BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — KINGS COUNTY’S luxury market remains strong, recording 28 contracts for homes priced at $2 million or more from April 21 to 27, according to real estate firm Compass as reported by The Real Deal. Thirteen condos and 15 homes with a median asking price of $3 million were sold within this period five-bedroom Brooklyn Heights townhouse at 76 Willow Street; next came a $5.5 million Park Slope townhouse at 323 Garfield Place The townhouse at 76 Willow St. is a former Watchtower property  which was restored in 2014 Brooklyn Today — Daily top news in Brooklyn Daily Brief — An afternoon dose of borough buzz Good Food Brooklyn — Best bites in the borough Daily Bulletin — Legal & courthouse news The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and brooklyneagle.com cover Brooklyn 24/7 online and five days a week in print with the motto “All Brooklyn All the Time.” With a history dating back to 1841 the Eagle is New York City’s only daily devoted exclusively to Brooklyn https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/05/05/brooklyn-heights-townhouse-tops-recent-luxury-sales/ “All Brooklyn All the Time.” With a history dating back to 1841 the Eagle is New York City’s only daily devoted exclusively to Brooklyn Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of New York straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy New York without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. New York The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display has become one of the most beloved New York attractions during the holiday season. The Brooklyn neighborhood is home to over-the-top Christmas light decorations with life-sized Santas sleighs and snowmen taking over the neighborhood's homes Some houses even bump Christmas carols from loudspeakers Crowds of all ages flock to the Kings County neighborhood to wander down the multiple blocks and avenues and experience one of the top things to do in NYC in the winter. It truly is one of the most magical things to do this Christmas RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in NYC Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news Most of the homeowners—and professional decorating companies—hang their Christmas lights and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. However, the best time to see the lights is mid-December through New Year’s Eve We suggest going anytime between dusk and 9pm if you plan to travel by foot Most of the houses turn their displays off after 9pm but some leave theirs on later (depending on their bedtime) They decor usually stays up until the end of the first week of January You’ll see breathtaking light displays from 11th to 13th Avenues (also known as Dyker Heights Blvd) from 83rd to 86th St in Dyker Heights take the D Train to 79th St and New Utrecht Ave you’ll have to walk 15 minutes to get to the houses (and the terrain is a bit hilly) so you might want to leave your car at home But keep in mind it can be hard to get to via transit (depending on where you live) and difficult to find parking if you're driving Also make sure to keep an eye on the weather so you're not freezing cold or sweating through your parka One more tip: It's a very residnential neighborhood, meaning it's tough to find bathrooms nearby If you are heading to Dyker Heights this year, be sure to respect the neighborhood like it's your own, starting with keeping properties clean of trash in the name of respect and sanitation. There will be extra receptacles in the area. It should go without saying, but be respectful of people's privacy and don't get too close to anyone's home. Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us By which each Christmas guides visitors through Dyker Heights’ brightly lit streets Muia’s been showing outsiders around the area for almost 20 years He’s seen legendary houses bought and sold and professional decorators build thriving businesses all while the tradition that’s become synonymous with the neighborhood has continued to grow If there’s anyone qualified to talk about covering a large Brooklyn property in colored lights and all that comes with it Lucy will tell you the reason she did it is because she felt bad for those people who are less fortunate and couldn’t go to Rockefeller Center and experience the tree And she wanted to bring some of that joy to Brooklyn you realize that a lot of these people you know are doing it in memory of loved ones or to continue a tradition There’s a house on the corner of 83rd Street and 12th Has a gazebo in front; they used to decorate it beautifully it was one of the iconic homes of Dyker Heights That family sold the house; the new family hasn’t done anything No one’s knocking on their door saying we need you to step up your decorating game There’s been constant rumors—oh my God I don’t which magazine started this rumor but I literally had to dispute it on Facebook this week Someone will ask what time the lights go off Those lights have stayed on past midnight—1 I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve yelled at people There’s no way someone’s getting on a ladder like Clark Griswold and decorating them Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker .css-icad5m{grid-column:span 1/span 1;grid-column-start:1;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;gap:var(--chakra-space-10);}@media screen and (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-x0vaj7:not(:last-of-type){padding-bottom:var(--chakra-space-10);border-bottom:1px solid #ebecf0;}}.css-ws1h9y{display:grid;grid-column-gap:var(--chakra-space-6);grid-template-columns:repeat(2 NY 11228">.css-56eu0z{width:1em;height:1em;display:inline-block;line-height:1em;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray100);vertical-align:middle;fill:currentColor;}7112 13th Ave Brooklyn The theme of any visit to Dyker Heights during the holiday season is “things that are extra,” and Krispy Pizza is appropriately on brand became famous on TikTok for their pasta-covered pizzas especially when it’s handled as deftly as it is here Give yourself time to look at all the display pies before you make a choice That salad pizza might taste better than you thought it would 8.5Lioni Italian HeroesSandwiches Bensonhurst This legendary sandwich shop makes over 100 variations on the Italian sandwich which is why you’ll need to order by number Browse the menu ahead of time so you don’t get overwhelmed by the massive board at the counter described as “a CRAZY sandwich.” That description is accurate It’s sort of like your standard combo of hot capicola and swiss except there are also entire stuffed peppers and that really pushes things over the top You can eat it while you walk around the kind of houses where Mr Tasty PastryItalian Dyker Heights There are a bunch of trucks hawking hot chocolate near the Dyker Heights lights Skip them and get hot chocolate and some Italian pastries here instead You might have to wait in line once you’re inside but at least you can spend time contemplating all the pastries while you wait This is one of the best Italian bakeries in South Brooklyn If you want something savory that you can eat while