everything cool happening near you
And a deep dive on Clinton Hill, BK with our new neighborhood guide!
This week we’re sharing our Clinton Hill Neighborhood Guide, highlighting the coolest art fairs, open studios and gallery openings to see now, featuring Earth Month events, upstate travel opportunities, shopping pop-ups & cool story-telling shows and introducing you to our cool new friend: Tuan Nguyen of Larry’s Cà Phê
Be Pasta
The Brooklyn team behind Italian natural wine spots Have & Meyer and Terre have quietly opened their newest (and smallest) concept yet: Be Pasta. Located on a quiet side street of Park Slope, the menu features elevated and totally unique pasta dishes – don’t expect your average cacio e pepe here. Instead, Be Pasta serves plates like, “To Take Fireflies for Lanterns,” which is comprised of a homemade pheasant agnolotti and served in arrosto sauce.
Sandwiched between Fort Greene, BedStuy, and the Navy Yard, Clinton Hill embodies much of the best that Brooklyn has to offer. From the many restaurants that line its blocks to the artsy attitude courtesy of Pratt, Clinton Hill is a character all its own. We’ve assembled the best places to eat, drink, shop, and see in south Brooklyn’s best kept secret.
For those looking to treat mother's around them this Mother’s Day...Welcome Home is here with meals to make life easier. Welcome Home was born from the experience of Mandela Cocores, a mother of two who deeply understands the challenges of nourishing yourself while navigating the early days of parenthood. Feeling the exhaustion and the constant demands firsthand, she envisioned a service that could offer other new parents the gift of convenient, healthy meals. This Mother's Day, give the new mom in your life the invaluable present of time, energy, and nourishment with Welcome Home – it's like sending a warm hug and a helping hand, all in one delicious delivery.
This Sunday, the NYC-based gallery NowHere is partnering with Homes + Studios to present a day trip to KinoSaito. Nestled in one hour from the city in train-accessible Verplanck, NY, this visit will honor the Japanese painter, Kikuo Saito and explore her work as well as highlight the current artists in residence at the center. This perfect Sunday plan is just $25 AND readers of coolstuff get an $8 discount off of the ticket price by using the code NOWHEREFRIEND at checkout! Snag a ticket before they’re gone!!
Roberta’s Market Pop-up
Bushwick's Roberta's Pizza is hosting a v fun market this Sunday from 12-7p! Head over to shop from local NYC artists and snag everything from handmade ceramics and jewelry to fresh floral bouquets, handcrafted woodwork & unique clothing finds. Roberta's is even whipping up some exclusive merch just for our event! Entry is FREE, so roll through, grab a slice (or a whole pie), a drink, and support local makers.
Big Night Greenpoint Reopening
If you've been following along on Big Night's Greenpoint renovation, you'll be thrilled to hear that the grand reopening is TODAY! The updated space now features an v fun dining room and bar, making the shopping experience go beyond just kitchenware. You can expect a more than doubled footprint, a custom bar designed by East Otis, a captivating dinner mural by London-based artist Lucy Muss, unique lighting fixtures crafted by local Brooklyn studios, Astraeus Clarke and Trueing &&& more! Plus, stay tuned for their soon to be open backyard space, perfect for summer gatherings. Head on over for extra fun shopping now!
Calling all artisans, craftspeople, and small businesses! We know we know…the city is just now warming up for the spring and summer seasons…but we wouldn’t be true New Yorkers if we weren’t already looking at the year ahead. The Grand Central Holiday Fair will be coming back again next holiday season in the stunning beaux arts Vanderbilt Hall at 89 East 42nd Street from November 10 to December 24. The market is a six-week-long shopping destination and now is the time to apply to showcase your unique or handmade products. Apply now to be a vendor at New York’s longest-running indoor holiday market in the city’s most fabulous landmark. The deadline to apply is May 18.
By Eric Do
Meet Tuan, the founder of Larry’s Cà Phê, whose love of coffee, community, and café culture inspired him to create his own coffee shop, named after his late father, Larry. Larry was a high school math teacher who taught in Bushwick and adopted Tuan from Vietnam. Larry’s Cà Phê is an homage to Tuan’s Vietnamese heritage, his father’s legacy, and the café Tuan always wanted to build for his community. Larry’s Cà Phê serves a mix of traditional and modern Vietnamese drinks and snacks, while also hosting frequent food and drink pop-ups featuring local Vietnamese makers and creatives. We caught up with Tuan to learn more about his journey in building Larry’s, promoting up-and-coming creators, and his vision for 2025 and onward.
When did you decide it was the right time for you to open up your own shop? What was the experience like having the opportunity to take over a coffee shop in which you were previously a barista?
I always knew I wanted to open a coffee shop in a residential area because I saw myself at my cafe where my friends and the community could gather. This vision was for when I was much older, probably with a wife and kid. But, after my dad, Larry, passed away in 2019, my brother and I inherited what he had left [for us]. My brother and I split the inheritance. [My brother] moved to Vietnam, and my portion was just sitting in the bank. It wasn't much, but it was just enough for the current Larry's Cà Phê. The name of the cafe is to celebrate him and make something positive for what he left behind. Maybe the cafe I envisioned after all was to celebrate friendship and creativity in a third space.
How does your background influence the drinks, food, and pop-ups you curate at the shop?
I knew little about Vietnamese coffee culture until I was serious about opening Larry's Cà Phê. I knew a decent amount about Western coffee but was clueless about my own. Opening Larry's Cà Phê was a way for me to learn more. Growing up here, I didn't know many Vietnamese people. Having Larry's was a way to bring Vietnamese people in and show others about our culture.
Pop-ups provide a space and opportunity for people to express their interests. I want to give the community a platform to showcase their work, so many of the pop-ups feature first-timers or newly launched ventures, allowing them to share their passions with the public.
What’s your favorite part about the New York small business and cafe community?
I get to learn from everyone who walks through the door daily. The community here is filled with kind, diverse, stylish, and creative people.
Congratulations on the features in Eater, NYT, and the success of the short film (linked below!). How are you looking to continue growing Larry’s? Any big moves for 2025 and onward?
Those features were an honor because Larry used to read those papers regularly, and now he’s featured in them. He would be proud. In 2025, we plan on extending our hours, continuing to offer delicious and beautiful drinks, and building community. Maybe there will be Larry’s 2.0 in the near future.
What or who is inspiring you right now?
Good people doing good things for themselves and others inspire me.
Follow Along:
www.larryscaphe.com
@larryschaphe
Larry’s Cà Phê Short Film
Eric is a Brooklyn-based creative and the founder of RICO, a brand focused on creating handmade, durable, and functional bags and accessories. Eric also is the editor of What About Wine, a newsletter focused on making wine knowledge accessible and fun!
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