PARK SLOPE
Matt Marks knows how important coffee is to everyone, and he’s striving to roast and serve the best there is. The co-owner/partner of Forty Weight Coffee Roasters and Forty Weight Cafe describes coffee as his dream and something he believes in. The pride he and co-owner Andrew Ballard have in their product is present everywhere in this young company.
Forty Weight Coffee is available at stores across New York, and at Forty Weight Cafe in Park Slope. It can also be purchased on the Forty Weight website.
We had the opportunity to talk to Matt about his business. Here's what he had to say about being a true coffee connoisseur!
How did Forty Weight Cafe get started?
Forty Weight Cafe is the flagship of parent company Forty Weight Coffee Roasters, which was my best friend and roastmaster, Andrew Ballard's dream come to fruition. Andrew and I became co-owners/partners in 2010. His expertise and our dedication to artisanal roasting is evident in every cup we serve and every bag we sell.
Discussions about the cafe started in March, 2011 and we finally opened in November. It was a long and windy road indeed.
What’s your role at the cafe?
As owner and general manager I am responsible for virtually everything. From selecting and ordering coffee and espresso to purchasing new springs for our port-a-filters, I have my hands and head constantly full.
What are some challenges you face in the coffee market?
Once you get to the upper echelon of the specialty coffee world with the likes of Stumptpown, Counter Culture, Intelligista, and Handsome Coffee Roasters, it's a real challenge to stand out in a group that is doing such amazing things. These companies have a lot more resources than we do, which they wisely focus on marketing and shine. Once you get to a certain level in specialty coffee, everybody is producing amazing stuff. With everybody producing amazing stuff, marketing and shine can go a long way in getting your coffee into a customers hands. I mean I'm not complaining, good on these companies for acquiring the dollars to do this, but this is probably the biggest challenge our poor little grassroots company faces.
We love exploring Brooklyn in the summertime. After brutal winter months, we're always looking to venture out a little further than our local Manhattan spot once the weather permits. Brooklyn offers an eclectic mix of pubs, bars and rooftop spots (often appealing to the 'artsy' crowd). But you don't have to be 'artsy' to enjoy these bars. Here's our list of top live music bars in Brooklyn!
The first of it's kind, the April 5th Tasting Brooklyn event transformed even the most prudent of eaters into ravenous, insatiable beasts. Mouths chewed and hands grasped for the juiciest and sweetest generously portioned samples from more than 25 of Brooklyn's best restaurants and vendors. Amid the gluttonous haze, eyes appeared as glazed over as a jelly donut.
Here are some of the evening's culinary highlights:
- Stone Park Cafe's Cappuccino Chocolate Cheescake: Joonbug's favorite, this divinely creamy cappuccino cheescake was topped with a cinnamon crème anglaise and a roof of chocolate. It was so incredibly delicious, we wanted a second helping and are craving it the very next day. A trip to this Park Slope restaurant is in the making. http://stoneparkcafe.com
- Fairway Market's Mini Crab Cake and Tartar Sauce: New Yorkers' most beloved food store, Fairway did not disappoint with their sensationally flavorful mini crab cakes. To make these summer-perfect bites at home, check out Fairway's recipe here.
- Robicelli's Breuckelen Cupcake: Find this! Order this now! Robicelli's cupcake consisted of a Danish-inspired apple cake and cinnamon caramel butter cream, topped with stroopwafel and absolute deliciousness. Although Robicelli's has yet to have it's own shop, it undoubtedly will in the future. Get 'em while you still can. www.robicellis.com
- Barrio's Braised Short Rib Soft Taquito: Topped with cilantro, crema nata and rolled in a warm homemade tortilla, these one-bite samples quickly turned into three bites worth. We couldn't get enough of the tender short rib and creamy crema nata. Rumor has it that Barrio has an expansive outdoor eating area; when it gets warm, we'll be there. http://barriofoods.com
- The Chocolate Room's Chocolate Caramel Popcorn: Not overly sweet, this munchable treat was drizzled in rich chocolate, handed out in brown paper bags, and astoundingly easy to eat in under 45 seconds. Never before has salt and sugar merged so deliciously. www.thechocolateroombrooklyn.com
- Palo Santo's Braised Rabbit Tacos: Covered in guacamole, salsa verde and pablano, this Latin American sample's tender rabbit and creamy toppings made it a stand out. For a taste of the unsual, order Braised Bison Tail and Hen off the restaurant's dinner menu. http://palosanto.us/
- Ayala's Herbal Water: Who knew Lavendar Mint water could be so good? Other flavors we tried: Lemongrass Mint Vanilla, Cinnamon Orange Peel and more. Check out where to find it here.With it's refreshing blast and floral aftertaste, this zero-calorie, zero preservative and zero artificial flavoring drink managed to wash down our hour of non-stop eating. How it did, we may never know.
