To celebrate this wonderful American holiday, we're taking off for the weekend. We'll be back to our usual antics on Monday, but for now, enjoy a thorough guide to what's going on this Saturday, dear sweet Independence Day. Since the fireworks are taking place over the Hudson this year, might what to grab dinner on the West side. If only the High Line were open for the celebrations...]]>
Momofuku Ko: Nonshocker: the place is still brilliant. Since a visit a year ago, they've improved on a couple of dishes (egg, chips, and caviar for one, and the amuses), added a number of new ones (uni in broth was lovely, as was the soft shell crab), and maintained the perfection that is that frozen foie dish. Knowing what to expect, it wasn't as earth shattering this time, and it's hard not to miss Tosi's apple pie and cereal milk panna cotta. That said, it's worth every penny of that $100.—Kludt
]]> The Standard Grill: Friday night, 7:30 PM. Nuff’s been said about the atmosphere, gives McNally a run for money in terms of sheer scene factor. Place is absolutely beautiful. Simon Hammerstein in one booth. Pretty sure that was Balazs walking around, nitpicking everything. Place was packed. Steak Tartar solid. Hericot Verts salad decent, slightly rubbery. Grilled octopus: solid. NY Strip with duck fat potatoes: decent. Spinach side: solid. Snap peas side: wonderful. Comp’d side of potatoes with paprika aioli: wow. Hope they serve ‘em at brunch. Halibut with hollandaise on side: great piece of fish, sauce and preparation was meh. Dessert: ridiculous. Strawberry compote thing was the best dessert I’ve had in recent memory. A bowl of heroin-like high, and I’m not a dessert person. At all. Took home leftovers of the potatoes, spinach, halibut, snap peas. Drunk roommates ate all but the spinach and denied memory of it. Assholes.— Foster Kamer, Gawker, BlackbookLocanda Verde: How does a James Beard Award-winning chef who worked at Lespinasse, Le Cirque, Café Boulud, and then launched A Voce, top himself? Partner with the right people and cook what you know. The menu plays up wood-fired dishes, like garlic chicken for two, and ingredients he's long loved: The raviolo with mushrooms and truffles could not be any richer or earthy-delicious, and the man works wonders with riccota. He also lucked out by scoring Karen DeMasco as pastry chef; she's showcased in plain view of patrons behind a dedicated dessert counter (her lemon tart with buttermilk gelato and limoncello granita is a scene-stealer at a very sceney place). No, reservations don’t come easily (do you have 90 minutes to wait?). Yes, they do room service. Somewhere, hotel co-owner Robert DeNiro is smiling right now.—James Oliver Cury, Epicurious.com
Sel de Mer: Graham Ave. in Williamsburg has become quite the little restaurant row. First Mesa Coyocan comes in with solid Mexican, and right next door we now have excellent, unassuming seafood spot Sel de Mer. The fish is so fresh, so delicious, so cheap that you don't mind forgoing the wine (liquor license pending). And (paging Nick Solares) the burger is not a throwaway. I question the integrity of its English Muffin bun, but that patty topped with onions and pancetta is a force to be reckoned with.—Kludt
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MIDWOOD—Slice has the scoop on yet another temporary closing, this one of revered pizza shrine Di Fara. The word: "The pizzeria was indeed closed, but Dom DeMarco (right)'s daughter, Maggie, was there and reports that her father was at the doctor for 'minor mouth surgery.' No word on when the place will reopen." [Slice]
UPPER WEST SIDE—An alert Eater reader emails, "Prices at H&H Bagels on the Upper West Side went up AGAIN to $1.40/bagel. Seriously. I wonder if this is because they couldn't pay their taxes." [EaterWire Inbox]
MIDTOWN—Could this be final, definitive word that La Bonne Soupe, felled by fire back in March, is reopening? Word from the restaurant is that Saturday is the day. [EaterWire]
]]> LITTLE CHITALY—The Mott, the endlessly forthcoming venue in the old Double Happiness space, finally kicks out some PR blurbiage confiming the exit of the zany, one o' a kind Emma Cleary from the project. "She is no longer involved in the project and the partners are releasing a statement," reads a missive in our inbox. As for the statement, it's a genius takedown: "In the two years that this project has been underway, Cleary has failed to achieve virtually every milestone, despite numerous assurances, forcing the investors to take over active management of the buildout, launch and operations of the venue. Over $2 million was funded by investors who are at a loss after numerous promises, excuses, and inaction." Meantime, "The restaurant is set to open soon." [EaterWire]FLATIRON—"Jay Z’s 40/40 club, Rated top for Sports Bars in Zagat’s 09/10 Nightlife survey, has announced today that they have updated their menu!" reads another excitable press release in our inbox. "They not only have added key sandwiches, wraps and salads, but also a full NEW entrée section." MY GOD, PEOPLE. DO YOU BELIEVE IN A LOVING GOD? Sample dish: "Penne Pasta with Sautéed Chicken $16. In a tomato vodka cream sauce." No, sir, we do not. [EaterWire Inbox]
