CURIOCITY | Williamsburg, Brooklyn with Monica Escobar Allen
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York
Curiocity Guides celebrates cities, travel, friendships and the joy of the journey. We’ve been around the globe, so you can travel like a local.
“The best part of any journey are the friends you make along the way”
Meet Monica
Monica Escobar Allen is an artist, illustrator, all around creative and founder of the The MoMeMans.
Hi Monica, Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a Williamsburg-based Creative Director, Designer, Illustrator and occasional Bread Maker. I started my career in Advertising developing campaigns for major brands. I now balance my career between advertising and running The MoMeMans.
Curiocity Guides likes to celebrate friendships made while out in the real world. Can you share with us your memory of how we first met?
It was 2001. I'd migrated to NYC with a bunch of Miami Ad School friends. We were all either looking for jobs or had just gotten hired.
You were the first person I met in NYC that wasn't part of that group. But, our meeting wasn't random. You had gone to Miami University with my Miami friend. And now you live in Miami. Hmmm. You def have a Miami connection!
Anywho, we met at a dark basement bar called Botanica on Houston near Mulberry in Nolita. I loved that bar. It had a stench. It was the “Botanica stench'' and we just went with it. It was that smell that proved a lot had happened there.
Anyway, you drove us home that night in your Honda Civic and had Morphine’s ‘Cure for Pain’ cd playing and I thought,
"I like this chick. We're going to be friends."
Let’s get started!
Since we are talking to a true Williamsburg pioneer we would love your expertise on all the best local spots!
If we were planning a visit to Williamsburg.
Top 3 places to stay?
Hotel rooms are small in NY. Just like the apartments. Because living here and experiencing the city is about being out, not being in. That said, in the 12 years I've lived here, quite a lot of boutique hotels have popped up. And while they are small, they have great amenities and are nice and clean and well designed.
This was the original Williamsburg hotel. In fact, one of my friends was part of the original team that had the vision for it and created it! It's known for its rooftop bar for 360° views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, private speak-easy style screening room in the cellar and bistro-themed restaurant on the ground level. Again, the restaurant has changed over like everything in NYC, but my husband and I went to Le Crocodile a delicious Parisian inspired brasserie with great outdoor space, during the pandemic and it was lovely! So what's not to like about that?
This place is cool! It has everything. A rooftop pool with views of Manhattan and Brooklyn, a Watertower Bar (with very spency spirits), a Lobby Bar, a Patio I pass almost every day and just looking at the tables and chairs, I immediately begin to salivate for a rosé or a coffee, but really a rosé. If I were a tourist, I'd look here.
3. The Hoxton
The Hoxton is a hotel chain, but a chain done right. They have that spacious hotel vibe with plenty of places to unwind. You can have brunch inside and a drink in their 360° bar at Klein’s and dinner at Summerly on the roof! Although, check ahead because Summerly is temporarily closed right now due to the pandemic.
Let’s imagine we are in town for a long weekend.
Top 3 Brunch spots?
This is my go-to grab-and-go or grab-and-sit-outside coffee and pastry place. They used to have a sit down brunch menu, and I'm sure they'll bring it back, but at this point, this is what you get during a pandemic. It's always delicious! And they have biscuits! I never say no to a biscuit. Either honey and butter or butter and jam. But don't sleep too late or you might miss out! Better yet, come for the lunch-time Saltie Scuttlebutt sandwich It's the most interesting and DELICIOUS veggie sandwich I've ever had. Pickled carrots and beets, hard boiled egg, capers, olives, feta and pimento aioli on focaccia. Yum-ME!
This place has those cake style pancakes like, the ones that are as thick as your wrist and as big as your head! They have so many delicious treats. I mean, the place has Sunday in the name!
3. Simple Cafe
I LOVE this place. It’s French-Algerian fare with homemade breads. They used to have a brunch buffet, which, I don’t think they are doing during the pandemic, but it gave me a chance to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that and it was ALL always delicious!
That potato gratin is simply magical. But you don’t have to stop at just brunch. Because for Happy Hour they have a Wine + Cheese Basket for $52 that includes your choice of: Prosecco, Côte du Rhône, Sauvignon or Rosé and served with selection of cheeses + housemade sourdough bread.
They even have a cute Little Simple Shop within the restaurant with some simple goods, and good priced wine. Plus, I really like the owner. How simple is that?
***Bonus Smorgasburg
Started in WIlliamsburg, this is the place for super fun street food. But, it’s seasonal. So it will close up for the season on Oct 30th. And remember, just because it’s called ‘street food’ doesn’t mean it’s necessarily cheap, this is NYC after all.
Those all sound so amazing and delicious! One of my favorite things to do when I arrive in a new city is take a long walk and just absorb all the new sounds, sights, and smells.
Do you have any favorite strolls to people watch and take it all in?
