A tipster tells us that Washington Place is currently blocked off while the First Couple enjoys dinner before they catch Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the Belasco. So where are they eating? We’re not sure, but we’re going to guess their pre-theater meal is at Blue Hill (deductive reasoning: Stoned Crow doesn’t seem like quite their vibe). Know anything more? Intel welcome in the comments, or drop us a line.

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Filed Under: barack obama, blue hill, dan barber, executive dinners

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I’ve been making my Michelin rounds in NYC. Gramercy Tavern was another amazing dinner from my last NYC trip back in…

Gramercy Tavern

42 E 20th St, New York

(212) 477-0777

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The Universal Record Database tells us it has just added Denny’s to its compendium of wacky world records, for Most Free Breakfasts Served in 24 Hours. Perusing other food feats mentioned on the site, we’re not surprised to see that Scanwiches bested its rival sandwich-scanning blog in order to take the record for Most Scanned Images of Sandwiches on a Website. We’re pretty sure any New York food blogger could shatter the record of 30 consecutive pork dishes consumed. And we stand in awe of David Sax for rattling off 30 Jewish delis in a minute. Enjoy.

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Filed Under: friday follies, jewish delis, pork, scanwiches

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Stain Bar.

We noticed and EV Grieve confirms that 2 by 4 has finally bit the dust after all of its comical name changes, and we’ve also gotten word that Williamsburg’s artsy, eccentric Stain Bar has closed. Here’s the good-bye letter from owner Krista Madsen, who mentions (what else?) a “greedy landlord” and holds hope of a comeback.

It is with great sadness that I write the official goodbye now from Stain Bar. We’ve been somewhat quiet about our struggles to renew our lease since we always retained the hope that we would find a way to continue at 766 Grand. Alas, greedy landlord plus bad economy equals imminent demise. This weekend we’ll be selling off whatever isn’t bolted down (well, we’ll sell that too), so if you’ve ever lusted after a chair here or admired a knicknack, come on down to our cleaning-out party and cry into your last beer and remind us of all the good times.

I have so many memories I’ll have to write a book about it someday. Lots of people say that, but I mean it. I plan to write my bar book, with that cast of characters everyone promised me I’d meet when I opened a bar five years ago. It was the unlikeliest thing: woman with 6 months bartending experience embarking on this crazy venture. But against all the odds, it worked, not in way of wealth obviously but Stain became exactly the artistic community I dreamed it would be (and more) — supportive, welcoming to all kinds, open to any voices, if perhaps a tad overly fond of odd costume bashes.

Then I had a real baby (Stain was more of a pre-schooler by then) and needed some help. Luckily I found it in Caroline and Craig who have done such an amazing job of running the place and honoring its original vision, I am forever indebted.

Now it’s time to rest, reflect, and gather our strength up for the next big adventure. So stay tuned for maybe some Stain Bar The Sequel near you someday. And that novel.

With much love and gratitude to all of you who made this bar such a special place,

Krista Madsen
Founder, Stain Bar LLC

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Filed Under: 2 by 4, closings, east village, nightlife, stain bar, williamsburg

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H&H reopened its Upper West Side location this afternoon after paying $25,466 in taxes, but it looks like they still have a ways to go. According to City Room, “The entities that own the main store, at 2239 Broadway, and the related bagel-making plant, at 639 West 46th Street, owed a total of more than $100,000 in unpaid taxes, and numerous efforts to make them pay had been unsuccessful, said Tom Bergin, a spokesman for the [State Department of Taxation and Finance].” [City Room/NYT]

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Filed Under: h&h bagels, reopenings, taxes

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For the past four summers, Williamsburg chill-seekers have lined up at Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices, the offshoot of a chain started in 1928 by Italian immigrant Ralph Silvestro. But last week, in a move nothing short of ice cold, another eccentric and expanding ice empire, Uncle Louie G’s, opened on the same block at 341 Graham Avenue. The operators of the new store, brothers Michael, Daniel, and Stephen LaMarca, are an amicable bunch, and while Michael tells us he’s “not looking to butt heads with anyone,” he’s also confident that Louie G’s “original Florentine recipe” will win customers. “Ralph’s has a wonderful product,” he says, “but it’s more ice and colored ice and a certain thing they put in to make it tasty.”

LaMarca wouldn’t reveal what exactly makes his recipe more authentic (it’s kept under lock and key by his cousin, Dino Russo), but he did say Louie G’s uses natural ingredients, even if names like N.Y.P.D. Blue, Holi Cannoli, and Bubbly Bubble Gum don’t exactly imply it. The owner of Ralph’s, which also has a bubble-gum flavor (though not necessarily bubbly bubble gum), wasn’t available for comment today, but LaMarca says he shouldn’t worry about getting creamed. “Ralph’s has lines down the block — I don’t know why they’d be concerned.”