TRIBECA—Fresh off its onespot at the hands of Frank Bruni, Terrance Brennan's Bar Artisanal adds a late night menu. "Help your readers hang out late at night with a cocktail and great food like the Platter of Fromage et Charcuterie or Pissaadieres," urges this fiery press release. Alright. Menu below; the hours are Monday-Saturday, 11pm-1am. Do enjoy, and happy long weekend. [EaterWire Inbox]
Park Slope: Reliable sources report to Eater that Lucali, favorite of both Beyonce and Alan Richman and undeniably one of the top pizza places in New York, is expanding to the South Slope. Reps at Lucali won't confirm, but the insider tells us it's moving into an old medical supply storefront on 6th Ave. and 20th Street near newcomer Lot 2. Given Lucali's owner and pizzaiolo Mark Iacono has one of the great stories in the business—having never made a pizza in his life, he took over a candy shop of his youth in Carroll Gardens three years ago and became an immediate hit—it's nice to hear he's successful enough to bring it to another neighborhood.
]]> An Eater operative dropped by the South Slope site today, brought back a photograph that looks enough like the Google Maps one above that we'll just run what we'd already gotten from the Goog, plus this bonus intel: "Talked to a tenant. Said the space is TINY. Claims it used to be a front for the Russian mob." Noted for the record.
1) East Village: According to EV Grieve, plywood vet Mary O's has opened on 32 Avenue A, the old Esashi space. After an early visit to the bar, Grieve notes that it's an "older crowd" and that "no one was yelling," which we're sure the neighbors will be pleased about. They've got seven taps of draft beer. Status: Bar is certified open, but food service doesn't start until tomorrow. 32 Avenue A, 212-505-56103) Midtown: Over at the Times, Florence Fabricant posts the news that conveyor-belt sushi bar Yushi will be opening on Park and 47th. Unlike most conveyor-belt spots, this one has a neat system that keeps the sushi and plates nice and cool. Status: Ummmm...it's been open for almost a year. But the refrigeration is new! 245 Park Avenue, 212-687-1900.
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The latest Eater reader report from Upper Avenue A's hottest new hotspot: "I checked out the now imfamous Superdive last night, and I was blown away by the place. I paid $7 to mix my own drink (blacklable on ice, filled to the rim), was with a group that bought a keg, and smelled the aroma of weed. I can also say the place is frattier than the frattiest frat party imaginable, and was populated by about 90% business-casual clad iBanker types, and the plain-looking, done-up to the nines girls that follow them around. I have absolutely no idea how that place plans to stay open, there are potential liabilities EVERYWHERE (health violations, SLA, lawsuits, whatever). The place is a massive house of cards." Your take, svp. [EaterWire Inbox] ]]>
1) Lower East Side: A check at long delayed "trendy French fast food joint" T-Poutine revealed that they've run into a few inspection delays, but are currently shooting for a July 13 opening date. Urban Daddy has more. [PLYWOOD]
2) East Village: From the tipline: "Stopped by perma-plywood vet Evolution on 2nd and 4th because there was some construction going on. Talked to the construction worker who was on a smoke break outside. I'll let him take it from here: 'Yeah, they're going to do an upscale lounge. They're going for the whole flare thing. They're trying to bring the whole Vegas, glitzy vibe to the city, something that hasn't been done yet.'" [PLYWOOD]
]]> 3) East Village: EVGrieve has yet another update on the signage for May Chan Ramen and Robatayaki, opening in the former Love Saves the Day space. [PLYWOOD]4) Upper West Side: From a PR mouthpiece: "Just wanted to let you guys be the first to know that Big Daddy’s is expanding to its third location on the upper west side – to be located at 2454 Broadway at 91st Street (neighboring Carmine’s). We expect to be opening in the fall and look forward to serving the neighborhood!" [PLYWOOD]
5) Soho: Racked reports on a cryptic sign hanging on the window of a shuttered retail space indicating that coffee is "coming soon." [PLYWOOD]
6) West Village: Zagat writes that eatery Alexandra is getting a sister restaurant on Hudson and Leroy: "the new restaurant will open in the winter and include a wood-burning oven, though “not necessarily only for pizza.” It will open at 8 AM for breakfast and serve American-inspired cuisine through lunch and dinner." [PLYWOOD]
7) Prospect Heights: The New York Times is reporting on a new restaurant called The Vanderbilt: "Ben Daitz, a partner in Num Pang Sandwich Shop, plans to open this informal place in the fall with Saul Bolton, the chef and owner of Saul in Boerum Hill." A reader sends in a pic (above). [PLYWOOD]