68 5th Ave.
(Bergen St. and St. Marks)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 857-1833
Convivium Osteria-these two words have a special meaning, "convivium" means "living together" and "osteria" is defined as an inn or small restaurant in the country. Convivium Osteria perfectly describes what the restaurant has to offer its guests and customers. As you enter through these doors, you will be taken away from the streets of Brooklyn and will be traveling across the world, landing in Europe. You will be able to share this European experience and cozy atmosphere with friends and family.
Rachel's Taquiera
408 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 788-1137
This past weekend, a girlfriend of mine and I headed out to Park Slope in search of a new restaurant to add to our list of favorites. Forever frequenting the same Mexican joint right by her apartment, we were in desperate need of an untried taste and an unvisited place to avoid treading the slippery slope of the dreaded dining slump. Walking down 5th avenue, we happened upon a place called Rachel's - a neon red signed joint, with fiery red light flames. We talked it over, and three "hot cha chas" later we were through the flaming doors and looking the place over from the inside.
Wanna Be Startin' Something
Cirque du Soleil has already proved they can pay a fabulous acrobatic homage to music's greatest icons (LOVE, Viva Elvis) so it should come as no surprise that the French-Canadian circus troupe has teamed up with the Jackson estate.
Lyceum's Spring Food and Craft Market
When: Saturday, May 1st-Sunday May 2nd, 2010
Time: 11am-7pm
Where: Brooklyn Lyceum
227 4th Avenue
(Btw. Union & Presidents Sts)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.bkcraftcentral.com
If you missed the last Greenpoint Food Market, and do not want to wait a whole month until the next one, or you have become a food market junkie, head down to the Lyceum's Spring Food and Craft Market the first weekend in May. Occurring in Park Slope, Brooklyn, this food market, a lot more accessible than the one-train Greenpoint, will not be just food.
Lamb Takedown
When: Sunday, April 18th, 2010 at 4pm
Where: The Bell House
149 7th Street (Btw. 2nd & 3rd Aves)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 643-6510
www.thebellhouseny.com
Cost: $15
Tickets: www.chili-takedown.com
Rock out with your ewe out! Sunday, April 18th, Matt Timm's Takedown series makes at stop at The Bell House to bring Brooklyn its Lamb Takedown event. 20 contestants, 300 pounds of lamb, and 2 hours, you better cover Mary's eyes, because her little lamb is on the butcher's block.
Good Spirits (Number Two)
When: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Time: 6pm-9pm
Where: The Bell House
149 7th Street (Btw. 2nd &3rd Aves)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel: (718) 643-6510
Cost: $40
Tickets: www.thebellhouseny.com
www.ediblebrooklyn.com
After a very successful first-run, Good Spirits, produced by Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan, is preparing for their second installment, set to occur April 6th. Hosted at the increasingly popular Bell House, Good Spirits will match seven Brooklyn chefs with seven spirits, all for your tasting pleasure.
The Brooklyn Brunch Experiment
When: Sunday, March 28, 2010
Time: 12-4pm
Where: The Bell House
149 7th Street (Between 2nd & 3rd Aves)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Cost: $20 Advance/ $25 Day Of
Tel: (718) 643-6510
Tickets: www.thebellhouseny.com
Culinary impresarios Theo Peck and Nick Suarez (above) bring some competition to everyone's favorite meal: brunch. The Brooklyn Brunch Experiment, being held Sunday, March 28th, welcomes amateur chefs in a brunch competition. Each chef will prepare various brunch dishes for judgement. A panel of esteemed judges, including Iron Chef judge Andrew Knowlton, in combination with the audience, will taste and then select their favorite dishes.
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