Online ticketing will end Wednesday October 24th at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the door
Join or share the event with friends!
See you October 25th at the Brooklyn Brewery
Egg Cream Anyone?
19 Oct
Celebrating Brooklyn’s flourishing food movement and honoring the history and traditions of the borough’s food culture IS Brooklyn Historical Society’s Annual Fundraiser Brooklyn Bounty.
Less than one week from today, you will have the opportunity to experience one of Brooklyn’s time honored foodie traditions, the “egg cream,” by Carroll Garden’s neighborhood favorite, Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. A family owned business, located in a beautifully restored 1920s pharmacy in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. The abandoned corner storefront stood as a neighborhood mystery for over 12 years before being discovered first by Peter Freeman, and then by the Discovery Channel for a reality T.V. construction renovation series. Referred to as “The Farm,” by regulars, the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain has been heralded as the ‘heart of the neighborhood’, and has played a significant role in the revived interest in American Soda Fountains. The Farmacy’s motto: Fresh, Friendly, Local applies to its seasonal menu of traditional soda fountain offerings, and its grocery shelves lined with artisanal foods made in Brooklyn.
We sat down with co-owner and creator Peter Freeman to learn more. Acquiring this apothecary time capsule was something of a serendipitous occurrence. By chance he visited a tenant of 513 Henry Street, and then decided to move into the building. The concept for the unused downstairs storefront soon followed. Teaming with sister, Gia Giasullo, the two knew this would be the place to combine their passions and reinstate the neighborhood gathering spot. Evaluations of the cost to renovate, acquire the building and create a business were so high; the two felt it would never happen. But again, by chance, a producer for a Discovery Channel show about interior renovations appeared. Fast forward through four days of a major renovation (yes only four!) and there you have it, a fully functioning Soda Fountain. To read more about this story go to their press page.
The concept of the “Farmacy” is to put the “farm” back in pharmacy. The prescription here is locally sourced meats, bread, and service you can see while waiting for your grilled cheese. Freeman buys everything from either the local farmer’s market or their CSA in the area. What they can’t buy there, they make in house like the bake goods and jams. Like it’s predecessor the pharmacy, this is the place to catch up with neighborhood folks, enjoy a quick bite, all while healing the soul.
Brookyn Farmacy’s participation in Brooklyn Bounty is one we’re eager to share with the public. We asked Freeman why they wanted to work with the Brooklyn Historical Society and he explained: “We’re living history. We’re living breathing Brooklyn history. This is an old apothecary. This is the kind of thing [soda fountain] that was in old apothecaries. And what we’re doing and the way we interact with people, this is what happened in Brooklyn. You talked to your friends, you get the news, and get your egg cream.”
Speaking of egg creams, Brooklyn Bounty tickets are nearly sold out. Join us at The Brooklyn Brewery on October 25th 2012. Come celebrate the local food and sustainability movement in Brooklyn and support the Brooklyn Historical Society. Did you purchase your TICKETS ? <— Buy them here. See you soon!
Auction Packages
10 Oct
Brooklyn Historical Society has created amazing one-of-a-kind, food-themed auction packages drawing on the tremendous offerings in Brooklyn and the city at large! At Brooklyn Bounty, October 25th, a live auction will be lead by Philae Knight of Phillips de Pury.
Start your bidding early! We will open online bidding on the Brooklyn Bounty blog on Monday, October 15.
Some lots you may want to keep for yourself. Others are perfect for sharing or gifting to friends and family; dinners, cooking and mixology lessons, to a burger party sure to subside your hunger for a week!
Not only are you winning experiences you can’t find elsewhere, you are supporting Brooklyn Historical’s nationally recognized education programs. To learn more about educational programming, click here.
To whet your appetite, a preview of auction packages are below — descriptions including estimated dollar values and opening bid amounts.
Before bidding on a package, make sure you have purchased your ticket to Brooklyn Bounty. All auction lots will be finalized the night of the event and all bidders must attend. To purchase your ticket, click here.
Brooklyn Burger Buffs
Photo courtesy of George Motz
Hamburger expert and Travel Channel host of Burger Land, George Motz will host a burger party for ten in your home any where in New York City, including a signed Hamburger America DVD and book. The meat for your burger patties may be purchased at the Meat Hook with your included gift certificate. Wash down those juicy burgers with a case of beer from Brooklyn Brewery and end the meal with deserts from Leskes Bakery.
