Wednesday Food News: Early Edition

Bruni goes to midtown’s Turkish cafe Sip Sak, gives it one-star. All his favorite dishes are the “secret” ones that don’t appear on the menu. He calls Sip Sak “a kooky artist’s warped--and wonderful--canvas.” The kooky artist would be Orhan Yegan, the cafe’s principal chef and owner.

Eater (a bit off, having put the money on two-stars) invites readers to compare a NY Mag review--albeit a brief one--to a Bruni review, as Sip Sak just received two stars on NY Mag’s Best Cheap Eats list.

FloFab announces that Tom Colicchio is leaving Gramercy Tavern to focus on his Craft/Craftsteak empire. Also on the move: Kurt Gutenbrunner departs Thor to focus on his other restaurants, and Paul Liebrandt is out at Gilt. This last broke on eGullet yesterday; Liebrant is being replaced by Christopher Lee. [EGullet via Curbed.]

In the Post, Braden Keil's got the news that a branch of Philippe will be opening in the Hamptons. Also, Shake Shack managed to reduce its 140 point slapdown by the Health Department inspectors to 14. Much better.

Cuozzo bemoans the lack of bartenders in town who know how to make a proper, classic cocktail. He blames this state on the “mixology mania” that has bartenders serving ever more complicated drinks without ever learning the basics. We feel your pain, Steve.