Thursday, July 3, 2008

Breakfast At Fairway!

I know it does not sound as romantic as Audrey Hepburn's role in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but I recently was treated to a fun breakfast at Fairway Market in Brooklyn, New York by my two dear friends. We were having a belated celebration of my birthday, as we always treat each other to a breakfast when it is our birthdays, instead of our usual morning walk in the park.

(all photos click to enlarge)

The Fairway Market opened in the spring of 2006, and occupies the first two floors of the 1869 structure originally built to warehouse coffee, in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Red Hook is one of the few areas of South Brooklyn full of small manufacturing and service companies, but many of the older warehouses had long been unused or abandoned. The Fairway market was therefore a big revitalization project for a less prosperous urban area, and it has been followed in the past few years with a new Brooklyn Cruise Terminal that the Cunard line uses most often for the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship , and New York City's first IKEA store.

There is a little cafe inside the market where you can order simple breakfast fare like bacon and eggs or French toast, etc, or choose a muffin or scone or delicious pastry to go along with your coffee, and there is a seating area both inside and outside. We always sit outside, because there are stunning views of New York Harbor and unimpeded views of The Statue Of Liberty!

Here are my friends, R and L hamming it up for my camera because they know I will be blogging all about this.... they were so silly, even though they weren't drinking mimosa's!

A more refined photo below, taken by a fellow outside diner. Notice that there is not much left of our breakfasts on our paper plates! Egad! Look at my arms! Now you can see why I have to exercise!

It was an early hot and muggy New York morning, so the Statue of Liberty was still enshrouded in a misty fog, but we all made sure to wave to her, and thanked her for being there!

I'm standing on the water taxi dock in the photo below. It brings shoppers from downtown Manhattan to Brooklyn's Fairway, as there is no nearby subway stop for the market. Notice the statue again in the distance over my shoulder. The market built a nice promenade all around the shore area of their property.

Part of the fun of having breakfast at Fairway is going shopping afterwards!

We have to buy our coffee beans ....shhh...don't tell anyone, but I like flavored coffees, like hazelnut! Not very chic, am I?

Olives anyone?
Mmmmmm...cheeses of the world! My weakness is cheese! Much restraint was shown by yours truly in passing this display.


All kinds of mushrooms! I love mushrooms!

I loved the colors of the bell peppers ... they were as bright as a van Gogh painting!

I love how the produce staff artistically stacks all the vegetables. I need someone to do this in my refrigerator, please!

Ah ha! Buy something here and you can make it appear like you slaved over a hot stove all day long!

Soups! All kinds of home made soups! Chilled gazpacho would be nice on a hot day.

Lots of summer fruits --- both outside ....


....and inside!


OK lady, hurry up! I can't pose like I'm holding an invisible fish all day long!

More olives?

The view from the parking lot .... I love the original old shutters on the warehouse, and the metal stars on the facade. In true New York fashion we heard that luxury condos will be built on the renovated upper floors. I dream about having one with a harbor view! I imagine a big loft with artists at work painting with all the natural light coming in those big windows!


Where else can you find "Coney Island Lager" but in Brooklyn? Did your husband like it L?

Thanks, my dear friends, for another wonderful breakfast celebration, and thanks for allowing me to take my blog friends along!

19 comments:

ROSA E OLIVIER said...

Piú giú, in fondo alla Tuscolana...!?...passavo per un saluto!

Kathleen Grace said...

What a lovely market! I love the color and bounty of markets like that, and I love hazelnut coffee too:>)

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
I felt like I was having breakfast with the girls in NYC while sipping my coffee down in Mississippi!
You have so many places to go and things to do there! Such great pics!
I can't wait to make it up there one of these days!
Have a great day,Diane

Anonymous said...

You girls look like you had so much fun. But, now you have made me really hungry as I sit here sipping a Slim-Fast. Where's the justice?

Alexandra MacVean said...

Pat, thanks for sharing your special day with all of us. We're blessed to have you touch our life each day with the most amazing blogs you share.

Have a wonderful day! :)

PS I absolutely LOVE the picture of the Statue of Liberty!

Betsy Brock said...

I could spend all day in that market! Your breakfast looked wonderful...what a nice treat for you and your walking buddies! The pictures of the Statue of Liberty are great...neat for those of us who have only seen it a couple of times in our lives....to see you living along side it. Thanks for sharing your day!

Anonymous said...

How great they turned that old building into a market! I think I miss Brooklyn even more now!! Breakfast with a view and vanilla nut flavored coffee to buy. That is my favorite too. I am definitely not a sophisticated coffee buyer. Happy Belated Birthday!!

Rue said...

Happy Birthday :)

That market is incredible!! Your friends look like a lot of fun :)

Have a wonderful 4th of July my friend!
hugs,
rue

Barb said...

Oh my goodness- I could move into that market. All the goodies!

I felt like I was sitting there with the girls. What a wonderful tradition you have.

How amazing to be able to sit and just gaze at the Statue of Liberty.
I heart New York!

hugs,
Barb

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
It looks like the perfect place to have breakfast with friends and what a lovely view. I miss being that close to the waters edge (sigh). Is that where you grocery shop? I think that would be dangerous especially the cheese department. My weakness too after all what is life without cheese!

Kathy said...

Hi Pat, Happy Birthday, What a truly delightful and educational post today, I want to have breakfast at Fairway and see all those wonderful sights and shops.

You have such lovely friends.

Delightful music to, Thank you.

Happy 4th July to you and your family, extra hugs Kathy.

Anonymous said...

Pat, New York, what a thrill. I love to visit N.Y. and that market is amazing. Nice pics.

Jeanne

Strider said...

Nice trip. I enjoy your posts about the "City". Feels like I'm there. Have a great 4th...wonderful Liberty and Freedom.

Tess Kincaid said...

Fun birthday breakfast! Wish I was there to celebrate with the three of you. Fun pix! Fairway reminds me a lot of The Terminal Market in Philly...tons of everything.

Happy 4th to you and yours~! :)

steviewren said...

I'm glad you have such good girlfriends to celebrate your birthday with. The pictures you took made me feel as though I was there right behind you, seeing it with you.

Pat, you have introduced me to so many of the sights and delights of New York and Brooklyn. Thanks.

Lavinia said...

My goodness! I've never seen so much cheese in one place in all my life....I wouldn't know where or what to begin buying...some brie...some Roquefort...some aged cheddar...and probably several cheeses I've never before heard of...

This place is selection plus plus plus..


I really like the view of the Statue of Liberty, what what a vista....

Thanks for your 'breakfast' post!

Proud Italian Cook said...

How far away do you live from that fantastic market? I would go their everyday, what a great place! the olives, cheese, soups, and all the coffee's I would be in heaven! Was that 6 something a lb? not bad! All
that and then having breakfast with a view of the statue of liberty, how cool is that, and it's right out your back door.
Happy belated, Dear Pat!

Gina said...

Fabulous market...love all that colourful fresh produce! ..and I bet those coffee beans had a nice aroma! Gx

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

That post made me hungry! What an awesome market!! I love the old building!