Tidbits

- The poster couple for cute East Village restaurants, Jack and Grace Lamb, brings us Degustation in the 16 seat spot next to Jewel Bako. The menu is small plate-style, with Spanish and French influences. 239 East Fifth Street, (212) 979-1012. [via NYT, Thrillist]

- Mario Batali + NASCAR = Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style: The Essential Cookbook for Nascar Fans. The red states are now officially confused.

- Bruni on restaurant recommendations to a friend who asks about the lighting: "If I respond that it’s 'a little bright,' the restaurant is a no-go. If I say it’s 'like a subterranean crypt at midnight and you better bring night-vision goggles,' the friend begins speed-dialing for a reservation before I can utter another word." We like our lighting somewhere in between and preferably flattering, thank you very much.

- Getting the itch to do some spring cleaning? Start with your pantry. Slashfood gives us a fantastically thorough list of expiration dates for all those things lurking about in the backs of our cabinets.