Community Board 6 held its yearly Holiday party/fundraiser at Casa Rosa last night here in Carroll Gardens and since my husband was recently appointed to the board, I accompanied him.
It was a very pleasant evening spent mingling with the people who represent our community, rather than to stand in front of them, testifying during a land-use issue.
Richard Bashner, CB6 Chairperson, welcomed everyone and spoke of the deep city-wide community board budget cuts proposed by Mayor Bloomberg.
District Manager Craig Hammerman and Assistant Manager Leroy Branch were in attendance with members of their staff . Jill Ercolano, who just recently left the CB6 office was given an impressive number of citations from our elected officials, including Marty Markowitz.
As always, it was a pleasure to speak with CB6 legend Jerry Armer and Celia Cacase whose knowledge of the community's history is impressive.
(It was also a treat to hang out with friends Roy, Judy, Steven, Dana, Rick and Kathy.)
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12 comments:
Hi Katia,
Glad to hear you had a nice time. I wanted to take a moment to mention that, since they've Re-opened, Casa Rosa has had wonderful food each time we've been in there.
As I stated in previous entries, prior to the remodel, Casa Rosa was very "Hit & Miss" - but now they've been spot-on during each of our past 5 visits. It's almost as if they got thier Old Cook back again. And the prices aren't TOO crazy. (Red Rose is still better priced and, as always, has consistant good food. However, Casa Rosa has RE-become my 'save up to eat out' place to go.)
Too bad Casa Rosa doesn't serve those Mrs. Dees Cakes like the Red Rose - we're not big fans of the frozen Aunt Butchies desserts. (Sometimes we go to Red Rose just for the Caramel Cheesecake.)
OMG - I wish everyone sold Mrs Dee's cakes & fudge. I ordered a Mrs. Dee's cake for a Birthday Party and it was Pretty, Fresh, Delicious and 100% edible - every decoration was made of either cake or Marzapan (NOT Plastic or Fondunt) We also ordered a cheesecake for the adults (figuring the Kids Cake would be too sweet for us) Well, all the adults ate the kids cake too. The cheesecake was leftover for company the next day - and you're right, it's worth going to a restaurant just for dessert. She said she doesn't believe in putting extra sugar just because it's a kids cake.
To Anon -
Yes, I know. It's funny, but for as many gift baskets and occasion cakes I've asked her to bake for my family I NEVER thought about buying one of her cheesecakes. I just figured she sold those only to the Red Rose. Dah!
Did you know that she'll create a Gift Basket around YOUR OWN Stuff? I have a niece in college so I buy her things that I want her to have, then I give them to Mrs D. She puts them in a Gift Basket along with other nic-knacs (I tell her what my niece likes and she buys or makes the nic-knacks)along with fresh baked goods and gives it back to me within 2 to 3 days. Then I ship it off to my niece or I give it to my sister when she visits her daughter. Once she did this for me all within 24 hours. It was great!! I'm ordering 3 Christmas baskets from her and she's working around Twilight & Harry Potter Items I bought.
LOL - maybe I'll ask her for my own Caramel Cheescake, too!!
Anon - did you know she'll do a Dessert or Finger Food party for you in your own home! We did it twice!! She lives right in Carroll Gardens and doesn't charge for delivery within our area
That's so very funny. I thought she was a secret. I've known "Mrs D." since she was still little "Miss M" Long before before she married "Mr. D."
I've known her since we went to St. Agnes in the 1970's. We were born on Degraw Street and my mom still lives around the corner.
She mostly only baked for friends and relatives but then started to bake for friends of friends about 2 years ago. (That's why everything is so fresh and so darn good.)
She refuses to bake for any restaurant, except the Red Rose. Others have called and asked her, but she won't do it. She bakes as a hobby and with love. She'll help you teach your child to bake BUT she won't sell her products to restaurants. Red Rose has to beg her for cakes - and she'll only supply a couple every month or if they have a special party. Why is "Red Rose" (Santo) the lucky winner? He's her cousin. She was so embarassed when he put her name on his menu that she almost stopped baking for him.
Katia, here's our Holiday Memory:
I remember my friend (now "Mrs D.") baking and singing with her mom while the rest of us neighborhood girls would laugh and dance and act goofy. Our doors were never locked, especailly around this time of year, and we all wandered into each others houses to see whose mom was making what. We'd have soup in one house, snacks at another, dinner at yet another but always had dessert with "MrsDee" and her family.
(Although I'll admit we'd have dinner there many nites, too.)
There were 6 or 7 of us noisy girls who would torment each others moms & dads. And if one of us had an older brother we'd tease each other and dance around with Misteltoe - holding it over each others' head. I'm lucky to be able to call "MrsDee" my friend and I miss living in the neighborhood, especailly at Christmas time.
Hi All,
Oh, no!!! Now I will have to stop by Red Rose and taste those cakes you speak off.
I had never heard of Ms. D.
Would love to write a post on her. can anyone tell me how to get in touch with her?
You can email me the information at
pardonmeinbrooklyn at gmail.com
To Never Wrote,
I am so glad you did leave a comment and I hope you will leave more.
Thanks so much for your Christmas memories.
i hope you don't mind, but I have added them to the Christmas memories post.
Please, I need to hear more. I love those stories.
Hi Katia,
Heads-up. Red Rose doesn't always have Mrs. D's desserts. Ask the waiter first (and don't just ask if they have cheescake - ask if it's a Mrs D's cheesecake)
If they don't, try their Terrimesu - they make that themselves and it's good, too.
OMG get the Rice Balls, especailly if the owners father made them that day!!
LOL, at least I learned why they don't always have a Mrs D cake and why they run out so quick.
When I pick-up my baskets next week I'll ask her if she'll let me give you her contact info.
Thanks Raised in C.G.
I think it would make a great story.
Will ask Santo at Red Rose when I see him. Or his wife. I need to stop by her store to get wine anyway.
Hi Katia,
I'll call her later and give her your information.
Thanks, Never Wrote...
Can't wait to try her cakes.
Hi Katia,
When Mrs. D dropped off my Christmas baskets I told her that you wanted to get in touch with her, so I gave her the e-mail address you noted. By the way, I had her card & never thought to give you her e-mail. It's: Marueen@mrsdees.com
Hi Anon,
I did as you suggested and ordered my own Caramel Cheesecake for Chirstmas Eve!
Oh, thanks so much. Will contact her right after Christmas.
Caramel Cheesecake sounds sinfully delicious!!!!
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