I recently took a fun trip to the great state of NY to help a friend and her future daughter-in-law search for an apartment in Brooklyn…quiet an adventure for a Dallas girl like me!  I fell in love with a couple of neighborhoods there and wanted to share a few shops and restaurants that I recommend!

My friend ended up choosing an apartment in the Park Slope/Prospect Heights area, directly across the street from Prospect Park.

I found Park Slope to have a vibrant neighborhood feel.  Such an amazing mix of colorful people from all over the world, blended together to make a delicious dish of all things good that fill you up and put a smile on your face!

The Clay Pot started out in 1969 as a ceramics studio and has evolved into an amazing shop filled with ceramics and jewelry from over 75 different artists from around the country. You can also count on them for fine jewelry needs, as they have two GIA certified diamond consultants on staff.  And speaking of their staff…they’re amazing!  They give incredible personal service!

I wish I could have purchased something from each artist represented there, but I had to settle on a few pieces from two of my favorites.  I love antique bakelite jewelry, so I chose a couple of treats from Hotcakes, a San Francisco based artist who creates jewelry with a modern bakelite feel.  Here’s the chunky lion ring I purchased along with a few other Hotcakes goodies that tempted me!

I also chose a brooch from another vintage inspired line, Joli Jewelry. Local Park Slope resident, Jody Lyons, designs all of her pieces from unusual compenents which means all are limited runs.  I love the vibrant colors!

Find all of the Clay Pot’s artists here.  They offer free UPS shipping on all orders over $100!

Tarzian West was another favorite.  I could have spent hours here, as there were all kind of goodies for the home piled to the ceiling…literally!  They use library ladders to access the higher shelves.  The great news is that this 33 year old business now sells on-line, so we don’t have to travel to Brooklyn to get our hands on the mounds of cookware and gadgets that we never knew existed!

I think I may have had one of the best burgers ever at Dutch Boy Burger on Franklin and an amazing Pastrami sandwich at Cafe Steinhof on 7th.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you can’t go wrong at many places to eat around the area.  All authentic…all delicious!  And if you need any recommendations, just ask the locals.  They’re lovely!

The hipster neighborhood of Williamsburg is a place I can’t wait to visit again!  This area is up and coming and full of all things I adore!

There’s an incredible design store on 3rd called TASK.  I love their mix of contemporary design objcts with unique global-chic clothing tucked on a side street in an industrial raw space. Do not miss them on your next visit to Brooklyn!  Here’s a bit of the flavour you’ll find there!  Follow them here on their blog!

via Task blog

via Task blog

via Task blog

via Task blog

I think my favorite moments of the trip were spent at the Italian restaurant, Aurora, on Grand St.  Loved the food…loved the company…loved the ambiance…loved the gorgeous eyes of the waiter …can’t  wait to go back!

Brooklyn, I heart you and can’t wait until we can see each other again!

Tags: Brooklyn, favorites

This entry was posted on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 9:37 am and is filed under decor, design, fashion, food, handmade, local, Products, travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.