Gothamist

Ravitch Was Secretly Sworn In At Peter Luger's

Billy Parker — 2009-07-09T18:51:12-05:00

It's unclear whether Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch will ever hold up as being legal, but at least the pair can rest knowing this—they pulled it off like pimps. Soon after Paterson went on television and made his announcement yesterday and before the GOP could mount a court challenge to block it (way back when they were allied with Sen. Pedro Espada), Ravitch was secretly sworn in while having dinner at Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg. When Ravitch's 7:45 reservation for four added a mysterious fifth person, the group explained what was going on and said they were in a hurry. The president of Peter Luger's told the Times, "They drew out some documents, and they were very excited and everything. Mr. Ravitch said, ‘This is my favorite restaurant, and I wouldn’t take the oath of office anywhere else.’ People around them were trying to figure out what was going on.” While there's no word on what Ravitch ordered, he did pose for a picture as he signed his oath, hopefully with the blood of an $85 steak.

New Restaurants on the Radar: Cellar 58, The Mott, André

John Del Signore — 2009-07-09T17:55:28-05:00

Cellar 58 (John Del Signore/Gothamist)

Cellar 58: The wine bars are coming for you; they're coming for us all! The latest vino dispenser to descend upon the East Village is Cellar 58; but this one has a lot going for it. One, it's run by real Italians who run around talking at each other in their glorious native tongue. Two, there's a really cute back room, seen here, that fills with diffused, late afternoon light and feels sort of other-worldly. Three, during the opening party last night, we heard the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Radiohead, and not a single Andrea Bocelli torch song. Fourth, besides the 120+ international wine selection, they're doing a pretty extensive small plates menu (flatbread pizzas, pastas, bruschetta, etc.) which doesn't set them apart from other wine bars (like the one right across the street) but we felt great amore for everything we tried. 58 Second Avenue; (212) 420-1300

The Mott: We're told his militantly seasonal new 38-seat Nolita restaurant is "fully committed to locally sourcing all ingredients and ONLY serving what’s in season on the menu." It's got so much farm-to-table cred that Chef Brian Bieler was even born and raised on a farm in Kansas. Your move, Blue Hill. Bieler says he's going to personally visit green markets "just about every morning" to scout out the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. He even vows, "In my restaurant you will never find a tomato in January or a strawberry in the Fall." The summer menu consists of just six appetizers and six entrees, with starters including Soft Shell Crab Tempura with homemade tartar sauce and frisee and Tomato Coulis, a raw combination of pureed red and yellow heirloom tomatoes topped with opal basil. There's an entrée of Roasted Chicken, made from free range Bell and Evans chickens; and a Seared Halibut with asparagus and sunchokes. But is chicken in season? 173 Mott Street at the corner of Broome; (212) 966-1411

André: Located inside the new Renaissance Hotel, this upscale bistro finally gives Wallace Shawn fans a chance to have their own dinner with Andre. Also serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch, the space is connected to the newly-relaunched Opia Lounge, so you can even get drinks with André after your dinner. Chef Ted Pryor's menu emphasizes "classic French principles with an American accent"; main courses include a Warm Poached Lobster Salad with Baby Golden Beets, Osetra Vinaigrette for $28; Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Sage Pulp New Potatoes, Snap Peas, Black Cherry Jus for $32, and appetizers such as Lobster Ravioli with Summer Squash, Baby Basil and Lobster Bisque ($14). Lunch sandwiches include a Smoked Salmon Club Sandwich on grilled bread with avocado, red onion, tomato and lemon vinaigrette; and for breakfast there's Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes with apple butter and spiced apple compote. 57th Street and Lexington Avenue; (212) 688-3939

SHO Shaun Hergatt Goes For The Gold In The Financial District

John Del Signore — 2009-07-09T15:00:08-05:00

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Down the block from the New York Stock Exchange, across the street from Claremont Prep School, and hidden behind construction scaffolding on the second floor of the Setai Hotel, you'll find one of the city's best new fine dining restaurants: SHO Shaun Hergatt, which quietly opened last month. And despite its elegant interior and formal service, it's not as out of touch with the economy as you might expect; at $69, Chef Hergatt's three course prix fixe is actually a good deal, considering the impeccable quality of the ingredients and dazzling execution.

