2-weeks in Park Slope

Silliness is key to persevering through some new condo headaches...

Tomorrow is the 2-week mark of our new Park Slope living.  We love our neighborhood, and we truly feel this move has been a good, timely transition for us.

There are the headaches of property ownership, of course -- construction of a new condo building like ours is often rushed to the finish line, which leaves the new owners to deal with the chips here, scuffs here, missing handles, etc.  It's a test in perseverance, follow-ups, and patience.  The management company has been pretty responsive, although according to the new tenants' discussion board on-line (very useful), different people seem to have different experiences.  We're learning to take the long-view on things.  Not all the units are finished in the building, so at least it's easy to get a hold of someone in the construction team, who all seem quite nice.  David has been a meticulous recorder of all details-to-be-fixed, and I have taken on the job of emailing the management company in the most clear, firm yet polite and diplomatic manner possible.  It's team work.

One of the biggest problems we faced was a leak in the apartment.  Apparently there was a design flaw in the roof, which meant the penthouse units suffered some unforeseen leaks.  We got some water in the living room around the window, and then a large puddle appeared in the master bedroom.  We appealed to the sponsor/management and will get our floors replaced, and they have agreed to do so... which in the end is a nuisance, of course, but far better than worrying about possible mold down the line.

So it's one thing at a time.  But hey, we plan to be here a while.

We're still not very organized -- in part because we need to purchase a few items, and in part, we've opted to just "live in the space" before going crazy buying things or trying to force-find a place for every little thing.  I think this is a good approach for us.  It's funny -- when we live in a different country for work, I MUST unpack completely and set myself up before we start work.  I guess I need to make a (temporary) "nest" immediately to get going in a new/foreign place.  But here... well, it's ours, and if we're going to spend money on something, I really want it to count.  And I need to get used to the space before I figure out how I want to live in it.  I've re-arranged the kitchen numerous times already.  Still figuring it out!

And because the kitchen is not quite fully set up, I haven't done much cooking.  I finally made a lamb roast last night, which was delicious, and I plan to make a roast chicken tomorrow (sticking with roasts for now, still getting used to the massive marble counter top and not being afraid to use it).  In the mean time, we have eaten at various local restaurants, and we can't believe how lucky we are -- there is a wide array of restaurants we'd always wished were near our home: i.e.  casual, authentic Italian, good French brasserie, locavore New American, modern Korean, cheap, delicious Thai, etc. etc.   We're loving dining out in Park Slope.  And we can walk everywhere!  It is a welcome change to dining out.

Here are some of the restaurants we love in Park Slope so far....

- Al Di La -- Possibly one of the best Italian restaurants we've been to in NYC.  Lovely wine bar in the back, which serves spicy fried chick peas as a bar snack.  I dream about these chick peas, they are incredible.

- Bar Tano -- Our favorite very casual, very low-key Italian.  Great small plates as well as entrees, great pizza, great atmosphere.  Open all day and late night, which we love.

Eggplant Involtini at Bar Tano... it's a starter dish, it's fantastic, and David and I each need to order our own because it's too good to share.

- Applewood -- Always changing, always delicious, always inventive.  Good brunch, too, but dinner is where the magic happens.

- Stone Park Cafe -- Very chill, nice outdoor seating area.  Solid New American cuisine, very local and seasonal produce.  David loves the margaritas here.

- Moim -- Great modern Korean food.

- Kappa Sake House -- More a sake bar than a full-fledged restaurant... but we love it for the sake, of course!  And very authentic Japanese home-cooked dishes.  Excellent gyoza and grilled fish dishes.  We've already befriended the owner, and we shall be there quite regularly.

- Belleville Bistro -- Good, solid, hearty French brasserie.  Excellent French Onion Soup, which is one of those standards I crave sometimes.  Also excellent duck confit.