The burger mania does not stop there! You and a guest will also receive the opportunity to dine on two burgers from five of some of George’s favorite Brooklyn burger joints (Smashburger, Five Guys, Two8Two, Bark, 67Burger). And as an added bonus, you’ll receive a $100 gift card from Shake Shack.
The value of this package is $2,000 and the bidding will open at: $ 1,000
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The Brunch Bunch
This package includes all of the accouterments for a perfect brunch party:
- Four dozen bagels from Leo’s Bagels
- Smoked fish specialties and Wild King Salmon Jerky to accompany bagels from Acme Smoked Fish
- Coffee and gift certificate from Crop to Cup Coffee Importers
- A gift basket of tea and coffee from Brewklyn Grind Coffee & Tea
- A Case of champagne from Heights Chateau
End the meal the right way with a sweets platter of rugalach and babka from Shelsky’s
For a more intimate setting, you also have brunch for four at Madiba restaurant of Fort Greene
The value of this package is $1,000 and the bidding will open at: $500
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The Do-It-Yourselfer
Become an expert in culinary arts with cooking classes from A Cooks Companion, Brooklyn Kitchen, William Sonoma and Institute of Culinary Education. You’ll impress your friends and can even bring one along with you!
Photo courtesy of BoroughBees.com
Your gourmet skills will be even more refined with a private class in your home by French Culinary Institute graduate chef Sarah Schechter with food to prepare from Sahadi and Fairway Market. You can also enjoy another in home teaching session with a mixology lesson from Allen Katz of NY Distilling Company.
Your final lesson will be in the art of beekeeping by becoming a beekeeper for a day with Brooklyn-based company BoroughBees.com.
The value of this package is $1,500 and the bidding will open at: $750
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A Foodie’s Staycation
Need a weekend getaway, but can’t go too far? This package is perfect for escaping without having to leave the borough.
Enjoy a two night stay and cocktails at the Nu Hotel. You’ll have dinner each night waiting for you at Battersby of Carroll Gardens, PokPok in the Columbia Street Waterfront district and Beer Table in Park Slope. While out on the town, take a stroll over to Henry Public to use your gift certificate and don’t forget to pick up your deserts from Ted and Honey to end the evening on a sweet note.
The value of this package is $1,200 and the bidding will open at: $600
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Visiting Out-of-Towners
Photo courtesy of Kings County Distillery
Unsure what to do with all of those guests visiting over the holidays? This package is perfect to impress those out-of-towners with tours from:
- Kings County Distillery: Private tour of Distillery and tasting with owner for two
- Brooklyn Navy Yard tour fromTurnstyle Tours for two
- Tour and smoked fish sampling for two with Acme Smoked Fish General Manager
- Any tour of your choice from Levy’s Unique New York Tours for four
- Immigrant Foodway Tour from Turnstyle Tours for two
- Tour of farmfor four at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture of Pocantino Hills, NY
And after all of that touring around New York, your guests can enjoy a relaxing Friday Night dinner for two at Natural Gourmet Institute
The value of this package is $1000 and the bidding will open at: $500
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Let Them Eat Beef
Do you consider yourself a steak connoisseur? This package is perfect for you to try several cuts of meat and share it with your friends.
Chef David Siegel courtesy of Kitchensurfing
You’ll enjoy a side of organic fed beef from Adams Farm with vegetables to accompany it from Brooklyn Grange. All of this will be prepared in your home for you and ten of your closest friends by Chef David Siegel of Kitchensurfing. Wine pairing will be available with bottles of 2001 Silver Oak Cabernet, 2005 Kistler Chardonnay and 2001 Alion Ribero Del Duero. Finish the evening off with desserts from Four and Twenty Blackbirds and Hot Blondies Bakery .
We’ve thought of everything and even have your table scape prepared with flowers from Opalia Flowers .
