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Jess Bites Flea—HNH BBQ
What: HNH BBQ's's Beef Brisket Sandwich. It's moist and tender, savory and peppery, filling but not nap-inducing. Splatter your choice of white onions, sliced pickled jalapenos, or BBQ sauce (which, by the way, is NOT how they do it in Texas where HNH originated). This sammy is served on a perfect soft roll. Dennis just launched HNH; he's the chef at An Choi, the heralded banh mi joint on Orchard St., by day.
How much: 7 bucks, with your choice of condiments. Add a buck for a big side of potato salad.
What else: Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage Sandwich, a Meat Plate that comes with Brisket and Sausage and a side, which lately is the potato salad: a lush mayo/mustard mix with soft red-potato chunks. That's pretty much it.
When and Where: Every Saturday in Fort Greene.
Stuff+Things—Regan+Smith Antiques
What: Kevin of Regan + Smith Antiques comes down from Hudson, NY, with unique and antique furniture, home objects and even functional treasures, like this enormous Le Creuset Green Enamel Saucepan. Every home cook knows the value of a large cast iron pan that'll last a lifetime, especially when kept in mint condition like this one.
What else: Wall hangings, metal furniture, iconic classic artifacts, unusual glassware, fun vintage toys, kitchenware, weird books, all of it. Travel to their Warren St. shop upstate for more upscale goods, or find Kevin with his weekly Flea batch.
How much: This pan goes for hundreds new but Kevin will let you walk away with this gently used one for a mere 40 bucks.
When+Where: Every Sunday at One Hanson, many Saturdays in Fort Greene (check the layout) and online at reganandsmith.com.
Stuff + Things—Dulcinée
What: Mauren of Dulcinée brings the delicate feminine flare to the Flea. Her carefully handpicked selection of women's vintage spans classic cotton to soft silk dresses, plus blouses, skirts and pants from the late 1800's up to the 1980's. Mauren had a great shop on the LES for a long time before she Flea'd too.
What else: Pair a lovely and comfy blue cotton dress with Italian leather boots from the '70s—they knew how to construct the leather!
How much: Although everything Dulcinée sells is in mint condition with no stains, broken buttons or sticky zippers, nothing is priced higher than 200 bucks—even the boldfaced designer pieces that will appreciate in value over time.
When+Where: Every Saturday in Fort Greene and online at dulcineenyc.com. Sundays at One Hanson starting in September too.
Stuff+Things—Nina Z Clogs
What: Fort Greene designer (and vendor since Day One) Nina Z's Swedish-made platform clogs, sandals, and boots with leather tops. Each shoe is handmade with gently treated leather and natural wood, with tacks applied by fifth generation clog-making hands.
What else: Grab yourself a pair in red, black, beige, or brown; polished or matte; high or low heel; braided or solid; buckled or slip; winter or summer; dainty or sturdy—whatever style, the solid construction will make these shoes lifers.
How much: $85 to $225, a steal considering the import, the materials, and the individual attention to each pair.
When+Where: Every Saturday in Fort Greene (W32) and online at ninaznyc.com.
Jess Bites Flea—Sigmund Pretzel Shop
What: Sigmund's organic, hand-rolled, freshly baked Bacon and Scallion Pretzel. It's chewy with bits of scallion on the inside, smooth and golden on the outside, topped with strips of real bacon, and twisted into a roll the size of a softball—a delectable (and literal) twist on the traditional soft pretzel, updated with porcine punch.
How much: 3 bucks, with all the sauces you can squeeze.
What else: Put dollops of Honey Mustard, Horseradish-Beet Mayo, or Wholegrain Mustard on your pretzel, then treat yourself to some more! Other savory and sweet varieties include Mini Blue Cheese and Walnut Pretzels, Salted Soft Pretzels, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip–Hard Pretzel Cookies.
When and Where: Every Saturday inside the backstop in Fort Greene (next to People's Pops), online at Sigmundnyc.com, and at their cute East Village shop on Ave. B at E. 3rd St.
BFFs of the Week
The heat finally broke, and it was two simply stellar days of Flea. Did we see ya there?
Stuff+Things—Shane da Bikejack
What: Shane da Bikejack is a Flea cornerstone, holding down the Clermont gate with his mini bike shop and towering frame. Shane comes down from Trumbull, CT, every Saturday with bikes for guys and gals from the '40s to now: beach cruisers, city hybrids, and a nice selection of conversions and fixed gears. See something you like but prefer a different seat or wheels? He'll switch it up on the spot. Shane has been with the Flea since Day One and much of his business comes from referrals so you know he stands by his product.
How much: $125 to $1000, but if you find something in a shop that Shane is also selling, he'll knock 100 bucks off the price.
Where else: Shane is a wholesaler during the week so find him at the Flea on Saturdays.
When+Where: Every Saturday in Fort Greene in back—where all the bikes are duh!
Jess Bites Flea—The Good Fork's Fried Oyster Po' Boy
What: A large, single, cornmeal-crusted, deep-fried Pacific Coast oyster on a mini brioche with pickled onions and a spicy remoulade (an amazing grown-up version of tartar sauce).
What else: The Good Fork rules the world with their various dumplings and homemade sauces, but their rotating specials also bring the boys to the yard. The chicken, meatloaf, and steak sandwiches are so good too.
How much: 4 bucks for a hearty lil' snack!
When+Where: Saturdays in Fort Greene, at their flagship restaurant on Van Brunt St. in Red Hook, and online at goodfork.com.