Billie Cohen

Tucked up at the north tip of Brooklyn, nudged in between the BQE and the Newtown Creek (site of the largest underground oil spill in NYC history) and accessible only via the G, Greenpoint is the underdog in terms of what's considered cool and up-and-coming in western Brooklyn. In the past few years, though, it's been quietly pulling ahead of the pack thanks to an influx of high-quality, rule-breaking restaurants; destination (as well as solid neighborhood) bars; and creatively stocked and designed stores. Most impressively, Greenpoint has accepted these into its fold without sacrificing the old-world, traditional charm of a neighborhood that still has a large population of second- and third-generation natives and Polish signage. Thanks to its relative isolation, industrial remnants and stubbornly empty condos, Greenpoint might just be able to stay in this precariously balanced moment for a few years longer. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Greenpoint, Brooklyn Donna Siafakas, owner, Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop "A couple of the new stores that have moved in I like. Fred Flare. It's funny, because I haven't gone in there, but a lot of the customers come in with things from there; even the waitresses shop there and then I send them up there to get [things for me]. Recently, I bought the pens—you write on your hand or wherever, then you shine the light and it's invisible ink. We bought tons of those that I gave to my nieces and nephews. They even have a tote bag that has Peter Pan