Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Even though I've been in Brooklyn for about nine years, I didn't have a taste of the iconic Brooklyn-invented egg cream until just recently. To be honest, I was holding out--I've been in a few places outside of Brooklyn that served them (or some sort of tourist-y version of them), but I wanted to have an authentic experience in the big borough itself.

That experience finally came my way in the form of a trip with my girl Kristin (plus her sister and another girlfriend) to the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain in Carroll Gardens. Together, we ordered a few flavors, ranging from vanilla to maple, and even got a traditional side of pretzel rods (a random combo, but still quite charming).

So was it worth the wait? Well, hate to say it, but no. While the Brooklyn Farmacy itself is a true delight--adorable and retro with a staff of great folks running the joint--egg creams and I are admittedly never going to be BFFs. Its ingredients--milk, seltzer, and (chocolate U-Bet) syrup--should have been my first clue. (I am never a fan of anything that contains seltzer.) I was probably expecting more of a milkshake situation, and let's don't lie: in an ice-cream-and-milk vs. seltzer-and-milk conconction contest, ice cream is going to win out every time. Anything with seltzer in my book doesn't stand a chance.

The good news? Brooklyn Farmacy serves up a seemingly endless menu of other desserts (including milkshakes) that will definitely keep me coming back. Check out their menu here. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, 513 Henry Street (on the corner of Sackett Street), Brooklyn

This is what happens when a food truck grows up.

Big cartoon hearts fill my eyes every time I pass the Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream shop that has opened up near me on Bergen Street. I dig a story of a small idea--delicious artisan ice cream served from a truck--that gets a little bigger and a little more popular, resulting in the delicious artisan ice cream now being served in a couple bricks-and-mortar stores and in pints at a few local grocers.

The way Van Leeuwen has grown still feels true to its beginnings and what it stands for--just now, we don't have to race down a truck to grab some tastiness. Unless we want to.

Portraits of Brooklyn Neat-Freaks

They probably wouldn't like me saying this, but I am calling out Jaw, Chew, Trice, SB, Walt, Ouch (Ouch?), Bwanky, and team for being adorably OCD on this fancy garage door in Williamsburg.

Aw, ya'll. This is borderline cute.

Dear House Owner,

Recently found this suspicious note on a doorstop in Williamsburg.

I believe, when opened by the owner--if at all--that it is a letter advocating the need for home insurance or a locksmith, asking for donations to a nearby thrift shop, or reminding the home owner about the necessity of the Lord Jesus Christ in his/her home/life/checkbook.

But those are just guesses. I personally would hope that it was actually a letter from a secret admirer who likes to address envelopes in could-be-cool blue stamp letters. Or a letter from a similarly artsy neighbor just asking (nicely) that the home owner to turn down his booming radio, but aslo asking him to get out his loud aggressions by being the guest DJ their rooftop party next Saturday (you know, so it's a win-win).

Any guesses as to what's inside?