[Carmen]

OK so we have 102934097203957 threads about "favorite place to organic farm-raised yarn to knit an afghan" but this is a catch-all thread about businesses you frequent that may not merit an entire thread, but may inspire others to patron because of the review
I'll start

1) The petstore on 5th ave between 3rd st and 2nd st (on the west side next to Stone Park)- The owners are SO SO nice and they always give us freebie dog treats/dog food samples. Also, price comparison wise, when I was traveling to MA frequently for work I went to Petco to buy dogfood and it was $3 higher there! The owner of the store in the hood told me that the competition here has driven down the price (which I believe based on online and burb prices) and they're making almost nothing on their bagged food. These guys are awesome, everyone around this part of the neighborhood should visit.

2) Serene Rose (retail store) near The Gate on 5th ave bt 3rd and 4th st- their associates are SO SO nice and patient- I've bought a few pieces here and have received the BEST customer service. Reasonably priced (for a boutique) and great service makes it worth the price, unique pieces, too...

3) Save on 5th on 5th and and 8th st- They always remember my dogs name and I have heard them allow little kids on the intercom (SO CUTE even for me, a kid hater.) And they have EVERYTHING.

4) Bodega on 7th ave bt 15th and 16th st- they are SUPER nice, its 24 hours and they have an awesome sense of humor about the "adult" DVDs they sell. I'll buy canned goods and soda from them any day.


Andddd....go!
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[whynot_31]

5) La Taqueria. Huge baja burrito for about $8. fresh food, polite staff, and awe inspiring efficient operation.
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[OpossumQueen]

Agree about Save On. They've got tons of stuff and are so friendly!

Leopoldi's Hardware on 5th (between 7/8th sts). They know their stock, can decipher cryptic descriptions of what a customer needs, have never made a bad key copy for me, and have great customer service.

The Pie Shop (DUB pies) on PPW and 16th St. I love pot pies and they have good flavor options, but it should be noted that they are so much better when you get them cold (thawed, not reheated) and heat them yourself (13 minutes in the oven). Plus they have had some great soups and nice staff.

Get Fresh on 5th Ave. The french toast. I hear everything else is great but that's all I've gotten so far b/c I like it so much. Plus they have a nice space.

[belzjm]

2nd for get fresh table and market. for the delicious and superbly fresh food, great space and garden, super friendly staff and STUMPTOWN coffee! also like that they were able to change their business model to better suit the neighborhood and become highly successful.

cafe regular du nord. best coffee i've ever had in new york and an incredible space which instantly transports me to a quaint cafe in europe.

oshima. such lovely people and astoundingly fresh fish. for a neighborhood sushi place, it could hold its own among the best at half the price.

odd twin. one of the absolute best vintage shops in new york city. (5th and lincoln)

bob and judys antiques. love their stuff. period.

ghenet. sometimes forgotten ethiopian food right here in park slope. and GREAT!!!

moim. fabulous korean cuisine

new finds:

little buddy bakery on 18th and 5th

bklyn larder. perfect cheese and provisions shop and the best sandwiches and homemade gelato in park slope. they also press their own olive oil.

bark. hot dogs and disco fries done right. and $3 six point beers!

[Flexichick]

Some of these are in WT:

- Krupa's Grocery (aka Lovey's). It's simply not possible to dislike the family (2 generations) that own this place. It's not really a grocery - newspaper/lotto store. On PPW btw. 16th/Windsor

- Terrace Bagels. Across the street from Lovey's. Chewey, crunchy, delicious.

- Number One Garden - because they deliver dumplings to my house. Just dumplings. $5. A few doors down from Krupa's.

- The Double Windsor - they get love simply for giving me an alternative to Farrell's. There are many other reasons, but that one is enough. 16th/PPW

- Slope Cellars. Patty, staff and dogs. Plus a nice "cheap and tasty" selection. 7th/14th.

- Shawn's Liquors. 7th Ave. near Carroll (across from Key Food). Because there is a "cat lady there with blue hair who I like. A lot".

- Tacos Nuevo Mexico (5th near 11th) and La Taq. (somewhere on 7th in the named streets) for my Mex fix.