you walk MezeEast Harbor Seafood PalaceChinese Sunset Park Technically, East Harbor Seafood Palace is a bit of a walk from the lights. But during your 25-minute saunter over, you’ll work up an appetite for our favorite dim sum spot in Sunset Park Hopefully there won’t be too much of a wait so you’ll probably be eating shrimp and watercress dumplings before you can finish singing “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The beef ribs are especially good (and peppery) BK Seafood MarketBorough Park BK Seafood Market has tables that can casually seat 15-20 people and the decor is a mishmash of Pinterest-y DIY light fixtures and traditional Chinese accents that somehow just works The home-style stir-fried clams get an intense umami flavor from ground pork and black bean and the steamed XO scallops are 100% worth whatever market price they’re charging 8.7Mama’s Noodle HouseSunset Park’s Chinatown—it’s near Bensonhurst’s Chinatown Let two Chinatowns be your sign that you should be eating dumplings after you take a picture with a life-sized light-up reindeer Mama’s Noodle House is a mostly-takeout spot on Bay Ridge Avenue and they make some excellent pork and shrimp wontons 5 Hot and Spicy Wontons smothered in sichuan peppercorn sauce Prix fixe parties for your last meal of 2024 there's no other neighborhood like Bay Ridge Will is passionate about bagels and being disappointed by The Mets He has been writing for The Infatuation since 2023 Willa was raised in Brooklyn and now lives in Brooklyn which means her favorite bagel place hasn't changed since birth DYKER HEIGHTS — The Dyker Heights Lights are a picturesque snow helped to set the holiday mood as thousands of visitors poured into Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood by car the residents of Dyker Heights go all-out every yuletide More than a hundred homes are decorated with tens of thousands of lights — along with waving Santa Clauses Hot chocolate and hot cider stands provide warming beverages. A few of Brooklyn’s ubiquitous, fume-spewing commercial vending trucks are parked on busy corners, despite efforts by local residents and officials to ban them The annual event is undertaken at the personal expense and effort of homeowners who spend days setting up their lighting and decorations which they reuse and add to year after year Some of the more spectacular displays were created by professional lighting decorators like B&R Christmas Decorations, a big name in Dyker Heights. Some of these extravaganzas require several days to set up using a crew of about five B&R’s leader James Bonavita told Business Insider in 2021 Part of the wonder derives from the cumulative effect of home after home decked out in glorious radiance The community effort is much appreciated by visitors who take selfies and family portraits in front of the displays a homeowner on 82nd Street near 11th Avenue trees and balcony with thousands of lights George wished the Eagle a blessed Christmas People walking through the Dyker Heights neighborhood on Christmas Eve did much better than those stuck in traffic jams take the R train to 86th Street and walk towards 11th Avenue where you will see lights stretching out between 11th and 13th avenues and from 83rd to 86th streets (You can also take the D Train to 79th Street and New Utrecht Avenue.) You will have to walk about 15 minutes from either station The best time to see the display is between dusk and 9 p.m. You can easily see everything on your own, but if you prefer a tour, there are several listed in TimeOut https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2024/12/26/dyker-heights-lights-2024-an-over-the-top-winter-wonderland/ By and Brooklyn’s going all in on the holiday season you can experience the 2024 Dyker Heights Christmas light displays head to Dumbo for ice skating at Roebling Rink and seasonal markets Or shop local at the Makers Show Holiday Market at City Point on Saturday with over 60 vendors and activities on site enjoy the Prime-Time Comedy show at Eastville Comedy Club on Saturday night you can immerse yourself in the sounds of Studio Ghibli in concert at the Red Pavilion featuring a fresh twist on beloved Ghibli compositions One last thing: If you have unused fresh and canned food from Thanksgiving, consider donating it to the St. Nick Fridge in Bushwick—a year-round community-run initiative Your donations will support families in need Here’s what’s happening this holiday weekend Dyker Heights is transformed into a dazzling display of Christmas magic 11th to 13th Avenues (Dyker Heights Boulevard) from 83rd to 86th Street Celebrate the season in Dumbo with holiday projections ice skating at Roebling Rink (starting Nov and festive markets like the Brooklyn Flea and FAD Market then join the Annual Tree Lighting & Bar Crawl on Dec Skip the mall madness this Black Friday and join Mahogany Mommies to celebrate community and creativity at their Black Friday pop-up Whether you’re holiday shopping or just out for a good time take a break on Friday with a peaceful walking tour of Green-Wood Cemetery and explore one of Brooklyn’s most beautiful and historic green spaces this late autumn Enter at the Gothic Arch near the Main Entrance at 5th Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th St.) Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members California’s the Story so Far comes to Brooklyn Paramount on Friday to celebrate their new album the band will play new tracks and fan favorites like “Quicksand.” They’ll be joined by Superheaven and Koyo currently starring in HBO’s Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show as he brings his laid-back yet sharp stand-up to the Bell House Do your holiday shopping at the Makers Show Holiday Market at City Point Expect family-friendly dance parties and workshops the Makers Show is dedicated to social justice promoting equity and community through local markets Enjoy the festive atmosphere and support small businesses this holiday season Get ready for the Annual Turkey Day Battle at Uncommon Charter High School and majorette teams will compete for the 2024 Turkey Day Battle Winner title Experience a high-energy weekend of fierce competition and incredible performances as teams battle it out for the top spot in their respective categories Bed-Stuy’s Winter Wonderland Market is back this year’s market is all about supporting the community A Park Slope holiday tradition returns with The Steadfast Tin Soldier at PuppetWorks This charming performance tells the story of a one-legged toy soldier who falls in love with a paper ballerina Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King the inspiration behind The Nutcracker ballet Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults Shop one-of-a-kind handmade gifts at the Makers Guild’s Holiday Edition: A Night with the Makers sip complimentary drinks and check out live brand activations Join the Seoyeon Im Swing Quartet for an intimate evening of vibrant Studio Ghibli compositions a rising star in the jazz violin scene and better known as V.OLIN Laugh off that turkey at Prime-Time Comedy on Saturday night Join your chosen family at House of Yes for a night of dancing featuring