8) Midtown: Midtown Lunch reports that Japanese fast food joint Kushi-Q is opening a second location on 53rd St. between Park and Lex sometime in September. [PLYWOOD]
9) East Village: Grub Street gets a new plywood shot of Lesly Bernard’s long delayed Permanent Brunch and predicts it should be "heading into soft opening mode very soon." [PLYWOOD]
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In the wake of the news earlier today that East Village restaurant Colors would shut its doors to the general public for the months of July and August comes unfortunately similar tidings from Sam Mason's Soho eatery, Tailor. Following up with Tailor management after a reader tip alerted us to the news, we were supplied with this official statement from the restaurant:
While the Tailor Bar will remain open complete with an extended bar food menu, the Tailor Dining Room will be closed to the general public for July and August. During this period Sam Mason and his crew will focus on regorganizing and designing a new and exciting menu for the late summer/ early fall. The dining room will be hosting private dinners and events during the month of July but will be closed for the month of August while they revamp.The news follows the revelation of the restaurant's bankruptcy filing back in May, but, given our enjoyment of Tailor's bar space, the fact that it will remain open through July and August is a glad tiding through these gray clouds. Here's to a serious fall return for the whole operation.
1) Amagansett (by way of the Upper East Side) newcomer Mezzaluna AMG looks to be this year's whipping boy for delayed openings. Staffers on the UES told Curbed Hamptons staffers this week that another couple weeks likely are needed until opening. August, such a beautiful month.
2) Another restaurant that'll have a hard time opening this weekend: Southampton's Madam Tong's, seized this week for nonpayment of taxes. Embattled owner Ed "Jean Luc" Kleefield promises to reopen, stat. We'll see about that.
3) GimmickWatch: Townline BBQ (top), Sagaponack's ode to Texas cuisine, has added Saturday morning rugby to its menu. Doors open 9am, and admission is—jeez—$20.
3) Isn't it a little early in the season for Jerry Della Femina to have already completely lost his mind? On reflection: of course not.
· Curbed Hamptons [hamptons.curbed.com]
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Heads-up: the Curbed Network is teaming up with 92YTribeca this month to bring you three consecutive Thursday nights of drinks, conversation, and edification. Eater takes the stage on Thursday, July 16, hosting a conversation amongst former Top Chef contestants (including Harold Dieterle of Perilla and Leah Cohen of Centro Vinoteca) about what it takes to make it in the NYC restaurant industry once the cameras are gone. There's space for a few hundred Eater readers to join us for the night, which will include ample mingling time before and after the featured conversation. Tickets have just gone on sale for $12 each; do join us.
· Life After Top Chef with Eater.com [92YTribeca]
Put a fork in Joe Jr's, friends—the legendary Lower Sixth Avenue eatery does indeed plan to close Sunday, confirms owner Teddy Hondros and his son, to our correspondent live on the scene. Here now, our correspondent's reportage from the diner, which has transformed into an instant wake:
Owner's son talking to NY1 camera crew: 'It hurts. I'm trying to to cry right now—I grew up here'... They have over 300 signatures on the petition, but it was started at customers' behest, not the owners, so it doesn't mean much... What they're saying: there was old electrical systems in the building that the restaurant had been asking to be fixed for years. Landlord didn't fix it. Then there was an electrical fire and the buildings owner wants the restaurat to sign a new lease asking THEM to pay for $750,000 in repairs... The owner has gone in the back. The guy's heartbroken... The place is packed. People are really moved. There's even a pair of Japanese tourists!... There's a dude in here that's been coming for 40 years: 'It's a standard. A staple. This place is a part of my life!']]> A friend of Eater's, and Joe Jr's, emails:
Glad to see the notice about Joe's is already on your site. It's been a· ALERT: West Village Diner Legend Joe Jr's May Shutter [~E~] ]]>
part of the neighborhood for more than 30 years—opened and still owned by the same person named Ted.It's not just about real estate apparently though the deal they had offered him is supposedly double his current rent. They want him to be responsible for the entire bldg in case of fire etc. It's truly a shame. This restaurant has been and still is a vibrant part of the community and certainly one of the few remaining small business landmarks of
character. It's also been surrounded increasingly by stores which have come and gone that just can't afford to stay in business during these tough times. Unlike them, Joe's has shown no sign of losing steam and employs 20 people.
