Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Get your Valentine's Day Portrait at the Farmacy!

2012-02-13T12:03:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day Portraits at the Farmacy, 2011/ Burton Wells photos

Looking for something sweet to do on Valentine's Day?
Capture a moment of love with Burton Wells Photography at your local soda fountain!
Bring your sweetie(s), grab a treatie and have a portrait taken at the fountain of you sipping cherry sodas, swirling on red bar stools or simply gazing into each others eyes....(sigh).
A 5x7 black and white photo will be printed on the spot.
Dress up! Have fun! Perfect for couples, friends, siblings and families.
Time: 3-10PM
Cost: $15 for 1 5x7 black and white photo
Enjoy!

Our Valentine's Mailbox Awaits You!

2012-02-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again, lovers! Stop in this week and fill out a Valentine. Drop it in the red mailbox and on February 14th your Valentine will be hanging in the window for your sweetie— and the world— to see! Enjoy!

2012-02-06T17:58:00.000-05:00

The Antique Phonograph Musical Program will be playing ragtime records on a phonograph (yes! a phonograph!) and BROADCASTING LIVE from the BROOKLYN FARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN to WFMU. Join us for this unique musical experience. Fun for everyone. See you at the Farm!
Tuesday, February 7, 7-9PM

2012-02-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

We're well-rested and ready to roll! Brooklyn Farmacy opens today at noon and we'll be slinging egg creams straight through to next January. We used our time well! We painted, created new sundaes, and we even hired a sweet new soda jerk. On top of that, we've got several special events lined up for the month of February, including a live radio broadcast and Valentines Day Portrait sittings... (see our events section for more details). Stop by and say hello. We missed you and we can't wait to...
See you at the Farm!

2012-01-13T09:42:00.000-05:00

the brooklyn farmacy will be closed

January 17—February 1

open again, februrary 2nd

(groundhog day)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Really, it’s but a Brief Rest

Because after a year and a half we could really, really use one. And because our ol’ Pops in Florida, he deserves a visit. And because as you may have noticed, our back room could use a good paint over. And then, there is the obvious. The cold winds have begun to blow here in Brooklyn. (Why, we may even get snow soon!) Perhaps, for a brief time, ice cream may not be at the front of everyone’s mind. Like the brown bear, we will all be nestled, quiet, resting. But not for too long! Because just like the Groundhog, we will emerge on February 2nd! And shadow or no shadow, Farmacy’s doors will be open straight through ‘till the next January. So, bear with us, (pun intended) because when we do open, we’ll have New Ice Cream Flavors! New Sundaes! And New Artisanal Foods made by local and family-owned businesses. And before you know it, we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day. And it will all be fine. You need the rest, and by gosh, so do we! Happy New Year’s Everyone, and please take note... we will be closed from January 17-February 1st. We'll open again on February 2nd, Groundhog Day. See you at the Farm!

Willy Gantrim live at the Farmacy

2012-01-06T12:15:00.000-05:00

Just confirmed! Grab your sweetie and come on down to the Farm for a very special evening with local musician Willy Gantrim singing country, blues and ballads. Saturday January 7th from 9-11PM. No cover. See you at the Farm!

Now that was a fun year!

2012-01-05T09:39:00.000-05:00

To our friends, family, neighbors, movers and shakers, we wish you a very Happy New Year!
—The Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Shop Small & Give Big

2011-12-13T18:02:00.005-05:00

Some of what's in store now....

In this season of giving, we whole-heartedly encourage you to shop local and shop small. All the little mom-n-pop stores and small businesses out there need—and welcome—your support! More often than not we have something unique to offer....things you won't find in the mall or the big department store.
Here at the Brooklyn Farmacy the sweetest gift is the experience that you'll have at the soda fountain. Bring your visiting friends and family to the fountain and let time stand still with us, for just a short while. Time well spent with loved ones is a gift, indeed!
But second to that, our shelves are stocked with locally made products that make great gifts for giving. Some are tasty, some are cuddly, some are from New Jersey and some are from upstate NY. From artisanal simple syrups made in Brooklyn, to a marinara sauce made in Hoboken, we have the best of what our surrounding area has to offer.
Let us help you create a gift bag of local goodies while we tell you about the loose leaf teas made in Manhasset, NY, and the sweater toys made around the corner in Carroll Gardens. Chances are, you may even meet one of the makers, as many of our vendors personally bring their wares to the store themselves.
And once all your shopping is taken care of..... please accept our invitation to take a seat on a red swirling barstool and enjoy our seasonal white peppermint shake!
Happy Holidays to all of you, and thank your for your support. Together we can make a difference — and have some wicked good fun, too!
— See you at the Farm!
Photos (top to bottom, left to right), In Store, NOW.
Hoboken Farms, Big Red Marinara Sauce that is so good, it barely makes it out of the jar... (btw, we've got some great pasta in store, too!)
Morris Kitchen, You already love MK's Ginger syrup, but try the two newest flavors... Boiled Apple Cider and Lemon!
Olive Sinclair, assorted chocolate bars. Beautifully packaged, and very good chocolate!
Anarchy in a Jar delicious preserves, assorted flavors. A lovely gift for the host.
Brooklyn Hard Candy (assorted flavors). Try all the flavors! Makes a great gift for the teacher!
Salt Water Taffy by Salty Road.... assorted flavors, hand pulled in Brooklyn! This stuff is AMAZING! We love it! We love it!
Candy Canes from the Hudson Valley. Big. Beautiful.
McClures Pickles and Bloody Mary Mix 'nuff said. We love 'em.
Mark Allan Stamaty's "Who Needs Donuts" (signed copies!)
Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate. Deeeeelish!
JERK SHIRTS (wear one in the store and you get a free egg cream - fa-ever). Additional shirts coming in this week, including x-small for kids! Yay! Jerks!
Wooden Toys A lovely selection of simply made, safe for children wooden toys. Spinning tops, racing cars and more.
SerendipiTea Loose Leaf Teas, assorted flavors (and proudly served as our house tea)
Nana Knits, assorted, and adorable hats and sweaters for wee ones. Yes. Our Mom makes them.
The Fountain Experience Gift certificates available!
And so much more.... !

We do lunch. (read the fine print for a special offer)

2011-12-07T10:30:00.001-05:00

Hmmmm. What to give.....

2011-12-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

Want to make someone happy?

Your boss smile?

Your kid laugh?

Holiday Gift Certificates

from Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

The perfect gift.

Enjoy!

"Go Sit On Your Own Stoop!" Author John Khoury at the Farmacy

2011-12-02T13:47:00.000-05:00

Meet John Khoury, Author of

GO SIT ON YOUR OWN STOOP!

Stories of Growing up in Brooklyn in the 70s

Saturday December 3, 11-1PM

at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

513 Henry Street, Carroll Gardens

John will be signing books and talking 'bout growing up in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn until someone stops him. (no offense, John, but right?)

You know, there are many things that we love about being nestled here in Carroll Gardens. But what makes this spot extra special is that despite the ever-changing demographics, our neighborhood is still called home to many people whose families have lived here for generations.

On a regular basis people stop into the Farmacy who remember coming into this same store when it was Longo's Pharmacy, years ago. (see one of our previous blogs with a letter from another local kid, Augustino Vitiello) We always enjoy hearing their stories and meeting the people who made this neighborhood what it is: A place where the people who run the corner store know you, and even your kid, by name.

We've tried our best to retain that neighborhood touch here at the Farmacy, and so we are very happy to have a particular neighborhood kid, (now grown up), JOHN KHOURY in our store this Saturday morning. John will be signing copies of his newly self-published book, Go Sit On Your Own Stoop! Growing up in Brooklyn in the 70s. Khoury's book brings to life the unique flavor of this special place we call home, with stories that make you laugh out loud, and in the case of some of the guys that still live on the block, remember with a twinkle in their eye. Please join us in welcoming him —and spread the word. We'll have strong coffee brewing, some crazy good donuts from Peter Pan Bakery, and of course, egg creams. Bring your mom. Bring your dad. Bring your kids. It is sure to be a special morning at the Farm.

Who is That Guy?:

John Khoury was born in Bensonhurst in 1967 and moved with his family to South Brooklyn a few years later. Instantly captivated by stunning brownstones, omnipresent smell of freshly baked bread and the neck-snapping sight of crotchety old women returning home from the butcher dressed in nothing but smocks, pink curlers and a lip dangling Pall Mall, he realized this place was something special and its influence is what fuels John’s accounts of his time there in his book, Go Sit On Your Own Stoop!

Artist's Reception for Milo & Player

2011-12-01T10:20:00.000-05:00

Milo and Player, 2006

Join us December 1st from 5:30-7PM for the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain's first artist's reception featuring MILO and PLAYER, brothers, and budding artists, of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

About the Artists: From the time these two brothers were young, it was evident they each shared a love for painting. Their work is a mixture of careful placement of paint on canvas combined with a wide range of surprise with each painting. Each painting is sealed with a coat of Mod Podge and signed on the back. Paintings will be available for purchase at the reception. This will be the first time each boy will be sharing their work with the public, their peers and friends.

MILO, age 9 1/2has many interests in addition to his delight for creating art. He enjoys drawing, fencing, making silly home videos and skiing.

PLAYER, age 7 1/2 has a passion for the arts and enjoys sports of any kind. His current activities include skateboarding, baseball, skiing and basketball.

Milo and Player live in Brooklyn, a hop, skip & a jump from the Farmacy.

What: Artist's Reception featuring the work of Milo and Player. Framed images will be available for purchase.

Where: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain 513 Henry Street, Carroll Gardens

When: Thursday, December 1st, 5:30-7PM

Why: To support and encourage Milo and Player, and every other kid who thinks they have a shot in the "Art World"!

—See you at the Farm!

Join us for a "Wintery Mix" Holiday trunk sale!

2011-11-28T14:52:00.000-05:00

Manimal

Join us at the Brooklyn Farmacy this Wednesday evening, November 30th, from 6-9PM for a holiday trunk sale that includes handmade moccasins for you and your wee ones, plus a whole lot more! Warm up with hot cocoa (or if this weather holds, a chilled egg cream!) and holiday shop with local artisans including Manimal, Molly O'Rourke Knits, New Friends Weavings and Nothing is New Posters! Make a difference this holiday season by shopping locally—and shopping handmade!

MANIMAL

save-the-manimals.com

Manimal was formed in 2004 after a native New Englander’s first visit to the American Southwest. Designer Kristen Lombardi's interest in traditional costumes and animal forms influence the design of each moccasin and accessory. Her process is driven by a deep appreciation for the almost forgotten world of artisan crafts and craftsmanship. All pieces are hand made by a team of no more than three craftspeople. Manimal is a careful, quiet operation in Brooklyn, New York.

NOTHING IS NEW
nothing-is-new.com
Nothing is New looks at historic images to enliven new ideas. Delving into deep internet lands, Nothing is New surfaces with visual treasures that hope to inspire your creative contemporary lifestyle.

Illustrator Claudia Pearson at the Farmacy this Sunday!

2011-11-18T15:35:00.000-05:00

Local illustrator Claudia Pearson will be at the Farmacy from 3-5, Sunday, November 20th with a collection of her work for purchase, including tea towels, calendars, posters and coloring books. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet a vibrant, local artist whose work reflects the sustainable food movement in Brooklyn with breathtaking style!

A sample of Pearson's work.

Egg Farmer

How fate would have it (or, how we met Claudia)
About two years ago, as we sat in the pre-renovated Farmacy, cluttered rooms filled from floor to ceiling with stuff, scratching our heads on where to start, a lovely woman walked in the door. She chatted with us about Brooklyn. We told her about our crazy little dream of opening up a soda fountain combined with locally made artisanal foods. A place where farmers and ice cream could come together. And then she reached into her bag and took out a stunning 'buy local' calendar that she had illustrated. She asked us to keep her in mind once our store opened. We oohed and ahhed with promises to be in touch.
Fast forward about six months later, the Farmacy doors were open, but sadly, we had lost the calendar, and the contact, in the mix. A few months later while doing internet searches and typing in words like, "local", "sustainable", "illustration" and "vegetables", up popped a collection of beautifully illustrated coloring books. We loved them! We wrote to introduce ourselves, and lo and behold, the illustrator was Claudia Pearson, the same lovely woman who walked through our doors, as we sat scratching our heads in a cluttered room. Long story short, we've been happily carrying a collection of Claudia's work ever since.

Meet Claudia Pearson....

This Sunday, November 20th from 3-5, you can meet Claudia yourself! She will be in-store featuring a collection of her work, including calendars, tea towels, coloring books and posters. All of her work is themed around Brooklyn and locally grown and harvested foods. This is a great opportunity for budding artists to meet a real-life working artist, (bring your kids!) as well as a chance to pick up some truly unique gifts for the holidays. Please join us in welcoming Claudia Pearson to the Farmacy!

Back Story (we love a good story)

Claudia graduated from Brighton Polytechnic, England with a First Class BA Honors Degree in Graphic Design. Disenchanted with typography she specialized in animation in her final year at college & went on to work with some of the leading animation companies in London. Her spare time was spent traveling round the world & painting in her studio.