a giant unicorn horn overflowing with fruits and veggies Enjoy a special all-night set by Griffin Maxwell Brooks and immerse yourself in playful experiences and performance art designed by resident artists Flip Circus is visiting Williamsburg this holiday season this exciting new circus celebrates the rich tradition of the American circus Escape the cold for a cozy ski chalet right in Brooklyn the Saloon at Clover Club transforms with faux-fur pelts Enjoy 10 specialty cocktails (including hot and zero-proof options) and cozy bites It’s the ultimate winter retreat—no ski trip required On Sunday at Emily Brooklyn, get the perfect holiday gift with a custom pet portrait from Brooklyn artist Matt Timms, aka All the Bad Cats Timms will create small watercolor portraits for $80 Bring a digital photo of your pet (no live animals and Matt will bring their personality to life Join Film for Good on Sunday night for a cozy evening of cinema and live music at Purgatory They’ll be screening director Todd Haynes’ Carol All proceeds benefit Women in Need New York you’ll make DIY holiday cards for Citymeals which delivers deliver meals and cards to isolated New Yorkers Joshua Encinias writes about entertainment His work appears in MovieMaker Magazine and LOST iN He's based in NYC and you can find him on X @joshencinias BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — A lightning-fast response by the Fire Department of New York and by-the-book reactions of building staff prevented a co-op fire at 101 Clark St the president of the co-op told the Brooklyn Eagle Twenty units and 78 FDNY and emergency medical workers responded to the fire that broke out in an apartment on the 31st floor of the tower in the early hours of Thursday watched from their windows as red lights from emergency vehicles lit the sky of a fire on Clark Street between Henry Street and Monroe Place Firefighters battled the flames for under an hour and had it under control by 1:04 a.m The shareholder was in shock,” Toba Potosky “We will know more by Tuesday afternoon.” He said he was grateful to the Fire Department and added “I’m just glad everyone is alright and the fire was limited to one room.”  “Our staff did everything right,” Potosky said “A neighbor heard a smoke detector ringing in the hallway and called the lobby attendant who opened the apartment door where he saw smoke.” Richards found the shareholder on the floor Then he stayed on the floor and knocked on everyone’s door to alert them to the fire Yanisha managed the lobby that quickly filled with firefighters from Ladder 118 and Engine 205 on Middagh.” Building Superintendent Julio Davila coordinated his team to assist the firefighters and clean-up crew and help calm residents “Half our maintenance staff came in by 2 a.m the remediation crew was already cleaning up We’re really blessed to have such an incredible crew I’m also thankful to our property manager Melinda Wong from Metro Management.” An FDNY spokesperson said the cause of the fire remains under investigation https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/04/12/quick-response-prevents-brooklyn-heights-tower-fire-from-turning-into-tragedy/ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — SPRING INTO SERVICE activities coordinated by the Brooklyn Heights Association will be happening across the Heights this Saturday BHA is running a donation drive with local organizations including Brooklyn Book Bodega which provides books for kids and teens; children’s clothing strollers and more for Little Essentials; shelf-stable food for pantries run by three local churches; and dog and cat food and treats for Brooklyn Cat Cafe Other family-friendly events include cleaning up the neighborhood playgrounds; sprucing up P.S. 8; mulching Cadman Park; giving springtime love to tree beds; and collecting e-waste. See details and timing (and check for rain-date) at BHA’s website https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/04/24/spring-into-service-in-brooklyn-heights-saturday/ By: 7:00 am on October 3 Permits have been filed for a three-story residential building at 1302 83rd Street in Dyker Heights the lot is near the 79th Street subway station Igor Nestor under WNS Development LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications The proposed 33-foot-tall development will yield 10,493 square feet designated for residential space most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 953 square feet The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and eight open parking spaces Simino Architect is listed as the architect of record Demolition permits have not been filed yet An estimated completion date has not been announced Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates Like YIMBY on Facebook Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews ga('send', 'event', 'beautyofblock', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Standard_336x280-100-2.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ADVERTISEMENT ga('send', 'event', 'PCRichards Builders Division', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PCR_Beko_Compact_YIMB_336x280.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ga('send', 'event', 'yimby+', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.png', { nonInteraction: true }); Follow on Instagram var sb_instagram_js_options = {"font_method":"svg","placeholder":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png","resized_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/","ajax_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY® LLC YIMBY IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF NIKOLAI FEDAK / NEW YORK YIMBY LLC was arrested last week for his role in an allegedly staged car crash on the Belt Parkway last month A Brooklyn man was cuffed last week after he allegedly participated in staged a car crash on a Queens street that was caught on a video that soon went viral faces up to two and a third years to seven years in prison after he was one of several people to allegedly help fake a crash on the Belt Parkway It all was part of a scheme to fraudulently collect insurance money the Queens district attorney’s office said And it’s possible Martinez and his fellow passengers would have gotten away with it had it not all been caught on the victim’s dashboard camera “The defendant and others allegedly staged a crash on a busy highway and rammed an unsuspecting driver with their vehicle after they forcibly stopped her in the left lane of the Belt Parkway,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement “Countless lives were jeopardized due to this incredibly reckless conduct.” Prosecutors say that Asphia Natasha was driving her car in the left lane of the Belt Parkway in Rosedale on Oct the driver of a Honda Civic cut in front of Natasha’s car and almost immediately came to a stop who was talking on the phone with her significant other as the incident unfolded slammed on the brakes and stopped around 10 to 20 feet short of the Civic the driver of the Honda put the car into reverse and slammed into Natasha’s car “Oh my god,” Natasha is heard saying on the video just before the collision someone in the Honda put a tarp up