1. Peppa's Jerk Chicken Aside from deodorant before junior prom and a three-pack of Tylenol PM before a red-eye flight, a meal at Peppa’s Jerk Chicken is the best use of $7 we know of. This counter-service spot serves a few different Caribbean dishes, but the jerk chicken is what you’re here for. A small portion, which is $7 and definitely enough food for one person, comes in a styrofoam container, and includes several pieces of juicy, smoky, charred meat over rice and beans. Definitely get at least one festival, too. They’re basically long, sweet hushpuppies, and they’re only $1 each. 2. Camillo If you need to have an impressive sit-down dinner in the neighborhood with people who occasionally try to make their own pasta, go to Camillo. It’s a nice-looking Roman restaurant with brick walls and little wooden tables, and they serve things like porchetta, octopus, and pinsas (a.k.a. oval pizzas). They also have your typical Roman pastas like carbonara and cacio e pepe, and there’s a bar where you can drink a negroni while eating any of these things. 3. Bonafini For something Italian that’s a little more casual than Camillo, try Bonafini. It’s just one long room with a low ceiling, brick walls, and a single vintage speaker playing music in the corner, and the servers will probably know your name after a few visits. The pastas are pretty solid, and it’s a great spot for either a low-key date or a dinner with your kids when you need to get out of the house. #wingate

• NATURE & CULTURE ALONG FLATBUSH AVENUE The central vein of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn is Flatbush Avenue. Flatbush Avenue is the popular stretch of road with diverse storefronts of African and Caribbean extraction, restaurants, lounges, cafes, and bars in converted historic architecture-style buildings. This is also a residential area and as such, you will find organic grocery stores, laundromats, tailors, dry cleaners, and braiding salons that locals patronize in addition to the dining scene. Read on for a plethora of things to do in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. • Prospect Park With one of several entrances, Prospect Park ticks all boxes for nature lovers, exercise aficionados, and everyone in between, see the full guide to the best things to do in Prospect Park. Spring sees magnificent pink and white cherry blossom trees, fall captures stunning orange and yellow foliage, winter has the LeFrak skating rink for unbelievable Prospect Park ice skating and a gorgeous blanket of snow to play in for the cold-hearted, and summer has open lawns for picnics and benches by the lake for turtle-watching. If you are a history buff, tour Lefferts Historic Home in the park – a living museum of the original Dutch settler family and their household remnants – and learn how the family lived with the enslaved Africans that toiled for them, just one part of the long history of Prospect Park and the surrounding area. Another exciting activity to do in Prospect Park is urban foraging, and you would be surprised at the edible leaves and roots present. • BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN We are spoilt for choice with nature and open space in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden easily transports you to a whole other world.

FOOD Come hungry and start your Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn adventure on Flatbush and Lincoln, and head south on Flatbush Avenue popping into the many eateries, cafes, stores on both sides of Flatbush. The list is by no means exhaustive. Greenhouse – This is a small and cute healthy juice & taco spot hidden under scaffolding that is a regular sight on NYC streets so keep your eyes peeled for this. Their bestseller is the tamarind juice which seems to sell out fast, but I like the hemp (and other fruits) juice too. Another great recommendation is sorrel (hibiscus) juice. Hibiscus Brew – Another healthy café with an eye-catching floral display by the popular Floratorium, this spot serves juices, smoothies, salads, and the quintessential Millennial favorite – avocado toast. Silver Cup – This unassuming Japanese eatery is a personal favorite as it is my go-to for take-out on days I get tired of cooking. My favorites are the tuna and salmon rice cups and sushi. You have options of white or brown rice and the sliced ginger and real wasabi are out of this world. Your ears let you know the wasabi is the real deal. Brooklyn Perk – Great local café where you can order for pickup your morning joe, latte, frappe, tea, and cookies to take to your office-on-the-couch or #WFH in bed, whatever your situation is. They also have aptly named candles like the “Concrete Jungle” for when you miss your (past) daily rat-race life-pounding pavements. Fiona’s Bar – Brand new bar with a colorful interior, open windows, and air purifier for pandemic times. It is a bar so light on heavy meals and heavy on bar fare – mixed nuts, hummus, dip, etc. – alongside numerous selections of cocktails, beers, and wines. #food