During a trip to New York in 1994 she met an illustration agent who wanted to represent her & thus her career as an illustrator bloomed. 2 months later she packed her bags & moved to the big apple where she's been working ever since.

Claudia's work has been published in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Elle, Communication Arts Illustration Annual, The Big Book of Illustration

Ideas (Harper Design) and Fashion Images de Mode No.6.

Claudia currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons. When she's not busy in her studio, she's exploring the city and beyond with her family. As well as making prints of her illustrations Claudia also does commissioned pieces and paintings.

What: Meet and Greet with local illustrator Claudia Pearson
When: Sunday, November 20th 3-5PM
Where: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

visit www.claudiapearson.com to view Pearson's work

Want more?

Visit www.claudiapearson.com to see a full range of her beautiful work.

Meet cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty Saturday morning at the Farmacy

2011-11-17T09:30:00.000-05:00

This Saturday morning, we're over the moon to have cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty back at the Farmacy for a meet and greet, and to sign copies of his legendary book, "WHO NEEDS DONUTS". Bring the kids, bring your parents, this will be a very special morning at the Farm.
Mark A. Stamaty
But wait, this guy sounds familiar...WHO IS MARK ALAN STAMATY??? Mark is the author-illustrator of ten books. His children's books include Who Needs Donuts?, Alia's Mission, Too Many Time Machines, Small in the Saddle, Minnie Maloney & Macaroni and Where's My Hippopotamus? In 1977–1978, Mark’s panoramic centerfold cartoons of Greenwich Village and Times Square for the Village Voice attracted widespread attention and were sold by the Voice as posters. He then created a series of comic strips for that paper, including MacDoodle St., which was later published as a comic strip novel. In 1981 Meg Greenfield, editorial page editor of the Washington Post, asked Mark to create a comic strip about Washington for her op-ed page. Mark traveled to D.C. to do extensive research, and in November of that year the Post and the Village Voice jointly debuted his new creation, Washingtoon, featuring, among many other characters, Congressman Bob Forehead, chairman of the JFK-Look-Alike Caucus. The comic strip’s popularity with Postand Voice readers led to its being picked up by more than 40 newspapers, including the Boston Globe, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Austin-American Statesman. Mark has created covers for The New Yorker, the New Republic, the Washington Post Magazine, the New York Times Magazine, and others. His cartoons and illustrations have appeared in many publications, including Slate Magazine, Esquire, New York Magazine, Harper's, Newsweek, Playboy, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times Magazine.
What: NY author and cartoonist, Mark Alan Stamaty book signing and meet & greet. (Peter Pan donut morning at the Farmacy)
Where: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain / 513 Henry Street, Brooklyn
When: Saturday, November 19th, from 11-1 PM
Why: Because life is too short to not spend a Saturday morning eating great donuts and talking to great artists.
Visit Stamaty's website for tour of his work:
www.stamaty.engelbachdesign.com

Note to self: Brooklyn Farmacy will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

2011-11-11T17:54:00.000-05:00

Musician, songwriter Minu Cinelu at the Farmacy

2011-11-04T11:28:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to welcome back musician Mino Cinelu for a special evening of live music at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain.
Saturday, November 5th at 9pm.
A night not to be missed.
See you at the Farm!

MAPLE EGG CREAMS at Brooklyn Farmacy

2011-10-23T00:50:00.000-04:00

Maple Egg Creams, An Autumn treat!

Despite the fact that maple syrup is harvested in Spring, there's something about maple that's, well, so Autumn... So, 'tis the season to try the MAPLE EGG CREAM at Brooklyn Farmacy... Made with Hudson Valley Fresh whole milk, seltzer and organic Maple Syrup from Rockwall's Maples Farm in Maine. Simply divine.

Tuesday night, 'Old-Time' Musical Jam Sessions are back!

2011-10-18T11:03:00.000-04:00

Craig Judelman of the Dustbusters

It's that time of the year again. By popular demand, the 'Old-Time' Tuesday night musical jams are back on at the Farmacy. That's right, folks, Tuesdays will be the night to grab your fiddle, harmonica, banjo —or your washboard— and come on down to the Farm to play! Hosted by local musician, Alan Friend, these jams are a wonderful opportunity to meet and play with local musicians. Great for little ones, too, as they know how to stop their feet. See details below—and see YOU at the Farm!
What: Old-Time Jam session, open to the playing public. Acoustic only.
Where: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, 513 Henry Street, Brooklyn
When: EVERY OTHER TUESDAY starting Nov. 1st from 7:30-9:30.
Why? Because it's fun to play music with other people. Now, isn't it?
How? You can just show up on the night of the jam, or rsvp by contacting alanfriend_music@mindspring.com

Where is YOUR next book group meeting?

2011-10-13T09:52:00.000-04:00

Calling all local artists, poets, musicians, study groups, mother's groups, book groups, et. al. Are you looking for a unique place to host your weekly or bi-monthly gatherings? We have savories as well as sweets, and a big back table that seats 10. Contact us to discuss how we can host your group, weekdays and evenings at the Farmacy this fall and winter. This is your local spot, use it!
Contact: brooklynfarmacy@gmail.com
Subject line: GROUP

A 'REAL FOOD' LUNCH MENU, NEW HOURS... and a well-kept secret.

2011-10-09T16:34:00.000-04:00

We've Expanded our REAL FOOD Menu!

Great for lunch, after school, and and early evening. What's on the menu? Potato Knishes, Grilled Cheese, Grilled Ham & Cheese, The Grilled Nutty Ella (Farmacy's Own chocolate hazelnut spread), Seasonal Soups, Empanadas and coming soon, Mac & cheese Squares. Things are getting tastier at the Farm. Real Food Menu available DAILY from 12-6PM

NEW HOURS:

Effective Monday, October 10th, our FALL / WINTER hours as following:

Monday-Thursday: 12-10PM

Friday, Saturday: 10-10PM

Sunday 11-10.

THE WELL-KEPT SECRET:

We're wireless.

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month WINNER!

2011-10-03T09:01:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to this month's lucky winner! This WICKED CUTE photo, submitted by L. Platt, captures the joy of the Farmacy beautifully! This month's winner will get to enjoy a FREE SUNDAE —and a lifetime of soda fountain fame and glory. YAY!

As always, we thank all of you who sent in your photos last month. This really is a hard contest to judge.... you're all so wicked cute. But there's always next month, so keep sending us your photos, and look for next month's winner in the WICKED CUTE PHOTO OF THE MONTH Contest!

'STACHE COOKIES by local baker, Butter + Love

2011-09-25T19:27:00.000-04:00

Ginger Cookies in the shape of a mustache? Yes!

Local baker, BUTTER + LOVE brought us in some 'stache cookies, and we couldn't resist! They look quite nice on your upper lip, but they won't stay there for long... YUM!
Come and get 'em at the Farmacy! Thanks Butter+Love!

A SPECIAL TASTING EVENT WITH LOCAL ARTISANAL SYRUP MAKER, MORRIS KITCHEN

2011-09-22T19:57:00.000-04:00

Morris Kitchen Syrups. An attention to taste, and design.

Join us this Friday evening for a special meet and greet tasting event with local artisanal syrup maker, Kari Morris of Morris Kitchen. Kari will be in store from 8-10 pm sampling their newest syrup, BOILED APPLE CIDER. For those of you who are already gaga over their GINGER SYRUP, you're in for a a new Morris Kitchen experience. In addition to sampling out tasty sips of soda, Kari will be sharing delicious cocktail recipes... stop on in and support your local makers. It's sure to be a lovely evening at the Farm.

Tyler and Kari Morris of Morris Kitchen

A little Back Story

(we love a good story)

Morris Kitchen’s mission is to connect New Yorkers with local, and seasonal food. They believe that the best food is often unadulterated, fresh and organic. Tyler has been cooking in restaurants for thirteen years,and is passionate about seasonal ingredients and sustainable farming. Previously a Sous Chef for Tom Colicchio's Craftbar Tyler now serves as Sous Chef at April Bloomfield's Breslin Bar & Dining Room. Kari worked front of the house at Foreign Cinema restaurant in San Francisco for three years while studying painting at California College of the Arts. This is where her food crush blossomed into a full time love affair. From the table setting to the guest list, Kari has an eye for the details of bringing a meal together. Having graduated with a degree in Fine Art, Kari also organizes Art Fairs and enjoys teaching kids about local produce and healthy eating habits. She continues to successfully engage people of all ages with food and art by introducing them to new ways of cooking. Beyond the products, Morris Kitchen is a brother-sister run monthly supper club. They source their ingredients from the Greenmarket and from our friends at Rooftop Farms. The goal of Morris Kitchen is to provide quality products that are made with genuine care, by hand.

Fresh: Made weekly, by hand, in small batches.

Friendly: Beautifully crafted syrups in bottles that are appealing and user-friendly. There are complex ways to use this syrup, they are amazing in cocktails, and yet, simply drizzled over ice-cream is all these syrup call for.... (of course we would say that.....)

Local. Made in Brooklyn, baby.

DARK AND STORMY COCKTAIL

By Kari Morris, Morris Kitchen, Brooklyn

Serves 1
Ingredients

2 oz Dark Rum

½ oz Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup

1 oz lime

3 oz seltzer water

Instructions

Pour seltzer, syrup and lime over ice

Stir and let drink settle

Slowly add rum on top

Serve over ice in a highball glass

Garnish with a lime wheel.

Enjoy!

Join us for JITTERBUGS MUSICAL MORNING JAMS every Friday at the Farmacy

2011-09-21T17:27:00.002-04:00

Enjoy foot stompin', hand clapping live music every Friday Morning with JITTERBUGS MUSICAL MORNING JAM at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain!

Starting this Friday, September 23rd, and throughout October and November, Aaron from Jitterbugs will be rockin’ to favorite songs from his Jitterbugs music classes for kids, as well as songs from Karen K & the Jitterbugs’ new album, Pancakes for Dinner. A wonderful way to kick off the weekend and get the wee-ones dancing and singing!

WHAT: Live music and sing-a-longs for children.

WHEN: Fridays, 11 AM

WHERE: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, 513 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens

COST: Suggested Donation: $5.

About Jitterbugs:

Created by teacher, mom, musician and musical theater veteran, Karen Kalafatas (aka Karen "K"), Jitterbugs is a retro-style music class for kids ages newborn to 5 years featuring classic kids music and familiar tunes from the 1920s – 1970s. Jitterbugs was featured in New York Magazine’s Best of New York 2011 issue and as a “Critics Pick” in Time Out NY Kids. Selling out concerts around NYC to crowds of up to 400 people, Karen K & the Jitterbugs have been called “local kindie star(s)” by the Brooklyn Paper, and Jitterbugs classes have been hailed by parents as “the best class in the city.”For more information, visit the jitterbug's website at www.jitterbugs.com.

See ya at the Farm!

Adirondack's COCONUT ICE CREAM is in!

2011-09-15T18:28:00.000-04:00

The Brooklyn Farmacy Special Board 9.15

YAY! Our beloved Ice Cream Maker, Adirondack Creamery, mixed us up an amazing new flavor: COCONUT! And thanks to our smart team of CREATIVE JERKS, you get to indulge in THE ALMOND JOYFUL SUNDAE or the 'LO-COCO' Float.

THE ALMOND JOYFUL SUNDAE: Two Scoops of Coconut Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Fresh Whipped Cream and Coconut Almond Crumbles.
THE LO-COCO FLOAT: A scoop of Coconut Ice Cream perched on top of a soda flavor of your choice!

Yes. Life just got a little sweeter at the Farmacy!

WICKED CUTE PHOTO OF THE MONTH CONTEST!

2011-09-12T08:35:00.000-04:00

Let the WICKED CUTE PHOTO of the month contest begin! Send us your wicked cute photo taken at the Farmacy and at the beginning of each month, if yours is selected you get a FREE SUNDAE! (shown here, a previous lucky winner!) Send your photos to brooklynfarmacy@gmail.com

A letter from Mr. Augustino (Augie) Vitiello, longtime Carroll Garden's resident

2011-08-20T12:16:00.002-04:00

A while back a gentleman walked into the Farmacy, and introduced himself as Augustino Vitiello. Mr. Vitiello worked at Longo's Pharmacy at 513 Henry Street as a young boy, and grew up on Henry and Union. Months after his visit he sent us this letter, rich with historic description. He has generously granted us permission to share his slice of Carroll Garden's history with our readers. Enjoy!

