The brainchild of ‘celebrity chef’ Jehangir Mehta, Graffiti offers each diner an inspired and inspiring culinary…

Graffiti

224 E 10th St, New York

(212) 677-0695

• 0 Comments

Boerum Hill: Ceol has a new chef, Marc Elliot, who has updated the menu with dishes like crisp spicy artichoke hearts with homemade carrot ice cream ($9). [Brownstoner]

Dumbo: An alfresco wine bar, tentatively set to open in July, is among the proposed food projects for Brooklyn Bridge Park. [Brooklyn Paper]

East Village: Forgo Guinness for English brews like Ridgeway IPA, Coniston Bluebird, and Wells Bombardier tonight at Jimmy’s No. 43’s U.K. beer night. [Feed/TONY]

Cotto Caffe has replaced Italian spot Caffé Pepe Rosso. [EV Grieve]

Kingsbridge Heights: The Bottom Line opens today 3648 Bailey Avenue. The kitchen is not open yet, but the bar plans to serve food. [BoogieDowner]

Lower East Side: Spitzer’s Corner launches a weekend brunch menu with dishes like lemon-ricotta pancakes, a radicchio, olive, and anchovy salad, and a seared-duck-breast sandwich. Brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. [Grub Street]

Park Slope: “First clean plate wins” is the only rule at the Barrio Taco Eating Contest tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The winner will take home a $100 gift card. E-mail request@barriofoods.com for entry. [FIPS]

Prospect Heights: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden will host a wine-making workshop on March 20, complete with make-your-own-vineyard tips and a homemade wine tasting. [Brooklyn Based]

Union Square: Chipotle’s new 14th Street location will open for business tomorrow. [EV Grieve]

West Village: Recette launches brunch service this weekend. The menu includes dishes like pork belly “pastrami” hash and peanut-butter-and-jelly pain perdu. Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. [Grub Street]

Williamsburg: Late Night Stars Diner is replacing the former Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices at 357 Graham Avenue. [Brownstoner]

Read more posts by Sam Dangremond and Stefanie Roberts

Filed Under: neighborhood watch, barrio, boerum hill, brooklyn botanic garden, brooklyn bridge park, brunch, caffe pepe rosso, ceol, chipotle, cotto caffe, dumbo, east village, jimmy’s no. 43, kingsbridge heights, late night stars diner, marc elliot, park slope, prospect heights, ralph’s famous italian ices, recette, spitzer’s corner, the bottom line, union square, williamsburg

• 0 Comments

We like Shake Shack rumors almost as much as we like Shake Shack burgers, so let’s throw this one on the flattop and see if it sizzles. It’s coming to us care of At the Sign of the Pink Pig, whose creator Kim Davis recently self-published a candid “New York dining almanac” of 400 restaurants: “Let’s say a moderately well-known restaurant was known to be closing its doors after half a dozen or so years. And let’s say it had a nice terrace for outdoor dining alongside. And it was very near an entertainment center. A good place for a Shake Shack? Remember where you heard it first.” We have to admit we’re a little stumped here, and yes, this reads more like wishful thinking than genuine intel — but, hey, something to think about.

Snacking: Is That A Brooklyn Shake Shack I See Before Me? [ATSOTPP]
A New Guide’s In Town: Wilfrid’s Eating The Apple 2010 [ATSOTPP]

Read more posts by Daniel Maurer

Filed Under: rumor mill, brooklyn, shake shack

• 0 Comments

Got five minutes? That’s how long it’ll take to get even a cup of drip coffee at Blue Bottle in Williamsburg. The Oakland coffee company followed Stumptown east to test the patience of New Yorkers, who sometimes buy their coffee from a cart and are totally fine with that. But there’s lots to look at while you’re waiting, from the beautiful, giant roaster in the back to the Rube Goldberg–looking iced-coffee makers from Japan. Watch our slideshow and see if you can replicate any of this stuff at home.

Earlier: Will Blue Bottle Make New York a Coffee Town?

160 Berry St., nr. N.5th St., Williamsburg

Read more posts by Aileen Gallagher

Filed Under: openings, blue bottle, coffee, slideshows

• 0 Comments

We were surprised to hear from a tipster that Zenkichi faced opposition at a meeting of Community Board 2’s licensing committee last week when it tried to win approval for its new project at 150 Bowery and Broome. After all, the Williamsburg izakaya is a pretty much invisible date spot for intrepid eaters — it doesn’t even have a front door! Still, our tipster tells us that one woman worried it would be yet another turn-and-burn family-style restaurant that would contribute to the “Asian explosion” in the neighborhood. A call to Zenkichi owner Shaul Margulies confirms the story.