Joe's Pizza....on 5th (near 12th), followed by Joe's on 7th. Both far and away above Joe's on 9th.

Pino's Pizza - for some veal parm. Saucy, like I like it. Every time.

Grab - 7th Ave. near 14th. Better cheese and nicer staff than either Union Market(s).

The Hoff - Cafe Steinhof. Cheese spaetzel. $9. End of story.

Urban Optical - because even though Dr. Adam can't find your order to save his life, they will spend all day with you giving you advice while you try on 1,000 frames.

Oak Park Pharmacy - Bartel Pritchard Square. Because Mohammed and staff will fill your prescription while you wait almost all the time...and definitely ALL the time if you tell them you can't wait. They close too early, they don't have fancy product, but I wouldn't get my 'scripts elsewhere.

Dr. Mike Raffinan - Best GP around. Period.

Southwest Healing - for putting my ankle back together with PT and humor. 11th Ave/Windsor

Yoga Sole - 11th Ave/ Windsor. Good yoga, good vibe, nice owner(s).

Eden Dry Cleaning -10th Ave./Windsor. I don't have as much dry cleaning as I used to, but this is the place to go if you are local. RIP, Linda Woo.
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[booklaw]

Mr. Felafel: I love their souvlaki and their spinach with what I think might be lentils, but even more than that I love the fact that every single person who works in the restaurant is unfailingly polite and friendly (more so than at any other business I've ever encountered in Brooklyn) and as helpful as they are able (some are hampered by poor English).

[8thandPrez]

Beer Table: simply the best beer selection around and the tapas/small plates are uniformly delicious. Everyone who works there is great as well.

Grab: for the growlers... it's like having Beer On Demand. And it never hurts to have an amazing selection of cheeses and meats 1 min from my apt.

Steinhof: I'm with Flexi: cheese spaetzle. Plus the farmer's pan for brunch.

Ladybird Bakery: I don't go here enough (thank god for my waistline), but I love this little place. Just a nice, simple bakery that isn't one of those weird Italian places with yukky weird baked goods.

Naidre's: bc they do good sandwiches and coffee and have a nice, prominent queer-friendly vibe that the neighborhood needs.

Grumpy: bc we needed some delicious coffee down this way.

Fonda: same, as Grumpy, but for Mexican food. So good!

[Jimmy]

I'll second (third?) Save on 5th - ridiculously friendly staff, they know where everything is (and they have pretty much anything you could want). I've always thought of it as a closer, smaller Target, but with a staff that isn't openly rude, lazy and generally worthless.

Barber Shop on 7th Ave btw. 3rd and 4th - think it's officially called Park Slope Barber or something - cheap, basic men's haircuts, run by three nearly identical brothers. Basically the stereotype of an old-school Brooklyn neighborhood barbershop. They've constantly got regulars coming in and out, they've got an unbelievable collection of golden oldies (along with an encyclopedic knowledge of them), they're constantly talking about baseball and local current events and the above-mentioned music, and - best part - around Christmas they'll offer you a shot of whiskey from a little makeshift bar in the back following your haircut!

[Jamzer]

Biercraft. Best store in PS IMO. Staff is friendly, but it is the selection of beers on tap that blows me away.

La Villa. Lenny LOVES to talk to me about the Jets, even though he is a Giants fan. Always very nice and I liek the food a lot too. A great neighborhood Italian place.

[veets]

Slope Drugs.. 5th ave between 7th and 8th streets.
An old fashined pharmacy with a wonderful staff where there is a short wait and great service. Closed on Sundays but perhaps that is as it should be.. day of rest and then back to prividing excellent service for 6 days a week.

[veets]

Dittos for Save on 5th. When that D11 store opened on the corner of 9th street I had a conversation with the owner asking if he thought that the new store would cut in to his business. He was not worried and I think this worry would not have been justified.

Though the stock of both stores overlap somewhat the customers of Save on 5th are loyal. For me it comes down to loyalty (backed by excellent pricing) and the fact that I would rather pay more for the "real' stuff" if I buy Johnson's Baby Shampoo than buy what appears to me the same product but it has been manufactured for distribution in Puerto Rico and in fact is NOT the same product.