Hi Pete,
I am Augie Vitiello, remember me? The man who as a young boy worked in Longo’s Pharmacy in the early 1940’s. I thought you might be interested in having my e-mail address in case you would like to ask me any questions about either the Pharmacy or the neighborhood back then. The picture you have (above the weight and horoscope station) shows Mr. Longo on the left (in a suit), Mr. Pace (the head pharmacist), in the white coat in the center, and Ralph, the sales clerk at the sales counter on the right.
     We also had another pharmacist who was older than Mr. Pace, a Mr. Scatturo, who was not in the photo. Mr. Longo’s son, Bobby also helped out with the sales. There was another boy my age who worked there at the same time that I worked there also. His name was Vito and he lived on Henry Street between Union and Sackett Streets in the building that now houses “Ling Ling Young” in the middle of the block. The cafe across the street from you was “Cammareri’s Bakery”, which was featured in the movie “Moonstruck”.
     This (Longo's Pharmacy) was my first “official” job. I was about seven years old and was paid $3 a week, which to me was a great salary at the time for my age. When I left Longo’s my friend Peter took my place. He lived on Henry Street in the corner building across the street from Mazzola’s Bakery on the top floor. The street level store that now houses “Marius Cafe” (which just closed) used to be an Italian grocery store. Later on it became an Italian delicatessen. Still an Italian grocery store but now catering to the more delicate American tastes.
     Directly across the street from where I lived, on the corner of Henry and Union streets where Francesco’s Restaurant now stands, used to be Nino’s Restaurant not too long ago. At the time that I lived there, it was Jacks Candy store. It had four of the good old fashioned phone booths, the kind that had a seat and doors that would allow you to speak in privacy. Very few people had private phones in those days, so if anyone got a call it usually went to Jacks Candy store, and he would send a boy to your house to inform you that you had a call waiting in his store. It was also a place were you could get a real egg cream for 2 cents, and were working mothers would pay Jack in advance so that their school children could get their lunch at his counter at noontime.
     The cellar of Longo’s was our storeroom. Whenever the shelves had to be restocked, I would go down to the cellar, put what was needed in the dumbwaiter and haul it upstairs. The only store that still exists from the time of my youth is Mazzola’s Bakery on the corner of Union and Henry Streets.
     I lived diagonally across from Mazzola’s at 518 Henry Street on the parlor floor from the early ‘40’s to the mid ‘70’s. My Godfather lived on the top floor. The store on the ground floor which is now “Element Natural Healing Arts” used to be a butcher store owned by a relative of the landlady. My eldest brother worked there for a while. Later on the store became a fruit and vegetable store and I worked there a while. That was after I had left Longo’s.
     In the back of the building on Union Street , used to be my elementary school, PS 46. The rear windows of our apartment led right on to a roof. I would walk out on the roof and be able to look into the windows of the school and speak to my classmates when I was sick. From our back roof I could also look down into our next door neighbors (to our right on Henry Street ) back yard. The family raised rabbits and chickens (along with the accompanying rats) in their back yard and sold bananas on a pushcart in their front court yard. While the owner of the building sat by his pushcart and sold his bananas, he would whittle flutes that sounded beautiful. After he died, his son (whom we called Bananas), inherited the building. We also had a rooster on our back roof, much to the dismay of our neighbors who did not like being awakened by our roosters crowing.
     Later on the school was transferred to the 76 Pct Police Station. The 76 Pct used to be located on Hamilton Avenue in Red Hook. But when the city built the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel it had to be relocated. The city decided to relocate all the students from PS 46 and allow the 76 Pct to occupy the building. All the students who lived on the south side of Union Street were relocated to PS 142 on Henry and Rapelye Streets. All the students who lived on the north side of Union Street (of which I was one), were relocated to PS 13 on DeGraw Street between Henry and Hicks Streets. The building no longer exists. A row of new houses now occupy its original space. For many years the 76 Pct used the old school building just as it was. But later on it was razed and replaced by the present station house that exists there now.
     Right next door (just west) of the old school house used to be an electronics appliance store. This store was the first place in the neighborhood that sold televisions. The owner would allow us kids to come in and sit on the floor and watch TV on a 6 inch screen. This was the first time I saw television. Later on the store became a coffee/candy store called “The Sugar Bowl”. That is where all the neighborhood kids would hang out; get their phone calls, etc. The store no longer exists. It was converted into living quarters. Before I moved into the neighborhood, directly across the street from the electronics appliance store was a small variety store. The owners lived in the back behind the store. The owners were Eli Wallach’s (the actors) parents. That is where he was born. At one time a trolley car used to go down (west) on Sackett Street, passing right outside your door, and loop around at the water front (were there was still the remains of a ferry slip in my youth) and up (east) on Union Street right by my house. Both Eli Wallach and I played the same prank. We used to put pennies on the trolley tracks, and when the trolley ran over them, they became as big as a nickel. These then could be used as slugs for car fare. Car fare was a nickel at that time.
     Many years after Longo’s closed, it became the Vermont Market & Pharmacy. I no longer lived in the neighborhood by that time but whenever I passed by the store it was always closed. When I looked in the window everything was always in disarray. Then one day, much to my surprise, the door was open and I walked inside. That was when I first met Peter. I introduced myself and said I had worked there as a young boy. I was shown the photo of the pharmacists, and I identified the people in it. It brought back a flood of memories. I told Peter then that there was a dumbwaiter in the back but I was unable to locate it at that time because it had been covered. After “Construction Intervention” did their work, the dumbwaiter was rediscovered. Originally, the back room was where we kept the chemicals we needed to fill the prescriptions. The middle room was where the prescriptions were actually mixed. The wall that separates the middle room from the customer area had a peep hole. This was to allow the pharmacist, in case he was alone and filling out a prescription, to see when a customer entered the pharmacy. This room contained one of those precision pharmaceutical scales (the kind with balancing arms) that was enclosed in a glass case (so that air currents would not effect the weight). It was so sensitive it could detect the difference of the weight of a postage stamp between two weights.
     I hope this information is of some interest to you. The next time I am in the neighborhood I will drop by to say hello. Good luck on your venture.
Regards,
Augie

Get your do-wop on with The Bandana Splits August 16th at the Farmacy

2011-08-03T12:37:00.000-04:00

The Bandana Splits at the Farmacy August 16th!

We are very excited to have the The Bandana Splits, our local doo-wop inspired singing trio back at the Farmacy to celebrate their record release and to premier their new video, “Sometimes” which was filmed at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain this spring.
"Sometimes" transformed our little soda fountain into a sophisticated speak easy environment and was a perfect fit for the Bandana Splits video.
We invite you to get your own doo-wop on on August 16th! Come on out to meet and greet with the Bandana Splits, watch the video and listen to some wonderful music! A perfect way to spend an an evening! Extra points if you show up in retro dress! See you at the Farm!

What: Bandana Splits record release and listening party
Where: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
When: August 16th at 8PM
Why: They are our local doo-wop band, shouldn't you?

Say hello to Farmacy's Blueberry Soda!

2011-07-19T16:05:00.000-04:00

Farmacy's own sparkling Blueberry Soda is oh snap! Sweet, tart and bursting with flavor. Like shoving a whole handful of wild blueberries into your mouth. (if you've ever done this, you know what we mean) Stop on in and enjoy a soda with us!

(Pssst. Add a scoop of delicious Adirondack Creamery's Black Raspberry Ice Cream and wala! Our new float.... Rhapsody in Blue. )

Music @ the Farmacy!

2011-07-13T09:34:00.000-04:00

There was a whole lotta great music happening last night at the Farmacy thanks to Zach Williams and our own lovely Jerk Kanene (a.k.a. 'amazing musician!') Thanks for bringing so much fun to the Farmacy! Check in with us regularly (here, and on Facebook), as music happens often—and often times, spontaneously, at the Farm!

Say Hello to the POTATO HEAD Sundae

2011-06-16T09:20:00.000-04:00

A Sundae for Father's Day....
The Potato Head Sundae makes its debut this Sunday June 19th in celebration of Father's Day. This one-day-only sundae is a crazy good mix of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, caramel sauce, whipped cream and North Fork potato chip wedges throughout. A delicious mix of salty and sweet, and, let's face it, you'll have fun ordering this one out loud! See you at the Farm!

What you giving YOUR dad for father's day, kid?

2011-06-13T14:33:00.000-04:00

Just in time for Father's Day, XL Jerks shirts in store now!

Hello Strawberry Season!

2011-06-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Long Island Strawberry Sundaes, Delicious Wheat and Dairy-free options, and something called the 'twinkle split'.... and more. All on the new menu at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. Enjoy!

Pickle tasting with local Chef Diane DiMeo of BOOTLEG FARMS this weekend at the Farmacy

2011-05-19T14:09:00.000-04:00

Bootleg Farm Jalapeno Escabeche, Beans and Asian Pickles

Join us in welcoming Diane DiMeo, owner and chef of Bootleg Farms. Diane will be in store sampling her delicious spicy Asian pickles, Jalapeno Escabeche and Jalapeno Dill green beans this Saturday, May 21st from 1-3PM. Festive and fun, tastings at the Farmacy are a great way to meet and greet your local food producers— and to sample some mighty fine goods.

BOOTLEG: Made for making your mouth water:
We were thrilled last month to begin carrying these incredibly tasty pickled products at the Farmacy. (As a side note...we sampled them ourselves by bringing them as hostess gifts to a party we attended....they never even made it to a proper serving bowl -- people loved them so, they quickly plucked them right from the jar. Another true story, one of our favorite Jerks pre-ordered three jars of the Asian pickles before they even hit the shelves). So, short story? Stop in this Saturday, meet a local artisan food producer and sample up some mighty fine pickles.

Diane DiMeo of Bootleg Farms

A little back story: (We love a good story)
Chef Diane DiMeo first started working as a pastry chef at Les Duex in West Hollywood, California. She then apprenticed with Alan Harding at Patois. After learning as much as she could there, Diane became the executive chef of Galaxy Global Eatery. She went on to open Soju (pan asian restaurant), The Neighborhood Kitchen (culinary arts school), and was the executive chef for 1834 Bar and Burger. Diane also served as an in-house Chef Consultant at Dean and DeLuca, as a Chef for Red Box Bistro and as a consultant for Lexington Social, El Paso, and Blackhorse Pub. Diane currently has a restaurant group called Threez Group and she is slated to open a restaurant this year in the East Village. (We've decided that Diane works harder than we do!)
According to Diane, Bootleg Farms has been an ongoing hodge podge for 6 years. She started playing around with fruits from her family's farms, creating savory and sweet jams. Working both as an exec chef and chef consultant in restaurants, she had to create the menus. Freshness and homemade has always been an integral part of her philosophy, so pickles, sauces and everything else became in-house creations. The response to my pickles and sauces was so overwhelming that within a few years she realized she needed to start making them for the public. Hence Bootleg Farms was created!

Hey BOOTLEG, what's in a name?
The name BOOTLEG represents a time when Organic and farm fresh foods didn't have any regulations - it was just how things where grown. Wine, dried fruit, fruit leathers, beef jerky, and pickles where made in the basement, or the barn. Nothing fancy, but really good. This is how Diane grew up--wandering around the farm eating fresh fruit and vegetables. This is how she wants everyone to eat and where she continues to get her inspiration. Well, for those of us living in the urban jungle, at least we can have a taste of that with Bootleg's yummy pickles, beans and escabeche!

Fresh: Diane has built her career around producing food with the freshest ingredients possible.
Friendly: Come on in and see for yourself. We sure like her a lot.
Local. Yup. Made in Brooklyn.

For more information on Bootleg, visit:
http://www.bootlegfarms.com/

Vegan? Don't do Dairy? Alergic to Wheat? We've got treats for you!

2011-05-18T14:14:00.000-04:00

"No Tellin' It's Vegan" Cupcake

We are proud to offer the "No Tellin' it's Vegan" cupcake, delivered every Friday by local baker Esme. These delicious cupcakes are dairy AND wheat free. We can now say to everyone... Yes! We've got the treat for YOU. (and you, and you, and you, these cupcakes are that yummy!)
A little back story (we love a good story)
Esme is a local baker who says, "Baking delicious, healthy foods for my growing family is the inspiration for these delightful cupcakes". Esme was vegan for many years before it was fashionable and she wanted to make tofu tasty. (This is no small feat) She also had to sell these alternative foods to her small children, and as she says, "There is no more honest critic than a child." Esme's first inspiration was a cake for her eldest daughter on her 12th birthday. The cake was divinely inspired by the love between mother and daughter and as more birthdays, tea parties, and fairy parties came, she continued to develop recipes. Esme invited neighbors for cupcake tastings with many enthusiastic volunteers. “Are you sure these are vegan? I can’t tell!” they marveled. They all agreed, the taste and moisture of the cake was astonishingly good.

The Dream Cream, a non-dairy Egg Cream

Until that point, Esme had never (according to her) baked anything so well. But as she sat proudly looking at the cupcakes at the kitchen table she realized that an answer to a prayer had arrived. Esme had been looking for a way to stay home with her children and still find some autonomy, some way to be free and creative. With these delightful, vegan cupcakes, she had found an answer. Esme has since offered her culinary expertise to the Park Slope Food Cooperative as well as serving local cafes and stores in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Esme's background, with a BS in nutrition has been the basis of her dedication to the meals she prepares to maintain a healthy and happy home. Her cakes have been formulated to taste like a regular baked item, but hold to a higher standard of quality. Her attention to detail goes into every batch. Says Esme, "I will stand by these little creations as an extension of the exceptional care I have given my own family. You will be as proud to place them on your table as I have been." Well Esme, WE are thrilled to be able to offer a delicious treat that satisfies all of our wonderful customers at Farmacy with the "No Tellin' it's Vegan" Cupcake.

Fresh: Available on Fridays afternoons. If you like them, come and get them, and then we'll order more!
Friendly: Hand delivered with a smile, by Esme.
Local: Brooklyn, baby.