Would be sometime in mid-2007 when we pondered the future of Colors, the critically well received but—to put it gently—often underpopulated Lafayette Street eatery just south of Astor Place opened in early 2006 by a group of former Windows On the World staffers. Today, an Eater correspondent sends along the above photo, reminding us anew that, indeed, you do hate to see that.
· You Do Hate to See That: Colors Restaurant Edition [~E~]
Governors Island
WEST VILLAGE—The first reports are coming in from Eater operatives on the scene at Sixth Avenue and 12th Street, where longtime neighborhood greasy spoon Joe Jr's suddenly finds itself in a fight for its life. Above, one of the pleading signs in a window. More to follow.
· ALERT: West Village Diner Legend Joe Jr's May Shutter [~E~]
Unfortunate breaking news this AM: via Twitter and Serious Eats, word that longtime—45 years, for those scoring at home—West Village diner Joe Jr's has lost its lease, and, barring divine intervention of some sort, will close. Per an email from author David Kamp to Ed Levine: "They have big handwritten signs in the window saying they've lost their lease. They are asking people to sign a petition to save Joe Jr. and to 'spread the word,' I guess in hopes of pressuring the landlord not to cut them loose."
Eater operatives are en route to the scene at the corner of Sixth Avenue and West 12th. Please do not adjust your settings as we commence tracking of yet another of these too, too depressing tales.
· Is West Village Joe Jr's About to be History? [Serious Eats]
UPDATE: The putative closing date, per signage: Sunday, July 5. Whoa.
UPDATE II: First shot of the teary shutter signage. More to follow.
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A vital email from Craft PR: "Tomorrow, July 3rd marks the last day of Damon: Frugal Friday. Executive chef Damon Wise and owner Tom Colicchio opened the pop-up restaurant as a fun, timely venture. The space next door to Craft will remain the home of Tom: Tuesday Dinner every other Tuesday and will welcome guests again as Craft's private dining room." And thus marks the end of a clever once-weekly, then six-weekly, dining occurrence. File under, green shoots? Signs of the non-apocalypse? Private dining renaissance? (Check all that apply.) [EaterWire] ]]>
As an update of sorts to our March look at Monkey Bar's preferred—and, yes, unpreferred—seating choices comes our boy Allen Salkin in today's Times to talk to proprietor and chief table-assigner Graydon Carter about his real estate and how he decides who gets it. Seems Graydon's on the same page as the special Eater operative who scribbled the above for us:
· A sunken area in the center of the dining room that you see when entering is known as "the pit." It is important to have "young, attractive people" at the first of two round tables in the pit, Mr. Carter said. "It gives a certain energy." [Translation: Siberia.]
· Pointing to the two tables on an elevated area to the right side of the room, he said these were for people looking for a quiet meal. [Translation: B-List.]
]]> · On the opposite side of the room are four nice booths. "This is fashion and literary and young," he said. That night, Cynthia McFadden of ABC news; Liz Smith, the gossip columnist; and Marjorie Gubelmann, a socialite, were in those booths. [Translation: A-List.]· And behind them was the most-prime real estate, a line of booths on the back wall overlooking the whole scene. "This is young and media moguls," Mr. Carter said, pointing to the booths, "and sort of single-name people." On that night, Calvin Klein, Rupert Everett, Prince Andrew, Ron Perelman and Louise Grunwald were in those booths. When Madonna comes in, she gets a back booth. [Translation: A+++ List.]
Also finally revealed: why the restaurant turned off its phone number (resys are via email only now, of course, if you're not one of the 90% of tables accorded to friends and associates of the owners). That reason: according to Carter's partner Jeff Klein, the joint was getting 1,000 phone calls a day. Mercy. No, really. Mercy.