in front of the rear window partially obstructing what was going on the car video of the incident caught on Natasha’s dashboard camera appears to show the driver switching seats with the front seat passenger “This guy just reversed into me,” Natasha is heard saying on the video the driver and the passengers in the Honda began to get out of the car The first to step out of the car was the woman who had allegedly switched over to the driver’s seat after the crash – Martinez who was the only one who identified himself at the scene allegedly told Natasha the woman was his wife the woman put her hands to her head and then reached into her pocket pulled out her phone and began to document the damage Martinez was the next person to get out of the car He appeared to stumble out of the passenger seat and held his head with one his hands A second woman who got out of the car also appeared to be feigning an injury Natasha remained in her car as Martinez and the two women documented the damage But rather than join the three others he was in the car with he walked to a Kia Sport that had initially been following Natasha’s car but had since pulled in front of the Honda The unidentified man got into the Kia and was driven away none of the other passengers have been identified Martinez was arrested on Thursday after he flew into New York from Ecuador He was charged with staging a motor vehicle accident in the second degree conspiracy in the fifth degree and insurance fraud in the fifth degree Queens Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece ordered Martinez to return to court on Jan The video of the bizarre crash was uploaded to social media shortly after the incident and quickly went viral “Dash cams should be a built-in feature in every car because this is insane,” one X user said while sharing the video that was viewed 18 million times Prosecutors said they are still on the hunt for Martinez’s alleged co-conspirators and I encourage anyone who suspects that they may have been a victim in a staged car crash to call the NYPD Office of Fraudulent Collision Investigation Squad at 718-822-5403,” Katz said Correction: An earlier version of this story erroneously claimed that Martinez was accused of initially driving the Honda into the victim’s car Martinez is only accused of being a passenger Home / Law / Crime / Politics / Communities / Voices / All Stories / Who We Are / Terms and Conditions A vacant house on 67th Street between 12th and 13th avenues that has been on fire five times in two years will be demolished according to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) The building’s last fire was a three-alarm blaze on Feb the DOB’s Forensic Engineering Unit issued an emergency declaration for the full demolition of the building the building owner did not request a hold on its order and is not planning to hire private contractors to perform the demolition Demolition operations will be performed by city contractors and managed by the Dept Steve Chan told this paper about the home’s struggles following the fire we see squatters outright bullying small landlords and in this particular case the premise was set on fire over and over again,” he said “This homeowner is now stuck with a building that has to be demolished It’s next to impossible to be a small landlord in NYC I’ll be working on better laws where these squatters and deadbeat ‘professional tenants’ can’t game the system.” The date of the demolition hasn’t been set Sign In Register The supply of houses has soared in Boerum Hill making this brownstone neighborhood a top area in the city to search for a new home Top neighborhoods for buyers in the borough also include Brooklyn Heights price cuts were more prevalent than in the rest of the city suggesting opportunities for buyers to take advantage of discounts 14% of homes on the market strategically lowered asking prices to capitalize on the strong start to the home-buying season this year Here are the top Brooklyn markets to look for a home Brooklyn has remained the most competitive sales market in the city with competition heating up between buyers making it the top neighborhood for buyers in the city While Boerum Hill is known for historic brownstones and townhouses brand new condos along 3rd and 4th Avenues offer turnkey options for buyers Inventory in the neighborhood has soared 75% year-over-year while the median asking price has declined 26% to $1.9 million suggesting now is a great time to explore homes in the neighborhood with just 9% of homes cutting asking prices proximity to Brooklyn Bridge Park and a quick commute to Manhattan are just a few factors behind the enduring demand for homes in Brooklyn Heights gleaming waterfront condo buildings offer turnkey homes in the neighborhood buyers can find homes at lower prices compared to last year With a median asking price of $1.895 million Brooklyn Heights is the third most expensive neighborhood on our list but the current median is 23% less than it was a year ago and inventory has risen slightly by 4% from the previous year.   Historically known as the Little Italy of Brooklyn many family-owned Italian restaurants and bakeries still dot 18th Avenue but there's also a very large Chinese community now laying their roots Buyers can find a wide range of homes including condos and multifamily houses The neighborhood’s median asking price came in at $1.29 million declining 7% from last year as more affordable homes joined the market With inventory rising 13% year-over-year and 9% of homes cutting asking prices buyers can browse more options at a discount this year the boardwalk along Brighton Beach attracts locals and visitors looking to escape large crowds in neighboring Coney Island and explore the neighborhood’s vibrant Eastern European shops and restaurants Buyers looking in Brighton Beach can find condos with ocean views and charming houses with front and back yards The median asking price has declined 6% year-over-year to $675,000 About 19% of the neighborhood’s homes for sale have reduced asking prices.   Dyker Heights offers grand Queen Anne-style houses as well as single and multifamily houses with smaller footprints The neighborhood’s inventory has jumped an enormous 51% from a year ago The median asking price decreased slightly by 0.1% year-over-year to about $1.45 million and one in 10 homes lowered prices in January and February.  Park Slope is perhaps the most surprising inclusion on this list as last fall it was the second most competitive neighborhood for buyers due to strong demand but low inventory Park Slope’s recent 5% year-over-year rise in inventory has brought some relief and contributed to lower asking prices At about $1.7 million, the median asking price is 21% lower than a year ago while 12% of homes have lowered asking prices.  