Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Art The People in Your Neighborhood: Typographer Jessica Hische
Posted by Greg Farr on Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Neighborhood:
Reside in Bushwick (actual Bushwick not "East Williamsburg"), work in Greenpoint, live everywhere in between.
Best place to people-watch?
Williamsburg/Greenpoint: McCarren Park on a warm day; Bushwick: Roberta's
Best place to drink?
Fancy: Hotel Delmano in Williamsburg or The Narrows in Bushwick; Less-Fancy: Pencil Factory Bar, Larry Lawrence, Spuytin Duyvil; Non-fancy: Daddy's, Pete's Candy Store, The Levee
Best restaurant?
Marlow & Sons, Dumont, Northeast Kingdom, Pies 'n Thighs, Five Leaves, Roberta's
Best bookstore or record store?
Bookstore: Word in Greenpoint; Record Store: Soundfix
Best grocery store/farmer's market?
The Farmer's Market in McCarren (doesn't beat Union Square but it's definitely good), though honestly I don't grocery shop all that much.
Best laundromat?
I'm one of those few lucky bastards that have a washer dryer in their building. When I used to live in Williamsburg though I was definitely a frequenter of the big 24-hour one on Metropolitan. All laundromats
should be open 24/7.
Best outdoor spot?
The walk between Bedford Ave and my studio in Greenpoint.
Best place to attend a show/view art/see a movie?
I actually don't go to all that many music shows but of the neighborhood venues I think I like Brooklyn Bowl the best, if not only for the friend chicken. I miss McCarren Park Pool for concerts and movies, but the outdoor movies are still great in the summer near the tennis courts [Oh you mean these? -Ed.]. As far as Art Galleries, I've been to a bunch of openings at Cinders Gallery and they're always a good time.
Hard to vote for just one...I love El Beit on Bedford Ave (super strong americanos and super buttery croissants) and Cookie Road in Greenpoint. At Cookie Road you can't really hang out (they have minimal outdoor seating and only a couple of seats inside) but their coffee is awesome and their sweets and sandwiches are amazing! When I need a good place to sit/read/sketch though I usually head to Roebling Tea Room, but they're more of a restaurant than coffee shop. In my neighborhood, it used to be The Archive but they closed in September, so now it's probably Café Orwell, which is definitely good to work/hang out in as well. But I also love Wyckoff Starr!
Best subway line?
The L when it is working properly (I never have to take it during rush hour), though I'm pretty thrilled with the M train since they rerouted it through Manhattan (I live equidistant to the L and M trains)
Best date spot?
Probably Dumont. Order the hanger steak and DuMac & cheese and split it.
Best person whose name you don't know?
The manager of Chimu Express who is super friendly and always gives me extra corn nuts.
According to neighborhood folklore, are there any celebrities living in the area?
Not that I know of in Bushwick, but I used to see Zach Galifianakis all the time in Greenpoint/Williamsburg. He's pretty much my only NYC celebrity spotting.
Which are there more of: dogs, bodega cats, strollers, American Apparel ads, or old men on stoops?
In Bushwick, definitely old men/teens on stoops. Bushwickers definitely know how to take advantage of their outdoor space and socialize in the neighborhood.
What's missing from your neighborhood?
A really good sandwich place a bit closer to my apartment and boutiquey shops. We're getting more and more restaurants and bars out in Bushwick but there aren't a ton of cool clothing/furniture stores around.
What's been the biggest change since you've moved in?
Roberta's becoming so crazy popular you have to wait an hour for a table! A ton of folks have moved out to Bushwick in the last two years. People's perceptions on the neighborhood have really changed, I don't really hear comments anymore about how "far away" it is.
It's a Saturday night in October/November. You don't feel like traveling very far but are antsy for a night out. Where do you go?
Roberta's or Northeast Kingdom for dinner, then maybe The Narrows or Tandem for drinks. Or Life Cafe and The Wreck Room if I feel like a less fancy night.
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