· Many Called, but Few Were Seated [NYTimes]
· Monkey Bar's Emerging Social Stratification Revealed [~E~]
· Bar Carrera Owner Hit By Van, Still Makes It To Work [NYP]
· Is Slate's Takedown of Free-Range Pork Total Hogwash? [GS]
· Celebs Fight To Keep TOTG In the LeRoy Family [NYDN]
· Gourmet Picnics for the 4th [Urbanite]
FLATIRON— Always Hungry has additional details on the restaurants in the upcoming New York branch of Turin's mega-market Eataly: "Each retail area will be paired with its own dedicated restaurant, including a wood-fired pizza and pasta bar, a cheese and salami counter, a steak restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant, a crudo and seafood bar, and a classic Italian bar serving gelato, espresso, and wine. There will be a separate wine shop, bakery and patisserie. On the roof will be a 4,500 square foot open-air rooftop beer garden serving pizza and sausages." [AH]
CELEB CHEFDOM— PBS plans to launch a new series "Faces of America" where they analyze the DNA of various celebrities. One such celeb: Molto Mario: "Will we discover a biological basis for Batali's preference for Crocs? Did the first Batalis also go gaga for guanciale? We can only hope." [The Food Section]
MIDTOWN EAST—On Friday at noon, CNBC is running a one-hour program titled "The Ultimate Power Lunch" about the 50 years of the Four Seasons. [EaterWire]
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East Village: A tipster writes in today with the alarming news that one of the douchiest bars along Lower Second Avenue, Bounce Deuce, has been closed since Sunday. "You would think a sports bar in NYC would be open during a Yankees vs Mets game," he notes. You would think. You would.
A walk by the spot this afternoon—which is one of the few places in the nabe to deal in yards of beer, by the way—revealed a shuttered bar with all furniture firmly in place and no signage in the window announcing a closure. Calls to the bar have gone unanswered, so if anyone out in restaurant land has any intel on the situation, please, the people need to know. Perhaps it's just a holiday break?
· The Shutter: 4 Year-Old Deathwatched Ama Calls it a Day [~E~]
Keith McNally's latest project, Minetta Tavern, opened to an astounding amount of buzz from the blogs and the mainstream press in February, which grew exponentially in volume when the restaurant quickly became a go-to for celebrities and food world VIPs. Raves from the critics soon followed, culminating in a surprising three star from Mr. Frank Bruni, and the joint has been just about impossible to get into for four months straight. If you want in, try greasing the wheels with the cheeky Keith McNally. He won't refuse your tip.
Keith McNally, Co-Owner: We have 75 seats at Minetta Tavern. Favorite seat in the house? My wife's isn't bad as it happens.
It's 8 PM on a Saturday night. What's the wait for a table? Saturday is actually an easier night to take in walk-ins than Wednesday or Thursday. In the end if someone's pleasant and not too demanding we always find something for them. Always. In fact there's hasn't been a single night at Minetta when we haven't taken in walk-ins.
Is there anything I can say to make my wait shorter?...How about gifts or cash to speed things along?
]]> I never take gifts, ever. It's against my principle. I do take cash, however. And as much of it as I can get.Tell us about your favorite customers. Any celebs been by recently? My favorite customers tend to be those who slip a hundred bucks for a table. I was given five hundred once. I would have taken a bullet for that guy. But it had nothing to do with the money. A lot of celebs have been to Minetta Tavern lately but I have an unbendable policy of never mentioning their names. Especially when it's Woody Allan, Ben Affleck and Madonna a couple of Tuesdays ago. Or Jude Law and a waitress from Pastis on Thursday.
How do you deal with VIP's, when there are no tables left to give? To be honest it depends if they tip me or not. If they do, they'll have a table within seconds. If they don't then I'll stand rigidly by house policy of first come first serve.
What's the most outrageous request from a customer that you could accommodate? To accompany a very beautiful female customer home who was too drunk to do it by herself. ...that you couldn't accommodate? To leave her apartment when she asked me to. I think the police were called in eventually. But I'd rather forget about it to be honest.
What's the one Gatekeeper tool you need to do your job? Integrity and the ability to lie your head off. I've definitely got one of those qualities.When you're not at Minetta or one of your other restaurants, where are you eating? I don't get out as much as I used to but I love Maxwell's Plum on 64th and 1st. (Is it still open?).