Get the latest local news delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — In an unsettling daytime attack on the main shopping street in Brooklyn Heights on Tuesday a man reportedly posing as an ICE agent punched a woman was standing in the lobby of a building on Montague Street near Henry Street at about 10:50 a.m when the unidentified man approached her and forced her into a basement stairwell He then fled on foot on Montague Street towards Henry Street leaving the woman with lacerations to the face and scratching and  bruising throughout her body She was transported by EMS to a local hospital in stable condition the woman was waiting in the lobby of CityMD at 135 Montague St following a doctor’s appointment when the man approached her “This was a horrific incident in our community made even more chilling by the report that the perpetrator pretended to be an ICE agent,” Councilmember Lincoln Restler told the Brooklyn Eagle “Everyone deserves to feel safe on their block and I will work closely with NYPD to ensure the perpetrator is found and held fully accountable.” “It’s so upsetting to hear this news and our thoughts are with the victim,” Lara Birnback executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association “We are in touch with NYPD and they have assured us they will provide extra patrols to the area.” Violent crimes are rare on Montague Street there has been just one other incident of misdemeanor assault there have been two incidents of grand larceny one petit larceny from a building and one bike theft (at the intersection of Montague and Court streets) Police have released surveillance photos of the suspect and urges anyone with information to call the New York Police Department’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/. https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/02/12/shocking-daytime-robbery-attempted-rape-in-brooklyn-heights/ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — An unidentified man threw a large concrete block through the glass entrance door of Heights Cleaners & Tailors Inc in Brooklyn Heights during the early morning hours on Saturday Video surveillance from a nearby business shows the suspect walking back and forth in front of the cleaner several times before picking up one of the blocks lining a tree pit in front of the building and hurling it through the glass He can be seen ducking inside and emerging moments later with the cash drawer from the register A police spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle that the burglary was reported around 4:24 a.m “The police came and a detective fingerprinted the store,” business owner Wei Sun told the Brooklyn Eagle The thief made off with the cash receipts for the week Sun said this was the first time the Joralemon Street location had been robbed but added her other laundry at 78 Montague St “This area is not safe anymore,” she complained A store employee showed the Eagle reporter bags of broken glass she had swept up A glass repair company was set to come in on Saturday “We had to buy a new cash drawer,” she added The dry cleaner does not have surveillance cameras The call to the police was made by an employee of a neighboring business who had notified his boss after observing the broken glass The business owner searched through his surveillance video footage and spotted the break-in taking place around the 4:20 a.m Two other businesses in the area were also searching their surveillance records for images which police have not yet made available to the public (This story will be updated online if police send more surveillance images.) “There are a lot of questionable people around here these days,” a local business owner who did not want to be named out of fear of retaliation The company signed a lease on the site in November A spokesperson for the Montague Street BID said it was not aware of similar break-ins on Montague Street recently https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/01/27/man-breaks-into-brooklyn-heights-dry-cleaner-steals-cash/ By Joseph Feldman NY — A woman was tragically killed in a three-alarm fire that broke out early Tuesday morning at a home in Dyker Heights Firefighters continued to battle the blaze they were still working to bring it under control It was later confirmed that the fire was under control by 10:24 a.m Firefighters discovered a 40-year-old woman unresponsive in the alleyway of the home Authorities later confirmed that the woman had been squatting illegally in the residence This location had experienced five previous fires over the last two years A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with that incident The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by FDNY fire marshals The identity of the victim has not been released FDNY officials provide update on 3-alarm fire in Brooklyn https://t.co/s2lUwPSTJD — FDNY (@FDNY) February 18, 2025 FDNY units continue to operate at a 3-alarm fire at 1237 67th Street in Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/wEXS4w89ZI — FDNY (@FDNY) February 18, 2025 Two-Story House Engulfed in Flames @CitizenApp 1237 67th St 8:08:23 AM EST Is that midget a firefighter or is she a little girl Please report Lashon Harah when you see it by clicking the "Report" button Please report Lashon Harah / Evil Speech: The Best New Restaurants in Queens, According to Eater Editors The Best New Restaurants in Brooklyn, According to Eater Editors The Best New Restaurants in Manhattan in May, According to Eater Editors Brooklyn Heights’s proximity to sublime waterfront views of Manhattan on the promenade and picturesque brownstone-lined streets make it one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Brooklyn remained sleepy for far too long — a reputation that’s changed more recently particularly on the main artery of Montague Street Whether you’re in the area for a stroll or jury duty nearby at the courts Even though Ingas has received the New York Times review treatment it still retains the warmth of a neighborhood spot only locals are clued into tucked away on a magical side street in Brooklyn Heights The restaurant is styled like a well-worn tavern nice for lingering over a bottle of wine with a date or gossiping with friends Noodle Pudding doesn’t get enough credit in the wider Italian restaurant scene in New York but it is just one of those steadfast neighborhood spots — increasingly a rare breed — where prices are fair and portions stay plentiful but somehow it also feels quaint with waiters dressed formally in button down shirts and ties and tables covered in red and white gingham topped with white paper The menu offers Italian feast standards: fried calamari with a wedge of lemon hearty bowls of pappardelle with duck and mushroom ragu is known for its carnivorous menu with sections for duck The thread here is that the food is quite good Poppy’s, Jamie Erickson’s Cobble Hill all-day cafe and market opened a second location in Brooklyn Heights last October in the former Cranberry’s space on Henry Street who worked the counter at B&H Dairy on the Lower East Side for 40 years She channels his legendary hospitality into this gem a place for a steamy morning latte with a slice of her signature lemon poppy seed semolina loaf or a savory egg and cheese biscuit sandwich and dinnertime favorites like mac and cheese and rotisserie chicken Chocolate tahini brownies for dessert are a must If you’re the kind of person who gets off on waiting in long lines then boy do we have the bakery for you: L’Appartement 4F began as a pandemic venture and catapulted to success