"The Mother of all Sundaes" A One-Day-Only Sundae in Celebration of Mother's Day

2011-05-07T18:28:00.001-04:00

"The Mother of all Sundaes" A one-day-only Sundae Special for Mother's Day. Made with vanilla cake (thanks Nine Cakes!) drenched in an all-natural maraschino cherry compote, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with fresh whipped cream and a cherry (of course). Our little way of saying, "Thanks Moms!" Bring yer Mom in and give her some Farmacy Love.

Thanks to our Farmacy fans, April and Melissa for the great name.

Love the Farmacy? Love Fresh Food from Local Farmers? We've got just the thing for you.

2011-05-03T15:10:00.001-04:00

Yum. Yum. Fresh Farm Food.

Join the Local Roots Summer CSA and enjoy picking up your basket every week at the Farmacy!
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great way to support your local farmers, eat healthier, and learn more about where your food comes from. And starting this June, Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain will be hosting 'Local Roots' CSA every Tuesday from 5-8PM. Local Roots will be offering members vegetable, fruit, duck, beef, egg, bread, and grain/bean shares. Things just got a little more farm-y at the Farm!
About Local Roots:
Local Roots CSA is dedicated to connecting NYC with their farmers and their food. By tweaking the traditional CSA model, they hope to create a system that better serves the lives of New Yorkers while still supporting hard working farmers. Local Roots NYC provides educational material, recipes, and other tips that makes cooking at home easier. They also host a bimonthly Supper Club and other events to develop a sense of community.

What Makes Local Roots Unique?

Freedom of Choice

In conventional CSAs, one must be a member of a vegetable share in order to have a share of other products such as fruit or grains. However, many CSAs are run by volunteers who can’t dedicate the time needed to organize additional product shares, putting many local providers at a disadvantage. Local Roots members have the opportunity to purchase shares of a variety of products independently of each vegetable share. For example, fruit share holders can also purchase a grain share or a member can purchase just a bread share. To our knowledge, Local Roots is the only CSA that has this option.

Flexible Payment

Most CSAs require members to pay for an entire season (June – November) up front to the farmer. Paying for six months of food at one time can be financially difficult for some and intimidating for others. For this reason, Local Roots split the season into Summer and Fall. The Summer season runs from June til August (12 weeks) and the Fall season is from September to November (12 weeks).

And...Come for the CSA, Stay for the Music!
Last year's CSA pick up was one of the most fun days of the week! And throughout this spring and summer CSA members (and everyone else) can enjoy live music with our old-time fiddle jam hosted by Alan Friend every Tuesday evening. ***Little kids especially love this. This is an open jam. So bring your fiddle, your banjo and your little stomping feet and join the fun!

SIGN UP TODAY!
Applications are due May 23rd. Sign up today by going to:
http://localrootsnyc.org/

Fresh: Farmer to consumer, direct. Yes!
Friendly: The atmosphere can't be beat. Egg Creams, Fiddling, Friendly Jerks and super friendly CSA members to meet and greet.
Local: Yup. Very.

Lunch @ the Farmacy is a Go. (finally, right? Woot, woot!)

2011-04-19T21:11:00.004-04:00

Simple, and good. Lunch @ the Farmacy.

Yesterday, the 'Grumble, Grumble' Grilled Cheese sandwich ensemble made its debut: A delicious Sharp Chedder Cheese Sandwich melted between crisp Multi-grain bread. Served solo or with Tomato Bisque, and an Egg Cream. Simply. Good.

And yesterday was the first day of Spring Break, 2011. It was a great day @ the Farmacy!

Visiting family, friends coming through. Aunties, pop-pops and uncles. Moms off from work for the day, A Granddaughter bringing in a Grandmother. Visiting cousins. A Dad and son playing checkers, and a family just having moved into Carroll Gardens. This was lunchtime from our vantage point! Memories being made right before our eyes. Thank you. We consider ourselves privileged to have you visiting us with the people you most love!

Lunch is a go! See you at the Farm!

Fresh: Gooey Grilled cheese hot off the press.
Friendly: It's a Grilled Cheese sandwich.
Local: The Grumble Grumble Grilled Cheese special includes a sandwich made on a Multi Grain Bread from Caputo's, Cabot sharp chedder cheese from Vermont, served with a bowl of vegetarian soup from Naturally Delicious, completed with tasty Egg Cream made with Hudson Valley Fresh Milk and Brooklyn's own, Fox's U-bet syrup. Enjoy!

Hoppity Hoppity, local artist Caitlin Wicker is on her way!

2011-04-02T22:11:00.001-04:00

Please join us this Sunday in welcoming local artist, Caitlin Wicker of 'Sweater Toys' for a meet and greet at the Farmacy! Caitlin has been sewing away the past few weeks .... and we have fallen in love with every little creature she has brought to our shelves. Her charming collection of stuffed bunnies and peeps—each one individually made and named— are created from gently used, recycled sweaters and retro printed fabric. And even though bunnies reproduce quickly, these sweet little creatures are going fast! See you at the farm!
What: A meet and greet with Caitlin Wicker of Sweater Toys
When: April 3rd from 3-5PM
Where: At the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

For more information about Sweater toys, visit Caitlin's website:
http://www.sweatertoys.com/

Get your Jerk on this Saturday at the Farmacy with a taste of SlantShack Jerky!

2011-03-25T00:35:00.004-04:00

Slantshack Jerky founder, Joshua Kace

We're super jerky excited for this upcoming tasting event! The makers of SlantShack Jerky will be in store this Saturday, March 26th, from 4-6PM. Stop on in and enjoy some jerky with the jerks at the Farmacy! (We think SlantShack likes to say the word JERK almost as much as we do!)

So who is SlantShack?
SlantShack Jerky is a small, artisanal food company. Dedicated to flavor, they've developed a series of unique marinades, spice rubs and glazes to create an unprecedented jerky taste experience. Their product is crafted by the good people at Vermont Highland Cattle Company in Orleans, VT, and because they make it to order, it's much more tender than your average store-bought brand. Since SlantShack opened for business in 2008, they've been named one of the Top Ten Jerkies in America by Maxim, given 5 stars by BestBeefJerky.org, featured in The Atlantic, Thrillist, Tasting Table, and The Village Voice, and generally adored by customers throughout the land. We started carrying their jerky this month and can't keep it on the shelves.

A little back story (we love a good story)
SlantShack Jerky was born from nine college degrees, a crooked roof, a dream, and a sprinkling of destiny. Or maybe it was at a family dinner in North Jersey where dehydrated meat was the main attraction. Or if you want to go way back, it began in the heart of a 12-year-old boy wishing for an unlimited supply of his favorite snack—Founder Joshua Kace has had a lifelong passion for meat treats. Add an empty stomach, a slightly slanted post-college apartment, a group of under-employed friends, and some late-night kitchen experimentation, and you have the makings of a beef jerky revolution. After months of midnight dehydrating marathons and rave reviews from early taste-testers, Josh and friends realized they might be on to more than just a hunger-satisfying hobby, and decided to share their jerky innovations with the meat-loving masses…

Want more? Stop by the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain this Saturday, March 26th from 4-6 PM to meet the makers, or visit their website:
http://www.slantshackjerky.com/
See you at the Farm!

Fresh: Made to order, this jerky is tender and GOOD.
Friendly: Not only are they nice people to work with, their bags of jerky are just the right size!
Local: SlantShack Jerky is made in Vermont. But we're pretty sure if there were cows in Brooklyn, they'd make it here too.

Valentine's Day Hearts at the Farmacy

2011-02-15T18:04:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who participated in the 'Window of Hearts' at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. Your messages of love are truly a sight to behold! For more photos, visit our Facebook page album.

It's official, "We're in Manhattan, Baby"

2011-02-08T11:26:00.003-05:00

The Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain has proudly launched a satellite location at Kiehl’s Since 1851 on 3rd Ave. and 13th Street in Manhattan. Stop on in and say hello!

Kiehl's at 13th and 3rd in NYC

Now, that's a nice fit!

In November, 2010, Kiehl’s approached us about the possibility of launching a small satellite location in their160-year-old skin care pharmacy. This lower east side location, also housed in a historic pharmacy, was at once deemed a perfect fit. Historically, pharmacies were ‘the place’ that spawned the American soda fountain, and with its 160 year apothecary heritage, BF&SF felt that this partnership with Kiehl’s was meant to be.

One of our favorite Jerks, Kanene!

What's there? Good Stuff.
Along with serving up the legendary NY Egg Cream, we're mixing on-the-spot, old-time soda fountain favorites such as Cherry Lime Rickeys and all-natural Ginger Ale made with artisanal syrups from P&H Soda & Syrup. You'll also find the Farmacy's blend of coffee and rich hot chocolate. Want a sweet treat? We're baking small batches of cookies that will hit the spot. Our soda jerks hop back and forth from Brooklyn to Manhattan, so you're bound to see a familiar face. Stop on in and say hello.

Where: Kiehl's Since 1851 on 3rd and 13th Street in NYC.
When: Seven days a week. We're open when they are!
For more information on Kiehl's, visit their website: http://www.kiehls.com/

Farmacy Valentine's Day Mailbox fills up with messages of Love!

2011-02-04T10:42:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Erez for crafting our Valentine's Day Mailbox. It's RED HOT!

Stop on by the Farmacy this week and inscribe a Valentine to your sweetie, your mom, your daughter, your son, (the postman?!) and place it in the ‘mailbox' on the counter top. Construction paper hearts and markers provided. On February 11th your ‘heart’ will be in our window for the world to see! (or at the very least, Carroll Gardens) Live far away but love someone in the neighborhood? Send us an email and we'll inscribe it for you! brooklynfarmacy@gmail.com
Happy Valentines Day from the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Looking for something unique to do with your squeeze on February 14th?

2011-01-28T15:00:00.004-05:00

Bring your Sweetie to the Soda Fountain for a Free Portrait Sitting ...and a Valentine's Day to Remember!

A Day to Remember!
On February 14th, stroll on over to the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain with your sweetie, buy a treatie (may we suggest a sundae for two?) and enjoy the fun of a professional portrait sitting! Your portraits will take about five minutes, and within a few short weeks your Valentine's Day photos will be available online! A sample of prices for prints: $10. for a 4x6. Not bad 'tall. A fun and memorable way to celebrate! To see the work of Burton Wells Photograhpy, visit www.burtonwells.com

It's snowing inside the Farmacy.

2011-01-13T22:59:00.000-05:00

Snowflakes in the Farmacy windows by Molly Donehey. Thank you, Molly.

Meet Linda Villano of SerendipiTea

2011-01-11T21:28:00.000-05:00

Linda Villano of SerendipiTea

We're way overdue in introducing Linda Villano to all of you! She's the woman behind SerendipiTea—and behind each delicious cup of tea we serve at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain.
     We were introduced to SerendipiTea last June as we geared up towards opening. Three seasons later (summer, fall, winter) we are happily serving SerendipiTea to our fountain customers and in our retail grocery section. And while we miss the Ruby Sipper iced tea and can't wait until the heat starts up to serve it again, we have taken full advantage of SerendipiTea's seasonal tea selections. We just recently added Chaucer's Cup to our menu, a fruity blend of apple, mango, hibiscus and other enticing spices. (I am sipping a cup right now and all I can say is YUM)
     It was easy to like Linda from the start as we listened to her describe SerendipiTea as a socially conscious company with high standards, as well as one that values giving back to the community. A visit to SerendipiTea's website (listed at the end) offers a peek into the altruistic nature of this woman-owned and operated business. Here's the first thing that caught our eye....
SerendipiTea 
In life, balance must be sought.
Through giving, the search for balance becomes a series of rewarding experiences
Some to be shared joyfully,
Others, kept close to one's heart . . .
     Some of you may have had the good fortune to meet Linda in person last month for her tea tasting at the Farmacy. If you missed this wonderful event, don't worry, we'll invite her back time and time again.

But for now, let's get a little back story (We love a good story)
Linda was born in Queens, a third-generation American of an Italian family. She moved to Long Island in the third grade and describes her family as a 'food' family. Linda went to a small liberal arts school in Connecticut and earned a bachelor of science in psychology (Hey, my brother Pete earned that too, and now he's a soda jerk!). After college, Linda worked for a series of New York not-for-profit organizations such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Operal house, and did a lot of volunteer work in social services.
      Villano and her late husband, Tomislav Podreka, started SerendipiTea in 1995 with the belief that tea should be made available to all people at accessible prices in a greater market place—without sacrificing quality and taste. They created SerendipiTea and committed themselves to offering the highest quality loose leaf tea possible. Working closely with tea gardens, estates and specialists around the world, SerendipiTea maintains a living knowledge and expertise regarding all facets of tea and production. And SerendipiTea is an environmentally responsible business. They utilize organic farms and all-natural products, use post-consumer recycled and biodegradable materials packaging and "employ people, not machines". SerendipiTea has opted over the years for the handcrafted rather than the machine-milled and prides itself in being a socially responsible business. Overall, SerendipiTea is an independent-minded boutique/artisanal tea company where quality, ethics and creativity blend together beautifully. We invite you to come in and taste for yourself how wonderful the teas from SerenipiTea are.