· Previous Editions of the Gatekeepers [~E~]
107 Rivington St., LES
Red Hook: Calexico on 122 Union Street, the long-awaited restaurant version of the popular California-Mex taco cart, opened to the public on June 23. The place offers an expanded collection of the cart's menu and is already experiencing heavy traffic. Aside from some decorations, the space is pretty small and bare and still looks an awful lot like previous tenant Schnack, but you can definitely stop in to have a meal. The big guns have yet to weigh in, but there's a wealth of feedback on the interwebs, none of which seems to be negative. Believe it: much effort was put into trying to find some. The Mostly Good News: Three Yelpers have posted reviews of the restaurant, all of which are relative raves. One user breaks the place down into pros and cons, pointing to the "plastic utensils, strangely loud music...and no fish options" as the weaker points. As for everything else on the "straightforward menu," the burrito is the best the pro/con user "has had in ages. Very, very good. Can't stress how good." All three reviews indicate that it's a great value. [Yelp]
The "It's Cheap and Tasty" News: Lost City files a small report on Calexico, highlighting the fact that the restaurant's opening signals the end of Carroll Gardens West's "drought of good and cheap (I'm looking at you, Alma!) Mexican food." Indeed, there is nothing on the lunch menu that exceeds ten bucks. The space is "agreeably Spartan," with some faux-Medieval/Catholic shrines to give it some life. As for the food: "Good, fresh, filling stuff. Yum." [LC]
The Good/Great News: Over on Chowhound we find that the place is pretty busy these days, and that the wait for food can be around 20 minutes. There's nothing but praise for the offerings, including a special beef burrito that makes one user happy in a way we can only convey by posting his own words: "ahoy, matey. tasty and moist and tangy and fresh salsas and i am so happy. i will not forsake you, sunset park, but thank goodness mexico is no longer a car ride away... welcome. and keep going! i'll eat anything you put on that menu." The lone detractor, if you can even call him that, since he claims the place merits another visit, finds that the burrito was good, though not the best he's ever had, and that the pulled pork sauce is "a little sweet." [CH]
The "It's Great, But Not Authentic Mexican" News: Sarah DiGregorio of The Voice's Fork In The Road posts the "Early Word" on Calexico. She describes how the "folks running the place know how to keep the line moving," despite the fact that it's "packed to the gills." She finds the food to be "pretty great," but points out that it's California-style Mexican: "You're not going to get the dizzying flavor punch that you do at an authentic, down-home, Mexican taqueria, but it's clear that a lot of care goes into the layers of fresh, zesty ingredients deployed here." She especially enjoys the pulled pork, carne asada, and "can't miss" pork grits. The tofu's "unsurprisingly bland," though. [Fork in the Road]
The Twitterific News: @thoughtfulday thinks it "was absolute deliciousness! Make sure to get the "crack", their roasted chipotle mayo - it is yum." @anaest agrees concerning the "great food," but the restaurant doesn't have high chairs, which (we guess) is a "bummer."
—Gabe Ulla
[photo credit]
50 Henry Wine Bar
Aureole
Bar Luna
Billy's Bakery
Bohemian
Cafe Grumpy
Calexico Brooklyn
Checkers
27 restaurants shuttered in June, including long time fixtures such as Payard, The Cub Room and Jarnac. No good news here, as this number squeaks past, albeit barely, May's tally by two. Candle light vigils are optional:
87 Lounge
99 Miles to Philly, Midtown
Ama
Andrew's Coffee Shop
Barette
Steve (the Full) Hanson isn't the only big deal to hit Community Board 2 this month. Carroll Garden's South Brooklyn Pizza—home of a controversial Monday night gay dance party—is expanding into Manhattan, seeking full liquor for 159 Prince Street, lately home to a copy shop. Meanwhile 34 8th Ave., a space Marco Canora was after for a second Terroir and Joe Campanale coveted for its Dell'Anima-adjacent basement space, is on the docket. Most disturbing is an item for 605 Hudson St. for Koray Karakoc. Currently home to 30 year-old Who Goes There vet La Ripaille, it would be a shame if it were converted into a Turkish spot.
]]> Over to the east, Aguila & Sol is back to try to get liquor for the old Marion's Continental space, Cafe Falai wants a full bar, and the Bowery's newest monster tower 2 Cooper Square a.k.a. Deuce Coop, seeks a license for whatever glossy new restaurant they plan on adding to the Bowery.Update: A call to the restaurant when it opened this afternoon revealed that Ripaille isn't going anywhere. A commenter suspects the space in question is next door but in the same building.
· Calendar/Agenda - Community Board No. 2 Manhattan [Official Site]
· X-Mas in July: Hanson Sets Sights on old Hog Pit Space [~E~]
· ExpansionWire: Marco Canora Planning Terroir West [~E~]
Alan Richman decides to try as much of the menu as possible at his childhood favorite Katz's Delicatessen in honor of the Fourth of July, and realizes (sacrilege!) most of it totally blows: "I'm not sure any man alive has ever eaten so much terrible food. I find it hard to believe the owners have ever eaten what I’ve eaten, or they surely wouldn’t keep serving it. Much of what Katz’s prepares is the worst food for the money in New York." [GQ]]]>
Meatpacking District: Back when biker haven and neighborhood institution The Hog Pit announced they would be leaving the Meatpacking District due to a rent hike, observers worried that some sort of moneybag retailer like Steve Madden or a high ender like Marc Jacobs would take over that primo real estate on 9th Ave. and West 13th. But no, seven recession fueled months after the bar/restaurant relocated to the Flatiron, mega restaurateur and evil genius Steve Hanson is eying the space. According to Community Board 2's July agenda, the Full Hanson is seeking a new, full liquor license for 22 9th Ave. just a year after he appeared for recent endeavor 675 Bar.
