Today’s CITY GUIDE is brought to you by Lindsay Mueller! Read Pt. 1 here.

Over the summer (which seems so far away now that it’s the middle of January!), I teamed up with Allie to bring you Brooklyn City Guide–and it was so much fun that I decided to do it all over again, this time featuring up-and-coming neighborhoods for Brooklyn City Guide Pt. 2! This edition focuses on three neighborhoods–Greenpoint, Red Hook and Bed Stuy–that house some of the city’s best kept secrets.

GREENPOINT:

Some say it’s the new Williamsburg. It’s only a hop, skip and a jump away from the infamously hipster-heavy hood so the young, hip and artsy vibe pumps through the streets, but it’s not nearly as crowded or colonized as the ‘Burg. This is because the main mode of transportation is the G subway which goes from Brooklyn to Queens and doesn’t pass through Manhattan, keeping the neighborhood full of Brooklyn residents.

I recommend having brunch in lovely local cafe called Brooklyn Label on Franklin Street between Java and India Streets. I had a scrumptious goat cheese omelette and a cup of lemon ginger tea, both were incredibly delicious! This is also a great place for vegetarians and vegans, and I imagine the bar scene at night is an unfussy place to grab a good local brew.

Once you’ve gotten your fill, take a gander at the street art. Greenpoint is chock-full of (mostly functional) warehouses and still has a very industrial feel. Rumor has it that the companies and owners of these warehouses commission graffiti artists to fill the walls of their buildings.

When it’s time to refuel, hit up Cookie Road, a “hole in the wall” bakery featuring delectables best described as cookie art, sugar cookie creations and home of an unexpectedly amazing creamy and delightfully strong cappuccino. Take your coffee and cookies over to the local bookshop, Word. Word features an impressively niche novella section, staff book reviews on new releases and most notably events almost every night, ranging from readings to debates and author Q+As.

Last but certainly not least, you must visit the famous Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop. This old-school Polish bakery has the best doughnuts in all the city (it’s a favorite of Tina Fey!). I ordered the cinnamon bun–which is definitely big enough for three people to share–and was floored by the flavor, texture and overall pastry experience.

RED HOOK:

To Brooklyners, Red Hook is widely known as destination IKEA but it has so much more to offer than $1 frozen yogurts and cheap furniture. It’s right on the shore, where the ubiquitous New York City pigeons are replaced with seagulls and an uncharacteristically fresh, salty breeze blows through. It’s home to lots of local sea-based activities and shops including the Red Hook Lobster Pound and the Red Hook Terminal, which is the only port in New York City located east of the Hudson River.

Another great reason to visit Red Hook: Baked, a bakery famous for its gorgeous cakes. This is a laid back spot, perfect for chilling out with a coffee (or tea!) and delicious pastry. I opted for the apple turnover, which wasn’t too sweet and had a perfect pastry shell (read: flaky, buttery and not too dry) and a warm, gooey apple filling.

If you’re not up for sweet fare, stop into Fort Defiance, an eclectically decorated and low key brunch spot. It’s named after a Revolutionary-war era American fort and is owned by famed food author and bartender, St. John Frizell. The tomato soup is solid, the wait staff is super friendly and while I didn’t have a brunch cocktail, I left wishing I did because the mimosas looked like the perfect Sunday afternoon indulgence.

BED STUY (short for Bedford Stuyvesant):

Bed Stuy isn’t typically a destination spot, but slowly and surely several amazing eateries are emerging, luring the city’s most seasoned foodies into the depths of Brooklyn. As a Brooklyn resident, I am ashamed for not knowing about Saraghina until relatively recently. The interior is airy and rustic, decked out with vintage decor (fun fact: many of the restaurant’s decorations were once props on the sets of various Woody Allen films!) and complete with a back room pizza-making station for guests’ viewing pleasure. There are both cafeteria style tables and smaller tables for two and four, creating a light-hearted and communal atmosphere, a good place to bring a big group of friends. I first went for brunch (and had an amazing omelette) before realizing that pizza is their specialty. Several of my NY-based friends believe that Saraghina serves the best pizza in all the city. It’s famous Neopolitan-style wood-fired pies are medium sized but hard to choose from, so we (thankfully) ordered two: the Ortolana, a white pizza topped with roasted veggies and the Capocullo, a margherita-style pizza with spicy ham. Both were crisp, sweet and thoroughly enjoyable, definitely giving Lucali and Joe’s a run for their money.

