Hi! I live on Metropolitan Avenue which is a very crowded street. It cuts through Williamsburg and Bushwick. Its funny to wake up and see One World Trade. The L train tricks you into thinking we’re somewhere parallel to the middle of Manhattan but that’s just a lie. I like this part of the neighborhood a lot because if you walk west fifteen or twenty minutes you’re in Bushwick. If you walk north you’re in Greenpoint and if we keep going east you’re in Williamsburg. There are a lot of different options to choose from, without having to commit yourself one way.

OUR ROUTE

Reclamation: It's your neighborhood bar, if you're in the neighborhood. 

The Bagel Store: Instagram's favorite breakfast spot. 

Hairfield Road: Perfect for brunch, but only on weekends. 

Loco Burrito: A bit of California that reminds me of home. 

Arts and Craftsman Supply Brooklyn: Everybody should have their go to arts and crafts store. 

Blue Stove: Try their fig, goat cheese, and rosemary pastry. 

Suzume: One of the few Hawaiian restaurants in Manhattan, with incredible ramen. 

THE NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Behind my block is a row of houses that are part of historic Brooklyn. All the houses are really pretty, at the very end is Cooper Park. I love that my apartment’s deck looks out into that block, and we can be a pretend part of that bourgeoisie (laughs).  

Reclamation is a bar four minutes away from my apartment. It’s a really good bar. Whenever it snows, Reclamation becomes this place community place. Rec will show Warriors games, or Game of Thrones when its on. It’s very much the neighborhood bar. The bartenders are so friendly and they really get to know you. I like to bring board games there and just snuggle. It goes back to living so close by. Rec is perfect for days when I just want to be cozy and go to this bar and pretend that I’ve been social.

THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE RAINBOW BAGEL

My neighborhood isn't super touristy, but there's this bagel place on Metropolitan that has gone viral because they started the rainbow bagel. The Bagel Store really does have good bagels, the downside of the virality because now the bagels have become more expensive. The Bagel Store is now always packed, with tourists and foodies who I suppose want bagels they can Instagram (laughs). My favorite bagel order is their everything bagel with their sundried tomatoes, and scallions spread.

LOOKING FOR BRUNCH, AND CALIFORNIA

Hairfield Road is a really charming Irish pub. They have a brunch that's just delightful. I was bummed today because I tried to go, and but it wasn't the weekend (laughs) so no brunch. They also have the best patio for when its sunny. 

I'm from California, and I think I'm always subconsciously drawn to things that remind me of home. Loco Burrito is the best Mexican food for its price. It's so California, so it feels so much like home. When I told my friends I was doing this interview, everyone was like "you have to go to Loco Burrito!" 

CRAFTS STORES ARE MY HAPPY PLACE

As a hobby I love to craft. I made my own costumes and decorations for my birthday. It as Lord of the Rings themed (laughs). There's this craft store I go to **a lot,** Its like a magic land. It's called It's called Arts and Craftsman Supply Brooklyn. Its so big and they have so much fun stuff. 

ON VARIETY

I'm not really a creature of habit. For me, variety is the spice of life. It's also the name of one of my favorite coffee shops (laughs). I alternate between going to Variety Coffee and Blue Stove. But I always love trying new places for coffee, otherwise I would go crazy. Routines, for me, are born out of laziness. New York City is such a diverse place. I always think that there's something new I can see and I bet I would like it too as long as I tried. 

THE BEST SMALL BATCH BAKERY

On weekends Blue Stove has a rule not allowing computers, because they just want to sit for breakfast. It's worth it because they have the most amazing pies and pastry. Lets get a coffee and the fig and goat cheese pastry. I first had this when I had to get my bike fixed around the corner. I was starving and came here for a bougie pastry but it was so good. This place gets really busy around the holidays because people order pies weeks in advance.

HOW I VET MY FAVORITE SPOTS

I usually use three criteria for vetting new places: price, deliciousness, and ambiance. When I first moved here I read By Way of Brooklyn to discover new places. I still use Brooklyn Vegan to find free concerts and comedy shows. I'm always trying to find new bars in Cobble Hill, I wish there was a more artful way but I usually just do a lot of googling (laughs). 

GENEROUS WIFI NEIGHBORHORS

What I really love that a lot of the places in my neighborhood are chill about using their wifi. I've done a lot of freelancing at Black Star. They also have a really tasty sriracha aioli egg sandwich, but really they're the best about wifi. One time my old office which was around the corner lost internet so we all went to Black Star and were like hiiiii. They were pretty cool about it.  

HAWAIIAN AND RAMEN 

On Lorimer is Suzume, a Hawaiian restaurant that is so vibey. It's got all these wood panels and a huge chandelier that feels so cool to be in. The sushi is incredible, and they have awesome ramen. If you order ramen here add a poached egg. I love ramen, I like the noodles, the pork. I’m here to eat the tasty bits. I think thats my calling. 

Want to do your own #blockshot? DM us on Instagram @theblock.blog