In the renewal of a neighborhood, much of the activity is reflected in the bars and cafes, which change with the population of the neighborhoods. Brooklyn has few chain restaurants; the old mom and pop places seem to pass on to enterprising couples who envision more international menus and go to great lengths to give their own establishments individual flavor; almost like stage sets. These are places of entertainment as well as food.

Often cafes, bars and restaurants that cater to an art-oriented group follow the migration of artists into a Brooklyn neighborhood. These cafes frequently take over existing venues, upscaling menus and becoming a bridge between the old and the new. The galleries come and a lot of youthful energy is expended creating a new community. This Bohemian, and rather Utopian, phase draws in the sharks and the wrecking balls; the next phase of development begins, creating the danger that the more upscale and expensive growth will supplant the charm of the Bohemian phase.

This series of plein air paintings captures several different Brooklyn restaurants and cafes, mostly centered around the brunch scene in Williamsburg/Greenpoint.

- Elinore Schnurr