The value of this package is $1,500 and the bidding will open at: $750
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Fourth of July week in Fire Island
View from deck
Already dreaming of Summer vacation? No need to fret any longer, your Fourth of July can be spent waterfront on a private beach on the Great South Bay from July 1-July 8, 2013. The house in Lonelyville has three bedrooms and can fit two couples and four children. On your way out, stop by gourmet market Sherry’s in Babylon and stock up on snacks for the week.
The value of this package is $5,000 and the bidding will open at: $2,500
Brooklyn Boozehounds: A History of Distilling in Kings County with Sarah Lohman
5 Oct
Thursday, October 11th 7:00 pm – Whiskey Wars, Swill Milk, and Illicit Booze– the production of alcohol has long been tied to Brooklyn’s history, through commerce and controversy. In this talk, we’ll wade our way through Brooklyn booze-soaked past, from the earliest applejack producers to the end of distilling during Prohibition. But the story of liquor in King’s Country has a happy ending, through a change in legislature, distilling has returned to Brooklyn. Whiskey, gin, and vodka are all being bottled in the borough, and we’ll be talking about this new wave of distillers who have picked up the torch. With samples!
Tickets are $10/ Free for BHS members. Purchase your tickets here.
67Burger: A Better Brooklyn Burger
3 Oct
67 Burger is a burger joint that has something tasty for everyone— including you chocolate lovers out there. We stopped in while they were celebrating National Chocolate Milkshake Day to chat with the chef Jeff Maslanka and brand manager McKenzie Mahoney. They even taught us how to make a really, really juicy and delicious burger! 
67 Burger first opened its doors six years ago and now has locations in Fort Greene and Park Slope. Their menu offers 13 “artfully crafted burgers” as well as salads, sides and shakes. The signature 67 Burger comes topped with bleu cheese and bacon while the wildly popular Oaxaca Burger includes avocado, chipotle mayo, Cajun spices and cheddar cheese.
With such an array of burgers, we asked Maslanka when he gets his best ideas for new, creative patties, and he responded, “At 5am. When I can’t sleep anymore or wake up wondering if I ordered the beef for the day!”
Maslanka was nice enough to give us a lesson in the importance of properly seasoning
your burger, something many people do not do. “You have to season it liberally with salt and pepper—once it gets on the grill, some of that seasoning will fall off so you need enough to allow for that.” He went on to show us how to make the Pastrami Burger, a monthly special at 67 Burger, which incorporates a traditional pastrami spice mix.
He toasted coriander and mustard seeds, then added them to a combination of black pepper, white pepper, salt, smoked paprika and brown sugar and ground the mixture in a spice grinder. After that, it’s ready to go on your beef patty (or turkey, chicken, veggie 
or tofu)!
We love how excited they are about great burgers and great food at 67 Burger—and we are excited to try the special slider they will be preparing for Brooklyn Bounty. “We like to be involved in the community so Brooklyn Bounty was a no brainer for us, ” Mahoney said. “We were born in Brooklyn, a Brooklyn burger joint.”
To sample 67 Burger’s creative concoctions, purchase your tickets now to Brooklyn Bounty held on October 25th at the Brooklyn Brewery.
by Leslie Gordon
Brooklyn Bounty intern
Fort Reno BBQ: Cooking up Brooklyn-style flavor
26 Sep
Photo courtesy of Fort Reno
You may recognize the name of the chef of Fort Reno BBQ, Jacques Gautier. That’s right, Brooklyn Bounty is lucky enough to have two restaurants from Gautier participating! Click here for our blog post on Palo Santo.
We talked with Gautier in the rooftop garden above his home and Palo Santo, and he explained how Fort Reno came to be. “There are no Barbecue places in Park Slope, not even anybody who delivers in Park Slope. So we thought, why don’t we open up a Barbecue place then? Everybody loves barbecue.”
We couldn’t agree more! We love BBQ and cannot wait to try what Gautier decides to serve at Brooklyn Bounty on October 25th.
Photo courtesy of Fort Reno
When our own Georgia-born BHS staff member asked Gautier what base he uses for his barbecue sauce, Gautier responded, “People ask us, and I always tell them we do Brooklyn-style barbecue. It definitely takes influences from different places. Our pulled pork has the Carolina-style mob sauce with vinegar and peppers. Our ribs have a sweeter, thicker, mustard molasses sauce on them, so we do a variety of sauces. Brisket doesn’t get sauce but it gets a rub that’s made with chocolate and chilies – kind of a mole rub, but when you taste it, it just tastes like good fatty brisket. We make our own hot sauces… the hot sauces may be the only Latin influence that has found its way in.”