VC pet on 9th street (which incidentally is the old name) is the best. Mike is terrific and lately I have noticed that the other staff people are following his lead as far as customer service.

[Peanuts]

1. Ditto on Save on Fifth
2. Ditto on Slope Pharmacy - the pharmacist is a really nice, helpful guy (I also like Ansonia Pharmacy)
3. NYC Pet (formally VC Pet) on 9th Street between 4th & 5th - adore Mike
4. Dr. Madden at Park Slope Vet - my cat recently died but because of Dr. Madden I got 7 months of life out of him
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[Mamacita]

Holla to my sweet boys at 5th ave Market on 5th and Berkeley.
A serious breakfast on roll (cheese, bacon, ham, sausage and 2 eggs on a roll) and great sandwiches (cheesesteak, italian, potabella, pesto chicken...) 24 hours a day. Boys work every holiday, non stop, gourmet/organic options. Veggies, fruit, cheese, nuts,dairy, beer and a fridge full of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Super friendly.

Also Sterling Grapes and Grains liquor store. cheap, friendly and they do tastings too.
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[pastoralia]

The Gate. Great bartenders, great beers and dog-friendly.

Save on 5th...so friendly.

Pollio's on 5th and 6th street. Buddy makes the best sandwiches this side of Union (the other side is Bierkraft).

City Subs- just because those guys work so hard to keep up the demand for their delicious fresh sandwiches.

[Mamacita]

I second City Sub, I CRAVE!!! their meatball and hot pastrami subs. Also love the fact that toppings are free and I can ask for a ton of them, like pickles, hot and sweet peppers, tomato, lettuce, jalapenos, olives, bell pepper, vinegar and oil..... by the time I'm done you have an immense sub with all this wonderful veggie toppings. Don't forget to tip your server!
In a whisper:
Also Albaz, best cheesesteak and burger for the price and the cooks are good people. a piece of old brooklyn, not tainted by gentrification or the need to be anything but what it is.
Of course, if Brooklynian had a mascot, it would be El Grand Castillo de la Juaga (aka carne viento). nuff said.
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[whynot_31]

why are you whispering?

yes, City Sub is an excellent second choice (after La Taq for lunch)
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[Mamacita]

shhh! they're my favorite places! popularity sometimes makes places raise prices and try to get fancy. ruining it. of course I had to open my big mouth
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[Flexichick]

Where is City Sub?
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[Mamacita]

Bergen between 5th ave and flatbush. You know it's good because during lunchtime/weekdays the line is full of police and firemen getting a sub.
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[whynot_31]

[thegardener]

Ballard Pharmacy (Windsor + PPW): Saj the pharmacist goes above and beyond every time.

Unity Market (next to Farrells) has incredible eggplant parmasan, salads, and meats when I'm in the cooking mood.

Windsor Shoes (Windsor + PPW): when my feet are hurtin' there's always a nice looking pair of shoes there to help out

[NYkittyNY]

Park Slope Ale House!!!! Kristen the bartender is the best, and she runs a tight ship.

La Bagel Delight - Super efficient, good quality, and they remember my daughter's name
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[veets]

Catene

9th street corner of 4th ave

Been there forever and the best Italian Deli around...sandwiches..fried Calmari.. Pasta.. take it out and enjoy along with cops, firemen, regulars, who have known the secret for over 30 years.

[Old Time Brooklyn]

Cafe Regular - best latte in town
Blue Ribbon - best expensive meal in town
Bar Toto - best cheap meal in town
Dram Shop - best place to watch a game with a frosty mug of beer
Nana - takeout that's good and comes in about 10 minutes
Bagel Hole - just the right amount of bagel
City Sub - thirded or fourthed or whatever the count is
Pintchik - they seem to be more known for real estate these days, but the guys in the hardware store who work here always give me good advice on items I need
Brooklyn Larder - pricey, but cool items
Beer Table - just a completely unique experience
Alchemy - open for lunch with craft beers, rare
Bierkraft - despite some issues recently, still the best selection in town
Lolli - whatever gift I need for my various daughters, nieces, nephews, kid's birthday parties, children of co-workers, toys for tots, I get the girls who work here to help me pick it out and the gift always gets a rave
Scaredy Kat - another cool place for gifts for the young or young at heart
Cog and Pearl - gifts for adults, very unique
Big Nose Full Body - every wine has a story...and most are pretty great
Pizzatown - slice of choice

[new2hood]

TOTALLY second Kristin at Park Slope Ale House. She's the best!