Margulies says that not a single member of the general public spoke against his application (which is why the three or four neighbors who showed up to support him didn’t bother speaking in his favor), but a Community Board 2 member (who was not part of the licensing committee) did indeed speak of an “Asian explosion.” “My wife was deeply offended,” said Margulies. “I guess it’s the same as having a Jewish explosion in Williamsburg and a black explosion in Harlem.” Margulies tried to change his opponent’s mind, but he says, “No matter how much we tried to explain that we’re a romantic restaurant that has things nice and tight and polite, it didn’t get through. It was completely shocking.”

Margulies says he and his wife will return to the board next month to propose the same restaurant (another branch of Zenkichi, with similar menu and layout), minus the basement space.

Here, for good measure, is our tipster’s account of the meeting.

I’ve noticed a lot of community board coverage on the blogs recently but I didn’t see anything about Zenkichi going in front of CB2 last week. Probably because they went on so late.

Well, I have to say I was pretty surprised at the meeting, my first. The room was hot, the seats broken and there were no microphones. It’s almost like they don’t want people to come. Then there was a long line of places that had to go before the board. I almost didn’t last until Zenkichi myself but, hey, what the hell, I was already there, have been to Zenkichi in Williamsburg, so I figured I’d stay.

The plan to open a new location of Zenkichi seems pretty cool, a bigger restaurant on two levels, a lounge in the basement. Sounded good to me but the board acted like they were trying to open a club. I guess don’t use the word “lounge” in front of CBs? But what happened next was a real shocker. One woman in the audience said that in the downtown area there was an “Asian explosion” of family-style restaurants that get people in and out in an hour and that this restaurant would disgorge hundreds of drunks on the streets late at night. Mind you, one of the owners is Japanese. It’s just so stupid and offensive, I mean, an “Asian explosion” in Chinatown? This is Bowery and Broome we’re talking about! And drunks pouring out of Zenkichi? The poor owners tried to explain that they are a romantic restaurant, which she said was impossible, that 100 seat restaurants aren’t romantic. Do these CB people even know who comes in front of them? Somehow Crash Mansion came up and they started questioning the owners’ business acumen, how they are going to make money, and saying if they don’t make it, they will transfer the license to a club.

Is this how these meetings always go? I didn’t feel comfortable speaking but I really should have. I don’t know if anyone has seen that corner. I walk past it often and it’s been blighted for years– a restaurant there would be great. Unfortunately based on this meeting, I don’t know if they’re getting the license but I hope so. Regardless of that, this system seems to be completely broken. I’m completely aghast.

And Zenkichi isn’t the only downtowner facing heat. Yesterday Eater brought news from Monday night’s Community Board 3 meeting: Sara Jenkins of Porchetta was endorsed for wine and beer at a new 74-seat Italian restaurant at 21–23 East Seventh Street, while the owners of Lit (apparently looking to transfer their liquor license to a “new venture” in the same space) were assailed by attendees who called them bad neighbors. They’ll get their ducks in a row and try again in a month.

Read more posts by Daniel Maurer

Filed Under: community boards, bowery, japanese, nolita, williamsburg, zenkichi

• 0 Comments

I finally made it to Di Fara Pizza on Friday. After hearing about it for so many years. I finally felt pious enough…

DiFara Pizza

1424 Ave J, Brooklyn

(718) 258-1367

• 0 Comments

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

Minetta Tavern (Menu)
212-475-3850
Two for eight? No
Best available: 6:00 p.m.

Aldea (Menu)
212-675-7223
Two for eight? No
Best available: 9:30 p.m.

Maialino (Menu)
212-777-2410
Two for eight? No
Best available: Fully booked

SHO Shaun Hergatt (Menu)
212-809-3993
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:45 p.m.

A Voce Columbus (Menu)
212-823-2523
Two for eight? No
Best available: 9:30 p.m.

Seasonal Restaurant & Weinbar (Menu)
212-957-5550
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:30 p.m.

Marea (Menu)
212-582-5100
Two for eight? No
Best available: 9:30 p.m.

Filed Under: two for eight, a voce columbus, aldea, maialino, marea, minetta tavern, seasonal restaurant & weinbar, sho shaun hergatt

• 0 Comments

A day after we shared details, as well as the menu, of the restaurant Ryan Skeen will open in Harlem this week, the chef has already become an uptown spokesman of sorts. One Tweet: “Heard this terrible rumor that Bruni didnt see a reason to eat in Harlem? I feel its [sic] about time to give him a reason to.” And another: “Fried Chicken in most Harlem restaurants is like steak at Lugers Steaks based off politics not quality, except for Amy Ruths … I am shocked.” Skeen doesn’t have fried chicken on the menu, but he does have roasted black bass with quinoa, and you can see that dish, and more, in our slideshow.