Here's Linda on types of tea leaves, preparing, steeping and storing.
Types of Tea Leaves:
WHITE
White tea tastes as close to a freshly plucked leaf as you’ll get, since the leaves are never oxidized, just withered and baked dry or air-dried. White teas have a delicate flavor and can be expensive, which is why they’re not often used for blending.
GREEN
After the leaves are picked, they’re steamed to retain their green color as well as their trademark vegetal flavor. After that, the leaves are withered, then rolled and twisted, and then either re-steamed (the Japanese favor this method, which preserves vegetal quality) or pan-fried, which can sometimes give the tea a yellowy-tinge and smoky aroma.
OOLONG
Both a category and a style of processing the tea. As a category, traditional oolong always hails from Taiwan or the Fujian province in China. After harvesting, oolong leaves are withered and then gently tossed manually or by machine in a basket in order to bruise the edges of the leaves and oxidize them. This, however, can create a range of styles with some oolongs with less oxidation that can taste like green tea, and others with lots of oxidation that can taste more like black tea. After being tossed, the leaves are then gathered in a cloth and rolled under metal plates until they form tiny nuggets.
BLACK
Black tea leaves are completely oxidized by processing them through metal rollers, which break up the leaves, stems and opens the veins (which is why black tea tends to be so tannic). After the leaves have fully oxidized for up to 18 hours, they go through hot-air heaters to cauterize the broken veins.

Tips for a Great Cup of Tea
First, the size of the ingredients matters. Most of the time you’ll be making a cup of tea for yourself, and you’ll need just one teaspoon for a six- to eight-ounce cup of tea. That means you want to make sure all the ingredients in the blend will be present and accounted for in every teaspoon so the tea tastes consistent from cup to cup. So make sure all the ingredients in the blend are the same size and small enough to fit together in a teaspoon. Villano also stresses that to ensure a proper ratio, measure out each ingredient of your blend with the same measuring tool, whether it’s a teaspoon, a cup or a glass. Next, brew a sample cup of your blend—and do it right. As a general rule, Villano suggests one to three minutes for white teas and green teas; three to five minutes for oolong and black teas. Most tisanes, however, tend to be very forgiving and won’t strengthen much in flavor after five minutes. Also, says Villano, “broken-leaf teas steep much more quickly than full-leaf teas, usually imparting a stronger flavor.”
     “Water quality is also very important,” says Villano. “If you have good tap water with low minerals and no chlorine, that’s great.” Otherwise, she recommends using filtered or bottled water, and don’t bring the water to a full boil for greens and whites. Water that’s boiled provides the perfect steeping environment for black tea and many oolongs to extract the right amount of flavors and aromas and prevent the tea from becoming overly extracted or astringent. And never microwave your water and tea. “Oxygen in the water is essential,” says Villano. “It’s what makes the cup brisk, bright and crisp by assisting in releasing the essential oils in the leaves, which are largely responsible for flavor. Microwaves deplete oxygen and produce a flat, non-descriptive cup.”
     Finally, be nosey. Scent is a powerful tool for tea blending. Familiarize yourself with what the teas smell and taste like on their own so you can determine which characteristics you want to highlight and which you want to keep as accents.
Storing
Teas is like a sponge. Its leaves are very porous, and it sucks up everything that's newar it. When you're storing tea at home, it's important to keep it in an airtight container away from light, heat and moisture, as well as away from cooking areas and strongly aromatic things like coffee. "It's going to suck in all that coffee aroma," says Villano. "And if you're cooking and have the tea box openthere, it's going to taste like whatever you're cooking."
Steeping
Never brew tea in a press pot that you've been using for coffee. "There's always a little bit of residue, and the tea is going to pick that up," says Villano.
Thanks for sharing what you know about tea with us, Linda!

Want to know more about SerendipiTea?
visit: http://www.serendipitea.com/
Fresh: Blended beautifully using the highest quality ingredients.
Friendly: SerendipiTea is accessible to their clients and customers, routinely hosting tasting events.
Local: Manhasset, NY
Note: This season's tea offering are: Passion and Envy (a green tea), Chaucer's Cup (a fruity, winter blend) Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Peppermint and Chai Chai Chai. Stop on in and enjoy a cup with us!

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

2011-01-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

We Have a Winner! Congratulations to December's winner of the 'Wicked Cute' photo contest! Please come in and treat yourself to a FREE SUNDAE. Keep sending us your wicked cute photos taken at the Farmacy... because next Month's winners will be announced February 1st and it could be YOU!

Meet Mark Alan Stamaty. Cartoonist. Author. Nice guy.

2010-12-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have noticed a framed illustration behind the soda fountain at at the Brooklyn Farmacy: A funny image of Peter and Gia as soda jerks toasting egg creams, with their mother's head sandwiched in between the glasses. Some of you have even recognized the artist, having followed his political cartoons and comic strips that have appeared in Time, The Village Voice and the Washington Post.

"Aha!" those-of-you-in-the-know have exclaimed, "THAT is an illustration by MARK ALAN STAMATY!"

And we have smiled at those-of-you in-the-know, and said, "Yes, that IS an illustration by Mark Alan Stamaty!"

And now, you can meet THAT GUY in person!

That's right, on Saturday, December 18th, Mark Alan Stamaty will be signing his legendary book, Who Needs Donuts at the Farmacy.

What a combination! Crazy good donuts from Peter Pan Bakery, crazy good artist from Brooklyn and his masterpiece of the absurd, Who Needs Donuts originally published 30 years ago with an illustration style that "mixes a benign Hieronymus Bosch with an urban Where's Waldo? Stamaty's off-the-wall humor is right on target for little kids and big kids today.

Needless to say, we are absolutely delighted to have him visit us on our 'donut morning' with his 'donut book'. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Stamaty to our corner of the world at 513 Henry Street.

A little back story (we love a good story)

Mark was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947. (Mark was actually born around the corner from the Farmacy, we found out...) He grew up in a New Jersey beach town, the only child of two professional cartoonists who had met in art school. Mark attended Cooper Union, a no-tuition private college in New York City, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969.

Mark is the author-illustrator of ten books. His children's books include Who Needs Donuts? (1973, 2003), Alia's Mission (2005), Too Many Time Machines (1999), Small in the Saddle (1975), Minnie Maloney & Macaroni (1976) and Where's My Hippopotamus? (1977).

In 1977-1978, Mark's panoramic centerfold cartoons of Greenwich VIllage and times Square for the Village Voice attracted widespread attention and were sold by the Voice as posters. He then created a series of comic strips for that paper, including MacDoodle St., which was later published as a comic strip novel. In 1981 Meg Greenfield, editorial page editor of the Washington Post, asked Mark to create a comic strip about Washington for her op-ed page. Mark traveled to D.C. to do extensive research, and in November of that year the Post and the Village Voice jointly debuted his new creation, Washingtoon, featuring, among many other characters, Congressman Bob Forehead, chairman of the JFK-Look-Alike Caucus. The comic strip’s popularity with Postand Voice readers led to its being picked up by more than 40 newspapers, including theBoston Globe, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Austin-American Statesman.

From 1994 to 1996, Mark was the political cartoonist for Time Magazine. From 2001 to 2003, he produced the highly praised monthly comic strip Boox for the New York Times Book Review. His cartoon reporting has covered a variety of events for GQ Magazine and The New Yorker, including men's fashion shows in Milan, the 2001 Baseball All-Star Game, the Washington Redskins' training camp, the Madison Square Garden 1992 25th-Anniversary Concert honoring Bob Dylan, the buzz around Washington during President Clinton's grand jury testimony, a UFO convention, and many more.

A page from Mark Alan Stamaty's book, Who Needs Donuts?

A little about the book...

Originally published in 1973, Who Needs Donuts is a sweet visual feast that will have kids (and nostalgic parents) poring over its rich tableaus for hours. Every inch of each black-and-white page is covered in detailed, delightful drawings, at times bringing to mind the two-dimensional cartoons of Saul Steinberg, at others the scratchy realism of Lynda Barry’s comics. In fact, there is so much to look at in this short, simple story that new discoveries are sure to be made with each successive reading (of which there are bound to be countless). Young Sam, clad (inexplicably, yet charmingly) in cowboy duds, already has a nice house with a big yard and lots of friends, but he feels nonetheless that something is missing. He mounts his trusty trike and heads for the big city in search of one thing: donuts, and not just a few, but "More than his mother and father could ever buy him."His quest is rife with humor and adventure, not to mention a man in paisley suit and a woman named Pretzel Annie.

Kids will adore the no-holds-barred kookiness displayed throughout (a street vendor selling fried oranges with optional mayonnaise; a "self-service" restaurant where the waiters look exactly like the customers), and adults will smile at the hippie-era moral that love is all you need. As the flap illustration warns, "This book is addictive," but this sugar habit need not be kicked.

--Review for Amazon.com by Brangien Davis

Fresh: Though published in the 70s, this book is as fresh as the donut you'll eat on Saturday morning at the Farmacy.
Friendly: Mark is one of the friendliest cartoonists we've met.
Local: He was born around the corner. He resides in Manhattan. Mark is local.
For more information and to see a full body of his work, visit Mark's website:
http://www.stamaty.engelbachdesign.com/

Toy drive at PS 29. Please Support Our Local Schools!

2010-12-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

Hey Farmacy Fans, PS 29 Brooklyn (our local school) is conducting a community-wide toy drive to make sure all children receive an age-appropriate gift this holiday season. Bring an unwrapped, new toy to the PS 29 lobby by December 20. Gifts for teens also encouraged.This yearʼs toy drive will benefit The Warren Street Center for Children and Families and The Red Hook Community Service Center. Please open up your hearts and support this!

Join us for a 'Jitterbug' Musical Morning this Saturday

2010-12-11T01:19:00.000-05:00

We are delighted to introduce our first Musical Morning for Families at the Farmacy with live music from Karen K and the JITTERBUGS. Bring your whole family in this Saturday at 10:30a.m. (12.11) to enjoy live music for what is sure to be a sweet morning!

Some back story. (we love a good story)

Karen has been singing since before she lost her first Grade Talent Show to a girl named Renee Sylvester who wore a penguin suit and did gymnastics for the prize.Having recovered eventually, Karen spent much of her 20s dressed in even odder costumes as she pursued a career in musical theater here in NYC.That is until about 3 years ago when she had her daughter, Becca, and started Jitterbugs NYC, her music classes that regale hundreds of Brooklyn kids ages 3 months to 5 years each week. Now rather than watching her on the big stage, you’ll find her pushing a stroller full of instruments through the streets of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights or Red Hook on her way to one of her music classes, a guitar strapped to her back. And if you happen to stop by one of those classes, you’ll see dozens of kids and their parents or babysitters happily dancing, shaking, banging and singing along to familiar tunes from the 1920s through the 1970s and classic kids favorites. You might also request song or two from her new album, Pancakes for Dinner, which is being released on December 3rd. It's packed with original songs inspired by the kids she teaches, not to mention her own. As the album says, it’s music for the kid in everybody.

As in everybody – young and old – can enjoy it.
Kind of like pancakes. Or Peter Pan donuts from Greenpoint!
Fresh: Her CD is hot from the recording studio and you can buy it now at the Farmacy!
Friendly: Musical mornings and donuts? What could be friendlier?
Local: Karen is a local, Brooklyn-based musician and she will be singing at 513 Henry Street.
Please join us in welcoming her!

2010-12-08T21:58:00.000-05:00

photograph by pushett irby photography www.pushettirby.com

Blessed Maine Herb Farm Salves for the Farmacy

2010-12-06T01:53:00.000-05:00

Blessed Maine Herb Founder, Gail F. Edwards and her daughters on the farm.

Salves made for the Farmacy by Blessed Maine Herb Farm

We are honored to introduce BLESSED MAINE HERB FARM to the Farmacy by way of two wonderful skin products: The All Purpose Salve and the Decongestant Salve, both of which are made from all-natural and organic ingredients. The All-Purpose Salve is described as 'tough enough for a logger's hand and gentle enough for a baby's bottom' and the Decongestant Salve seems to start working the moment you open its silver round tin. They are a blessing for winter's chapped skin and stuffy noses, and we invite you to come in store to sample them for yourselves. These all-natural salves make thoughtful gifts for the winter, and are practical products to keep on hand throughout the spring.

A little Back Story (we love a good story)
Founded by Gail Faith Edwards, Blessed Maine Herb Farm is a small family business that this year celebrated 21 years of herb farming. Located on a beautiful ridge-top in rural Maine, they grow over an acre of medicinal herbs, flowers and vegetables. Blessed Maine Herb Farm is a MOFGA certified organic grower and processor and they offer products of impeccable quality, made with the certified organic herbs that they grow and wildgather by hand. They practice simple, sustainable, natural farming methods with respect for the earth and all of the web of life. BMHF offers classes, apprenticeships and herbal medicine correspondence courses through the Blessed Maine Herb Farm School of Herbal Medicine and their gardens are open to the public, by appointment, during the growing season.

Nothing but the purest ingredients, gathered from near and far, are combined with their certified organic and wildgathered herbs, to present you with a safe and natural product that you can use with confidence.

Fresh: A walk on the Blessed Maine Herb Farm.
Friendly: Meet Rosa.
Local: We were raised down the hill from their farm and they are our heart's definition of 'local'.

