Lovin' Brooklyn Hard

The past couple days in Brooklyn feel like they could compete with Siberian winters. Part of me wanted to stay in bed all day just to stay warm, but I also want to take advantage of the holiday weekend.

I made some French onion soup today. This can warm up even the coldest person in an instant. First, saute an onion with garlic in a little olive oil. Turn the heat down and add some brandy or sherry, if you have it. When the onions are cooked down, add a quart of beef stock and reduce about a third of it (I don't like to go too far, or the broth gets too salty).

I used an old hoagie bun, but it's much, much better to place a piece of crusty french bread in an oven-safe bowl, pour the soup over, grate cheese over (I used Asiago from Wisconsin, but gruyere or any other mild cheese works well), and put under the broiler for about 5-10 minutes until the cheese gets all melty and bubbly over the bread.

Here's an extreme close-up of cheesy goodness:

I could have used this yesterday for warmth when I headed out to the Brooklyn Museum in Park Slope. Here's why I love Brooklyn- when they have a free museum day, they make a whole day and night of it, complete with live music and performances.

The main draw for me was to catch the Who Shot Rock and Roll exhibit that runs through the month. This fantastic exhibit documented music photojournalism and art over the last 50 years. Seeing the original photos of Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, Debbie Harry posing in a "comic strip" series, Marilyn Manson imitating a Marilyn Monroe pin-up shot, U2's Joshua Tree cover, the famous Red Hot Chili Peppers nude shot- it was just super, super cool to see these images in person that are already so familiar.

This was a wall-sized 3-D hologram of Jimi Hendrix:

I didn't even mind the massive crowds these free museum nights draw- the packed bodies and pushing in a confined space seemed like part of the exhibit. Brooklynites, you've missed the last free night, but check this out by the end of the month before it ends!

As you exited the exhibit, there was a great corner set aside for kids and crafty adults to make a messy collage from old music magazines. I love interactive exhibits.

And by 9 o'clock, the atrium of the 3rd floor had turned into a massive rave. Is this normal? They don't do this at the Met.

In the lobby, karaoke was going on. My hat's off to the people who can get up and do this in a civilized setting, because I can only do it when lots and lots of beer is involved.

The pictures aren't great, but they're about on par with the singing. What a paradise for someone who loves attention and has no fear.

Karaoke is a nice idea, but I can't get into it unless it's at a bar or an intimate setting. I wasn't the only one who felt this way:

Still, I love Brooklyn for drawing me out into the cold and showing me something amazing every day.