Thank you so much for having me, Allie! I really enjoyed curating both Brooklyn Guides and hope to hear from you and your readers if you ever pay a visit!

Today’s city guide is brought to you by Kate Wong of Stripe Cat Studio!

San Francisco’s Mission District is one of the city’s best known neighborhoods: first for its seedy character, later for its reputation as a haven for artists and hipsters. Step into The Mission, though, and you’ll easily find evidence of the area’s multiple personalities. Dive bars, graffiti, and elaborate murals coexist alongside the upscale boutiques and top-notch restaurants located along Valencia Street and around Dolores Park. My recommendations include just a handful of the neighborhood’s activities, so my best advice? Get on Google, grab a travel guide, or just wander until you’re lost in The Mission’s distinct (and quite complex) flavor!

The Mission is chock full of independent cafés, and any coffee lover could have a great time walking along Valencia Street. Although coffee shops always offer a selection of pastries, I prefer to make two stops to create my breakfast: Ritual Coffee and Tartine, morning stops that are both too fabulous to pass up. Tartine is well-known for their pastries and baked goods, and they’ve earned their word-of-mouth reputation. The bakery serves up a variety of fresh-baked treats out of an unmarked building on the corner of Guerro and 18^th Street—you’ll know you’ve found Tartine by the storefront’s navy trim and perpetual crowd. Order a morning bun to go, and take a stroll past The Mission’s hip boutiques and enormous murals to get to Ritual Coffee, on Valencia Street between 21^st and 22^nd Streets. Of all the cappuccinos I’ve head, Ritual’s is far and away the best, and it’s worth ordering a drip coffee just to watch the café’s pour-over process.

After breakfast, continue your exploration of Valencia Street. Down the street from Ritual Coffee, you’ll find The Touch (956 Valencia St.), a retreat for lovers of mid-century modern furnishings. Nearby Viracocha (998 Valencia St.), an antique shop filled with quirky finds and vintage typewriters, is also worth a look. The Curiosity Shoppe (855 Valencia St.) is well-known for its modern, whimsical offerings, and if you’re in the market for some mid-priced local art I highly recommend a visit. On the same block you’ll find 826 Valencia, a store catering to pirates and wannabe swashbucklers. The shop’s distinct brand of playfulness is rather famous, but to be honest, I’ve never had the courage to step inside!

While the much loved Public Bikes resides further down Valencia and has an incredible collection of bicycles and accessories, I love Mission Bicycle Company (766 Valencia St.), a smaller shop with a not-overwhelming selection of brightly colored bike frames and curated accessories. If you visit The Mission before the end of January 2013, Photojojo is hosting an exceptionally delightful pop-up shop in the same building, just upstairs from Mission Bicycle Company.

If all your exploring has you craving a small treat, step into Dandelion Chocolate (740 Valencia St.), a company specializing in small-batch artisan chocolate. Upon walking through the door, you’ll immediately notice the strong smell of cocoa wafting from the open factory space, which visitors can observe while they wait for a specialty hot chocolate.

The Mission offers plenty of lunch options, and is famous for its countless taquerias and burrito joints (evidence of the strong Latino presence the area is known for). Anyone and everyone—including the good folks at Yelp—could point you towards a delicious Mexican restaurant, likely just a block or two from where you are. If Mexican isn’t what you’re craving, I recommend the Margherita pizza at Pizzeria Delfina (3611 18^th St.). After lunch, walk up the street to Bi-Rite Creamery for a scoop of what many consider the best ice cream in San Francisco—my personal favorite flavor is their salted caramel. Be warned: if the weather is nice, the line will extend far out the door. Stop by Bi-Rite Market across the street for a pint of ice cream if you’re not a fan of waiting. Bring your cone up the street and enjoy it at Dolores Park (corner of 18^th St. and Dolores), where you can take in incredible views of Mission Dolores, the rest of the Mission District, and the neighborhood’s residence lounging around the green space.

San Francisco has no lack of vibrant neighborhoods, but if you’re looking for variety and a hipster vibe, nothing beats the Mission District!

To see the other San Francisco city guide, click here!