For more information on Blessed Maine Herb Farm, visit: www.blessedmaineherbs.com

BF&SF Holiday Gift Certificates. Sweet.

2010-12-01T11:40:00.000-05:00

Know someone who loves the Farmacy? Gift Certificates treat Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain fans to what they really want! If you live far away, but your Farmacy fan lives here, contact us at brooklynfarmacy@gmail.com so that we can arrange your certificate to be mailed directly to them with your personal message.

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

2010-12-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

We Have a Winner! Congratulations to November's winner of the 'Wicked Cute' photo contest! Please come in and treat yourself to a FREE SUNDAE. Keep sending us your wicked cute photos taken at the Farmacy...next Month's winners announced January 1st.

Sweater Toys at the Farmacy. Imperfectly Perfect.

2010-11-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

'Forest Creatures' by Caitlin Wicker
Available now at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

We are delighted to showcase Caitlin Wicker's 'Sweater Toys' at the Farmacy and invite you to fall in love with these charming stuffed animals made from gently used recycled sweaters and retro printed fabric. Wicker's collection includes Forest Friends and Sea Creatures and truth be told, we're already head over heels for each and every one of these adorable animals. Each creature is unique and comes with his or her name. There are owls, aardvarks, deer, squid, penguins, squirrels and other surprising creatures!

'Sea Creatures'

A Little Back Story (we love a good story)

Caitlin began sewing stuffed animals five years ago after the death of her sister's very favorite stuffed bunny, Pinksey (RIP). Caitlin uses mostly recycled materials in her designs, drawing inspiration from vintage stuffed animals whose imperfections give them character. Visit the Farmacy and see all the creatures we have given a temporary foster home—until adopted by just the right person! Could it be you?

Fresh: Ummmm. Well, the aardvark is pretty snazzy, but don't eat him!

Friendly: Just looking at these creatures makes you feel like hugging someone.

Local: While Caitlin was born 'from away', she currently resides in Brooklyn with her boyfriend and cat.

STICKY BUN SUNDAYS

2010-11-11T19:27:00.000-05:00

We've got two words for Sunday Mornings:

1. Sticky.

2. Buns.

That's right, it just got cozier at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain with Sticky Buns from Trois Pommes Patisserie delivered fresh from the oven each Sunday Morning. Grab your morning paper and roll on down ...we'll have the coffee brewing and morning jazz on the radio for you. Open at 10 a.m. See you on Sunday!

Anarchy in a Jar. local. handmade. artisanal. urban.

2010-10-22T23:39:00.000-04:00

Laena McCarthy of Anarchy in a Jar (photo Zack DeZon)

We're honored to have Anarchy in a Jar's Laena McCarthy at the Farmacy this Saturday, October 22 from 3-5 PM. Many of you have already tasted Anarchy in a Jar preserves in and about Brooklyn. Some of you may even have requested that the jams be delivered to you by bicycle. (a service Anarchy actually offers). Now you have the opportunity to 'meet the maker', sample seasonable preserves and see why her jams are a staple on our grocery shelves. As a side note, these lovely jars of jams make wonderful gifts to bring to the host, or as a treat for yourself.  They are simply beautiful to behold.

Anarchy in a Jar preserves

A little back story. (we like a good story)
Laena learned the art of jam making in upstate New York from her mother who taught her to source local ingredients from small farms and her own garden. After traveling around the world for a few years and awakening to the vast array of senses on planet Earth, Laena ended up back in New York at an opportune time, when there is a revived demand for fresh, local, creative food. With help from her team of tasters, fellow food makers and jam fans, she stirs her eclectic experience into the elixirs of the jar. Her website www.anarchyinajar.com has such a rich and compelling storyline, we hesitate to do much more than point you to her site. There you will see phrases like: 'Anarchy is freedom from food tyranny' or 'the revolution starts in your mouth'. She describes Anarchy as: local. handmade. artisanal. urban. Laena is not just a damn good jam chef, she's thoughtful and dare we say, poetic.

 Here's one of Laena's Recipes
JAM CROSTATA 
SERVINGS: MAKES ONE 9-INCH TART
Ingredients 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour  
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel  
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces  
1/4 teaspoon salt  
3 tablespoons ice water  
Flour for dusting, as needed
1 jar (3/4 cup) preserves (Laena suggests Strawberry Balsamic or Triple Berry. Both are now available now at the Farmacy)  
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice  
1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted   Powdered sugar, for dusting, optional
 Directions  
In a large bowl, using a fork, stir together the flour, sugar, lemon zest and salt. Using your fingertips, work in the butter until the dough resembles coarse meal. Make a well in the center and add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time. Gently blend the ingredients 1 tablespoon at a time until moist clumps form. Gather the dough into a ball and flatten it into a disk. Wrap the disk in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight. 
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to an 11-inch round. Transfer the dough onto a heavy baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Stir the lemon juice into the preserve and spread the preserves on top of dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the dough border over the filling to form an 8-inch round, pleating loosely and pinching to seal any cracks in the dough. 
Bake the crostata until the crust is golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool. Sprinkle with the almonds and dust with the powdered sugar, if you wish. Slide a metal spatula under the crust to free the crostata from the baking sheet and serve.
Note: try making the crostata with two kinds of preserves–it looks pretty! 
Note: you can make these as tiny crostata babies instead using the same ingredients and method, but shaping a bunch of small crostata shells. experiment to make your own foodtopia! 

We're looking forward to spending the afternoon with Laena. And long after she is gone we'll be carrying her jams on our shelves. They make us happy.  

Here's some facts that may interest you: 
JELLY is fruit juice and sugar (no chunks) 
JAM is made from crushed or ground fruit pulp 
PRESERVES are made from whole or chunks of fruit 
MARMALADE is a citrus based jelly with pieces of fruit suspended in it (usually citrus peel and juice, but other fruits can be added) 
CONSERVES are jams made with a mixture of fruit and nuts (often includes citrus, nuts, and dried fruit). 
So now you know. 
Fresh: Laena sources her ingredients locally. She uses fresh and seasonal ingredients. 
Friendly: Laena recently took us on a 'jam journey', working with us to develop a 'Farmacy Jam'. She's funny as well as friendly, and a pleasure to be with.
Local. YES. YES. AND YES.       

Meet Allison Kave of First Prize Pies

2010-10-19T22:26:00.003-04:00

Allison Kave of First Prize Pies

Pie season is upon us, and yet all along here at the Farmacy we've been serving up what we think are the best pies around! Many of you have already experienced the culinary pleasure found in each bite of the pies we serve, and this Sunday, October 24th you can have the pleasure of 'meeting the baker'! Allison Kave of FIRST PRIZE PIES will be at the Brooklyn Farmacy from 3-5PM, meeting, greeting and sampling up yummy spoonfuls of her freshly baked pies and as an added bonus Allison will be taking orders for full pies available for pick up at the Farmacy, just in time for Thanksgiving. Allison's whole pies are highly coveted, so come early place your order! (ordering details at the end of this story)

A Little Back Story (we love a good story)
Allison Kave founded First Prize Pies in March of this year. Her inspiration to start baking professionally came after she took the Best Overall prize in last year's Brooklyn Pie Bake-Off for her Bourbon Ginger Pecan pie. (delicious, and served by the slice at the Farmacy) Allison initially started selling pies by the slice on Saturdays at her mom's shop, Roni-Sue's Chocolates, and as soon as she gave the business a name she was off and running! While Alison has always been passionate about food, and baking in particular, her 'former' career was in the contemporary art world as director of several NYC galleries. Allison received her MA in contemporary art at Sotheby's Institute in London, which perhaps is why her pies not only taste amazing, but the look beautiful as well. After being laid off due to the economic crash of 2008, Alison began to reconsider her career path and decided that she would be happier working with food. She wasn't sure exactly what form that would take, but lucky for all of us, she began to baking pies.

FIRST PRIZE PIES, delicious — and beautiful!

Allison's pie recipes are twists on classics, as well as somewhat quirky or unusual flavor combinations derived from her own sense of nostalgia. She relies on her palate to guide her choices, as well as the taste tests of trusted friends and family. Allison bakes out of her mom's shop, Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Essex Street Market. So as well as baking, she is able to spend valuable time with her mom on a regular basis. (we're suckers for spending time with moms, so we totally understand) Alison gives credit to her mom as being a huge influence in her approach to food.
We are thrilled to be serving First Prize Pies as our exclusive pie at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. Please join us in celebrating one of the many local food makers in our area!

Fresh: Pies are often still warm from the oven upon delivery!
Friendly: Allison continues to be a charm to work with. Meet her and you'll be smitten too!
Local: Pies are baked in the Essex Street Market, just a few stops off the F train from Brooklyn.

Pre-order your Holiday Pies at the First Prize Tasting Event this Sunday, October 24th from 3-5PM.
Allison will be offering a selection of three flavors for pick up at the Brooklyn Farmacy.
• Apple Cranberry
• Bourbon Ginger Pecan
• Pumpkin Spice
Pre-ordered. full pies are $30. and payment will be taken at the time of the order.
Pick up date at the Brooklyn Farmacy to be announced at the event.
Enjoy!

Just in time for the cool weather, AnnaKnits have arrived!

2010-10-13T19:42:00.010-04:00

Anna Van der Heide and two of her knitted sweater and caps

ANNAKNITS, a wonderful collection of handmade sweaters, caps, booties and scarves have arrived at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, just in time for the cool fall weather. AnnaKnits is a one-woman factory run by Anna Van der Heide, a semi-retired, bi-coastal long-time knitter, and yes, our mom. Anna started knitting for us in our home in Maine in 1971 and continues to create wonderful woolies for her four grandchildren, friends and family. Her work is featured in specialty stores from San Francisco to Maine, and we are lucky to have her work in Brooklyn. Thanks, Mom.

Though the style of her work is simple and her sweaters consistently raglan, her originality rests in her choice of colors and textured yarns. Her work is highly adored, and we're certain that your child will steal the show at the park this Autumn while wearing her delightful —and affordable—hand made knits!

AnnaKnits for children and adults may be commissioned by inquiring at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. Although most items are machine-washable, special care should always be taken, especially for those that are 100% wool.

Fresh: Made this Fall

Friendly: Well, mostly, but not in the early morning!

Local: She's from Maine and she sells her sweaters, direct.

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

2010-10-04T08:59:00.000-04:00

Winner of the "Wicked Cute" photo of the Month / Sept. 2010

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations, you really are wicked cute! Please come in and treat yourself to a free sundae! Next month's winners announced November 2nd, so keep sending us your wicked cute photos!

Meet Drake Page of The DP Chutney Collective October 3rd at the Farmacy

2010-10-03T13:25:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to have Brooklyn-Based, Drake Page of the DP Chutney Collective at the Farmacy on October 3rd for a Seasonal chutney tasting event. Fulfilling a mission to source locally and personally, Drake's delicious chutneys have been on our shelves from the start. Come on down and meet the maker and enjoy some complementary samples.

A little Back Story (we love a good story)
The DP Chutney Collective began with the now familiar story of getting laid off during the economic downturn . After too many weeks spent in faux-speakeasies, Drake Page decided to start a micro-business hawking the chutneys he'd been making for years as gifts for close friends and family. It’s called a collective because he makes more than chutney and because as he says, "I am fortunate to have a wide network of supportive taste testers and helpers with very creative suggestions and strong opinions".
     The D P Chutney Collective is an ever-expanding line of exotic condiments produced in Greenpoint. On a very small scale Drake is introducing chutneys to people who don’t typically eat them or else relegate them to Indian take-out meals only. Or conversely, provide them for diners with a taste for big, bold flavors who can’t find a decent chutney selection elsewhere. Drake would like to think of The Collective’s chutneys as culinary exclamation points to any meal and filling a void in the market (albeit a quirky, niche one), brightening charcuterie/cheese boards and backyard bbqs, and dinner tables everywhere.
     Drake grew up in the the South where the pickle/relish/condiment tray is a staple at most meals. 20 years ago he moved to NYC and fell in love with the vast range of Indian/Indonesian/South Asian food available and began cooking it at home. Chutneys, sambals and sauces quickly became the favorite things for him to make. After a brief stint cooking in a restaurant in London, Drake gained deeper knowledge but realized he'd rather cook and sell his own product than deal with kitchen egos.
     As much as possible Drake sources his ingredients from local, sustainable farms and small businesses. His cider vinegar comes from an orchard in Greene County, NY, the honey from a tiny, family-run apiary in the Finger Lakes region, the jars from Roebling Street! He is constantly building new relationships with many NY and NJ farmers so roughly 75% of his produce is sourced from within a 90 mile radius this summer. In addition, The Collective uses 20+ different spices in full range of products purchased from Mountain Rose, an amazing online source for traceable Fair Trade products.
   According to Drake, "Chutneys marry well with most cheeses, roast chicken and other poultry, rice and beans, burgers of all types . . . almost anything, anytime you need a sweet/spicy contrast to a savory dish. Chutney never met a pork or lamb chop it didn’t love. Some are better with specific partners; for example, Blueberry Chutney has a natural affinity for venison and wild game and strong, aged dry Gouda or ultra creamy Brie and Camembert. Other than cheese I would not suggest chutney with dessert. Oops! Some have told us they love the Kerala Pineapple Chutney on vanilla ice cream." That's good news for us, because we have some vanilla ice cream in house. Maybe we'll try that at the sampling on October 3rd!