Def Domino Park It's on the water and there's always people out and about walking their dogs, outside yoga or fitness training, picnicking, volleyball.
Or eating tacos and drinking margaritas at Tacocina.
You can also take a breather for an IPA at Other Half Beer. Odd Fellows Ice Cream Shop for fun and "odd" flavors of ice cream.
And the acclaimed Roberta’s Pizza (second location).
Let’s talk shopping, where do you like to go to browse or buy some local goods?
I love looking around Beam on Kent Ave for home goods and gifts.
For vintage, I love Awoke Vintage.
For gifts, Drigg's Mercantile always has the best gifts for any age and even some local goods. It is the sister store of my go-to-recently-closed-Red Pearl that was on Bedford. (They were open for 20 years!!) Glad to know they are still around, even if it's around the corner.
My fav wine shop is Spirit Animal. I've never gotten a bad reco from them. I give them obscure descriptions for what I'm in the mood for and they always get it!
Brooklyn Flea and Artists & Fleas are always fun. I’ve been going there for unique finds since I moved to Brooklyn and it feels good to support small and local businesses. And after starting my own small business, I, too, went straight to Artist & Fleas to sell my own goods! The energy and vibe is fun, it’s impossible to not find something you love!
I love checking out local art and galleries, do you have some you can suggest?
The neighborhood is filled with art! Just walking around! There are murals, art on the sidewalks, art on people.
I just saw a guy in full clown makeup riding his bike last night! There's always something to catch if your eyes are open! You are also likely to run into a movie set or tv set or commercial set and may catch Keanu Reeves or DeNiro or catch James Murphy walking down the street.
I’m getting hungry again. What are your Top 10 places to eat?
1. Best Place for a Special Date or Celebration.
We love Aurora so much, we got married here! It was the perfect place. Quaint and rustic, the most DELICIOUS food, a lovely staff and a few blocks away from our apartment!
2. Best Cheap Mexican.
Lots of veggie options! I reco the veggie chili soup, the mission burrito and the spicy shrimp enchiladas. And don’t forget the guac and chips!
3. Best Grown-Up Restaurant
Grown-up decor with Italian comfort food and fun cocktails. The bartenders always have fun with their drink menu. At the time of this post, they are doing a full cocktail menu with a high fashion Italian theme. Like Gucci and Versace. Hilarious. I had the Gucci drink last Friday. It was delicious! It was like a weird take on a Manhattan that included puréed kabocha squash. Sounds weird, right? It was great!. In the past, they’ve done a Goodfellas theme, Seinfeld and some other fun ones I can’t remember right now. Def try their homemade garlic bread with pesto. And their pizzas and pastas really hit the spot.
Spirit Animal is their wine shop, so, of course, they have great wine too! We like to sit at the bar for dinner. Especially when we’re having a quick bite before heading to a show or something like that.
4. Best Backyard Garden
They are the sister restaurant to Aurora and are all about their pinsas. A pizza of sorts, little flatbreads topped with delicious love. This is the perfect date spot. Super romantic with good food and a friendly staff. The restaurant manager is the dude who helped us with our wedding at Aurora. We love him!
Montesacro
5. Best Italian Wine Bar:
Super cozy and has a wine list that goes for miles. Luckily, the staff can help you navigate. Go there for a date to impress, book a private room if you're really feeling fancy, or just sit at the bar and admire the vast selection of amaros. You may think you've walked into Italy.
6. Best Waterfront View for People-Watching and Dog-Watching
Tacocina
Who needs a roof to have a good view? Not Tacocina. Danny Meyer knows where to pick a spot. Situated right in the heart of Domino Park, they have some of the best views of Manhattan and ever-active people-watching — or even better, dog-watching, you can only get in Williamsburg. As my husband puts it, we Brooklyners are "recreationally aggressive." And you can see it all while sipping a cold beverage and chomping on some tacos.
7. Best Cookies:
Cookies! Levain Bakery and Rush Hour 2 on Kent Ave. When did cookies get so thick? Who knows, but I'm going with it!
If you find yourself in Greenpoint, Ovenly is where you should go. And here's a secret, (shhh), if you go first thing in the morning, you can get a box of [yeterday's] cookies for cheap!
8. Best Veggie/Vegan:
A meat-lover would be satisfied here. They know how to put together a dish!
Who says Mexican food can't be vegan? This place wins on everything. Aesthetic, friendliness, their food is so good, you won't know it's vegan, and their cocktails are equally as fun!
9. Best Biscuits and Pie and Fried Chicken (if you’re into that sort of thing):
I don't eat chicken but I never say no to a biscuit. And most people like fried chicken, so I'm always happy to oblige and go here.
10. Best Pizza:
I mean, there are so many great pizza places in NYC and even in Williamsburg, it’s hard to choose. But we order from here the most. We love the Tartufo, a rosemary mushroom pizza that’s grandma style and delicious!