for its fashionable croissants Manhattan Georgian restaurant Chama Mama opened an outpost in Brooklyn Heights — a restaurant that’s one of several giving new life to Montague Street khachapuri and khinkali should be on your must-order list The Best Restaurants Open on Monday in New York City with the help of the owners of Margot in Fort Greene have reopened a diner in the former Happy Days Diner storefront but there are some updates — great diner coffee for one — and they have after-school specials for school children in the area The restaurant gets especially busy during weekend brunch; reservations can be made in advance hand-pulled noodles (the spicy cumin lamb is great) If you can’t decide on which dumpling to order have the Chef’s Choice with many different dumplings: pork and their stunning chicken and cabbage dumplings that look like works of art thanks to the butterfly pea flower in the dumpling wrappers River Deli feels like it could have dropped out of an Edward Hopper painting: wide windows Look for dishes like bruschetta topped with ricotta and eggplant wide shallow bowls of lamb ragu scented with cinnamon and topped with pecorino and glossy tuna steak served with tomatoes and lots of garlic particularly the signature “Uova in Camicia”— poached eggs on toasted Sardinian bread with ham a farm-to-table stalwart boasts a long inviting bar and an open kitchen from a trio of  hospitality veterans: Emelie Kihlstrom Tamer Hamawi (they also own Pips Wine bar next door) Chef Kone Sindou is doing vibrant dishes like sweet potatoes roasted to toffee levels of sweetness An arctic char crudo bathes in coconut milk balanced against the heat of aji amarillo and the tartness of gooseberries and lime Don’t sleep on the lump crab tagliatelle with serrano and artichoke or the braised caraflex cabbage served with tomatillos under an alabaster filet of halibut This full-service offshoot of Palestinian restaurant Ayat specializes in family-sized portions (this is a restaurant best suited for group dining) of flatbreads and its acclaimed mansaf (lamb with fermented yogurt sauce over rice) This Lebanese Syrian restaurant is part of a strip of Middle Eastern restaurants on the Atlantic a dukkah-spiced bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich and an omelet with parsley and sumac dressing Sometimes you don’t want a full-blown meal the smaller grocer on the same block as the more famous Sahadi’s has long been our go-to to pick up pre-made salads it makes for a nice picnic spread in nearby Cobble Hill park Where To Find NYC’s Top Middle Eastern Food This full-service offshoot of Palestinian restaurant Ayat, specializes in family-sized portions (this is a restaurant best suited for group dining) of flatbreads, ouzi beef, and its acclaimed mansaf (lamb with fermented yogurt sauce over rice). This Lebanese Syrian restaurant is part of a strip of Middle Eastern restaurants on the Atlantic. It’s an easy walk-in spot, popular during brunch, featuring a menu of pistachio croissants, a dukkah-spiced bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich, and an omelet with parsley and sumac dressing. Sometimes you don’t want a full-blown meal. Damascus, the smaller grocer on the same block as the more famous Sahadi’s, has long been our go-to to pick up pre-made salads, labne, and hand pies, if you’re in a rush. When weather allows, it makes for a nice picnic spread in nearby Cobble Hill park, or on the Promenade. Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations Brooklyn native Richard DeVaynes takes Halloween very, very seriously. In a neighborhood famous for its extravagant Christmas displays, DeVaynes is among a growing number of Dyker Heights residents who start decorating their houses in early October — welcoming the visitors who pour into the neighborhood every day. “It’s insanity, and it’s like this all month,” the 49-year-old father of three said, gesturing to the crowds and lavish displays. His house is decorated for roughly 100 days between Oct. 1 and Jan. 3 and he rents two garages to store all the decorations in the offseason. “The kids love it,” he said. “And I love scaring them.” The central diorama among Richard DeVayne's many decorations. On Friday, the exterior of DeVaynes' house was adorned with dozens of elaborate horror scenes: a knife-waving Frankenstein, growling skeletons with bright red eyes, motion-sensor-enabled spiders that pop out when you walk by. Spooky music and ghoulish laughs emanated from hidden speakers. “A lot of kids cry right in this spot right here,” he said, pointing to a Chucky doll display that he controlled with a remote control. “But it's fun!” he said. “They all love it.” For 10-year-old Yesenia Salazar, getting scared was one of the best parts of visiting the neighborhood. She jumped back from the Chucky display when it made a zapping sound. “It’s so fun,” she said. “Those things really scare me, though.” As pictures and videos of the houses have spread across TikTok and Instagram, families have been streaming in from Staten Island, Queens, and even the Bronx to visit the handful of Dyker Heights houses, many between 10th and 13th Avenues, that pull out all the stops. The "Haunted Carnival" house on 82nd Street between 12th and 13th Avenues opted for a clown theme. Around the corner, a yard was strewn with mummies. A few blocks down, one house boasted more than 20 laughing clowns. “Everybody else has grave diggers and all that,” Salvatore Panetta said while explaining his house’s theme, which was "Haunted Carnival." “Once you get one clown, well you have to get another one," Panetta sighed. "So here we are.” Some visitors on Friday said they have been coming to the neighborhood for its Halloween offerings for years. “We love Halloween, so we always come and visit over here,” said Keisha Williams, who made the trek from Queens on Friday with her 1-year-old daughter, who was dressed as a cow. DeVaynes says that in some ways, it’s like managing a tourist destination that doesn’t return a profit. He said he does it for the children. “Look at them!” he said, waving to the dozens of kids running on his lawn like a playground. “And I’m in too deep. And if I stopped now…I don't know what I would do. It relaxes me.” He acknowledged that not everyone shares his zeal for Halloween. “Some neighbors complain,” he said. “They say people are parking in their driveways, there’s so many people on the sidewalk, it's too much smoke, it's too loud. But it's a month out of the year! Deal with it.” And yet, Halloween is only the beginning: On Friday, the Halloween decorations come down and he’ll start decorating his house for Christmas. Sasha is an intern at the Brian Lehrer Show. Dance companies, theater productions and other arts groups said the lost funding complicates shows scheduled for the summer. Ukus has been serving up beloved Balkan dishes in Astoria for more than 20 years. Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. Gothamist is a website about New York City news BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — A chain-reaction crash in Brooklyn Heights Thursday morning took out a large green awning in front of the Medical Arts Building at 142 Joralemon St Surveillance video from a business across the street showed a white SUV plowing at high speed into the back of a gray Nissan Altima which in turn smashed into a parked gray Toyota Highlander which knocked out the awning’s support posts A New York City Fire Department spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle the call of a “car into a building” was received at 11:26 a.m Two of the injured refused medical treatment and one was transported to NYU-Langone Health Brooklyn A construction supervisor on the scene told the Eagle that an Uber driver in the Nissan who had just dropped off a passenger nearby was the injured individual transported for treatment A worker next door at the Heights Cleaners said the moment of the crash was “crazy.” While not speaking much English she used her hands to convey fast cars and a loud noise A New York City Department of Buildings inspector on the scene told the Eagle that there was no structural damage to the building itself https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/04/04/3-car-crash-injures-3-takes-out-awning-in-brooklyn-heights/ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — THE OLD SITE OF MAD FOR CHICKEN, previously Teresa’s at 80 Montague St., could soon be home to a new restaurant, according to the Brooklyn Heights Blog A sign posted in the space’s window by Wurst & Durst LLC “Wurst and Durst” means “Sausage and Thirst” in German and the brand appears to be connected to a restaurant in Hamburg according to the blog’s investigative work It’s unclear whether the new eatery would be a sausage joint or a different concept under the Wildblume name A public meeting to review Wurst & Durst’s application for a liquor license The business would employ between 9 and 16 people https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/01/07/new-german-restaurant-speculated-to-arrive-in-brooklyn-heights/ 2025 at 10:40 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The FDNY fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire NY — A woman was killed in a three-alarm fire at a Brooklyn home Tuesday morning firefighters were still on scene working to put the fire under control The location has been the site of five previous fires within the last two year A 40-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the alleyway of the home and was pronounced dead at the scene The FDNY officials said the woman was squatting in the home illegally alleged squatters caused a fire that significantly damaged the house A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection to that incident The FDNY fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire The identity of the victim has not been released pending family notification Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — POLICE ARE LOOKING for a man who allegedly forcibly touched a 21-year-old woman near Middagh and Willow Streets in Brooklyn Heights on Sunday The unidentified suspect approached from behind grabbed her arms and simulated a sexual act before fleeing toward the Brooklyn Bridge on Willow Street Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), on X @NYPDTips or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/04/02/suspect-at-large-in-brooklyn-heights-groping-incident/ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Walgreens pharmacy in Brooklyn Heights many of whom have worked at Walgreens for years said the company  plans to offer most of them jobs at other locations The pharmacy’s prescription records have been transferred to a Walgreens at 120 Court St and the next closest location is 386 Fulton St “It’s going to be a little harder for some of the seniors,” one employee said The closing is one of 500 planned for this year, and part of roughly 1,200 over the next three years. According to Yelp, the Walgreens located at 1409 Avenue J in Midwood has also closed. The property is available for lease According to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (the company’s corporate name), a combination of factors contributed to the closings, including Walgreens’ legal settlement payouts over the company’s role in the opioid crisis and declining profitability from drug reimbursement rates by insurance companies “Our retail pharmacy business is central to our go-forward business strategy,” a Walgreen’s spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle on Monday increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures are weighing on our ability to cover the costs associated with rent “It is never an easy decision to close a store,” the spokesperson added “We know that our stores are important to the communities that we serve and therefore do everything possible to improve the store performance we will work in partnership with community stakeholders to minimize customer disruptions We intend to redeploy the majority of our team members from those stores that we close.” New York Attorney General Letitia James co-led a multi-state coalition of attorneys general in negotiating the settlement which will provide $10.7 billion to communities nationwide and will require significant improvements in how Walgreens and CVS handle opioid prescriptions Walgreens agreed to pay $5.7 billion over 15 years; CVS is paying $5 billion over 10 years The payments started in 2023 and are being used to combat the opioid crisis in New York and elsewhere New York will receive roughly $458 million as its share Walgreens’ financial statement for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 also pointed to a decline in the U.S and lower contributions from sale-leaseback and Cencora earnings Cencora is a wholesale pharmaceutical and research company with legal issues related to the opioid lawsuit Chief Executive Officer Tim Wentworth said 2025’s priorities include stabilizing the retail pharmacy by “optimizing our footprint,” controlling operating costs improving cash flow and continuing to address reimbursement models.”  This story was updated with a comment from a Walgreens’ spokesperson on Monday The spokesperson added that the corporation’s equity investment in China played no role in the decision to close U.S https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/02/21/brooklyn-heights-walgreens-to-close-one-of-500-closures-planned-for-2025/ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — A weekend-long series of manhole explosions on Willow Street in Brooklyn Heights was finally resolved early Monday morning — after at least two cars had their undersides toasted and 14 neighbors spent part of the freezing weekend without power It was just one episode out of dozens of power outages across Brooklyn and Queens reported by Con Edison over the snowy Martin Luther King Jr the utility’s power outage map showed about 75 Brooklyn outages with many of them affecting multiple residences Residents said this was not the first time the grate covering Con Edison’s electrical equipment on Willow between Orange and Pineapple streets had smoked and popped “It’s been going on for at least a year,” Kathleen Wolf who lives in a Willow Street brownstone next to the grate …Folks in homes on Orange Street and in the apartment building that used to be the Watchtower headquarters came out because their homes shook and lights flickered “It’s disconcerting at best and frightening at worst,” she added “The Remsen Street explosion was eye-opening for many.”  