A chocolate river? Every kid's dream. I'm not surprised they quickly ganged around it.
That genuine New York street dialect in the newspaper story ("I know where there's a fine fire...") is a nice touch really missing from contemporary journalism.
I agree, both the Chocolate River and the Haunted house articles are amazing! I was tempted to quote them in their entirety.
"And when they reached the scene, various exclamations of delight punctuated the air. Little fellows fell on their knees before the oncoming flood and dipped it up greedily with grimy fingers"
I thought Wallabout just referred to the bay. I had no idea it was a neighborhood. I thought this area was just the northern part of Clinton Hill.
I walked every block in this neighborhood back in 2020, but I didn't take photos and haven't been back much since. I need to explore again, with my camera this time.
Le Petit Monstre appears to have succeeded Mojito Cuban Cuisine, a restaurant featured in Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares (season 3, episode 4, 2010).
Those are kind of the stories I’m looking for! I remember passing that place and can see how it would qualify for nightmare status based on lack of crowds alone
Loved this, I live on Washington! I was curious if you knew of any history of 163 Washington Ave? It’s a giant high rise and it baffles me that this is the only high rise in the area. I’m always wondering how did they even get that approved??
Thanks Tony! RE: 163, I looked into it and apparently it was a pretty controversial at the time. There was a ton of public oppostion to the project and the only reason it got built is because the developers claimed they poured the foundation just before new zoning laws (that would make the building's existence impossible) were put in place. There are a bunch of articles on Brownstoner about it https://www.brownstoner.com/development/fate-of-163-was/
A couple of small notes a Chocolate Factory resident. First the building is apartments, not condos. A lot of places online say condos, I don’t know why. Second, le petite monstre is open until like 5:00 PM and Laffaholics doesn’t open until about 5:00 PM, so may want to reverse the order on your nice day suggestion.
Also, this was a wonderful history of the highlights of my neighborhood. Just last week I said “Wallabout doesn’t exist” but now I just think it does.
1973- 1974 Brighton College of Art in England but we have stayed in touch all these years Marcy and I stayed with him and his family when we last were in London.
Richard Wentworth was a former professor of mine while I was in collage. I'm still in touch with him these many years later. I too have a copy of Making do and getting by.
Turns out I used to live in Wallabout. I had no idea.
I see it a as a perk of the newsletter that I get to tell people where they live, even if I'm wrong. Thanks for not holding it against me!
I just wish I'd known back then because Wallabout is so much more fun to say than "Fort Greene down by the BQE".
A chocolate river? Every kid's dream. I'm not surprised they quickly ganged around it.
That genuine New York street dialect in the newspaper story ("I know where there's a fine fire...") is a nice touch really missing from contemporary journalism.
I agree, both the Chocolate River and the Haunted house articles are amazing! I was tempted to quote them in their entirety.
"And when they reached the scene, various exclamations of delight punctuated the air. Little fellows fell on their knees before the oncoming flood and dipped it up greedily with grimy fingers"
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bk-chocolate-fl/124041703/
Great pictures.
I thought Wallabout just referred to the bay. I had no idea it was a neighborhood. I thought this area was just the northern part of Clinton Hill.
I walked every block in this neighborhood back in 2020, but I didn't take photos and haven't been back much since. I need to explore again, with my camera this time.
I'm also a fan of Tiger Box.
It's a neat area, and Tiger Box is great!
Le Petit Monstre appears to have succeeded Mojito Cuban Cuisine, a restaurant featured in Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares (season 3, episode 4, 2010).
Those are kind of the stories I’m looking for! I remember passing that place and can see how it would qualify for nightmare status based on lack of crowds alone
I'm happy I found this substack thanks to Cafe Anne ❤️
That makes two of us - Anne is the best!
Loved this, I live on Washington! I was curious if you knew of any history of 163 Washington Ave? It’s a giant high rise and it baffles me that this is the only high rise in the area. I’m always wondering how did they even get that approved??
Thanks Tony! RE: 163, I looked into it and apparently it was a pretty controversial at the time. There was a ton of public oppostion to the project and the only reason it got built is because the developers claimed they poured the foundation just before new zoning laws (that would make the building's existence impossible) were put in place. There are a bunch of articles on Brownstoner about it https://www.brownstoner.com/development/fate-of-163-was/
A couple of small notes a Chocolate Factory resident. First the building is apartments, not condos. A lot of places online say condos, I don’t know why. Second, le petite monstre is open until like 5:00 PM and Laffaholics doesn’t open until about 5:00 PM, so may want to reverse the order on your nice day suggestion.
Also, this was a wonderful history of the highlights of my neighborhood. Just last week I said “Wallabout doesn’t exist” but now I just think it does.
Thanks for the fact checking! Updated for the vegan comedy fans. Glad I convinced you the neighborhood exists!
1973- 1974 Brighton College of Art in England but we have stayed in touch all these years Marcy and I stayed with him and his family when we last were in London.
Richard Wentworth was a former professor of mine while I was in collage. I'm still in touch with him these many years later. I too have a copy of Making do and getting by.
Amazing! Where was that? i love that project and book
... "Park Avenue and Carleton" --> Carlton ...
Yep, my editor already pointed that one out. Spell check is no match for my geographical ignorance.