Ironically, Ralph’s isn’t the first ice-cream parlor on the block. LaMarca took this location for Louie G’s because he was friends with the previous tenants, who had been selling ices and ice cream there for 28 years but found they couldn’t compete when Ralph’s opened. Will LaMarca avenge them? And will tensions rise as the temperatures rise? Stay tuned to Grub Street to find out!

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Filed Under: openings, ralph’s famous italian ices, uncle louie g’s, williamsburg

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Inside Sel de Mer.

The magazine isn’t out till Monday, but Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld let Grub Street take an early look at their openings report. Williamsburg will get a new seafood restaurant called Sel de Mer, what chef-owner Jeff Slagg describes as “a Mediterranean-meets–Long Island kind of thing.” In Bed-Stuy, the Saraghina pizzeria will serve Neapolitan slices pulled from a wood-burning oven.

Openings: Sel de Mer and Saraghina [NYM]

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Filed Under: openings, saraghina, seafood, sel de mer

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The tweets have started pouring in from Locanda Verde. Ruth Reichl: “Dinner at Locanda Verde. Best dishes: fava bean crostini; fire-roasted shrimp; lamb amatriciania; chicken for 2. And, of course, potatoes.” Gael Greene: “Locanda Verde luring uptowners to Tribeca in noisy clots. Starstudded crowd last night. Loved crostini & chicken for 2.” There’s more gushing in a Feed post up today, and also a bit of news. Carmellini tells the blog more about his plans for the private room and courtyard we mentioned before: “I see something like $30 family-style meals and fried chicken dinners and pulled pork nights.” That’s right, folks, Carmellini doing fried chicken. A café is also in the works, with pastries by dessert chef Karen DeMasco.

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Filed Under: andrew carmellini, expansions, karen demasco, locanda verde, private dining

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CityFile has done what we’ve all dreamed of: getting into Padma Lakshmi’s East Village apartment! Well, they’ve published photos of it, anyway, along with news that she sold it for $0 to something called the Delicious Trust. But what’s up with the phone number next to Padma’s signature — could it really be the diva’s digits? We’re too nervous to call! (Actually, the number belongs to a law office.) [Cityfile]

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Filed Under: east village, padma lakshmi, real estate

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It’s 4 p.m., and that means it’s time to play Two for Eight. We just asked ten restaurants the best time they can squeeze a couple in for dinner; you need only make your chosen reservation. (As always, we make the calls but don’t guarantee the results.) Today: Haute Barnyard.

Barbuto (Menu)
212-924-9700
Two for eight? No
Best available: 6:45 p.m.

BLT Market (Menu)
212-521-6125
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:45 p.m.

Blue Hill (Menu)
212-539-1776
Two for eight? No
Best available: Fully booked

Bussaco
718-857-8828
Two for eight? Yes

Cookshop (Menu)
212-924-4440
Two for eight? No
Best available: 7:45 p.m.

Insieme (Menu)
212-582-1310
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:30 p.m.

Mas (farmhouse) (Menu)
212-255-1790
Two for eight? No
Best available: 6:30 p.m.

Park Avenue Summer (Menu)
212-644-1900
Two for eight? Yes

Rose Water (Menu)
718-783-3800
Two for eight? Yes

Telepan (Menu)
212-580-4300
Two for eight? Yes

Filed Under: barbuto, blt market, blue hill, bussaco, insieme, mas (farmhouse), park avenue spring, rose water, telepan, two for eight

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On June 22 at Pier 54, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is throwing a Garden Party hosted by Ruth Reichl that will include appearances by Rebecca Charles (Pearl Oyster Bar), Dave Pasternak (Esca), and Daniel Angerer (Klee Brasserie), as well as food from about 40 restaurants. Before you fork over the $90 minimum entry fee/donation, know that the silent-auction items do not include a date with Tom “the Bear” Colicchio or the opportunity to eat sushi off of Gordon “Gay Icon” Ramsay. If you’re looking for something a little cheaper (but not as hot), the NYC Lab School’s Chelsea- and meatpacking-sourced tasting event tomorrow still has $35 tickets available.

Garden Party 26 [Official site]

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Filed Under: daniel angerer, dave pasternak, esca, foodievents, garden party, klee brasserie, lesbian gay bisexual & transgender community center, pearl oyster bar, rebecca charles

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Dustin Hoffman recalled the sweet smells of his youth at the annual Fifi Awards for the fragrance industry on Wednesday night. The actor grew up in the same building as his wife’s grandmother, and loves her macaroni-and-cheese recipe. “Edam, mozzerella, and Swiss. Those three. That’s the secret,” he instructed. “It’s got to burn on the sides and on the bottom. I’m very serious about that.”

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Filed Under: celebrity settings, dustin hoffman

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