I had been living in Brooklyn Heights for some time and Long Island Restaurant has been closed for as long as I could remember. Then one day, the sign was lit up and not long after the new owners had resurrected the spot with the promise to the previous owners the name and sign never changes. Order "A Martini" from the menu. It's divine. As are the french fries. They're double fried.

The Brooklyn Museum is a great place to visit for contemporary and historical exhibitions, showcasing a range of international and local artists as well as its socially engaging and creative program it also hosts a party on the first Friday of every month. Its a great place to see performances (like these two cool cats) and mingle with the locals in the neighbourhood as well as art enthusiasts who come from afar to get down together and party in between the Rodin sculptures.

The Ear Bar has been in New York longer than any of us. In a city of vacuous fleeting trendy bars the Ear Bar (which is really called the Ear Inn but I've never called it that) is the real deal.

I buy gigantic dry-aged steaks and 1.5-inch pork chops here. The staff is really friendly and helpful.

The exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art can speak for themselves, but the Sculpture Garden there is the best backyard in the city.