Greenpoint
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It’s BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK: The Franklin Street Tower Of Fun Returns
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Like many of the people reading this I went out the evening of St. Patrick’s Day. I wanted to catch up over drinks with a good friend of mine. To this end we wanted a place that was nice and quiet to chat. Initially we went to t.b.d.— and although we had a good time— the din of merry making was not conducive to having a quality “one on one”. To this end we decided to see what was shaking at The River Barrel.
As we had hoped it had plenty of seating available and nice, quiet surroundings. Save of course the sonic hum of the giant NYPD issue spotlight gracing the front of their property. I struck up a conversation with the bartender (who is a very nice and very funny woman) to get her thoughts. She explained to me that the reason her establishment was almost empty had a lot to do with this rather noticeable fixture.
It scares away the customers.
She said. She then proceeded to tell me about a most amusing incident she witnessed the last time the “Tower of Fun” graced the frontage of her place of employment. It was in the wee hours of the morning when she noticed one of the local winos (of whom my fair burgh has quite a number of) pass by. Upon noticing this light fixture he paused for a moment. After assessing the situation he proceeded to kick it repeatedly. Not satisfied with this act of defiance he decided to cap things off by urinating on it.
Granted, the previous slice of Greenpoint is humorous— but the underlying issue with the “Tower of Fun” not. How can the Production Lounge be policed and public safety concerns be addressed without impacting adjacent eating and drinking establishments? There is no easy answer to this question— but I hope we find one soon. It doesn’t strike me as being very fair that a business which is not a nuisance to community* should bear the brunt of its neighbor’s lack of regard for its neighbors and the community as a whole.
That’s my two cents. Take ’em or leave ’em as you see fit.
Miss Heather
*As far as I know. If anyone disagrees with my assessment please speak up via comments.
The River Barrel Update
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
On January 7, 2009 I wrote:
…I have given these people quite a drubbing over their misspelled signage. Well, I am pleased to announce they have since fixed it and have learned from their bartendress (a very nice lady) that tonight they’ll be rolling out their dinner menu.* You can get a sneak peek of their offerings (including “Magic Split Pea Soup”**) by clicking here. Otherwise, you can see their brunch menu by clicking here. I have also been told they will be serving lunch on weekdays!…
Miss Heather
*Which will be rotated seasonally.
**Not be be confused with magic mushroom soup. I will never forget when I was in a defensive driving class EONS ago and I overheard a woman talk about going to Jamaica. She and her husband decided to try a bowl of “magic mushroom soup”. They were incapacitated in their hotel room for 2 days.
Well I had dinner there Saturday night and it was pretty good. The service was a bit slow as was the kitchen. The portions were odd as well, but that comes with a new restaurant. My chickpea burger and pita bread appetizer was delicious! I say give these folks a couple weeks to iron out the kinks and give them a try. Avoid ordering the Malbec unless you don’t mind paying $10.00 per glass.
The River Barrel
160 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Miss “Please ask for permission before posting my stuff” Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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