Beer Chocolates: Trick or Treat?

Artsy guy here.  This is not a trick. I am serious. Beer-infused chocolate! But I'll get to that soon...

Storefront: Nunu Chocolates.I was headed to the Ft. Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn to see a show. (The Nightmare Story by The Pigpen Theatre Co. at Irondale Theatre. Go! You won't be sorry!  It closes October 28.) And I remembered hearing of a place during Craft Beer Week NYC: Nunu Chocolates. (They were also pouring some really great suds at the Atlantic Antic street fair a couple weeks back. Intriguing!)

So!  You might remember a brief encounter during NY Belgian Fest where we learned about pairing beers with chocolate.  Nunu takes this to a whole new level and infuses chocolate ganache filling with the essence of a rotating selection of amazing craft beers.  On this visit, the selection used in the chocolates included Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA, Ommegang Witte, Post Road Pumpkin, Sixpoint Rye, and a couple fab selections from Pretty Things.  As I tucked into my treats with a mug of Founders Porter, I bit into some cacao.  The chocolate was definitely in the forefront, but there were hints of each brew in their respective bon bon.  The piney tang from the Union Jack.  The smoky rye from the Sixpoint.  A hint of pumpkin spice from the Post Road.  Such a treat!  And while you sip on a great craft beer or a glass of wine or a hot coffee OR an old fashioned egg cream, you can watch the staff make the goodies.  You'll pay what you would expect to pay for quality artisinal chocolates, but it's well worth it!  Drop some of these babies in the plastic jack-o-lantern or pillowcase of your favorite craft beer lovin' (of age) trick-or-treater.

Menu. Craft rotation. Artsy and his chocolate.And while Nunu is a great stop in itself, the area is rich in crafty goodness.  Within easy walking distance is Pacific Standard (featured by the Happy Hour Guys here) and Bierkraft (a store with more).  Both amazing craft beer haunts.

And THAT'S what's HOPpenin', y'all!  Cheers!

Artsy's Backyard: In the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge...

The Brooklyn Bridge.Howdy y'all!  Artsy guy here, reelin' from a great day of wandering around the great city of NYC.  I crossed a wee wish off the list today and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.  The sky was full of chunky white and grey clouds, but the sun was a-peekin' through, giving quite a show.  As I ambled from the Brooklyn side (DUMBO) to Manhattan (Lower East Side), I was entranced by this iconic piece of architecture as well as that offered from the south end of Manhattan (including One World Trade Center as it climbs ever upward).  A highly recommended jaunt!

And as I found my footing on the bedrock of Manhattan, I figured such a trek should be accompanied by refreshments at one of the island's oldest drinking and dining establishments, the Bridge Café.  At the intersection of Dover St. (which runs along the southern base of the bridge) and Water St., you'll find an old storefront that poured its first wine and beer in 1794 when the East River licked at the back of the foundation and the bridge hadn't yet been built (and wouldn't be for 90 years).  The years since have found it in different hands and offering varied services (an 1855 census lists six prostitutes as residents), but the rough and tumble history of this neighborhood has long been accompanied by the liquid encouragement of the shopkeepers at 279 Water Street.  Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton argued sides of an insurance claim battle embroiled here.  The book The Gangs of New York describes a despicable dive called "The Hole in the Wall" at this location.  And in later years, as the place was polished, Mayor Ed Koch called this his favorite restaurant and held court here twice a week.  So much history in these clapboard walls!

The Bridge Café in the shadow of the Brookly Bridge, and the bar.Tuck in, y'all!On this visit, I found a charming restaurant with a talented chef and an incredibly well-stocked bar.  Whisky lovers will find quite a selection... scotches, ryes, bourbons, etc.  Craft beer lovers won't be disappointed (Hear hear!) with taps offering Kelso, Sixpoint, Lagunitas, Smuttynose, etc. and quite a bottle list.  The chef didn't disappoint even this transient lunch-seeker.  I absolutely loved my southwestern avocado soup with fire roasted corn and hominy... and a marinated mozzarella and cherry tomato salad on a bed of sliced beefsteak tomatoes, with croutons, basil, and amazing balsamic reduction.  I need more.  And there's plenty more to be had on the menu.  I'll be back tomorrow.

Get thee to the Bridge Café, y'all!  It's a perfectly charming fine dining establishment rising from the foundation of a whole lotta history.  Good stuff!  That's what's HOPpenin', y'all!