N: NY Brain Terrain

New York Brain Terrain is one of the first blogs I visit and required reading for all New Yorkers interested in literary and cultural events. Maintained and written by Brooklynite Michelle Lin, (full disclosure: she’s also a friend and former co-worker) it includes book reviews, interviews with authors, previews of events, and much more.

Looking for a free reading or the latest gallery opening? Michelle keeps an impressive calendar of fun city events. Today’s calendar entry alone includes a reading, a jazz concert, a lecture, and a film festival. Without Michelle and New York Brain Terrain, I wouldn’t have eaten free Thai food as part of an art installation or listened to Quebecois writers read in French. This is the site to visit if you want to take advantage of New York’s quirky and amazing events to the fullest.

M: Malaysian Food

One evening I was walking around Sunset Park, looking for a restaurant, when I stumbled on Penang. The place was packed, so I figured it had to be good. I’d never had Malaysian food before, but the unusual combinations of flavors and dishes won me over from the first bite. Penang’s extensive, affordable menu includes everything from watermelon and rambutan drinks to stingray wrapped with lotus leaves. It’s an experience I highly recommend.

Though I spent some time in Indonesia, where the cuisine is somewhat similar, I was still pretty unfamiliar with many of the dishes on Penang’s menu. You’ll see influences from Chinese and Indian food (like roti, a crispy pancake found in India), but other entrees are uniquely Malaysian. When I was there, my neighbor’s sizzling platter of food looked amazing, and she was happy to tell me what the dish was called. Getting advice from a waiter is also a good idea. In fact, the menu forces you to–in place of descriptions, under some of the dishes it simply reads “Please ask your server for advice before you order!!!” The 3 exclamation points scared me a little too, but my stomach was not disappointed.

L: L

New York City residents are probably all familiar with The L Magazine, a free guide available in news-boxes all over the 5 boroughs. Visitors to the city should take advantage of the magazine’s availability and snag a copy on arrival. Perfect subway reading, it includes bar and restaurant reviews, a through events calendar, and a couple of mildly entertaining columns. Every issue also poses a question to city bartenders and cab drivers (perhaps those most in tune with the city’s pulse?), probing with “What do you think of the Mayor’s decision to do X?” for example, and then highlighting some of the most intelligent and/or unique answers.

Yes, The L does have a Brooklyn connection–it is named for the L train, which connects the Northern part of Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Bushwick, Canarsie) to Manhattan. Williamsburg’s artsy/hipster vibe is mirrored in the pages of The L, whose writers’ tastes tend towards indie movies and bands featuring (ironic) harmonicas.

The L Magazine is published twice each month. Keep an eye out for “theme” issues like “music,” “movies, or “neighborhoods.”

PS The L is certainly not on track to win any Pulitzers, but I have a soft spot for free print media and love that New York City has so much of it. When there’s so much going on, it’s great to have a tiny, free magazine to keep track of it all for you!

K: Kum Kau

Got a hankering for Chinese food but aren’t near Sunset Park? Try Clinton Hill’s Kum Kau for some excellent, inexpensive cuisine. Chinese restaurants dot the Brooklyn landscape, but this place is something special. The huge menu contains over 200 dishes, and the food is fresh, flavorful, and not greasy. Portions are large and perfect for sharing. My favorites include the soups, the seafood dishes, and the chicken with snowpeas (though that last one might be mostly because of my intense snowpea love).

Many online reviews call this one of the best Chinese restaurants in New York. While I haven’t sampled enough places to go that far, it’s true that the take out line is always long and customers keep coming back. One Menupages reviewer notes that he regularly makes the trip out from New Jersey just for this restaurant!

Kum Kau doesn’t deliver (they’re so popular they don’t have to), but there are separate take out and sit down sections. I’ve always sat at a table, and I’ve never had a wait. The lunch specials are very recommended–many are in the $4-$5 range.

Kum Kau is located at 465 Mrytle, between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. It’s open seven days a week and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, nice in a neighborhood where many places close their doors much earlier.

Beer for Bags

Alright, this deserves a quick interruption of the Brooklyn alphabet–this weekend New Yorkers can trade cases of beer for bags. Crumpler bags (which makes sturdy messenger and computer carry-alls) is taking beer barters instead of money. The phenomenon is fully explained on their website and in this New York Times article. Basically, they set the price, (2 cases of x beer for y bag, for exampe) and you do the rest. Apparently, buying with beer saves around 40-50%. Plus, by purchasing a bag, you get invited to the after party where the beer is imbibed. If you’re in the market for a new laptop holder or camera case, I say check it out.

J: Jamaican Patties and Joyce Bakeshop

After hanging out in Prospect Park or visiting the Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum, hop on over to Prospect Heights for some cheap and tasty treats.

Patty’s Jamaican Patties, located at 387 Flatbush, is a perennial Brooklyn favorite. The beef patties are the house specialty, but also check out jerk chicken and the bakery case. This place is truly cheap ($2 for a patty), and it’s even been selected as a New York Time’s “top pick.”

If you still have room for dessert, head up to Vanderbilt Avenue. Joyce Bakeshop is one of the many new businesses that has opened here in the last year or so. You’ll find fair trade coffee, tea, juices and fresh baked goods (everything from chive and cheddar biscuits to Russian tea cookies). I had a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and a large fresh limeaid, and it set me back less than $5. The cupcake was moist and delicious, if a bit on the small side. The limeaid was perfect and exactly what I wanted on a hot day. Joyce’s atmosphere is nice, too–it’s much less crowded and noisy than the Tea Lounge in nearby Park Slope. I sat at a wooden table and read the paper. It would make a nice place to study. Unfortunately the place closes at 6pm, but I’ve heard the baked goods are sold for $1 during the last hour! Joyce Bakeshop is located at 646 Vanderbilt, between Park Place and Prospect Place.