Out of Bounds... Part 1: Williamsburg

I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this, but I have been a Manhattan snob for the past decade or so.  With the exception of the summer post-graduation when tried the BK thing, I've always been in the center of of the action, here in NYC proper.  But as part of the Summer of Yes, I've committed to spending more time with friends in their native (or adopted) homes outside the bounds of my little town.  First Stop: Brooklyn.

cool picture, stinky party - see Bossa Nova Civic Club

Door to door, from my apartment to my dear friends' place in Williamsburg, the commute is almost an hour.  Huzzah.  Clearly, I'll spend the night in the burg.  The good news is, they have not one, but two living rooms - ok, I see the bright side of BK. I have to admit, getting on the L-Train heading East is a little intimidating.  It's as though there should be a sign saying: "You must be this cool to ride the train." I would come just under that marker. Still, I feel like I'm heading out of town for the weekend.  Nice to escape with just a metro card and a few great friends.

Here are my highlights:

Forcella - Brooklyn loves pizza. And pizza loves Brooklyn right back.
Tutu's - Which is described to me as a great college dance-party, is exactly that.  I feel like I'm visiting friends in 2002 at Lehigh University.  We're in the basement of a Frat House - only instead of hearing some awful jam band, it's Rihanna and instead of aggressive 18 year olds, it's mellow BK kids.  I approve.
Bossa Nova Civic Club -  Un-showered hipsters swaying to mindless techno, crowding one corner of the dance floor -presumably because they all need to expel gas at the same time.  Bushwick Fart Party. Pass.
This N That - Finally, some gays.  This bar reminds me a lot of Nowhere Bar in the East Village. Same owners. Same vibe. Great dancing. Winner.
The Brooklyn Flea - Hooray for flea markets! I always have a good time browsing through curated crap.  Great way to lose a Saturday.  We had pie and hot dogs.  It was magic.
OddFellows - I remember seeing a piece about their Ginger & Caramelized Banana Walnut ice cream on the Food Network a year or so ago and thinking: "Gosh it's a shame that's so far away. I'll never taste that deliciousness." Well, considering I would have failed the Where will you be in 5 years? test several times over, this one thing doesn't feel so bad. I mean, it's so...good.
Berry Park - Ok, this is what I always pictured Williamsburg bars to be like.  Aggressive hipsters in horrible outfits. Loud, terrible, ironic music, people wearing sunglasses indoors.  Not my scene. The fried pickles were amazing though.
Brooklyn Winery - Maybe I'm an old lady, but an ice cold glass of steel barrel Chardonnay and a civilized cheese plate is much more my speed. Great date spot. I dig it.
Brooklyn Bowl - Nachos + Bowling + Rock Concert.  We had an incredible time here, tons of laughs, and pitchers of beer.  I'm now the proud owner of some socks that say Brooklyn on them. Am I official yet?

All in all, I found Williamsburg to be way less pretentious than I expected.  Bartenders were super friendly and I had a really relaxing (albeit action-packed) time. My only gripe is with how I fit in here...or don't.  In my regular attire, I could easily be mistaken for "Normcore" here. For those new to this term, it's a hipster movement where people dress "normal" in order to prove a point: that no one is special...or something. Honestly, I haven't spent the time to read up on my hipster movements lately.   I never expected my "look" to have a name other than normal...no quotations necessary.  But these are small problems easily combatted with a white v-neck and a pair of jeans. Until that gets fetishized into "Fonz-core," I think I'm safe in BK.  Ehhhh.