See Red Hook in One Day
Published 01/02/2018
During the American Revolution, the Continental Army named its Red Hook stronghold “Fort Defiance.” These days, the only Fort Defiance there is a beloved neighborhood café-bar, but a spirit of resilience and industriousness continues to define the area. The waterfront Brooklyn neighborhood has become a haven for artists and DIY-ers, and its streets have a warm community feel, with stores advertising other stores in their windows and folks nodding hello on the sidewalks. Here’s what to do and where to eat and drink when spending a day in the neighborhood.
1
Baked
1
359 Van Brunt St
Brewing Stumptown coffee and offering a roster of goodies made onsite, Baked is an excellent morning destination. Kick off your day with a savory biscuit, thick wedge of coffee cake or sweet-and-salty brownie. Other must-try confections include whoopie pies, biscotti and lemon-lime bars. Baked offers salads and savories as well—consider their homemade ham-and-cheese hot pocket—but the treats really can’t be beat.
2
Kempton & Co.
2
392 Van Brunt Street
Founded in Brooklyn in 2010, Kempton & Co. features tech-gear-friendly bags handmade from leather and other materials. The owner and designer, Fiona Kempton, takes inspiration from her childhood in southwest England, where she would ride horses and play on the water. Still, metallic accents give the bags—ranging from purses to backpacks to weekenders—a modern feel.
3
Pioneer Works
3
159 Pioneer St.
This nonprofit arts center is dedicated to offering free and low-cost programming, hosting exhibitions (such as photos by Nan Goldin), concerts and workshops; welcoming experts to give talks and classes; and generally fostering a spirit of creativity across disciplines within the community. Pioneer Works also runs a nearby affiliated bookstore called Pioneer Books, which shares its interdisciplinary, experimental sensibility.
4
Red Hook Lobster Pound
4
284 Van Brunt St.
This bright, friendly, maritime-themed space sells lobster rolls, clam chowder, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters and other New England–style fare. Lobsters come straight from Maine, where they are caught and selected in an environmentally sustainable way. Badly damaged during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy (as was the rest of Red Hook), the restaurant sports a line on the facade that shows exactly how high the water came.
5
Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies
5
185 Van Dyke St.
True to its name, Steve’s specializes in key lime pies, a tangy taste explosion that owner Steve Tarpin grew up eating in South Florida. Today his version is beloved all over the country. He also makes a mean “swingle,” a mini key lime pie dipped in chocolate and served on a stick. In warmer weather, get one to-go and enjoy it while strolling the waterfront.
6
Waterfront Museum
6
290 Conover St
Learn more about the maritime history of the neighborhood at this museum, housed in a permanently docked 1914 barge (itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places). In addition to touring and exploring the boat, you’ll be treated to excellent views of the Statue of Liberty, particularly at sunset.
7
Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition
7
481 Van Brunt St.
Artists continue flocking to Red Hook, lured by its big industrial spaces and relatively cheap rents. As Brooklyn’s largest artist-run coalition, the nonprofit BWAC has some 400 members. Along with putting on exhibitions and events in its main gallery, the organization often makes its studios and gallery spaces open to the public, enabling visitors to see (and shop) a range of media and makers in one place.
8
Hometown Bar-B-Que
8
454 Van Brunt St.
Our best advice about visiting Hometown Bar-B-Que? Get there early. This first-come, first-served restaurant specializes in barbecue, cooked low and slow. You can order spare ribs, lamb belly, pastrami bacon and brisket by the half pound, or opt for sandwiches, tacos and sides. When the good stuff’s gone, the staff goes home for the day.
9
Grindhaus
9
275 Van Brunt Street
The ever-changing menu at Grindhaus has one constant: its dishes rely on locally sourced food. A single chef prepares everything in a tiny kitchen, in full view of the slightly larger dining room. He might pair a pork chop with garlic confit, slow-braised duck with queso blanco, or ragout made with lamb neck and leek hay. Reservations are recommended for parties of four or more.