Here's a recipe we hope you will enjoy, using DP Chutney:

CURRIED PEACH WHEAT BERRY SALAD
1 cup soft wheat berries
Water
Toasted sesame oil
Soy Sauce
3-4 scallions, chopped, white and green parts
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped finely
Salt to taste
2 T. Curried Peach Chutney
Cilantro, chopped (optional)

If you can, try to soak the wheat berries in warm water for a couple of hours. If you don't soak them, increase the cooking time until berries are chewy-tender.

After soaking, drain the wheat berries and place in a saucepan with 3-4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, over a medium-high flame for 70 minutes or until tender to the bite. they will remain pleasantly chewy so do not overcook further.

Drain wheat berries very well and mix with the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Season to your tastes with the salt, soy sauce and sesame oil.

Chill and serve cold or at room temperature, garnished (or not) with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

The DP Chutney Collective is:
Fresh: Drake sources his ingredients from local, sustainable farms and small businesses.
Friendly: Drake has made himself available to his clients at all times, we can vouch for that! He's a pleasure to have in store and we invite you to meet him, yourself.
Local: Brooklyn-Based.

Say Hello to the BF&SF PB&J After School Special (pssst. it's available all the time!)

2010-09-24T13:06:00.000-04:00

We're happy to roll out the newest addition to the counter at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. A good ole' peanut butter and jelly sandwich served with a glass of whole milk. Enjoy it after school, or, anytime! We're calling it the BF&SF PB&J. Say that ten times!

A little back story. (we love a good story)
We've had lots of folks asking for a sandwich, and our natural first choice was the all-American favorite PB&J. After looking and tasting around, we think we've come up with a tasty (and nutritious) combination of these three traditional ingredients. Anna from the GOOD BATCH accepted our invitation to make our peanut butter and Miss Amy's Preserves happily jumped on board to provide us with her yummy strawberry jam made from Long Island strawberries. For our bread we didn't have too travel far... Caputo Bakery on Court Street, which many of you already know and love, bakes our fresh whole wheat bread daily. So now our morning routine includes a short bike ride to the bakery. Ahhh. Local is good. The milk, well, you know how we love our Hudson Valley Fresh whole milk. This is the milk that goes into all our egg creams and shakes, from the dairy that provides the cream for the ice cream we serve. We don't mind you dippin' that PB&J sandwich into your glass of milk. For the record, we do it too!

Fresh: Sandwiches made fresh daily
Friendly: What could be more friendly than a PB&J?
Local: Two of the three food producers are less than three blocks away. The other is in Long Island. (We're only sorry we can't ride our bike there to pick up jam!)

Meet Brooklyn-based Morris Kitchen, makers of small-batch Ginger Syrup

2010-09-17T09:49:00.000-04:00

MORRIS KITCHEN Ginger Syrup Makers, Tyler and Kari Morris

We've got a best seller on our grocery shelves, with for good reason. From the moment we introduced Morris Kitchen's Ginger Syrup to the Brooklyn Farmacy, customers responded. Morris Kitchen is Kari and Tyler Morris, a Brooklyn-based brother/sister duo and their Ginger Syrup is made in small batches with freshly juiced ginger, bottled in an apothecary style amber glass jar with a letterpress-printed label, and then stamped with the bottling date. Tyler and Kari fill each bottle by hand.
     Lovely to behold, and even better to taste, this Ginger Syrup can be used in a variety of seasonal cocktails, paired with sparkling water, over fruit and berries, as a topping for desserts, or incorporated into cooking recipes. (see below for a ginger cookie recipe)

Meet them!
Morris Kitchen will be in our store on Sunday, September 19th from 3-5.
Stop in, sample the syrup and meet these innovative syrup makers.

A little Back Story (we love a good story)
Morris Kitchen’s mission is to connect New Yorkers with local, and seasonal food. They believe that the best food is often unadulterated, fresh and organic. Tyler has been cooking in restaurants for thirteen years,and is passionate about seasonal ingredients and sustainable farming. Previously a Sous Chef for Tom Colicchio's Craftbar Tyler now serves as Sous Chef at April Bloomfield's Breslin Bar & Dining Room.
     Kari worked front of the house at Foreign Cinema restaurant in San Francisco for three years while studying painting at California College of the Arts. This is where her food crush blossomed into a full time love affair. From the table setting to the guest list, Kari has an eye for the details of bringing a meal together. Having graduated with a degree in Fine Art, Kari also organizes Art Fairs and enjoys teaching kids about local produce and healthy eating habits. She continues to successfully engage people of all ages with food and art by introducing them to new ways of cooking.
     Beyond the syrup products, Morris Kitchen is a brother-sister run monthly supper club. They source their ingredients from the Greenmarket and from our friends at Rooftop Farms. The goal of Morris Kitchen is to provide quality products that are made with genuine care, by hand.
     In the works is another syrup: boiled apple cider syrup. Perfect for a fall cocktail or over ice cream. they are currently focusing on a farm and apple orchard that they work with in Upstate New York. Drawing attention to the importance of supporting local farms will be the main focus.

Thanks for making such a wonderful product, Kari and Tyler. We are honored to have you on our shelves.

Fresh: Made weekly, by hand in small batches.
Friendly: Beautifully crafted syrups in bottles that are appealing and user-friendly. There are many ways to use this syrup, yet drizzled over ice-cream is delicious enough!
Local. They've hand delivered every order we've placed. So we get to chat. And that's nice.

Here's an easy recipe using Morris Kitchen's Ginger Syrup . Enjoy!
Ginger Shortbread Cookies  / makes 30 1 in. cookies 
Ingredients 
•    3/4 c. confectioners sugar 
•    1 c. butter (2 sticks) 
•    1 c. Morris Kitchen Ginger syrup 
•    2 1/2 c. AP flour 
•    1/2 tsp. salt 
•    2 Tbl. ginger powder 
Method 
1.    Preheat oven to 350°F 
2.    Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. 
3.    Add ginger syrup slowly on low speed. 
4.    Once ginger syrup is incorporated, add all dry ingredients. 
5.    Mix until fully incorporated. 
6.    Dough should be pliable and only a bit sticky. 
7.    Roll dough between two sheets of parchment or wax paper to 1/4” – 1/8” 
8.    Chill in fridge until the dough is stiff 
9.    Bake 8-12 minutes or until edges are just golden 
10.    Sprinkle with sugar while warm or wait until cookies are cool and decorate 
— Maggie Kindschuh , recipe

PLEASE NOTE: On Sunday, September 19th, 10% of Brooklyn Farmacy's proceeds will be donated to offManhattan's Feed your Soul charity event towards the Food Banks for NYC (http://offmanhattan.com/feedyoursoul/). So along with sampling the syrup, we've just given you another great reason to visit us at the Farm!

Images courtesy Hither & Thither

Meet Chef Anton Nocito of P&H Soda and Syrup

2010-09-13T14:46:00.000-04:00

Chef Anton Nocito of P&H Soda

One of the things we are most proud of at the Brooklyn Farmacy is that a majority of our products, both in our fountain and on our grocery shelves, are produced by people we know and see on a regular basis. Local People. This makes an enormous difference both professionally, and as a way of life—fresh, friendly, local.
On that note, please allow us to introduce you to Chef Anton Nocito of P&H Soda and Syrup, or as we refer to him, "Our Syrup Guy." Each Thursday Anton or his wife Erica hand deliver a micro batch of artisanal syrups that we use for a week's worth of fresh sodas at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. P&H's syrups have been on our menu from day one, and continue to delight our customers with every sip. While you can regularly enjoy flavors such as Cream, Hibiscus, Coffee, Lime and Ginger, seasonal syrups are a wonderful way to experience what's ripe, now. This past month we've enjoyed a fresh concord grape syrup: a soda so fresh, it was like drinking a handful of grapes. With just a few more weeks of this seasonal delight, we encourage you to stop on in and enjoy!

A little back story on Anton. (we love a good story)
Chef Anton Nocito has dreamt of owning his own restaurant his whole life. In 2009 he finally decided to create a product to compliment the style of restaurant he wanted to own, and P&H soda and syrup was born. The P&H stands for Pumpkin & Honey Bunny. The name Anton’s wife, Erica Rothchild, uses for her line of screen printed greeting cards. It refers to the diner-robbing couple in the first and last scenes in “Pulp Fiction.” The name was lifted and then shortened.
Anton knows his way around a professional kitchen. You could say it’s in his blood. His grandfather owned a bakery, which gave him the chance to do his own baking as a child. But Anton chose a different path and became a butcher. During that time he also dabbled in coffee in roasting. After a decade of carving beef, he decided to attend the French Culinary Institute. With degree in hand, he ended up working in some of New York’s top restaurants including Danny Meyer’s Union Square Cafe and the Café’s at the Museum of Modern Art. He is currently the Executive Chef at A Cafe in the AKA Hotel Central Park. While he works toward opening his own modern version of a soda fountain, he currently sells his product to restaurants, bars and retail stores. (Lucky us!) Anton will be at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain for a tasting event soon. We'll keep you posted on the date!

Fresh. P&H Syrups are made fresh, weekly.
Friendly. Yup, he sure is. And so is Erica.
Local. Made in Brooklyn.

Two weeks ago Anton delighted us further by introducing retail bottles of P&H Syrups (12 oz. 12$). Lime, Ginger, Hibiscus and Cream. For mixing sodas or cocktails, these syrups are fantastic!
Erica's Seltzer Totes and Greeting Cards can be found at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain.

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

2010-09-02T12:59:00.000-04:00

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to the lovely people couple in the photo! You really are wicked cute! Please come in and treat yourself to a free sundae! Next month's winners announced October 2nd, so keep sending us your wicked cute photos!

Mark Your Calendars for Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain's First Annual 'Back to School' Egg Cream Socials!

2010-08-28T16:23:00.000-04:00

BF&SF's First Annual 'Back to School' Egg Cream Socials. September 8, 9, 10.

BF&SF PEACH SAUCE RECIPE

2010-08-28T13:11:00.000-04:00

2 cups water
2 Tablespoons Amaretto (or 1 teaspoon almond extract)
2 Tablespoons peach preserves (or apricot, if you don't have peach)
2 Tablespoons honey (a light honey, not a dark one like buckwheat)
1/4 cup sugar
3 blackberries or 6 blueberries or black raspberries (added for color and totally optional)
6 cups peeled and sliced peaches

Makes about 1 quart (4 cups)

To peel peaches, set them in a pot of boiling water for 15 seconds. If they are ripe, the skins will slip right off. But be forewarned that they are slippery little buggers once their skins are off. Watch your digits while slicing!

Place all ingredients, except peaches, in a 2 to 3 quart heavy pot. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Add peaches and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until peaches are soft and limp, but still intact. Remove peaches with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Continue to simmer the syrup until it's thickened and reduced by about two-thirds. Pour the syrup over the peaches, stir and you're done!

SEND US YOUR WICKED CUTE PHOTOS!

2010-08-16T15:19:00.000-04:00

Ezra and Zadek Freeman sippin' away!

What a Place! What a Face!
We see so many of you shooting the most adorable photos while sipping on egg creams, and well, we just can't take it anymore!
We want to see those photos!

Send us your Best!
Upload your best photos taken at the Brooklyn Farmacy to our Facebook page (Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain) and each month we'll pick our favorite. (oh, that will be hard!)

What's in it for you?
Besides having a permanent spot in our photo album...
You'll get free SUNDAE! YAY!

Weekly CSA distribution starting up at the BF&SF. Straight from the Orchards to You!

2010-07-29T15:13:00.000-04:00

Interested in getting farm fresh fruit at an affordable price? Would you like to support a local, family farm? These are two great reasons to sign up for a CSA! Through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), members pay a farm up front for share of produce. The price they pay for this share is cheaper than purchasing the same quality of produce at a grocery store or farmers' market. At the same time, a CSA ensures a certain amount of revenue for the farm.

By joining a CSA, members can also familiarize themselves with their farmer. They can learn more about how their food is grown and who grows it.

Though most vegetable CSAs are sold out in the city, you now have an opportunity to sign up for something completely new - a fruit CSA! The Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA will provide members with weekly shares of farm-fresh fruit from August - November. Fruit CSA shares in the city are currently additional product shares of vegetable CSAs - you must be a member of a vegetable CSA to partake in the fruit share; this is not the case for the Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA, who is completely independent of any vegetable CSA. The Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA shares will have a variety of fruits grown on their orchards in upstate NY, such as peaches, plums, pears, apples, and grapes. In addition to fruits, members will receive apple sauces, jams, and fruit juices.

The Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA will distribute out of the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain at 513 Henry Street in (corner of Henry and Sackett) in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
on TUESDAYS from 4:00pm - 6:45pm.

Full and half shares are available.
Full shares are priced at $22 per week and half shares are just $13 per week.

For more information on how to sign up, visit: http://redjacketorchardscsa.wordpress.com
OR, E-mail redjacketorchardscsa@gmail.com.