During a recent visit, Hergatt, an intense Australian who did time at the now-closed Atelier in midtown, let us sample some of the dishes and took us for a tour of the gigantic, gorgeous space, pointing out that the ceiling tiles hanging on the wall were recovered from a temple in Thailand that was being demolished. Other design elements include enormous fountains, antique Chinese calligraphy brushes, mother of pearl table tops and shell dessert trays, Sanskrit prayer scrolls from Burma, lots of Brazilian walnut, and a Tibetan bell hidden in salt to ward off bad spirits.

But does Hergatt have a prayer bell to draw in good, paying customers? He's hoping the restaurant's versatility will appeal to a broad crowd, so the space is divided up into a relaxed bar and lounge, a formal dining room with a commanding view of the open kitchen, a second smaller bar, and a glassy wine tasting room. And if the food we sampled off Hergatt's "modern French, Asian-accented" menu was at all representative, we think he may actually pull this off. (Blogger Always Hungry NY predicts SHO will be Frank Bruni's last four star review before stepping down.)

The Slow Roasted Langoustines with Potato Lace, Burmese Lobster Bisque was rich and unforgettable; and the Slow Poached Halibut with silky Celeriac, White Asparagus, and Black Truffle was tender as a cloud. And the Peekytoe Crab with Galangal Gelee and Santa Barbara Uni isn't exactly the sort of thing we eat every day, and that's an outrage. At the bar, cocktails are a cost-prohibitive $14, but a Tennesse Trader (Bourbon, White Peach Puree, Honey Syrup, Ginger Ale) was smooth, sweet and didn't disappoint. The bottom line here is that Hergatt's a seriously ambitious chef, and if you've got a hundred bucks or so to drop on a fancy dinner, you'll get your money's worth here. Peruse the menu below.

SHO Shaun Hergatt // The Setai, New York, Second Level 40 Broad Street (at Exchange Place) // (212) 809-3993

The menu at SHO Shaun Hergatt is served á la carte, but is also recommended as a two course prix fixe for $57 and a three course prix fixe for $69. Appetizers: $16 - $20 Main Courses: $25 - $35 Desserts: $12

Appetizer

Kona Kampachi

Live Geoduck, young Ginger and Soy

Salad of Organic Tokyo Turnips

Baby Beets, Garden Radish, Persian Feta

Spiced Double Duck Consommé

Ravioli Filled with Chicken and Truffles

Zucchini Blossoms filled with Blue Prawns

Lemongrass and Kaffir Lime leaf Scented Sambal

Salt Pressed ‘Petuna’ Tasmanian Ocean Trout

Nashi Pear, Kalamansi Dressing

Hand Picked Peekytoe Crab

Galangal Gelee, Santa Barbara Uni

Red Chili and Coconut Milk Glazed Quail

Shiitake, Wilted Tetragonia

Millefeuille of Foie Gras

Pain D’Epices Tuiles, Banyuls Reduction

Slow Roasted Langoustines

Potato Lace, Burmese Lobster Bisque

The Golden Egg

Cauliflower Puree, Caviar

(Supplement 15)

Main Course

Caramelized Scottish Salmon

Hon Shemiji, Tatsoi, thai Basil Froth

Steamed Black Bass

Ginger Infused Broth, Scallion Oil, “Nishiki” Rice Wafer

Slow Poached Halibut

Silky Celeriac, White asparagus, Black Truffle

Maine Lobster “Poêlé”

English Peas, Saffron and Verjus Emulsion

(Supplement 10)

