rooftop dining at alma — rooftop dining at alma

STOP 1

pulled pork tacos with peach salsa at alma

On a corner in the industrial nether region forming the borders of Red Hook, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens, stands Alma. Just inland from the Buttermilk Channel, Alma is the inaugural venture from the team behind Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook. Like its sister restaurant, Alma has three floors, the top level providing an expansive view of lower Manhattan and where you want to park yourself for dinner.

On Tuesdays, Alma offers two tacos and a margarita for $13. While the pork is the tastiest, you can also fill the corn tortillas with fish, lamb or black beans (the vegetarian option). The margarita is served in a large juice glass and hits the spot on a warm day.

STOP 2

After dinner, head over to Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, a former apothecary from the 1920's restored and repurposed as an old-school ice cream parlor.

The owners' vision for the drugstore's refurbishment and transformation from pharmacy to Farmacy was made possible, in part, by the Discovery Channels' Construction Intervention. In addition to restoring the original penny tile floor and tin ceiling, Brooklyn Farmacy has also revived the moniker given to youths who once worked behind the counters of drugstore soda fountains; the employees, most of whom are quite young, wear t-shirts emblazoned with the word "Jerk." These jerks serve up outstanding specialty sundaes and egg creams from an extensive menu of desserts.

Sure, the overt merchandising on the premises betrays the truth that this is not actually your grandfather's fountain, as authenticity yields to souvenir mugs, shirts and even books about growing up in Brooklyn. But, although you won't find any old timers recounting erstwhile shakes at this counter, the Brooklyn Farmacy will thankfully fulfill the ice cream cravings of kids currently living out the good ole' days.

RECAP

Alma: A three story restaurant with roof top seating and spectacular views, serving two tacos and a margarita for $13 on Tuesday evenings.
Brooklyn Farmacy and & Soda Fountain: Old-school style soda fountain housed in a former apothecary.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Alma is located at 187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain is located at 513 Henry Street, Brooklyn.

-Total Cost: About $27 per person for tacos and a margarita at Alma and ice cream at The Brooklyn Farmacy, including tax and tip.

-Alma's roof is open year-round for brunch and dinner and is heated in the winter.

-Full size sundaes at Brooklyn Farmacy are huge and can be split between two people. Half portions are available for $7. Brooklyn Farmacy also serves savory fare from 10:00AM - 6:00PM daily.

-Both restaurants do not accept reservations, though you will not have a problem getting a table on a Tuesday night.