Atlantica - 01.05.2002, Side 42

40 A T L A N T I C A
Hop off the L-train at Bedford Ave. and it
feels as if you’ve stepped into a different
world: “We’re not in Kansas anymore,
Totto.” Okay, so you’re not in Oz, but you
are smack dab in the middle of
Williamsburg, an old industrial neigh-
bourhood that has transformed into a
haven for loft apartments, cafés, gal-
leries, music studios and hip pubs.
The Williamsburg neighbourhood of
Brooklyn has ridden the wave of the
Manhattan real estate boom, which
spread out to previously undesirable
neighbourhoods. While the boom has
slowed, Williamsburg has gradually gen-
trified. And all those hipsters seeking
affordable hip housing have followed.
Yes, all that sounds familiar. After all,
what metropolitan, American city doesn’t
have industrial warehouses renovated
into high-rise lofts? But look around and
you immediately see the difference
between the neighbourhood of
Williamsburg and every other former
industrial district.
Williamsburg is home to one of the
largest Hasidic Jewish populations in the
world, mainly of the Satmar sect. In this
part of town, bounded by Broadway,
Bedford and Union Ave., men walk
around in traditional dress, wearing long
black coats and hats; it’s not uncommon
to see signs written in Yiddish. Now
throw into the mix the artists attracted to
the affordable loft space (so close to
Manhattan), as well as the large Hispanic
population that mostly live north of
Broadway, and you have a variable melt-
ing pot, like going to a restaurant that fea-
tures a fusion kitchen. Williamsburg has
that eclectic, culture mix.
Speaking of restaurants, good luck get-
ting a table at Peter Luger Steak House.
The popular feast of red meat served
nightly in this beer-stained hall attracts
the literati, as well as the “where’s-the-
beef?” crowd. If you manage to weasel
your way in, there’s no need to peruse the
menu. Order what everyone else does:
the porterhouse steak.
But you must work up an appetite first.
Since you’re here, walk the streets and
enjoy the artistic and cultural diversity.
The choice of art wares available is
immense. Stop by the Williamsburg Art &W i l l i a m s b u r g
North Brooklyn
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