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| Extra Place, Then |
Within the past couple of years, the street Extra Place, has popped up as a renovated, sidewalked little alley way on 1st street, between Bowery & Second Avenue. A recently developed area, with apartment complexes surrounding it, it has gone from a dividing line between two properties in the 1700s, to unused back alley of CBGBs, to a construction sight, and has now transformed into a clean and modern little street. There isn't much there, but it does have two gems worth visiting.
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| Extra Place, Now |
The first is the Mexican restaurant
Oaxaca (pronounced Wah-ha-ka) Taqueria. It has opened within the past year and offers authentic cuisine at affordable prices. With their original spots in Brooklyn (one in Park Slope and the other in Cobble Hill) they use organic and sustainable ingredients so the flavors aren't greasy or heavy but taste really fresh and clean. This isn't by any means a proper restaurant, but a place to grab a quick bite at one of their 10 or so tables (both inside and outside) or take something on the run. They didn't serve alcohol as far as I could tell and the ambiance is clean but basic. They also have a $5 burrito that is delicious and filling. Can't beat that!
The newest addition to Extra Place is called Artist Alley in which various artists paint the sidewalks with their individual styles of work. Almost like a yellow brick road guiding you to
Oaxaca! Sponsored by
FAB NYC, or Fourth Arts Block, a nonprofit organization created to preserve and celebrate the East 4th Street Cultural District, their current pieces are on display until March 18, 2012.
The area is part of
FABnyc's ArtUp which is the organization's utilization of underused spaces, such as parking lots, construction sights and other vacant spaces in an attempt to turn something unattractive into something intriguing. Featuring works by Jon Burgerman, Abe Lincoln Jr, and Ellis Gallagher, these graffiti means cartoon designs are fun and free to peer at.
If you find yourself in the area, I suggest swinging by and grabbing one of those burritos from
Oaxaca, sitting outside and enjoying the view!
The first is the Mexican restaurant Oaxaca (pronounced Wah-ha-ka) Taqueria. It has opened within the past year and offers authentic cuisine at affordable prices. With their original spots in Brooklyn (one in Park Slope and the other in Cobble Hill) they use organic and sustainable ingredients so the flavors aren't greasy or heavy but taste really fresh and clean. This isn't by any means a proper restaurant, but a place to grab a quick bite at one of their 10 or so tables (both inside and outside) or take something on the run. They didn't serve alcohol as far as I could tell and the ambiance is clean but basic. They also have a $5 burrito that is delicious and filling. Can't beat that!
The newest addition to Extra Place is called Artist Alley in which various artists paint the sidewalks with their individual styles of work. Almost like a yellow brick road guiding you to Oaxaca! Sponsored by FAB NYC, or Fourth Arts Block, a nonprofit organization created to preserve and celebrate the East 4th Street Cultural District, their current pieces are on display until March 18, 2012. 
The area is part of FABnyc's ArtUp which is the organization's utilization of underused spaces, such as parking lots, construction sights and other vacant spaces in an attempt to turn something unattractive into something intriguing. Featuring works by Jon Burgerman, Abe Lincoln Jr, and Ellis Gallagher, these graffiti means cartoon designs are fun and free to peer at.
