Dumbo stands for Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass. This area is becoming a hot-spot for artists and galleries. When the weather is nice take the East 34th Street ferry to Fulton Ferry Landing/Dumbo. You'll get some nice views of the East River, Empire State building, the United Nations building and once you're in Brooklyn you can walk over to the park. In the summer the park is busy during the day with kid's day camps but also festivals such as the BRIC's Celebrate Brooklyn.
It's a short walk to P.S Bookshop (76 Front Street, between York St & Main St). This book store caters to those interested in books on art, architecture, graphic design, performing arts and a fairly ample fiction section broken into many different genres. I happily found Steven Heller and Mirko Ilić's Genius Moves under ten bucks but they also carry rare and limited editions of books in a wide range of categories.
A quick turn of the corner and you're at Zoë (68 Washington Street). To a non-New Yorker this store typifies the cliche of the chic understated tastes of the edgy New Yorker. Of course, everything in the store were well known high-end labels but it is a well edited collection.
Next go to the galleries in the area. A.I.R Gallery, Suite 228 is part of the Front Street Galleries. A.I.R Gallery is an artist run gallery for women. Gallery Hours during this exhibition: Thursday 5:30 - 8:30pm, and Fri - Sun, 11 to 6pm.
Other galleries of interest, LAND (League Artists Natural Design) which is an organization which helps adults with developmental disabilities express their creative impulse. I especially liked the aluminum foil creations in the window on display.
For a bite to eat stop into the once artists supply shop turned cafe called Al Mar (111 Front St.)
This Italian bistro has good coffees, pastries, sandwiches and a totally funky artsy vibe without any of the granola crunch.
After lunch walk to Pearl Street where you will find Olga Guanabara (63 Pearl Street) which has a wonderful collection of tree-stump modern furniture, home accessories, whimsical artwork on display by Mauro Baiocco and even some Brazilian purses. Right next door if you are a lover of vinyl do not pass Halcyon. Here's some history for ya: "Headquartered since ’04 in Dumbo, the brand’s second concept space, integrating the DJ-centric record store from the previous embodiment with an expanded gallery and design boutique that define the avant-garde of Brooklyn street aesthetics." The store's river rock/pebble floor with astro turf is a nice touch too. Two large marshmellow-shaped plastic white chairs sit in the entrance seeming to invite conversation.
Winding down the afternoon stop in at Almondine for a treat. They offer Croissants, Éclairs, Fraisier, Mille Feuille, Tarts, Mousse and so much more. This is not a place to stop however if you have gluten-free dietary restrictions or are on any sort of diet for that matter. :P
What a lovely neighborhood which has a lot of character without all the attitude.
By Juanita Fralin