[Carmen]

Part II from me!

The hoff- everyone here knows how much I love the hoff. The bartenders are stupid nice (not just the one I know personally) and the food, while not stellar/super creative, is solid and consistant. You know what you're getting, and you get it for a good price.

Shawns Liquors- really friendly staff, a great selection under $11, and a super-nice, uber friendly blue-haired wine-monger who cuddles my dog.

Grab- the owner Laurie is really friendly and remembers the stupid stories I tell her even if I dont see her for weeks. The prices are on par with Union Market but the product is 100x better. And Grabs olive blends blow my mind.
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[OpossumQueen]

How could I forget?!:

Dentist: Dr. Rosenkranz and staff at Park Slope Dental is THE best dentist I've ever been to.

[belzjm]

YES!!!! dr. rosenkrantz IS truly the best dentist in the world!!!!!

it's actually kinda ridiculous how amazing the guy is.

[OpossumQueen]

[pastoralia]

Love Kristen and the environment of the Ale House...the food? Not so much.

[willregistersoon]

D'vine Taste: Great selection of foods, spices, cheese, etc. They have some items that I can't find anywhere else - even Fairway. Also great people working there.

[OpossumQueen]

[belzjm]

so many terrific things in park slope...so little time...

i'm going to hit d'vine taste tonight and give them a little love...

[joehill]

[Carmen]

[Mougar]

1) Sterling Grain and Grape because it is crazy cheap for liquor and the cashiers always smile when they see me (how many bottles of gin is that?)

2) Slope Cellars for the super friendly and knowledgeable Ben

3) Brooklyn Bicycles on 9th street and 6th avenue for the great staff and nice atmosphere. And not being Dixon's or R&A

[Laura B]

Neergaard Pharmacy on 7th Ave: because I love old-school pharmacies plus they are friendly plus they have a cat on staff. I have been known to pay $20 for shampoo here.

Park Slope Copy Center: I pretty much never need copies anymore, now that we have the Internets. But they have 2 cuddly tabbies on staff, and it makes me happy every time I see them sleeping in the window.

Bark: Perfectly crispy french fries. No cats though.

[Flexichick]

I love the Copy Center Cats! I didn't realize Neergard had a cat. I'm guessing that Bark has....wait for it....dogs
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[veets]

Just in case someone does not realize it NYCPET has many locations and they are all owned by the same family. So the 7th Ave locations and 9th street store are one in the same, as far as prices and I would think level of service is the same.

Now the 9th street location has Mike... and he is very special!

[sweet tea]

Flirt on 5th ave near...is that st marks? by gorilla.

love them. and love the things i have from them. nice little store with great dresses and shoes, and the owners are so NICE. i end up hanging out in there while the gf gets coffee, and they're always helpful and happy to talk, whether or not i'm at liberty to spend money. on one occasion, i asked about a dress i liked (but couldn't really afford just then), and when it turned out i was about to visit the city where the designer lived, the folks at flirt encouraged me to go shop the sale rack at her store. i thought that was a class move, helping me and the designer rather than pushing me to buy the dress from them. they're also friendly with encouragement and advice for the gf about her various sewing projects.

they give sewing classes and rent reasonably-priced studio time at their location in gowanus. when the gf got sick the day of a class she'd paid for, they gave us the money as credit towards anything in the store with no fuss at all.

i got this swimsuit:

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[booklaw]

Nice!

[Flexichick]

I can't see anything (using Firefox) on Sweet Tea's bathing suit post. Is it for nude sunbathing?
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[whynot_31]

[sweet tea]

free? ha! whynot, i'll have you know that's their imperial line. they assured me tons of empresses are wearing them this season.

(but really, i don't know why it's not showing up in FF -- or why anyone uses safari.)
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[Mamacita]

Hum... took the tags off Sweet's links and they became visible but the links don't work either way. Obviously I am of no help whatsoever.. sorry guys...
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