s clothing store (there is also a park slope branch). pieces, 671 vanderbilt avenue at park place, 718.857.7211; fabrica, 619 vanderbilt avenue at st. marks avenue, 718.398.3831; corduroy kid, 613 vanderbilt avenue between st. marks avenue and bergen street, 718.622.4145; red lipstick, 560 vanderbilt avenue between dean and bergen streets, 718.857.9534. all in brooklyn, new york.