In the 90s Redhook NYC was not a place to get key lime pie. It was a place to get crack. In 1990 Life Magazine named it one of the worst neighborhoods in America and the crack capital of the US. It’s come a long way since then, and despite widespread destruction that Sandy dropped on it in 2012, many bussinesses have re-opened just in time for fun in the summer sun.
Due to the lack of trains, Redhook tends to have an unusual quiet rare to find in New York City. The following guide is great for a solo day of fun, a date, or for a group of you and your Rabble Rousing friends. These business are unique in character and location and they have worked hard to re-open after Sandy, and your patronage will allow their uphill battle to remain open to pay off.
1. Go to the Red Hook Winery, with over 50 vintages grown locally in upstate New York and bottled in Long Island. $5 gets you a tasting of three of these choice wines burgeoning with unique sapidity.
2. A hundred feet from the winery, right on the loading dock you’ll find Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies, where Steve will greet you with his eccentric personality and the best key lime pies you’ve ever had. “Are you Steve?” I asked him when my friend Jen and I entered his establishment. De responded with deadpan seriousness, “Why? You serving papers?
3. Wine without chocolate is like a marriage without love. From Steve’s pie shop you are a block away from Redhook Chocolate Factory, Cacao Prieto. (Guys on dates, do you know nothing about women John Snow? DO NOT skip this stop!)
4. After all these sweets and libations you’re bound to be in an artistic mood. Luckily you’re only a block away from She-Weld, Marsha Trattner’s welding stuido. Don’t just look and love, learn to do. She offers welding classes on Tuesdays and Thursday.
5. After you’r welding class, it’s time to burn off some steam. Walk out to Valentino Pier, where you’ll have a clear view of the Statue of Liberty and the New York Skyline. On Thursdays and weekends you can rent a kayak and explore the shoreline.
6. Time to cool down on a walk. There are garden pathways, that provide quiet reflection for you to think about your life and all the chocolate and wine you just consumed.
7. Now it’s time for dinner. You’re at the docks, so it’s time for some seafood. Brooklyn Crabs has what you are looking for. From a pool table to put-put golf course, to a third floor rooftop with seaside views of new york, and salacious seafood. They’ve got crabs, and you can to. Lads, if this day was a date, head up here around sunset, this is where you go for that glorious kiss.
