016 | GUIDE: The Best Spots Off the Graham L

Food, Coffee, Shopping, and Errands.

Yesterday, while walking to my friend’s new apartment, I walked through my old neighborhood and realized how much I had forgotten.

Just a year and a half ago, I knew those streets like the back of my hand. What do I have now to show for it? If someone asked me where to go, I’d probably stammer and send them a Google Map I made of half-hearted recommendations that I started building and then forgot about.

I want to remember all the little spots I liked, from the pharmacy I went to, to the grocery store I liked for prepackaged sushi.

So here, I am dropping my favorite spots off the Graham stop so I don’t forget. East Williamsburg is an awesome place, and the Graham stop alone has some fabulous places to shop, work from, eat at, and more.

I am not including bars because that alone would be its own newsletter. I also think that for a future newsletter, I could extend past this subway stop and create a thrift shop and boutique crawl. Stay tuned.

If you want to explore a new part of the city, or if you are looking for recommendations in the area as a resident, I hope you find this helpful. I am sure I missed many things, but I wanted to brain dump as much as I could now.

If you have anything you’d like to add, drop it in the comments so everyone else can see.

Enjoy, and let me know if you ever make your way to the area!

“New York Subway” Painting - Shane Sutton, Ireland

The Graham L Guide: Food, Coffee, Shopping, and Errands

Food

• Fortunato Brothers: Italian bakery and gelato.

• Levantine: Fabulous Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food with vegetarian options, if you need them. One of my favorites.

• Simply Nova: Great fancier deli with smoked salmon and caviar.

• Anthony & Sons: Big-ass sandwiches.

• Balera: New date night spot! Italian food and wine.

• La Locanda: Family friendly Italian spot, cozy and authentic.

• Cozy Royale: Great burgers and phenomenal salads.

• Grass Roots Juicery: Smoothies, shakes, and bowls. Health food store too!

• Emily’s Pork Store: Good for picking up things for a charcuterie board.

• The Meat Hook: Good for burgers and brats. Same team as Cozy Royale.

• Good Thanks: Brunch that allows laptops.

• Uncle Louie G: Ice cream and shaved ice. Yes, they have soft serve.

• Mt. Fuji Market: Small Japanese grocery store with a good sushi deal.

• Carmine’s: Pizza, and a bar. Sue me!

Cafes

• As You Like: Love their matcha.

• Hungry Ghost: Great cafe but sometimes their wifi isn’t the best.

• Here BK: Coffee/bar.

• Land to Sea: Chinese coffee shop with really good pastries.

• Lella Alimentari: More of a little light lunch spot than a place I would work.

• Daytime: A very LGBTQ supportive coffee shop.

• Ringolevio: Attatched to Four Five Six, great cafe/bar. Inside is dark but nice outdoor seating.

• Variety: Basically my office. A coffee shop with a good latte and seats that face the window.

Shopping

• Bunny’s Vintage: Very well curated clothing.

• Artist & Craftsman Supply Williamsburg: Great craft store.

• Vaux: Reasonably priced and high quality finds.

• Farfalla Vintage: Cool if you like ’80s vintage.

• Nomia: Very chic boutique. I love their jewelry. A bit expensive.

• Leif: One of my favorite boutiques in the city, also has some home goods.

• The Shop by Calhoun & Co.: Home goods and kids’ items. Great for gifts.

• Casa Ziki: Beautiful home goods and some jewelry. A bit expensive.

Practical Errands

• Rosehip Social Florist: Flower and plant store, great vibes.

• NYC Pet: Solid pet store with lots of options.

• City Chemist: Upscale pharmacy with fancier hair and skin products.

• Saldo Drugs: This pharmacy has a printer, which they barley advertise.

• Super 99 Cents: The only discount store you will need.

• Lemon Tree: The best bodega for groceries, but not a grocery store.