This is Detroit-style pizza. My best friend is from Detroit and she says this place is legit. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'm in! Plus, they have a table that has an old Nintendo and you can play it while you dine. A bonus to reminisce or keep the kids occupied.
This is a great slice place, although you can also order full pies. They usually have like 4-6 options. This isn't a make your own slice kinda place because you won't need to. Just trust 'em. They know what's good. Plus, if you so desire, you can order a good natural wine in a cup and sit on the old school folding chairs on the sidewalk. Keepin' it classy, Fini. Keepin' it classy.
He makes his sourdough every day and always has something interesting on the menu.
Best Tacos:
Yes, yes and yes. Eat there! And pair it with the Margarita Tamarindo or the La Mezcalina.
Bonus Cheat!
Best Family Restaurant for Tapas:
Technically, this is cheating because El Born is in Greenpoint, just north of Williamsburg, but it's so close, you must go! This is a family run restaurant and I'm more angry with myself for taking so long to find it! It's a non-descript looking place but SOOO good! And the staff is so nice. When I finally discovered this place, I went back within two weeks! Which is a lot to say, because I discovered this place during the pandemic and I wasn't going out much. And when I left the second time, I noticed the Michelin reco sticker in the window, several years in a row. I guess I'm not the only one that thinks this place is amazing!
Tell us a hidden gem that only a real Williamsburgian (I am not sure that is even a word?? How do you refer to someone living in Williamsburg) knows?
Williamsburg is known for their Hasidic Jewish population, strictly Orthodox, do not be alarmed of the siren that blows twice on Friday nights reminding their followers to get to temple or else. But follow that siren to this bakery on Bedford near S10th St., Korn’s Bakery. They have pretzel challah bread and really yummy knishes. Before visiting this place, I didn’t know knishes could be good. No, Monica, they are not the frozen ones you get at the ball field in Coney Island.
To celebrate a great time in Williamsburg, what are you Top 5 places to get a cocktail?
Well, I love a dive bar. So, I have to include those.
1. Skinny Dennis
You have to order a Willie's Coffee. Especially in summer. It's not a coffee. Well, there are coffee grounds on the top, but other than that, it has little coffee. It's basically a boozie milkshake of milk, vanilla, sugar, bourbon, coffee liqueur, brandy, Oslo coffee, and another floater of bourbon on the top just to make sure it’s not too sweet! I can't get enough of them and I don't even drink milk! They are my favorite on a hot day. Be wary of BRAIN FREEZE! Also, they have live music. Woot!
Skinny Denis
2. Sauced
This place used to be one of our favorite Sardinian restaurants called PT. But if we have to lose that, I’m ok with this being the replacement. They have an extensive menu of wine, of which they can navigate you through. Just go in and tell them what you're in the mood for and they'll find it for you. Plus, they have the BEST vegan bib salad and great charcuterie boards.
3. Deux Chats
I love a good martini and oysters. Add happy hour that includes both, ummm...ok! Again, I've lived here so long places change hands constantly. And this was one of our favs for years. We were crushed to see it close but Deux Chats kept all of the charm and kept it a great place, so we're making friends! I love love their signature martini and brioche buttons with seaweed butter. We take our daughter there and she wolfs down the oysters and brioche buttons before I've put down my first sip of the martini. Buyer beware, it's so good you might need to order doubles of everything!
4. Fresh Kills
Their menu of cocktails is so extensive, it’ll take a while to read through all the pages. But that may be ok, because if it’s busy, it’ll take a while before someone can serve you anyway.
5. The Levee
This place is great. They have drink specials like a cheap can of beer and a shot for $5. And everyone gets a bowl of Utz cheese puffs. And if you get hungry for some childhood food, they also have a food menu that includes frito pies (meat or veggie chili and cheese, or not, over a bed of Fritos), bologna sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Ruffles chips with ranch dip. Another special part of the bar is that you can buy a friend a drink whether they are in the bar with you or not. Pay for their drink in advance and they will put their name up on their drink board for them to redeem at a later date. Plus, it’s dog friendly. Now that’s a neighborhood place! This place has been there forever and I hope it stays there forever more.
We are a big fan of your work. Can you tell us a little bit about why you created the MoMeMans and what inspires you most?
I accidentally created The MoMeMans from work-meeting doodles. I was having so much fun with them, I couldn't help but give them names and a reason for being. This was right around the time I’d just become a mom and began really thinking about how judge-y everyone can be and how we all feel the need to fit in at the expense of sometimes losing what makes us awesome. I wanted to create a more forgiving, accepting and helpful world my daughter could grow up in. Because letting go of who you are will get you nowhere. If we were all the same, there'd be no imagination in the world! No problem solving. No innovation! So I gave these kooky characters that mission! To love their quirks and help others with them! Because your best parts are your fantastically different parts and using those parts to help each other makes you super smart!
Check out Monica’s work!