Yogurt Marinated Poussin

Urfa Spice, Adzuki, Grain Mustard

Muscovy Duck Breast

Sautéed Foie Gras, Red Hibiscus, Sauce Bigarade

Milk Fed Veal Tenderloin

Pommes Almondine, Mirepoix Vegetables, Morels

Thai Pepper Dusted Beef

Glazed Beef Cheek, Pearl Onion Soubise

“River and Glenn” Rabbit Loins

Coco Beans, Parsnip Roesti, Natural Sauce

Pearl Barley Risotto

Maitake Mushrooms, Baby Swiss Chard

Chef Shaun Hergatt

Dessert Wines

ChÂteau Guiraud, Sauternes 1998 $26

Petit Manseng, ‘Symphonie de Novembre,’ Domaine Cauhape, Jurançon 2005 $14

Braquetto d’Aqui Braida, Piemonte 2007 $12

Gewurztraminer, ‘Passito,’ Francis Tannahill, Oregon 2006 $20

Fortified Wines

Coume del mas, ‘quintessence,’ Banyuls 2005 $22

Graham’s 20 year tawny, Oporto NV $19

Dow’s ‘quinta do bonfim,’ Oporto 1996 $18

Campbell’s, Muscat, Ruthgerglen, NV $9

Fortified Sake

Katsuyama Genroku Aged Junmai, Miyagi $22

Desserts

Chocolate and Jasmine Inspiration

Pomelo Confit, Floral Jasmine Tea Sorbet

Rhubarb Tart

Ginger Cremeux, Lychee Sorbet

Citrus Palette

Milk Chocolate Ganache, Passionfruit Ice Cream,

Java Sphere

Candied Cocoa Nibs, Mandarin Chantilly

Rosella Tapioca

Lemongrass Consommé, Pink Guava Sorbet

Banana Millefeuille

Jackfruit Confit, Crème Fraîche Sorbet

Cheese

Farm House Cheeses

Fresh Honeycomb, Cranberry and Pecan Loaf

Summer Restaurant Week Kicks Off Today With Hair!

John Del Signore — 2009-07-09T11:21:41-05:00

Peter Kramer/AP

If you're by Columbus Circle today you can get some free food with Hair! The cast of the hit Broadway revival will be performing at 12:45 to launch NYC's summer Restaurant Week at The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center. And if a stirring rendition of the show's popular "Sodomy" ditty isn't enough to pique your interest, be advised that the free event also includes free lunch: Five NYC Restaurant Week eateries—Tribeca Grill, Porter House New York, Spice Market, Bice Ristorante and DB Bistro Moderne—will be offering free tastings from noon to 2 p.m. (Free Coca-Cola, too, people!) Reservations are now being taken for Restaurant Week, which takes place from July 12th through July 31st, excluding Saturdays. (Some restaurants offer the deal on Sundays.) Prices at participating restaurants are $24.07 for three-course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for three-course prix-fixe dinners (excluding beverage, tax and gratuity). Peruse the full list of restaurants here, and head on over to the Time Warner Center (Broadway at 60th Street) now to crack wise about finding hair in your food. (NYC GO has a handy Twitter feed, too.)

Tim Hortons To Open Thirteen NY Stores On Monday

Hugh Merwin — 2009-07-09T08:50:55-05:00

Pat Kiernan will be very happy: The Riese organization, operators of scores of NYC chain restaurants, is closing its 13 Dunkin' Donuts outlets on Friday and re-opening them as brand-new Tim Hortons on Monday morning. The Nation's Restaurant News' story suggests someone's maple leaf prophecy has come to pass. After being dropped from Riese's roster, Dunkin' released a statement yesterday that alleged, among other things, they're still awesome and "in the past five years 244 new Dunkin’ Donuts shops have opened in New York City." The company also explained that a 2004 lawsuit citing "health and safety violations" led to the disenfranchisement decision; Riese denies it and says a five-year contract expired. With Dunkin' dissed and Starbucks plugging away at yet another reformulation, expect an onslaught of free coffee promotions in the next few weeks from all sides, especially around Midtown. The announcement comes on top of previous news that Tim Hortons will open three more locations to be co-branded with Cold Stone Creamery in August, including one inside Cold Stone's flagship Times Square store. Tim Hortons is a megapopular Canadian coffee and snacks chain named for its founder, an NHL record-holder who died in a 1974 car accident.

Will Former Times Restaurant Critic Grimes Replace Bruni?

Hugh Merwin — 2009-07-08T15:53:54-05:00

Photo: New York Times

The Feedbag reports that former New York Times restaurant critic William Grimes will temporarily replace current critic Frank Bruni when he retires at the end of the summer. According to The Feedbag, Grimes "is said to be lined up to hold down the fort until the new critic comes aboard in January." This fall, Frank Bruni will make his first public, post critic debut at the Food Network Wine & Food Festival, appearing on a panel with Anthony Bourdain and promoting his new memoir Born Round.

