Let's talk about GOWANUS

tony balls

Subject: Let's talk about GOWANUS

So, a friend of mine is moving to Brooklyn, and found an apartment in the Gowanus area (specifically 3rd ave @ 11th). Anyone have any reccomendations for the area?

Bars?
Restaraunts?
Shops?

apollonia666

I used to live on 10th between 3rd and 4th Avenues. There's a Mexican place that isn't bad on 4th Avenue at 11th or 12th or so, I think. The C-town on 9th nearby is one of the better grocery stores in Brooklyn, IMHO (and they deliver!). The Royal isn't far.

Ask your friend to keep an ear open for the howling man. When I lived there, there was some guy in the area -- never could tell exactly where; it was close enough to hear but only when you didn't have a fan or music or the tv or whatever on -- who would go outside and howl like a dog a few times a day. Occasionally he barked too. Cracked me up every time, although I wouldn't want to live next door to him.

whyfi

Lowes?

stacey

WhyFi wrote: Lowes?

I was thinking the same thing. There is also a Pathmark there which is ok - and a pretty decent liquor store and Dunkin Donuts insde the Pathmark
I drive by this place on President and 3rd - a little bar that reminds me of Freddy's. I like that they keep a chalkboard outside that has the beginning of a joke (A priest and a rabbi walk into a bar . . .) and then it says come in for the answer.
There 2 Toms which looks like a hole in the wall but has pretty good food and an "old school local vibe" on 3rd and Union.
There is a really nice inexpensive Spanish restaurant on the corner of (I think 6th Street or 7th Street) and 3rd Ave.

bripod

On 3rd between 12th and 13th there's Villa Mia pizza, whose owner Joseph is a really friendly guy. There's also a place that serves good breakfast/lunch fare on the corner of 13th (I only wish they were open on Sundays), and another small place that serves cheap but good rice-beans-chicken etc. on the corner of 12th (both of whose names escape me).

On 12th west of 2nd there's the Lowes, the Pathmark (which is often described on these boards as creepy), a liquor store (sort of inside the PM), the 24-hr Dunkin Donuts (the one on 3rd and 14th closes at midnight or 11, I think).

F-Line Bagels under the Smith & 9th street stop on the F/G.

anonymous

Ah, Gowanus. Quite the place to call a home. I like to think of Third Avenue as the forgotten avenue.

Villa Mia on Third between 12th and 13th is cheap and the owners are friendly, but the pizza can be lacking and they never stick things in the oven long enough it seems. Deli One on the corner of 14th is great; $3 breakfasts and a friendly staff. There's two similar places on the corners of 7th and 6th, I believe... The one on 7th makes the best iced coffee I've had in the city yet. There's a bodega on the corner of 12th that encapsulates the neighborhood pretty well.

bklyngirl

You can't spell "gowanus" without "anus", and you can't spell "canal" without "anal"

That about sums it up, especially after of heavy rain.

stacey

bklyngirl wrote: You can't spell "gowanus" without "anus", and you can't spell "canal" without "anal"

That about sums it up, especially after of heavy rain.

That is hysterical!!!
If you can believe it - it used to be worse

tnyc

I have not smelled it recently, but many, many years back it was the most horrid smell. The canal was also a murky, milky mess, and it changed colors, depending on what was most recently dumped into it.
The water was frequently a purplish hue, hence the nickname: Lavender Lake.

santa

I walked around the canal today with some friends from out of town and we saw a duck go under water and never come up. it was hilarious.

I love the northern area around the union and carroll st bridges. Alittle far from the trains I rely on however.