The flacks at BR Guest have yet to reveal what's being planned for the space, but one can only hope it can take on those employees lost in the Fiamma/Ruby Foo's double shutter.
· BLOCKBUSTER: Steve Hanson Closes Fiamma, Ruby Foo's Uptown, Blue Water Grill Chicago [~E~]
· All Hog Pit Coverage [~E~]
Frank the Tank files on Terrance Brennan's recession baby Bar Artisanal this week, and while he awards it one star, the piece reads like a takedown:
"Take away the cheese and what’s left is a calculating, somewhat cynical operation, connected to the Hilton Garden Inn, that’s not all that reflective of Mr. Brennan, who guides but doesn’t actually own it. Bar Artisanal pillages and repackages current trends with astonishing thoroughness, commanding attention for that alone. If restaurants could be preserved in amber and tucked away for future students of gustatory anthropology, this might be the one to save and label, 'New York City, circa 2010.'...]]> ....students would be instructed to take note of its name, which indulges the current habit of trying to persuade diners that they’re not committing to anything...Bar Artisanal doesn’t overlook the upscale, inventive hamburger craze...The pissaladières, baked in a wood-burning oven, reach out to the ever more rapacious ranks of pizza hounds...I expect ramen to show up shortly, and fried chicken soon after that. Best not to leave any fad unfed."But hey, at least it's better than Trigo, right? [NYT]
The Cuozz decides it's time to file on Boulud's little Bowery project DBGB Kitchen & Bar:: "...chef Jim Leikin's kitchen is clicking, if not yet on all cylinders, on most of them... DBGB is working out DBugs....But where the flops come in dribbles, the hits come in torrents. Boulud wasn't kidding when he promised 'interesting sausage' last winter." [NYP]
No surprises here: Sarah DiGregorio finds excellent food and a surfeit of food world VIPs at Marea: "...there is some very, very serious cooking going on at Marea...pastas are not only the most reasonably priced dishes on the menu ($17–$27), they're also so beautiful it's hard to believe they were crafted by human hands. Each piece is so lovely and singular that you find yourself staring at them the way parents marvel at the toes and fingers of a newborn." [VV]
The RG heads out to Williamsburg this week to award three stars to one month old Mexican spot Mesa Coyoacan: "Most of the tacos at Mesa Coyoacan taste like they're straight out of Mexico City. They're $9, three to an order, and most are excellent...It's hard to find a good black mole sauce, but Garcia's is phenomenally flavorful." [NYDN]
THE ELSEWHERE: Frank Bruni is charmed by Diner, Ligaya Mishan spends her column inches reviewing chicken salad at Danny Meyer's concession stand Public Fare, Tables for Two learns there's a lot to like at Minetta Tavern, Jay Cheshes finds high prices and small portions at the salon at Per Se, Gael Greene has a short preview of The Standard Grill, and Sietsema heads to Queens to discover mixed results at the Rudar Soccer Club.
THE BLOGS: The Food Doc deems Sho Shaun Hergatt incredibly delicious, the Pink Pig declares DBGB a winner, Ed Levine gives an A to Locanda Verde's breakfast, NYC Food Guy gets a mixed bag at S'Mac, Plate of the Day thinks that Döner comes up a little short, The Hungry Roach says that you'll be fine as long as you stick to the basics at Baoguette/Pho Sure, New York Knife & Fork has mixed feelings about Bare Burger, NY Journal files a rave of Locanda Verde, and Food in Mouth especially enjoys the french fries at his 1700 calorie meal at Checkers.