Is it just us, or is anyone else salivating?
Not to mention, because Gautier has the rooftop garden, he’s able to toss in some more Southern flair with collard greens to serve with his BBQ at Fort Reno.
Reserve your Brooklyn Bounty admission today to enjoy Brooklyn-BBQ and other delicious chef tastings, paired with your beverage of choice at host venue Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg. See you there!
-by Jennifer Garvey
Brooklyn Bounty Intern
Immigrant Foodways Public Market and Neighborhood Tour on Sept. 29th
24 Sep
From farms to pushcarts to markets to the kitchen table, join us as we explore the ever-changing cultural and gastronomic landscape of East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Once known for its pickles and kosher meat, the neighborhood today serves up herbal teas from Mexico, sounds of salsa, and traditional foods and products from Latin American countries. Based on oral histories with neighborhood residents, this tour explores the history of Brooklyn’s “Avenue of Puerto Rico” – once the heart of a Jewish community – and takes an in-depth look at the Moore Street Market, built in 1941 to mark the end of the pushcart era and today a centerpiece of the Spanish-speaking community. By the end of the tour, you’ll be equipped with new knowledge about Latin American ingredients and a booklet of traditional recipes to help you recreate the tastes and smells of the market in your own home.
Tickets: $42/person (10% off for BHS members — call 718.222.4111 for discount). Advance ticket purchase is required. Go to Turnstile Tours website or call 347.903.8687 to book public or private tours.
Saturday, September 29th 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Sept. 20th Public Program: Food Series at Brooklyn Historical Society
19 Sep
SEPT 20TH — Brooklyn’s land, air and waters have provided rich raw materials for foodways of Brooklynites, past and present. Annie Hauck-Lawson, co-editor of Gastropolis: Food and New York City will talk about some local food practices of the Lenape, of immigrants, and of her family in early Park Slope, based on food history research (much done in the BHS archives) and her writing, ‘My Little Town: A Brooklyn Girl’sFood Voice.’ Annie will distribute complimentary bags of Brooklyn Mompost plant food to all attendees at the conclusion of the evening. Tickets are $10/ Free for BHS members. Purchase your tickets here.
Dr. Annie Hauck-Lawson is the Sustainability Curriculum Coordinator at Poly Prep Country Day School . She is a native Park Slope resident whose life has revolved around food in New York; raising, growing, gathering and selling it.
Madiba: Bringing a taste of South Africa to Brooklyn
19 Sep
Madiba restaurant in Fort Greene has become a neighborhood institution during its 13 years on Dekalb Avenue. We stopped by to talk about what they’re preparing for Bounty and to meet the Chef-Owner, Mark Henegan, who welcomed us with gracious hospitality. After trying the prawn dish, spiced with Peri Peri oil — trust us, you do not want to miss Henegan’s plate at Brooklyn Bounty.
Henegan grew up in South Africa. He and his wife, Jenny, opened their restaurant to share their heritage and also pay homage to their hero Nelson Mandela.
Today, Madiba is more than just a restaurant; it’s “a local hub and an educational platform for the community.” Henegan is politically conscious and encourages others by welcoming local activists and politicians to the restaurant. The restaurant also partners with Exalt, a Brooklyn nonprofit organization founded to transform the lives of court-involved youth by equipping them with the skills and experience necessary to become self-sufficient members of society.
Aside from Madiba’s community involvement, Henegan has worked hard to create a cozy feeling in the restaurant, installing a “Homesick Store” with shelves of South African items they grew up with. You can find bags of samp, a traditional cracked corn and kidney bean mixture that’s served as a starch, and pap, a starch staple of the Zulu.
The restaurant menu is stellar, offering curry dishes, seafood and other typical South African plates. Our visit showed us that Madiba is more than just a place to grab a meal. “People come here and feel loved,” said Henegan. “It doesn’t matter who you are, everybody’s welcome.”
by Leslie Gordon
Brooklyn Bounty intern
Iris Cafe: An Instant Classic in Brooklyn Heights
13 Sep
Iris Café is a Brooklyn Heights neighbor and we are thrilled that they have a table at Brooklyn Bounty. We walked over to Columbia Place to meet with the owner, Rachel Graville, and asked how this local favorite came to be.