Wolf was referring to the Thanksgiving Day, two-alarm fire at 76 Remsen St. which caused extensive damage to a fourth-floor apartment and led to the evacuation of two buildings The fire had been triggered by an exploding manhole which set a car on fire and then extended to the building Scofflaw drivers pay the price for removing caution tape Heights resident Beverly Closs was the first to contact the Eagle after seeing an urgent message posted on a Facebook group late Saturday afternoon The message said that a black Honda CR-V parked on Willow Street needed to be moved asap “There’s been firefighters there for the last 30 minutes as the grates underneath the car started smoking!” the post said the Fire Department of New York blocked off the grate and the sidewalk next to it with yellow caution tape and orange traffic cones When the Eagle visited the site Saturday at 8 p.m. another driver had moved the caution tape and cones onto the sidewalk and parked on top of the grate This reporter warned the driver that the manhole might explode and they reluctantly moved their car and replaced the caution tape Wolf said the manhole “began acting up again” Saturday night FDNY said it received a report at 9:49 p.m An ambulance was stationed at the intersection of Orange and Willow streets and fire fighters went into basements checking for carbon monoxide from several blocks away in Brooklyn Heights Wolf confirmed it was the Willow Street manhole National Grid arrived to check the gas line around 11:30 p.m. Con Edison turned off the power to 14 customers another car owner had removed the caution tape and cones and parked on top of the grate — and paid the price provided the Eagle with a video of the grate emitting bursts of fire and smoke under the car “I took the video because I heard some gurgling from the manhole and anticipated another explosion because one also happened last night!” the resident said “When the Fire Department came they called NYPD because the new car did not abide by the law,” Wolf said New York City’s police department did not issue a ticket to the scofflaw and the power was turned back on around 9:15 a.m Con Edison said salt and snow were behind the high number of outages “Con Edison crews are responding as quickly and safely as possible to power outages caused by the winter storm as a result of salt and melting snow entering our underground infrastructure and impacting the electric delivery equipment,” a Con Ed spokesperson told the Eagle “Con Edison prepares in advance for weather events and makes robust infrastructure investments to provide the most reliable electric service in the nation We will continue to mobilize our response team as needed to support our customers.” https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/01/21/manhole-explosions-in-brooklyn-heights-toast-cars-worry-residents/ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — “The reason you keep going in life is because of friendships and being connected and caring for each other,” said Grace Gray Faison at a birthday party in her honor on Sunday “All of you who have cared for me have meant so much to me and kept me going and I just want to say thank you to all of you for being part of my life.” Dozens of friends attended the event at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights where Faison has been a devoted member and driving force for more than 70 years “Grace makes the centenarian club look good — triple digits Brett Younger said with his trademark humor ‘Beautiful young people are accidents of nature but beautiful old people are works of art.’”  There was deeper context to the tributes paid to Faison at the event which celebrated not only her place in the history of Plymouth Church and Brooklyn Heights but also her quiet assistance to others in a tight spot and her refusal to give up on lost causes Church leader Jim Waechter had tears in his eyes when he announced that Plymouth Church’s Bell Garden on Orange Street would be renamed the “Grace Faison Bell Garden” in honor of Faison’s birthday her lifelong commitment to the historic church and her pivotal role in establishing the garden As longtime head of Plymouth’s Garden Committee Faison spearheaded the reclamation of the “Lost Acre,” a shady stretch of land east of the church’s sanctuary and rescued the 1870s-vintage cast-iron bell that once hung in the steeple of Plymouth when it was located at 56 Cranberry St The bell is currently the centerpiece of the flower-packed garden on Orange Street as those of you who know her well have seen,” Waechter said to laughter There are three gardens at Plymouth — the Beecher Garden “That plot of land has become Grace’s favorite Grace thought the Lost Acre had no purpose,” he said “I am so deeply touched,” Faison responded “I can’t imagine anything else that would make me feel that I’ve spent some time on this earth And I thank you all so much for this honor.” Waechter delved into the history of the bell in explaining the honor Plymouth’s current sanctuary facing Orange Street opened in 1850 after fire damaged the original church at 56 Cranberry St “There is still what is left of a bell tower” there “You can see where a clock was — and that clock was actually the clock of Downtown Brooklyn and on Plymouth’s 100th anniversary in 1947 the bell came crashing down and landed in the basement not wanting to ever get rid of any part of history pulled the bell up and put it in the garden in the back,” where it sat unceremoniously for years “Grace and [church member] Lisa Cangialosi got four men to lift the bell — it must weigh a thousand pounds or more — and take it out of that garden and around on the sidewalk They had to remove part of the fencing where it is now placed A full dedication ceremony of the Grace Faison Bell Garden will occur in the spring 2025 A sixth-generation Brooklyn Heights resident Faison’s life blends seamlessly into the history of the Heights She is one of the last who remembers Miss White’s garden — described by Brooklyn Eagle journalist Lore Croghan in 2013 as “one of the most extraordinary of Brooklyn Heights open spaces in private hands that anyone can remember.”  which was known as the “Grand Central Depot” on the Underground Railway Faison knows how to keep secrets for a just cause After remaining silent for 50 years, she revealed to New York Magazine’s “The Cut” in 2022 that in the late 60s and early 70s she had secretly put up women in her spacious Heights apartment while they obtained then-illegal abortions She utilized her facade as doyenne of Brooklyn Heights to carry it off We did a lot of entertaining in that apartment,” she told “The Cut’s” Eliza Gray “Thank you for the inspiring way Grace has weathered ups and downs Grace’s resilience shows us that some things not only endure Her century of learning has transformed her life into a reminder to focus on what matters.” https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2024/11/08/brooklyn-heights-indomitable-grace-faison-turns-100/