1
Msgr. McGolrick Park
1
Russell St.
This glorious, nine-plus acre neighborhood park will transport you to another place—or another era, even—thanks to sprawling lawns, grand arches, and two monuments that were restored in 1985: a World War I memorial and a sculpture dedicated to the battle of the ironclad ships Monitor and Merrimack during the Civil War. For kids, there’s a great playground too, housing a big whale at the center for them to slide down.
2
Greenpoint Fish & Lobster
2
114 Nassau Ave.
Part raw bar, part fish market, this neighborhood shop is dedicated to bringing high-quality seafood to customers who thrive on eco-friendly and sustainably-sourced ingredients. Expect the usual lobster place fare, including chowders, seasonal oysters, baja fish tacos, and lobster rolls served in a quaint, Maine-like setting.
3
Line & Label
3
580 Manhattan Ave.
Independent designers are the primary focus of Line & Label, which was started in June 2013 by Kate O’Riley, who had been working with high-end designers for 13 years before she broke off and started her own shop. O’Riley’s two main fashion icons are Kate Moss and Elizabeth Taylor, and as a result, everything featured in the shop has an air of cool—from the fringe handbags to the classic sunnies.
4
Diamond Lil
4
179 Nassau Ave.
This Greenpoint bar channels the confidence and style of its eponym, a 1920s femme fatale played by Mae West. Art nouveau inspiration permeates the bar, from the plush velvet booths down to the mosaic-tiled floor. The vibe here, though, is not as pinky raising as it may appear. The painting behind the pink onyx bar depicting a woman reading in a field more accurately reflects the laid-back atmosphere: she won’t mind if you stop in for draft rosé ($5 at happy hour), an elegant cocktail or a beer-and-a-shot.
5
Le Fond
5
105 Norman Avenue
The name of this Brooklyn bistro translates to “stock” in French, and these savory stocks are at the core of their contintental menu. The kitchen, led by chef Jake Eberle who has previously worked in Michelin-starred eateries, creates customer favorites like fried chicken with creamy polenta and roasted chicken au jus, Nutella French toast with chocolate hazelnut custard and a delectable burger. Located in Greenpoint, dinner and brunch are served in the restaurant’s bright dining room with blue walls and lighted metal sconces.
6
Drama Club
6
211 Nassau Avenue
The Brooklyn-based Drama Club dubs itself a “modern general store,” a decidedly old-fashioned concept nowadays when many people buy everything on Amazon. Drama Club stocks a carefully curated collection of sleek, stylish clothes for men and women (A.P.C., Levi’s, Woolrich), housewares (Tivoli, Braun, Malin + Goetz) and even play scripts (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Buried Child, A View from the Bridge) for those who need some drama in their lives. Painted-tin ceilings set above this shop’s otherwise sleek interior makes for a perfect mashup of the past and present.