Hidden Brooklyn Gems - Part I

Description:

This small but beautiful botanic garden features a Japanese hill and pond garden, as well as the Cranford Rose Garden, herb garden, the Children's Garden and the Steinhard Conservatory of indoor flowers and plants. In all, there are 52 acres and 12,000 varieties of botanicals, ranging from the tiny bonsai to the towering oak. Self-guided tours, individual classes and certificate programs are all available. Students come with your valid id cards, if you want to avail of a concession.

Our Local Expert Says:

The collection of Egyptian art is one of the best of its kind in the world, while the American section contains pieces from masters like Thomas Eakins, John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Description:

In a city bursting with culture, the Brooklyn Museum, opened in 1897, is one of the highlights. Located just past beautiful Prospect Park, and adjacent to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the museum is housed in a majestic building designed by the architect Stanford White. In addition to various special exhibitions--a particularly notorious one, featuring works from the collection of Charles Saatchi, was criticized by then-mayor Rudolph Giuliani and led to a court battle over public funding for controversial art--the museum's permanent collection contains a wide range of Pacific, African and New World art, Asian art, Egyptian and ancient Middle Eastern art, decorative art, European, American and contemporary painting and sculpture.

Our Local Expert Says:

Give your name to the hostess and take a seat at the restaurant's wine bar around the corner to wait…or just eat there, as they serve the full menu.

Description:

A vibrant ambience, colorful interior, and spacious feel are what this trattoria is all about. Al di Là serves up authentic North Italian cooking in an atmosphere that molds itself to your needs-if you're with a date, it can pass off as very romantic, and if you're with the family, as cheery and warm. The menu boasts of such dishes as creamy salt cod, braised rabbit, and tagliatelli with meat sauce, and the Italian wine list provides select accompaniments. Prices are reasonable, but no reservations are accepted, so make sure you come early-it can take up to two hours to get a table on weekends!

Description:

This is a laid back neighborhood bar with a great outdoor space for the summertime. It boasts seasonal microbrews, a great jukebox, and a chalk wall to doodle. It's also dog-friendly!

Description:

If you are looking out for a picnic spot where you can throw a frisbee around with your friends, then head out to this sprawling green spot. Since it is nestled in the old industrial area, one can't help but notice the two huge warehouses nearby. The Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park offers a great view of the bridge and lower Manhattan on a clear day.

Description:

This Carroll Gardens/Red Hook Mexican restaurant is known for its rooftop terrace dining, with an unparalleled view of the Manhattan skyline that is worth the trek from Manhattan all by itself. The food is also good, ranging from simpler dishes like ceviche and corn tamales to innovative entrees such as pork-stuffed ancho rellenos with raisins and green olives. The menu offers a variety of seafood options, including red snapper that is pan roasted and served with spinach in a champagne, orange and chipotle chile sauce. Make sure to try one of Alma's margaritas, which feature house-made tequilas infused with such flavors as vanilla or habanero.

Description:

A constantly changing menu showcases organic and local ingredients in a cozy and warm dining space. Housed on the ground floor of a turn-of-the-century storefront, Applewood projects a relaxed, neighborhood feel with its dark wood bar, working fireplace, and comfortable seating, both indoors and out. It's perfect for both a casual neighborhood meal as well as a special event.

Description:

The same architects who designed Central Park in Manhattan, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, were responsible for creating this beautiful Brooklyn park. Unlike its more famous cousin in Manhattan, Prospect Park is not surrounded by skyscrapers. Many Olmsted fans dub this 526-acre park his crowning achievement. It features horseback riding, ice skating, tennis, paddle boats and a carousel, as well as the Prospect Park Wildlife Center. There is a band shell for concerts, and Prospect Lake is full of ducks, geese and swans.