Greenpoint, BK

We headed out of Manhattan this morning and into the Polish section of Brooklyn, Greenpoint. What, you may be asking, is in the Polish section of Brooklyn that would warrant a four train transfer trip (C to the B to the E to the G)?? Well, for starters Peter Pan Pastry Shop, that's what! An old world pastry shop, serving up fresh pastries from traditional donuts to cinnamon rolls and crullers, and at rock bottom prices. Man, we would be fat if we lived in Brooklyn, the food is so much cheaper than Manhattan. We got a red velvet donut, a glazed sour cream donut, a chocolate sprinkled donut and an iced cinnamon roll all for 4 bucks. That's right, sister, 4 bucks. Nevermind that that is a ridiculous amount of confections for 2 adults and a preschooler.

Next up, the Newtown Creek Nature Walk! For those of you not familiar with all things NYC, this is in fact a nature walk on the grounds of a very high tech ... wait for it ... sewage treatment plant! Ok, so it wasn't the greatest destination in the world, but it was very clean and on the waterfront. Just deserted. And hot. And a long walk from Greenpoint Ave. Well, what else are we Goodwins supposed to do when we've seen and done just about everything this city has to offer?? Just another crazy story; Andy and me pushing a loaded down stroller with 2 kids down a non-existence sidewalk in the middle of Brooklyn while all the locals look at us like we are deranged. 

Next up, an authentic Polish restaurant for lunch. Andy did a fantastic job of scoping out this place, called Karczma (we think pronounced Karch-Ma). When we arrived, just before the opening time, a young Polish speaking family was already waiting outside to get in, and by the time the doors opened for business (to the sound of the local church bells tolling noon), a few more neighborhood Polish speakers had joined the "line". Inside was a quaint little setting, complete with wait staff in traditional Polish attire and shoes. Gabriel seemed particularly interested in the waitresses and asked "where are all the ladies?" when they were obviously back in the kitchen out of sight. Ha! We ordered Polish beer, kielbasa, perogies, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smoked cheese and hunter's stew. SO, so good! Even Judah noshed on the inside of a potato pancake. That a way Mr. Michalak! We were the only English speaking people in the whole place, awesome!

Lastly, we crossed the street to survey the goods at a local Polish pastry shop ... I can't even remember, let alone pronounce, the name of it there were so many consonants. But the woman running the counter was so friendly and we settled on cheese danish and a piece of cherry bread. Again, the only English speakers in the place.

It was time to get back on the G train (how fitting for Master Gabriel) and head home ... G had his little cheese danish on the ride home to top off the day, which was a really fun outing for the entire family ... sewage treatment plant and all ;). Only in New York.