Baby in the Burg

by Michelle Stewart

One day I was sitting on my tuckus feeling sorry for myself because I wanted to go out and do something fun for me for a change, and I felt like my mommy-hood was interfering with my potential enjoyment of anything in this neighborhood. My husband and I had moved to an apartment on Bedford Ave with our 10-month-old baby, Frantz, only a few months ago, and the neighborhood had grown a lot in the last couple of years. I was sure there wasn't room for Frantz-in-stroller and I in most of these interesting little cafes and shops, and I was not interested in struggling our way through a door only to find that we had to struggle our way right back out in order not to block the movement of all the young single folks who needed to get to the café late.

I decided to indulge myself by scheduling a hair appointment, and went down Bedford Ave to check out the mini-mall between N 5th and N 4th where I had heard the staff at Hello Beautiful would do marvelous things with my 'do. First of all, the little mall was a lovely surprise, and I saw a great little spot in the hallway outside of Verb Café where there were tables and chairs and ample space for even a four-wheel-drive all-terrain stroller if I wanted to park it there! Wise mommies have probably been congregating in this corridor for ages - or, well, at least since the corridor and the café have been here, and now we have found their little secret! More fun awaited us as we skipped down the lovely large common space, a playroom in the eyes of some beholders. We saw some beautiful stained-glass type artwork installed on the walls, and visually devoured all the groovy little slides in the case displaying local artists work, stuff that the youngest of chickadees can appreciate since babies dig colors and light. Stepping into the salon, I inquired about scheduling a hair appointment in advance so that I could have a babysitter booked. Little did I know that I had entered mommy paradise? "You don't need a babysitter, just come in with him and get your hair done now!" smiled a lovely lady. I glanced around at mothers in various stages of hair treatment with strollers and little ones all around the room. Lola played with baby Frantz almost the entire time that Pam worked on my roots, and rumor has it Rebecca Fay, the salon owner, is an incurable baby addict. She will even chase you down the hallway if she sees you scooting by with a little cutie!

Another friendly find in the mall was the Girdle Factory vintage clothing store. Kettie and Jen each have their own precious little tots, four months and one year old respectively. They were armed with a tempting toy truck in the proper low line of vision, and they were glad to coo and caw at my little one so I could sneak a chance to try cool clothing on.

After our wonderful mall adventure, Frantz and I began daringly exploring other Bedford Avenue hot spots. We learned that at the Read Café on Bedford, the courtyard seating area has space enough for stroller parking and even for walking Frantz to bop around to the beat of the music flowing out from behind the counter. And when we ventured in to Planet Thailand with our bundle of joy, we found the space welcoming as the existing chatter and clanging absorbed his squeals of laughter quite comfortably. We became more and more daring, until we found ourselves joining our one-year-old in dancing to the band at the Brooklyn Brewery on a Friday night. It's a smoke-free environment, and kids are welcome. Ya' know what? It's pretty cool being a mommy out here in Williamsburg.

I'm still working on it, but here's a little list of some Things to do Around Williamsburg with a Baby:

Mommy and Me Classes:

The Stable, N 7th Street, has a post-natal yoga class where you can bring baby, Mondays at 4pm with Philippa Woolley 718-387-3962

Music Together of Greenpoint and Williamsburg meets in Greenpoint and gives your child exposure to world music and contagious enthusiasm with Carol Chapin. 718-237-8901

Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals gives the kids a rockin' good time with Audra Tsanos at the Physical Arts Center on N 8th St. 718-260-9163

Places to Eat:

Kasia's on Bedford at N 9th is a good spot with a perfect little vegetarian special of cup of soup and veggie burger that our little guy always gobbles up.

Planet Thailand on Nth 7th between Bedford and Berry is another great choice when you want to have dinner out together.

Both have high chairs and sufficient space.

Cafes:

Read Café
Mosha and Java

Places to Play:

Grand Street playground between Berry and Wythe
McCarren Park in Greenpoint

Nightlife:

Brooklyn Brewery has live bands on Friday nights with no smoking and lots of space. You'll see other parents there with babies in tow, and the young 'uns are luvin' it.

We haven't made it in there yet, but the Williamsburg Jazz Center tells me that a baby is welcome to come along for the live Jazz on Saturday nights starting at 9pm