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· El Chod and Rocco DiSpirito Bury the Hatchet [Curbed Hamptons]
· Bruni Checks in on Peasant, The Clerkenwell [Diner's Journal]
· Hill Country BBQ to Expand to DC [WP via TFB]
· Remembering what 347 Bowery/Future Sushi Den Once Was [EVG]
· Emma Cleary Pushed Out The Mott? [GS]
· Trend Alert: "Beer Cocktails" Are Cropping Up on Drink Menus [NYT]
EAST VILLAGE— Please check out the "food porn" pictures on Baoguette Cafe's website. Yes those are otters. Apparently, instead of copying the images to their own server, the restaurant is using the image files that were on Serious Eats' site. SE saw, and changed it. Well played. [EaterWire via @seriouseats]
UPPER WEST SIDE— A vital Gus & Gabriel update from @TheFeedbag: "Gus and Gabriel's isn't actually opening tonight. Air conditioning problems." [Twitter]
AD WATCH— Gawker discovers the food ads are getting more disgusting by the day: "You thought that Hardees' 'Name Our Holes' campaign was the pinnacle of pornographic fast food advertisement? You are correct. 'The A-hole tastes funny,' declares a guy in this ad, for greasy doughballs." [Gawker]
BUCKSWIRE— Hey look, new things for coffee drinkers to ignore: "Starbucks is unveiling a raft of new products [today] that represents the largest food launch in the company's history ... Starbucks will have overhauled 90% of its bakery case." Bonus: some photos of the new products, which include giant marshmallow cubes. [AdAge via Eater SF]
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This week, Frank Bruni checks in on Terrance Brennan's redo of failed restaurant Trigo, Bar Artisanal. With a price point set much lower than his Picholine and Artisanal and a name chef in Lever House's (RIP) Bradford Thompson, the restaurant does have something going for it. But will it be enough for the Brunz? Below, we seek your opinion on what he'll have to say about Bar Artisanal. And after the jump: background and critical history. [Bar Artisanal, NYT, after 8 p.m.]
Previous Reviews: Not too many of the big guns filed on this one yet, but Time Out's Jay Cheshes gave it a rave, Gael Greene had some nice things to tweet, Easy Ed awarded it a B+, and the Yelpers are decidedly mixed.
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Williamsburg: Earlier today the Dash Feedbag posted the thrilling news that Zak Pelaccionator's newest and longest delayed project Fatty 'Cue would be opening in August, a notion so exciting that an Eater operative hopped on the J train to check it out. Indeed, the space looks to be coming along nicely, and a worker on the scene reported that they're looking to open perhaps even by late July. Ahead, a quick tour of the biggest thing to change the Southside since the shuttering of Pies 'n' Thighs (more on that below).
]]> With a long bar, three levels and an outdoor patio (!), the restaurant should have plenty of seating. Even with no furniture, one can definitely sense the clash between its southern and Asian influences (which is the big theme of the menu, by the way). For example, the wall behind the bar is wood paneled and the wall in the dining room immediately next to it is covered in what looks to be West Elm's attempt at minimalist Asian art. While there is certainly a bit of work left to do—the patio was too unstable to tour and photograph—Team Fatty's July open date doesn't look out of reach.Meanwhile, a neighborhood insider sends word that the old violations that have been keeping Pies 'n' Thighs from opening in their new location on South 4th and Driggs for so long have been lifted. One more re-inspection, and they're in the clear. Rejoice!
· All Stories About Fatty Cue [~E~]
· Pies 'n' Thighs Update: Still No Opening in Sight [~E~]
—Reporting by Matt Duckor
1) Nolita: The Mott, a new resto/bar opening at Mott and Broome is currently previewing for friends and family, and will open to the public by next week. According to Thrillist, they will offer a menu of small plates, served in an even smaller space. The Mott will also have a full bar, complete with 75 wines from around the world, as well as an extensive selection of beers. PR tells us it could open as soon as the 8th if final decor touches are finished. [PLYWOOD]
3) The Bowery: Another peek inside Keith McNally's new Bowery pizza joint reveals the floor have been worked on since the last update. Floors! [PLYWOOD]
4) Williamsburg: Roving photog Will Femia notices Mother's Smokehouse & Banquet Hall is the new restaurant going into 44 Berry. With Pies 'n' Thighs and Fatty Cue scheduled to open sometime soonish, this makes the third new barbecue spot in BBurg. [PLYWOOD]
5) East Village: EVGrieve reports that plywood vet Mary O's bar looks almost ready to open on Avenue A near 3rd St. in the location of shuttered sushi restaurant Eshashi. [PLYWOOD]
6) Harlem: Uptown Flavor brings the exciting news that a sign has gone up announcing the arrival of an Applebee's restaurant at 125th St. and 5th Ave. Outposts of the casual dining chain have already opened in the Bronx and Brooklyn. [PLYWOOD]
7) Fort Greene: Brownstoner wonders when Der Schwarze Kölner will open. The German biergarten in the former 7 Corners Hardware space at 710 Fulton Street had claimed they would be opening thier doors by "the end of the month." [PLYWOOD]
8) FiDi: Some new photos of the NYC location of Capital Grille, going in on 15 Nassau St. in Fidi. By the looks of the space it's massive and still has a long ways to go. [PLYWOOD]
—Leah Herman