{"id":9189,"date":"2009-12-28T14:12:03","date_gmt":"2009-12-28T18:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=9189"},"modified":"2021-08-24T14:36:51","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T18:36:51","slug":"things-to-do-in-red-hook-brooklyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/9189\/things-to-do-in-red-hook-brooklyn\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Things to Do in Red Hook Amid the Rough-and-Tumble"},"content":{"rendered":"

Between entertaining out-of-towners and amassing a collection of white elephant castoffs, you’ll be needing an eleventh-hour escape. And Brooklyn\u2019s Red Hook<\/strong> neighborhood provides exactly that, a few hours of relief from the crush of New Year’s crowds and demands. Before bundling up for the trip, try to eschew any ill reputes\u00a0regarding this port of call (that it’s stodgy, sketchy, and rampant with abandoned dockyards).<\/p>\n

It’s become our favorite quick getaway for local artisan crafts, inexpensive eats, and an unparalleled view of the Statue of Liberty a mere twenty minutes from Manhattan. Read on for our top things to do in Red Hook<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On weekends, transportation to the historic area is free thanks to IKEA<\/a> water taxis, which ferry across New York Harbor between Wall Street and Red Hook. The outer borough journey then begins with fig-and nutmeg-chocolate cupcakes on Van Brunt Street, Red Hook\u2019s main thoroughfare. Baked<\/a>, a caf\u00e9 brightened by burnt orange furnishings and a woodsy aesthetic that would make any hip lumberjack feel at home, is sure to fuel excursions down cobblestone roads and boutiques.<\/p>\n

The Baked story started with two colleagues who left advertising jobs to pursue the perfect cake. The pair\u2019s painstakingly created desserts captured national attention when the likes of Martha and Oprah took notice and the rest is local lore-in-the-making. Neighbors wander in before noon for muffins, scones, and savory \u201chot pockets\u201d (veggie version also available), while the rest swing by with laptops through the day to make the most of brownies and free wi-fi. When it comes to Baked cakes, we are hopelessly devoted to the Red Hook Red Hot cupcake, a red velvet treat made with Valrhona cocoa topped with cinnamon buttercream. But we\u2019d also recommend the signature Sweet & Salty, which combines decadent dark chocolate cake with caramel chocolate ganache. It\u2019s not an award winner for nothing.<\/p>\n

\"Metal

A few doors down, longtime collaborators Denise Carbonell and Derek Dominy sell their sturdy, whimsical wares at Metal and Thread (closed)<\/em>. Working with local artisans, the shopkeepers encourage creations made from salvaged materials to illustrate the relationship between invention and recycling for environmentally sound art. Denise\u2019s quilts, for example, combine strips of second-hand fabric to form vivid one-of-a-kind tapestries. And Derek, a skilled blacksmith, reuses metal, which results in the likes of iron shelving with, not only handmade appeal, but a past life too.<\/p>\n

For lunch, head down the road to corner caf\u00e9-bar Fort Defiance<\/a> (currently closed due to Sandy damage), which attracts bookish locals from eight in the morning until midnight or 2 a.m. on weekends. The daily-changing menu boasts New American dishes with a penchant for French, Italian, even Asian cuisines. (We\u2019re especially keen on the return of a certain Vietnamese b\u00e1nh m\u00ec.) The muffaletta, the celebrated Sicilian sandwich from New Orleans, sated our craving for cured meats and cheeses dressed in olive salad; it’s sure to lead Louisianans down memory lane.<\/p>\n

Revitalize the troops for the rest of the afternoon with a cup of Counter Culture Coffee<\/a> prepared in Fort Defiance\u2019s custom-made brew rail. Amiable baristas measure out whole beans and freshly ground them for each cup so you know this dose of caffeine is as fresh as it gets. It\u2019s a time-consuming method, sure, but the attention paid to each cup is worth the wait. Besides, the pouring procession is kind of fun to see.<\/p>\n

\"Key

As you retrace your steps to Van Brunt Street, take a detour and follow the signs to Steve\u2019s Authentic Key Lime Pie (currently closed due to Sandy damage) where kitschy seaside knick-knacks inadequately convey the gravity of New York City\u2019s ultimate key lime pie. Don\u2019t let the luau d\u00e9cor fool you\u2014these are serious pies made from fresh squeezed limes the size of golf balls. Get the single-serve tart or go chocolate-dipped with the \u201cSwingle.\u201d It\u2019s fine to share, but you probably won\u2019t want to. (New Year’s hosts please note: Key lime pies make for unexpected but popular alternatives to your standard fruit pie.)<\/p>\n

\"Liberty

As we ambled back to IKEA to catch a Manhattan-bound ferry, we discovered Saipua<\/a>, a florist and soap shop, tucked in what appeared to be the front half of a large garage (we later learned their workshop is located out back). The storefront is easy to miss given its position off the main strip, but for those who find them, Saipua captivates passersby with its small, elegant setup\u2014like a stage for pretty things, complete with fragrant bouquets, drawn curtains, and a friendly dog named Nea.<\/p>\n

How to get there: <\/strong>Hop on a water taxi from Wall Street, Pier 11 by South Street Seaport to the IKEA Terminal in Red Hook ($5 Monday-Friday; free on weekends. Schedule here<\/a>.) Alternatively, take either the B61 or B77 bus to Van Brunt Street.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos: Amy Cao <\/em><\/p>\n

Map of Things To Do In Red Hook<\/strong><\/p>\n