Come see where the Future is leaking into the present. Faith Popcorn shares her top spots to braille the culture in NYC this fall.

1. COPYRIGHT © 2015
September 2015

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Smorgasburg
Perhaps the ultimate Brooklyn Foodie experience, Smorgasburg showcases 100+ local and
regional food vendors to upwards of 10,000 visitors, making it one of the borough’s most
popular tourist destinations. Open every Saturday and Sunday from April through November,
Smorgasburg has been called “the single greatest thing I’ve ever seen gastronomically in New
York City,” by Mario Batali and “The Woodstock of Eating” by The New York Times. In addition
to the weekend markets, Smorgasburg oversees the concessions at Central Park
SummerStage, runs a pop-up beer garden at the Seaport District NYC, and operates Berg’n, a
beer hall and artisanal food court in Crown Heights that opened in August 2014.
90 Kent Ave, Williamsburg | info@brooklynflea.com
Arrogant Swine
Dubbed the “Church of Pork,” Arrogant Swine is a casual spot for over-indulging in meats
and spirits. What sets this spot apart from the slew of other barbecue joints that have
opened locally in the past few years is its focus on regional flavors and techniques.
Opened by Pitmaster Tyson Ho, who studied under “the Pope of North Carolina
Barbecue” Ed Mitchell, this restaurant is notable for upholding non-Texan traditions.
Don’t skip the Mac and Cheese Waffle.
173 Morgan Ave, Bushwick | 347.328.5595

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Pioneer Works
Located on the waterfront in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Red Hook, Pioneer
Works Center for Arts and Innovation is dedicated to the creation, synthesis and
discussion of art, science and education. Founded by the renowned sculptor Dustin Yellin,
the center gathers artists, scientists and creative thinkers to collaborate outside the
boundaries of traditional institutions where specialization often limits the application of
ideas across disciplines. A great place to hear a weeknight lecture by a Nobel-prize-
winning physicist or catch a set by an up-and-coming band.
159 Pioneer St, Red Hook | 718.596.3001
Rudy’s Barbershop
In 1993, Rudy’s opened and expanded upon the traditional notion of a barbershop to create
a sense of community. They crafted an entirely new experience that is a well-articulated
blend of art, music, and a sense of place. Although dedicated to offering a great haircut at a
great price, their blueprint for success is not limited grooming products. The shops partner
with lifestyle brands like Ace Hotels, Apolis, Tom’s Shoes and The Stranger Magazine to
create a complete style and culture experience for their customer. Their newest spot, located
in a 125-year-old former bank in Williamsburg, has a dedicated pop-up space to feature
Portland-based leather company Tanner Goods.
33 Grand Street, Williamsburg | 206.782.9861

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Leisure Life
Reflecting on his life inspired by art, music, fashion and travel, Charnier Corey created
Leisure Life NYC to provide creative business professionals aspirational living with an edge.
By offering a finely curated selection of vintage clothing and accessories, mixed with their in
house brand, as well as new brands they have found during their travels; Leisure Life NYC is
the place to find rare and exclusive pieces for the hard to please. The physical space is a
direct reflection of the products they sell; classic, with a twist on integrity. They worked
with By Kenyan and A Noble Savage to create a space that transports you to a place that is
neither completely new, nor entirely old.
559 Myrtle Ave, Bed Stuy | 347.725.3167
BÚÐIN NYC
When it first opened, Budin created a stir for serving a $7 licorice latte. That drink, which
includes imported anise syrup and expensive licorice powder, is now $10, but there are
other things that make Budin a notable addition to the coffee scene. It specializes in
Scandinavian roasted coffee, which are typically very light, and imports beans from cult
Nordic roasters like Tim Wendelboe and Koppi.
114 Greenpoint Ave, Greenpoint | 347.884.9639

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Brooklyn Body Burn
Possibly the hottest ticket on Classpass, Brooklyn Bodyburn is unlike any workout you
have ever done. A 55-minute mashup of Pilates and cardio, this machine-assisted class
promises to burn between 500 and 800 calories while toning and tightening. Dubbed
“The Hardest Class In NYC,” this studio takes our culture’s focus on elite fitness to the
next level. Expect to sweat—a lot.
32 North 6th Street, Williamsburg | 718.384.1133
296 Court Street, Cobble Hill | 718.384.1133
MatchaBar
Just about a year old, Williamsburg’s MatchaBar is the first specialty matcha cafe in New York
City. Matcha is a traditional Japanese beverage who’s healing benefits include metabolism
boosts, disease prevention, immunity support and a calm, not jittery, alertness. Opened by
two brothers who happened upon the traditional drink by chance, the café seeks to make
this powerful, potent beverage more accessible to the masses. In addition to serving drinks in
a comfortable café setting, they offer classes to educate and enlighten beginner and
intermediate matcha drinkers.
93 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg | 718.388.2625