Let's do this Brooklyn! Stop in and talk to us with any questions you have. And... See you at the Farm! —Petey and Gia, BF&SF

Singer, Songwriter GRACE LOVE at Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain, this Thursday, 7.29 from 7-9

2010-07-26T13:41:00.001-04:00

This Thursday we are thrilled to have singer Grace Love gracing our space. Tacoma-bred (but Brooklyn based for now), Grace Love is a new sensation on the New York stage. Immersed in music since childhood, the 24-year old vocalist has been developing a following all around town for her show-stopping interpretations of classic Blues numbers. With legends like Etta James and Ray Charles for inspiration, Love is captivating audiences with her soul-full charm and engaging, old school-style presence. With a recent Apollo Theater appearance under her belt, Love will begin regular appearances headlining at Duane Park. Let's welcome her in style this Thursday night. Who knows... she could become a regular at the BF&SF too. Let's welcome her in style.

Come in and fiddle around! Meet Darren Allen from Maine's VoterVale Farm this Saturday, 7/24 from 7-9 at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. Darren will be sampling his SWEET AND SOUR PICKLED MAINE FIDDLEHEADS. Live music with fiddler, Craig Judelman of the Dustbusters.

2010-07-22T14:05:00.000-04:00

This Saturday we are thrilled to have our 'Fiddlehead Guy', Darren Allen of VoterVale Farm visit us at the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. This is a real coup, 'cause getting a Maine farm boy off the land is no easy task. Darren will be sampling his sweet and sour pickled fiddlehead ferns, grown wild and hand-picked during spring (the season only lasts two weeks!) on his family farm in Maine. We are honored to have him stop in and talk up his farm, and his fiddleheads.
Having been raised in Maine, Peter and I have a personal mission to support our fellow Mainers by offering their products to our Brooklyn customers. Right from the start we knew we'd met a special guy in Darren, a farmer committed to the work he was doing, and for all the right reasons. Darren posts regular updates on the VoterVale Facebook page covering everything from what's in season to political news about food production in the United States. Our last conversation took place while he was in the pig pen. Gotta love this guy.

Some Back Story. (We love a good story!)

Back to the Family Farm...

VoterVale Farm is a small, family farm in the Sandy River Valley of Maine. After several years of living “away,” Darren and his wife Angel returned to their roots by purchasing the family farm. Believing that society has become too disconnected from where its food comes from, their primary focus was to provide a foundation for their children by connecting them with family and community, their natural surroundings and the food that they eat. As farmers, their mission has always been to produce fresh, naturally-raised, local meats, vegetables, and preserves. They have been told many times that “there’s no money in farming,” but their goal is not to make millions. By melding traditional methods with new technology where it makes sense, they strive to produce and provide healthy, delicious food choices at a reasonable costs. It also seems, at least from our point of view, and correct us if we're wrong, Darren and Angel, that they're having a bit of fun, even with all that hard farm work. Darren and Angel, thank you for doing what you do, and for sharing it with us. Read more about Votervale Farm at: http://www.votervalefarm.com/

By the way, what are Fiddleheads?

Fiddlehead ferns are the unfurled fronds of a young fern. The fiddlehead, or circinate vernation, unrolls as the fern emerges from the ground with new growth. Fiddleheads are harvested early in the season, before the frond has opened and reached its full height, and are cut fairly close to the ground. The fiddlehead is so named because it resembles the curled ornamentation (called a scroll) on the end of a stringed instrument, such as a violin .

In store Now!
We already have a following of fiddlehead lovers. But these beauties won't be on our shelves for long.

VOTERVALE SWEET PICKLED FIDDLEHEADS
Fiddleheads are a spring delicacy in Maine. These are pickled in a sweet brine that makes for a treat any time of the year.
VOTERVALE SOUR PICKLED FIDDLEHEADS
Pickled in a mustard brine that is sure to please fans of sour foods. They have "Pucker Power."

Photos, top, left to right: Votervale Farm wild fiddleheads, picking season, 2010. Darren Allen, farmer, Votervale Farm in Avon, Maine' Jars of Pickled Fiddleheads at Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. Photography c. Votervale Farm. / Carolyn Morris photography of in-store fiddleheads.

Ice Cream Tasting at the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain this Sunday!

2010-07-16T11:34:00.000-04:00

Please join us this Sunday, July 18th at the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain from 1:30 to 3:30 and meet our "Ice Cream Guy," Paul Nasrani of Adirondack Creamery. Paul will be sampling his all-natural Kulfi-Pistachio Cardamom, and talking up his ice cream dreams.  

Some Back Story. (We love a good story!) 
Paul spent the summers of his youth on a small Pennsylvania farm where at the end of a long work day he always found the energy to help churn batches of fresh homemade ice cream. It was there that his dream of creating an ice cream company was hatched. But not until 2002, after working nearly a decade in corporate finance, did Paul began realizing his Ice Cream Dream. He produced small batches of ice cream in his studio apartment and received tremendous feedback from co-workers and friends. One cold winter day he happened to be passing through Grand Central Station and stumbled onto an auction for an ice cream/frozen custard shop. Paul walked away with a batch freezer for ice cream production. It didn't take long for the rest of the story to unfold. Within a year, he left his career in finance to make ice cream full-time.  

Closer to the Cow
Holding fast to his vision to design all natural ice cream with no artificial ingredients, additives or preservatives, Paul always knew that the closer to the cow you could keep the ice cream, the better it would be. In 2006, Paul teamed up with the Boice Brothers Dairy in Kingston, NY, which was established in 1914 and to this day continues to be operated by the Boice family. With this new partnership in place, Paul was able to design and make his own ice cream based on an old-fashioned recipe of cream, milk, sugar and egg yolks. Today Adirondack Creamery is a successful, independently owned and operated company which operates directly inside the dairy. Paul's ice cream is made from the hormone-free milk and cream which arrives at the dairy each day from 8 family farms!   

BF&SF strives to be Fresh, Friendly and Local. Adirondack Creamery rises to the occasion on all fronts.
Fresh: Small batches made from milk and cream from eight family-run dairies. Hormone-free, all natural ingredients.
Friendly: Well, just come on in and meet him this Sunday, 7/18 from 1:30 to 3:30. He's one of the friendliest guys we've met!
Local: Paul's ice cream is made less than an hour and a half from New York City.

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain is honored to carry Adirondack Creamery ice cream. Welcome Paul, and thank you! You can read more about Adirondack at: http://www.adirondackcreamery.com/index.html 

While we get it all together...

2010-05-18T06:18:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Get your Valentine's Day Portrait at the Farmacy!

Our Valentine's Mailbox Awaits You!

Willy Gantrim live at the Farmacy

Now that was a fun year!

Shop Small & Give Big

We do lunch. (read the fine print for a special offer)

Hmmmm. What to give.....

"Go Sit On Your Own Stoop!" Author John Khoury at the Farmacy

Artist's Reception for Milo & Player

Join us for a "Wintery Mix" Holiday trunk sale!

Illustrator Claudia Pearson at the Farmacy this Sunday!

Meet cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty Saturday morning at the Farmacy

Note to self: Brooklyn Farmacy will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

Musician, songwriter Minu Cinelu at the Farmacy

MAPLE EGG CREAMS at Brooklyn Farmacy

Tuesday night, 'Old-Time' Musical Jam Sessions are back!

Where is YOUR next book group meeting?

A 'REAL FOOD' LUNCH MENU, NEW HOURS... and a well-kept secret.

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month WINNER!

'STACHE COOKIES by local baker, Butter + Love

Ginger Cookies in the shape of a mustache? Yes!

Local baker, BUTTER + LOVE brought us in some 'stache cookies, and we couldn't resist! They look quite nice on your upper lip, but they won't stay there for long... YUM!Come and get 'em at the Farmacy! Thanks Butter+Love!

A SPECIAL TASTING EVENT WITH LOCAL ARTISANAL SYRUP MAKER, MORRIS KITCHEN

Join us for JITTERBUGS MUSICAL MORNING JAMS every Friday at the Farmacy

Adirondack's COCONUT ICE CREAM is in!

YAY! Our beloved Ice Cream Maker, Adirondack Creamery, mixed us up an amazing new flavor: COCONUT! And thanks to our smart team of CREATIVE JERKS, you get to indulge in THE ALMOND JOYFUL SUNDAE or the 'LO-COCO' Float.

THE ALMOND JOYFUL SUNDAE: Two Scoops of Coconut Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Fresh Whipped Cream and Coconut Almond Crumbles.THE LO-COCO FLOAT: A scoop of Coconut Ice Cream perched on top of a soda flavor of your choice!

Yes. Life just got a little sweeter at the Farmacy!

WICKED CUTE PHOTO OF THE MONTH CONTEST!

Let the WICKED CUTE PHOTO of the month contest begin! Send us your wicked cute photo taken at the Farmacy and at the beginning of each month, if yours is selected you get a FREE SUNDAE! (shown here, a previous lucky winner!) Send your photos to brooklynfarmacy@gmail.com

A letter from Mr. Augustino (Augie) Vitiello, longtime Carroll Garden's resident

Get your do-wop on with The Bandana Splits August 16th at the Farmacy

Say hello to Farmacy's Blueberry Soda!

Music @ the Farmacy!

Say Hello to the POTATO HEAD Sundae

What you giving YOUR dad for father's day, kid?

Hello Strawberry Season!

Pickle tasting with local Chef Diane DiMeo of BOOTLEG FARMS this weekend at the Farmacy

Vegan? Don't do Dairy? Alergic to Wheat? We've got treats for you!

"The Mother of all Sundaes" A One-Day-Only Sundae in Celebration of Mother's Day

Thanks to our Farmacy fans, April and Melissa for the great name.

Love the Farmacy? Love Fresh Food from Local Farmers? We've got just the thing for you.

Lunch @ the Farmacy is a Go. (finally, right? Woot, woot!)

Yesterday, the 'Grumble, Grumble' Grilled Cheese sandwich ensemble made its debut: A delicious Sharp Chedder Cheese Sandwich melted between crisp Multi-grain bread. Served solo or with Tomato Bisque, and an Egg Cream. Simply. Good.

And yesterday was the first day of Spring Break, 2011. It was a great day @ the Farmacy!

Lunch is a go! See you at the Farm!

Hoppity Hoppity, local artist Caitlin Wicker is on her way!

Get your Jerk on this Saturday at the Farmacy with a taste of SlantShack Jerky!

Valentine's Day Hearts at the Farmacy

It's official, "We're in Manhattan, Baby"

Farmacy Valentine's Day Mailbox fills up with messages of Love!

Looking for something unique to do with your squeeze on February 14th?

It's snowing inside the Farmacy.

Snowflakes in the Farmacy windows by Molly Donehey. Thank you, Molly.

Meet Linda Villano of SerendipiTea

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

We Have a Winner! Congratulations to December's winner of the 'Wicked Cute' photo contest! Please come in and treat yourself to a FREE SUNDAE. Keep sending us your wicked cute photos taken at the Farmacy... because next Month's winners will be announced February 1st and it could be YOU!

Meet Mark Alan Stamaty. Cartoonist. Author. Nice guy.

Toy drive at PS 29. Please Support Our Local Schools!

Join us for a 'Jitterbug' Musical Morning this Saturday

Blessed Maine Herb Farm Salves for the Farmacy

BF&SF Holiday Gift Certificates. Sweet.

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

We Have a Winner! Congratulations to November's winner of the 'Wicked Cute' photo contest! Please come in and treat yourself to a FREE SUNDAE. Keep sending us your wicked cute photos taken at the Farmacy...next Month's winners announced January 1st.

Sweater Toys at the Farmacy. Imperfectly Perfect.

STICKY BUN SUNDAYS

Anarchy in a Jar. local. handmade. artisanal. urban.

Meet Allison Kave of First Prize Pies

Just in time for the cool weather, AnnaKnits have arrived!

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations, you really are wicked cute! Please come in and treat yourself to a free sundae! Next month's winners announced November 2nd, so keep sending us your wicked cute photos!

Meet Drake Page of The DP Chutney Collective October 3rd at the Farmacy

Say Hello to the BF&SF PB&J After School Special (pssst. it's available all the time!)

Meet Brooklyn-based Morris Kitchen, makers of small-batch Ginger Syrup

Meet Chef Anton Nocito of P&H Soda and Syrup

Wicked Cute Photo of the Month!

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to the lovely people couple in the photo! You really are wicked cute! Please come in and treat yourself to a free sundae! Next month's winners announced October 2nd, so keep sending us your wicked cute photos!

Mark Your Calendars for Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain's First Annual 'Back to School' Egg Cream Socials!

BF&SF PEACH SAUCE RECIPE

Local baker, BUTTER + LOVE brought us in some 'stache cookies, and we couldn't resist! They look quite nice on your upper lip, but they won't stay there for long... YUM!
Come and get 'em at the Farmacy! Thanks Butter+Love!

THE ALMOND JOYFUL SUNDAE: Two Scoops of Coconut Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Fresh Whipped Cream and Coconut Almond Crumbles.
THE LO-COCO FLOAT: A scoop of Coconut Ice Cream perched on top of a soda flavor of your choice!