Earlier: Ryan Skeen Gives New York Another Chance, This Time in Harlem

Read more posts by Daniel Maurer

Filed Under: slideshow, 5 & diamond, harlem, ryan skeen

• 0 Comments

from Grub Street Los Angeles

Death & Co. bartender Alex Day

Death & Co., the trendy mixology lounge in New York’s East Village, is coming to Downtown Los Angeles. Eater reports that co-owner Ravi DeRossi is commandeering about 2,000 square feet of space for a bar that will mostly resemble its Manhattan counter-part, whose cocktail and food menus are online. On drink duty will be bartender Alex Day, who will relocate to Los Angeles next month to help begin the business. Last month, the bar’s Brian Miller appeared at Downtown’s The Edison and quickly gained one of the longest lines to try his libations. Today however, Death & Co. looks like a strong competitor to the cocktail-centric club.

Death & Co. Coming to Downtown L.A., Headed by Mixologist Alex Day [Eater L.A.]

Read more posts by Hadley Tomicki

Filed Under: new york imports, alex day, boze news, brian miller, death and co., downtown, new york, radio room, the edison

• 0 Comments

Having never been to Tao before, a place known in Manhattan for its see and be seen atmosphere, its delicious Asian…

Tao

42 E 58th St, New York

(212) 888-2288

• 0 Comments

Remember the neighbors who complained about being “held hostage” by clubs like Avalon (formerly the Limelight)? Three years later, they’ve helped shut it down and it’s morphing into a marketplace. So they should be happy, right? Chocolates and candy instead of wasted ravers peeing on their stoops! Well, not quite. Buried in today’s Times profile of the forthcoming Marketplace (which is now 90 percent full and will include an outpost of Baci Gelato, because whoever is running this show really has a sweet tooth) is news that the 24-hour location of Grimaldi’s isn’t exactly being met with open arms: “If it receives a beer and wine license, it could attract a rowdy late-night crowd, said Susan Finley, a director of the Flatiron Alliance, an advocacy group, who has lived on West 20th Street for three decades.”

Is it possible Community Board 5 will force Grimaldi’s to scale back its late-night ambitions? That’s Manhattan for ya! It’s still too early to say how much if any resistance it’ll meet, but maybe Grimaldi’s should’ve followed old Limelight honcho Peter Gatien’s lead and opened something in Canada. Oh, and speaking of the old Limelight crew, Steve Lewis says he’s on his way to visit party monster Michael Alig. Expect a full report tomorrow.

he Limelight, a Church Turned Nightclub, to Be Reborn as a Market [NYT]

Read more posts by Daniel Maurer

Filed Under: openings, baci gelato, chelsea, community board 5, flatiron alliance, limelight market place, susan finley

• 0 Comments

from Grub Street Philadelphia

Oink, Oink

Each week on the Food Chain, we ask a chef to describe a dish he or she recently enjoyed. The chef who prepared the dish responds and then picks his or her own memorable meal. On and on it goes. Last week, NYC chef April Bloomfield swooned over the perfectly balanced shredded beef tacos prepared by fellow New York chef Sue Torres at her restaurant Sueños. So what makes Torres’ tastebuds tingle?

Who: Sue Torres, chef at Sueños, New York
What: Charcuterie plate
Where: Osteria, Philadelphia
When: June 2009

“I was in Philadelphia for an event Marc Vetri has every year for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. It’s one of my favorite events because it’s not in New York, so I get to travel. Marc sets up all the chefs to eat at various local restaurants, but his restaurant was by far the best we ate at. It was just so inspiring to be around other great chefs, at a great restaurant. The charcuterie plate was the first thing that came out – there was a pasta course, and a game course, he really went to town.

But the charcuterie course reminded me a lot of my childhood, where my Italian grandparents would start the meal with meat. Marc took it to another level: there was a duck pate that was amazing, some handmade hot sausage, like a soppressata. It’s more than just the meat plate – it was also the bread and the olive oil and it was just this great, conversational, entertaining food where you can talk to the people that you’re with and just enjoy their company. It’s that passion all Italians have – you get the best quality product you can find and you put it on the plate. You cook for family, you cook for love, you cook for passion, and it comes through the moment the food hits your mouth. It’s like, “I’m home.” And that’s all there in the charcuterie plate.”

Marc Vetri, chef-owner of Osteria, breaks down the meat plate:

“Every year we have the Great Chefs event to benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and we bring all the chefs from around the country in one day earlier and we really lay it out for them at Osteria. Last year we hosted 20 chefs, but they all have sous chefs with them, so there were maybe 60 people and we had them in the garden room at Osteria . We started the meal off with this platter that consisted of different warm charcuterie. The one Sue was talking about, I think, was maybe this pork belly we did? We salt it for three days in a mix of sugar, fennel and salt, then we rinse off all of the salt and roast it in the oven. Then we slice it and on the pickup we sear it lightly over the wood coals. We serve it with an artichoke mostarda that we make at the restaurant also. It was the hit of the evening. We have it on the menu a couple of months out of the year – it will probably go on the menu in the next few months. We have so many ways that we make charcuterie – we have to just rotate them in all the time.”

Read more posts by Kirsten Henri

Filed Under: the food chain, amis, marc vetri, new york, osteria, philadelphia, sue torres, suenos, vetri

• 0 Comments