William Grimes (right) also has a new book being released this fall about the history of New York restaurants. Bookstores everywhere will presumably be more plentiful with a more current copy of Grimes' mugshot when this happens. Regardless, Grimes's identity is no longer a kept secret. When the news broke a few months ago that Frank Bruni was leaving the newspaper, we asked Grimes if he had any interest in returning to the old beat. We also alerted him to the Facebook group founded by blogger Gurgling Cod demanding his reinstatement, the plainly titled "One Million Strong for the Restoration of William Grimes." His response:

I was not aware of any movement to agitate for my return as restaurant critic. In any case, it would be obnoxious of me to think out loud how I might respond to an invitation to return, since the possibility is precisely zero. When I stepped down from the job, that was it. Time to turn the page. My heartfelt thanks for the vote of confidence, though.

So there you have it—Grimes' overall reluctance would seem to encompass interim critic gigs as well. He wrote in today to say "I have not been contacted by anyone to fill in temporarily, so I do not know what to say about those rumors." In the meantime, that Facebook group is looking for 999,986 new members. More on William Grimes's new book here.

Ellen DeGeneres Boycotting Five Guys?

John Del Signore — 2009-07-08T13:58:01-05:00

Photograph courtesy of Eater

Is Ellen Degeneres starting a boycott of growing burger chain Five Guys? This poorly-written flier says so! Eater found some of these stuck to the windshields of cars left on Waverly Place last night, but this is the first anyone's heard of night manager Carlos "Leo" Rivera's "discriminating views" of the neighborhood gays.

Reached for comment today, a manager at Five Guys told us Rivera is off today, and he denied any knowledge of the "past following weekend" incident, in which he allegedly insulted a customer's sexuality. But the illiterate flier guy never lies!

Ellen's manager at ICM is on vacation. But upon hearing about the boycott, the manager's assistant told us she "highly doubts" it's true. Developing...

Midweek Special: NYC Restaurant Review Roundup

John Del Signore — 2009-07-08T10:00:07-05:00

Aldea (Katie Sokoler/Gothamist)

This week Frank Bruni at the Times, approaching his last month with the Gray Lady, goes gaga for Aldea (photos), where "the cooking is precious, lusty, ultramodern, rustic and a host of other adjectives that don’t normally squeeze together but find themselves in a tight, mostly happy clutch here. Although Aldea has a clean, sleek and relatively spare look, it has a much more complex taste. One minute you’re nibbling on crisp pig’s ears. The next you’re carefully maneuvering your spoon under a translucent, quivering orb of concentrated mushroom broth—one of those liquid ravioli that the Spanish alchemist Ferran Adrià made famous—in an avant-garde consommé." Bruni also takes a look at artisanal pizza parlors this week.

The Village Voice's Robert Sietsema is mostly satisfied by Watty & Meg in Cobble Hill: "French doors have been installed and flung open to catch summer breezes, while lines of outdoor tables litter the sidewalk like ants at a picnic... Though the proud decorator compares the interior to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, that's a bit of a stretch....Yogic influences add a maverick tilt to the menu, because chef and co-owner Sosie Hublitz—who arrived here not long ago from Virginia—is reportedly an enthusiast." His colleague Sarah DiGregorio philes on Pho Sure, where "the menu wisecracks, offering noodle soups called pho sure, pho real, and, best of all, mo pho—a bowl replete with beef tendon, tongue, and peen, better known as good old bull penis."

NY Mag's Adam Platt bestows three out of five stars on chef Michael White's fancy new seafood restaurant Marea, "but as the meal proceeds, you can’t help feeling that the exuberant, intuitive chef is not entirely at home in the precise, finicky realm of fish... Is it really necessary, in this era of self-conscious austerity, to cook a perfectly good piece of salmon in duck fat? Possibly not. But then, Marea is to Mike White’s great restaurant, Convivio, what Mario Batali’s Del Posto is to Babbo. For all its impressive, even dazzling qualities, it feels less like a labor of love than like one of ambition and duty."