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Mast Brothers Chocolate
Founded by brothers Rick and Michael Mast, Mast Brother’s Chocolate has introduced the
world to a new breed of chocolate. Their signature bars, beverages and sweets perfectly
capture Brooklyn’s craft culture: obsessively composed, groundbreakingly innovative yet
beautifully simple, and exquisitely packaged. At their Williamsburg flagship store,
customers can witness the craft of chocolate making and explore their complete line of
products. The adjoining space is devoted to innovation and experimentation, and is
available for private events.
111 N. 3rd Street, Williamsburg | 718.388.2625
Catland
With an aim to serve “the local community of Occultists, Yogis, Pagans, Mystics, Thelemites,
Witches, Chaotes, and anyone interested in the enhancement of his or her spiritual self,”
Bushwick’ s Catland Bookstore is widely regarded as to go-to spot for the neighborhood’s
burgeoning metaphysical population. In addition to books, the shop is stocked with all the
spiritual accessories and tools to suit everyone from an amateur agnostic to the most seasoned
spiritualist: custom blended incense and oils, crystals, tarot decks, devotional statuary, tapestries,
altar wares, magical adornments, to name a few. What’s more, the shop is home to an event
space and back courtyard available for rent for rituals, ceremonies and other events.
987 Flushing Ave, Bushwick | 718.418.9393

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Semilla
Billing itself as a “vegetable-forward” restaurant where meat plays a supporting role,
Semilla sources its ingredients from only the best of what's available from their farmers.
That means a seasonally-rotating tasting menu that showcases veggies generally
regarded as sides and garnishes in unique and inventive ways. Their 10-course tasting
menu, served in a communal-style dining room intended to provoke conversation, proves
that you don’t need a big burger or slab or steak to have a filling, delicious and highly
memorable meal.
No. 5, 160 Havemeyer St, Williamsburg | 718.782.3474
Di Fara Pizza
Rated #1 for New York Pizza 8 years running by Zagat, Di Fara Pizza has been creating its
cheesy works of art since 1964. Owner Dom DeMarco personally makes each pizza (meaning
the spot is closed when he’s away), so this NYC staple weaves tradition, craft and pride into
each slice. Although the wait-times have been described as “longer than the trip to Italy,” the
crowds keep coming.
1424 Avenue J, Midwood | 718.258.1367

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The Butcher’s Daughter
This downtown hotspot describes itself as a “vegetable slaughterhouse” that treats fruits
and vegetables as a butcher would meat: They chop, fillet and carve fresh produce into
healthy vegetarian dishes and press them into pretty juices. The Butcher’s Daughter takes
pride in the daily-changing menu, which is 100% vegetarian and non-dairy and the juices
are specially concocted for wellness benefits. For instance, the Mexican Sunrise (lemon,
lime, agave, aloe, cayenne, cherimoya, and jicama) aids in digestion. In a world of cold-
pressed juices and cleanses, the Butcher’s Daughter shows what healthy eating will look
like in the years ahead.
19 Kenmare St, SoHo | 212.219.3434
Rebecca Minkoff
Designer Rebecca Minkoff collaborated with eBay to create the store of the future. Oversized
mirrors incorporates screens that allow customers to browse merchandise or request items in
specific sizes to try on. The store will text shoppers when their fitting room is available—a genius
name-capture tool. And inside the fitting room, a touch screen mirror can be used to request
more items, ask for assistance—and adjust the lighting to reflect local hotspots. More tech
triumphs: Merchandise tags equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips track
which items customers try on, and provide the store with a precise, real-time view of inventory.
Meanwhile, employees use iPads to handle shoppers’ requests and check out from anywhere in
the store. It’s the shop of tomorrow, today.
96 Greene St, SoHo | 212.677.7863

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NORMAL
Opened late 2014, Normal’s Chelsea storefront is a retail floor/factory/corporate office
and event space mash-up. Working only with photographs of your ear, Normal 3D-prints
completely custom earbuds in less than two days. Customers can either visit the store to
get measured for a custom pair of headphones, or submit photos of their ears via
Normal’s app. As the customization era evolves, more and more companies will use tech,
3D printing and the Internet of Things (IoT) to produce a perfect, just-for-you product.
150 W 22nd St, Chelsea | www.nrml.com
Chobani
Chobani’s SoHo storefront put their signature Greek yogurt at center stage in their one-of-a-
kind Mediterranean yogurt bar. Their curated menu features both sweet and savory yogurt
mash-ups made from hand-selected, artisanal ingredients that encourage visitors to
experience yogurt in a new way.
152 Prince St, SoHo | 646.998.3800

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Sleep No More
This exhilarating interactive experience by a British theatre company takes place on the
edge of Chelsea in the re-imagined 1930s “McKittrick Hotel”. It’s akin to stepping into a
silent movie: Sleep No More is an adaptation of Macbeth’s story without any dialogue.
Take your own wordless journey and follow the actors throughout the maze-like space.
Afterwards, have a nightcap at the swanky Manderley bar.
530 W. 27th St (McKittrick Hotel), Chelsea | 212.904.1883
Then She Fell
An interactive theater experience in a three-floor one hundred year old institutional facility that
combines a hospital wing, Lewis Carroll's writings and an audience of just fifteen people. Explore
a dreamscape where every alcove, corner, and corridor has been transformed into lushly
designed world. Discover hidden secrets, run into performers, unearth mysteries and clues and
drink custom elixirs designed by one of New York’s talented mixologists.
195 Maujer St, Bushwick | 718.374.5196
Escape the Room
This exciting production transports you to an NYC office or theater…and locks you inside.
To free yourself, you must solve a puzzle but finding hidden objects, solving puzzles and
deciphering clues. You only have 60 minutes, so be quick!
107 Suffolk St, Lower East Side | 347.954.9160