“I had been to a lot of cafés with good coffee and standard pastries and a lot of restaurants with great food and mediocre coffee…so I created a place that would have both,” said Graville. She had held casual cooking jobs prior to opening the cafe, and most recently worked for Edible Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The café offers breakfast and lunch all day and has recently added dinner service from 5:30-10pm. Iris is known for its incredible avocado toast, ham and cheese biscuit, and hearty sandwiches — these items reflect Graville’s food
philosophy of simple, homestyle dishes that showcase high-quality ingredients. (For the record, it’s been published that the biscuit recipe she uses was her grandmother’s, but it’s actually her father’s recipe!) She uses Finger Lakes Family Farm in upstate New York for local ingredients; Finger Lakes sends a truck around to different farms to pick up fresh eggs, dairy and produce and then delivers the items to the café.
Another interesting tidbit about the café is that it only has an electric kitchen. That means that they are limited to certain methods for preparing dishes, applications you would use at home such as boiling, braising, roasting and baking — no frying, grilling or sautéing. “We put in an electric kitchen because a full kitchen was cost prohibitive, but something that was born out of necessity has now become a part of the identity of the café,” Graville said.
Iris Café has developed a loyal following of customers and continues to expand, adding a to-go “bodega” and dinner service this year. “I like being able to offer food at anytime of day or night. It’s more of a European mentality.”
And speaking of offering food, she’s happy to be a part of Brooklyn Bounty this year. “Bounty has been on my radar for the past three years as something I wanted to get involved in; I first heard about it when I was taking a course on food policy at The New School.”
And here’s a Bounty sneak peek: Iris Café will offer an Indian-inspired tasting plate of lamb on a pappadum cracker with a yogurt garnish—trust us, you will want to try this. See you on October 25th!
by Leslie Gordon
Brooklyn Bounty Intern
By Brooklyn: True Brooklyn Loyalty
5 Sep
For all the proud Brooklynites out there, we have the store for you: By Brooklyn in Carroll Gardens. The owner, Gaia DiLoreto, showed us around and told us how she made the transition from working in IT to opening a Brooklyn-centric, fine goods gift shop. By Brooklyn even carries some of the same local foods and vendors that will be featured at Brooklyn Bounty this year, including The Jam Stand, Brooklyn Brine, and Spoonable LLC.
DiLoreto moved to New York City in 1998 “without a job or a penny.” She landed a job at Merrill Lynch, then switched over to IT work. Her original plan in moving to NYC, however, was to go to culinary school — and once she realized that she didn’t want to continue along the IT track, that’s exactly what she did.
“I went back to my roots,” said DiLoreto. “Food.”
Although she did not want to get into the restaurant business, she loved checking out all of the local farmers markets, flea markets, and food events. That’s what led her to create her own shop— a place to access all of the products she loved in one place, all made in the borough of Brooklyn.
By Brooklyn has now grown even bigger than she anticipated. The store carries items from over 150 producers, it has an online store, and DiLoreto is thinking about opening stores in other parts of the country. But don’t worry, DiLoreto insists that “everything will continue to represent Brooklyn, to in fact be made in Brooklyn.”
Not only does DiLoreto support Brooklyn entrepreneurs, innovators, and business-owners, she also decided to join the Brooklyn Bounty Committee to help us put on a fabulous event. “I love celebrating Brooklyn, as you can see through my shop, but I also love Brooklyn’s rich history of production and manufacturing. It seemed a perfect fit for me to get involved with the Brooklyn Historical Society’s food-centric fundraiser, Brooklyn Bounty.”
She hasn’t once regretted taking this leap and opening By Brooklyn. “I have so much more of a life now, knowing that I have a place that draws people, but I can also give back,” she explained.
You’re sure to find something that catches your eye at By Brooklyn whether it’s artisanal foods, housewares, jewelry, or even terrarium making classes! If you can’t make it to the store, make sure to say hello to Gaia at Brooklyn Bounty on October 25th.
by Leslie Gordon
Brooklyn Bounty intern
