Open Thread Wednesday 3/14/12

@She’s Craft & @fernolivia — Thanks much! I LOVE Hanco’s, but I admit its a guilty pleasure of ham, pork and pate (good for once in a while). Have never been to Perlanda, will definitely check that out!

@Kara — Awesome tip! Never knew that! How are the pannelles?

@Matthew Parker — Totally agree, I usually do prepare lunches at home, but I am finding myself experiencing some crazy cabin fever. I usually use lunch as an excuse to get out and treat myself (and it helps that working at home gives me more time to hit the gym).

One thing I would love to find is a place that makes great fish tacos … not the fried kind, but healthier, grilled fish tacos, avocado, etc. Used to eat an “ok” version at Baha Express that really hit the spot and wasn’t all that bad for you.

Re: redistricting: I’m pulling this out of almost completely thin air, but on many maps the piers still show (and may legally be in) New York County, not Kings. I wonder if whoever did those maps (there’s another set floating around which the Legislature filed Sunday night but I haven’t seen them)…anyway, if the judge doing the Federal maps just followed the existing county lines.

I wonder what it would take to get the Brooklyn watefront legally moved to Kings County (I can’t point to anything directly but I’ve seen the piers up to Furman listed as New York County on 1950s era maps and on some other maps as recently as 2005).

@Heightsguy: Just after 8PM, a crane being pulled by a tugboat hit the scaffolding on the Brooklyn Bridge. Police and news helicopters were buzzing about for hours afterward.

On a happier note, I love this nabe in the spring! It was so nice to see a lemonade stand on the corner. The kids were so cute.

Thanks EH. Does the vacant restaurant space affect the maintenance at all (like, if it gets rented, would the mtnc. go down?)

The maintenance is probably high at 111 because the initial renovation was done on the cheap. I had some friends who lived there back in the 80’s soon after it was completed; they complained constantly about the shoddy work. One of their main complaints was the poor sound insulation (or lack of), they could hear neighbors talking in the adjacent apartments.

Noise would be an issue for us as my husband does some recording at home. Any other comments especially is it kid friendly and are there a lot of kids there? We also are considering Concord Village…Very helpful so far…thanks everyone.

Anna B,
Whatever you do stay clear of the jeweler on Montague Street.
I took my wedding ring there to be resized and whoever did the work ruined my ring. The back of my ring broke in two and I had to take it to Bartmann jewelers on Broadway in Manhattan.
I was charged $350 at Bartmann for a new shank.
Next time I need any repair work I will go to Satnick as one poster recommended.

@HSG I hear you about the differences. One thing I did like about CV is there are a lot of kids there and a youth soccer league, pizza parties on Thursday nights in the children’s garden etc. If my kid has to grow up in an apt. building I’d like there to be other kids around, that’s why I was asking about the kid aspect of 111. I couldn’t really get a sense of it on our visit.

btw: GHB is correct — that retail space has been vacant for about 5 years. The problem is zoning. The residents don’t want another restaurant in the space because of the noise that the last one generated — and they can’t get a different kind of tenant without getting the space reclassified by the City (which I understand is a bureaucratic nightmare for a landmark building to do).

I’m a big fan of Concord Village, which I think will show tremendous value growth in the next ten years. That said, it does not compare to living right in the Heights, which is one of the best places to live in the City. There are a ton of kids in BH and in 111. Friends wont be a problem. Again, it’s all about the amount you can afford and how long you’ll be there. More space for the money in CV, but less charm, more crowds, less transportation, and way less in ammenities. But if you are looking to make a good investment, CV will win over 111 any day.

@EH, we live in the Heights right now, but our building only has really small 2 bedrooms so people usually leave when their kids are in elementary school (as we are thinking of doing). I’ll look at 75 Henry but I think purchase prices are lower at 111 Hicks, possibly because of the higher maintenance. I did notice a great variation in the maintenance charges at 111 that can’t be attributable only to higher floor/more square footage, so perhaps it’s possible to find an apt. where it’s not so onerous.

MOT: Depending on whether your cousin will need a bathroom, Teresa’s is not your only option. Heights Café is accessible, including the bathroom. Chipotle is also another option. There is accessible seating at Grand Canyon, just inside the door, but one cannot get to the bathroom there. Bon Gusto should also work. Sometimes they have people sitting in front of the ramp, but that should not dissuade you.

If you want to venture a little further, Waterfalls Café on Atlantic is pretty good, but again I think the bathroom is inaccessible. Also, there is Shake Shack and Panera Bread. These last two suggestions are recently opened so they SHOULD be accessible.

This seems like a good project for warmer weather. At the very least, there should be a basic list of accessible restaurants in the area.

@Capulet — Awesome! Didn’t know Superfine had those … really appreciate the info.

@RaisinCat, I like Concord and know a few people who live there. PS8 just expanded to a middle school which will be at Westinghouse which is right across the street from CV, and I work in downtown Brooklyn anyway, so it would be very convenient for us all around. I wonder if you can still have your own washer/dryer in your apt. there? I know you can at 111.

@me, we aren’t looking for a condo, only a coop but thanks.