Desiree Frieson, Prospect Park South, Walks Into a Bar and Flower Shop...
Hey there, I’m Desiree. We’re in Prospect Park South, this a great little known area right below Prospect Park that’s a bunch of neighborhoods in one: Ditmas Park, Kensington, and Flatbush.
We’re walking by some of the best Dominican hair salons in the world. You can have a great conversation with people here, they understand you. You go in there and they know exactly what you want. This neighborhood is pretty residential. There are affordable apartments right across the street from million dollar mansions. Michelle Williams lives here. But still a lot of businesses are having trouble getting set up and staying open. That’s why I think its so important to support local businesses. We’re always moving. We’re moving way too fast sometimes and its easy to get into the same cycle of things. Its important to stop and check out the new places.
OUR ROUTE
Order the steak, it’s the best secret in Brooklyn and where you’ll find me on a Sunday night. Don Patron is a family-owned business that’s been in this neighborhood for a very, very long time. They can’t always afford to stay open, but when they do we are very, very happy.
All the pastries are amazing. I take the B or Q train in the morning, so this shop isn’t on my commute but I wish it was. I order my coffee black, it’s the best way to drink it.
You have to wait for a table sometimes but its worth it. I usually get whatever is their special for the day, and an order of their Thai soup dumplings. They have a really great curry duck. This was the first Thai restaurant in the neighborhood, and has become such a staple.
Get their jerk chicken platter, their curried shrimp, everything is just so good. There are so few West Indian restaurants in the city, that when one opens you have to go. If you’re ever in Prospect Park you must stop by here.
Along with pizza, they have a great selection of brandy, rum, and whiskey. I come here when I bring my out of town friends. All their pizzas are named after neighborhoods, but my favorite is the Gravesend. It’s a white pizza with mozzarella, Pecorino-Romano, basil, olive oil, and I’ll add anchovies to it so its sweet and salty.
It has been here forever. They have the best breakfast, just get some eggs and bacon and toast. Its tiny, it looks like a place you wouldn’t want to go, but this is absolutely the place you want to go, they have a tiny counter where you can sit and eat. I would buy metro cards here, its one of the few places you can buy a metro card outside of the subway, and buy some lottery tickets.
They have the best brunch, and a great German bar. When its nice out they open all their windows along the back wall. Order their green eggs and ham. This place is decorated SO WELL. They have a backroom with a bottle chandelier, and its so open and light and airy. But just so you know its Amex and cash only.
They make the best gin and tonic. The food is alright, but come here for the drinks.
They don’t allow laptops on weekends, which I like. They have an outdoor spot and their kitchen is behind this glass wall so you can see inside. They serve pastries and cold brew and the coffee is cheap, its only 2.50.
Come here to learn the art of mezcal, all the cocktails are amazing.
They have a great breakfast and they deliver. Their omelettes are pretty good, and I love their pancakes.
This is a Vietnamese cuisine spot, I’ve never had a bad experience here. The fish is pretty good, there’s a killer leche flan, and the mussels are great. This is one of those spots that’s always written up in magazine articles.
This restaurant is chef- driven so they change their menu all the time. I would say come here for the experience, not only because you’re about to have the best food of your life.
Solid Mexican, good for ordering online.
This is just a place that makes you want to come back. There’s a flower shop out front and a bar in the back. It has a great backyard, a great soundtrack, its peaceful and chill. And there’s trivia on Tuesdays They have a great selection of whiskey, bourbon, and rum. And its so aromatic. Get a beer and a bouquet.
Their brunch pizza is so good. They have this crazy cool made from a bunch of hookas. And there’s some nice art, so it’s a great space to eat.
The perfect dive bar. They have the cheapest drinks and are always hosting some fun event.