By Denise Oliveira

If you still think Gowanus is nothing but a polluted canal that’s been designated as an environmental disaster, you are way behind the times. Gowanus is a Brooklyn neighborhood bordering Park Slope that’s offering an increasing number of fabulous dining and shopping options. Today we’re bringing you a tour of a few great finds in a single block of Gowanus: 3^rd Avenue between President and Carroll Street.

Runner & Stone is a bakery and restaurant that’s become a popular brunch spot. Besides having an extensive dine-in menu, they also offer breads and pastries to go. You can come at night and get a romantic table for two, or stop in for lunch and order something lighter at the bar. You might also want to pick up a few croissants to go.

The Pines offers an upscale dining room, as well as a casual backyard with options from the grill, and do-it-yourself S’mores. The backyard is open from 6 to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 3 to 10 pm on Sundays. A lot of the herbs used in the restaurant are grown on location. Come prepared to make friends, because the communal tables outside are for sharing.

Littleneck is a restaurant well known for its clams at $12 a dozen, but you can also order anything from chicken ‘n waffles, to burgers, to glazed Polish bacon. One of their signature cocktails is the Red Headed Stranger, feature a ginger beer. They’re cash only, but there’s an ATM on location.

This block isn’t just for eating. At Le Petit Chandelier, haircuts for men and women start at $43, and a keratin anti-frizz treatment starts at $200. The salon takes appointments and walk-ins. Plan on getting your nails and waxing done elsewhere, though, as Le Petit Chandelier specializes in hair only.

Twig is a store where you can buy “moss terrariums and other small worlds,” which requires a visit so you can fully grasp the concept. For the uninitiated, a terrarium is basically a collection of small plants growing in a transparent container. At Twig, yours can be populated with miniature plastic fishermen, or zombies, for instance (the Zombie-arium sells for $145).

Jeté Dance Center offers classes to kids ages 3 and up, including summer programs and birthday parties. It’s not just for children, though. If you’re engaged and need to get wedding-ready, they’ll teach you to dance before you tie the knot.