Danyelle Freeman at the Daily News is wholly beguiled by Locanda Verde, the reboot of Robert DeNiro's failed Tribeca restaurant Ago: "Ago was dreadful, but the new incarnation, an Italian trattoria called Locanda Verde, is excellent. This was quite an exorcism." Time Out's Jay Cheshes thinks Cooper Square Hotel restaurant Table 8 (photos) isn't so great: "Californian Govind Armstrong, a Spago veteran well known for his matinee-idol looks—he made People’s 50 Most Beautiful list in 2004—slipped into town recently with a surprising dearth of media hype. The second outpost of his Table 8 brand—the others are in Miami Beach and Los Angeles—commits so many sins against good taste, the West Coast star may have been hoping critics would somehow overlook his arrival."

And coming full circle, Alan Richman at GQ also raves about Aldea, which he deems "one of Manhattan’s best new restaurants. I admire everything about it, except the wine-by-the-glass prices. (They should be a couple dollars less.) I understand perfectly why I feel this way, but I don’t understand why everybody else does. I thought chic New Yorkers wanted to sit at a counter, face a plywood wall, wear flip-flops, and contemplate menu offerings of pork belly and charcuterie. This sure isn’t that—although charcuterie is available, and there are six counter seats facing a vividly lit open kitchen."

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Bar Luna Brightening Up the Upper West Side

John Del Signore — 2009-07-07T14:46:13-05:00

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Here's Bar Luna, the casual Upper West Side wine bar that opened recently in the space formerly occupied by the Neptune Room on Amsterdam Avenue. There was a bit of a delay last month when owner Turgut Balikci, who cut his teeth twenty years ago with Bella Luna on Columbus Avenue, sent out an email canceling the opening because of a liquor license issue. But a source tells the Village Voice that the opening was actually pushed back because the chef, Sean Chudoba (who ran the kitchen at Balikci's restaurant AYZA) quit at the last minute. Bar Luna is now up and running with chef Jacque Belanger (West Branch), whom Balicki says is "better suited for the style of restaurant, and more experienced in the neighborhood."

So now you know. Anyway, the Bar Luna menu (below) is Mediterranean with an emphasis on "Italian specialties," and includes such dishes as Lobster Tagliatelle, Olive Oil Poached Halibut with Brandade, and the ubiquitous Grilled Skirt Steak, served here with Salsa Verde. The mostly Italian wine selection is available by the quartino, carafe, and bottle, ranging in price from $7 on up. As for the vibe, designer Glen Coben says he wants diners to feel like they're "sitting on a wooden sloop sailing the waters of the Mediterranean or Aegean," which explains the bright colors, nautical striped fabrics, and the weathered exposed brick. She seats about 90, and welcomes castaways aboard daily at 5 p.m. Peruse the menu below.

Bar Luna // 511 Amsterdam Avenue, between 84th and 85th Streets // 212-362-1098

To Share

Crispy Confit Duck Gizzards 7

White Truffle Pizza 13

Wild Mushroom Ragu with Polenta 10

Manchego and Tasso Croquettes 8

Burrata with Roasted Peppers 9

Marinated Beets and Goat Cheese Mousse 7

Beef Carpaccio 9

Clams and Chorizo 8

Fried Oysters with Saffron Aioli 9

Crostini

3 for 9, 6 for 15

Fava Bean and Pecorino

Cauliflower, Chickpea and Curry

Chicken Liver

White Bean and Ham

Ricotta and Artichoke

Tapenade

Soup and Salads

Yellow Gazpacho 7

Mixed Greens 6

Asparagus and Poached Egg 9

Salad Nicoise 10

Pastas

Saffron Risotto with Shrimp and Andouille 13

Lobster Tagliatelle 16

Garganelli Putanesca 11

Wild Mushroom Fettuccini 14

Entrees

Wild Striped Bass with Cockles 16

Olive Oil Poached Halibut with Brandade 17

Roast Chicken 15

Braised Chicken Leg, Green Olive and Preserved Lemon 16

Veal Milanaise with Rocket Arugula, Cherry Tomatoes and Parmesan 19

Grilled Skirt Steak with Salsa Verde 18

Wines by the Quartino and Carafe

Sparkling

Prosecco, Carpene Malvolti, Veneto N.V. 11

Champagne, Paul Goerg Blanc de Blanc, Vertus N.V. 17

White

Txakolina, Gurrutxaga, Bizkaiko 08 11 29

Picpoul de Pinet, Domaines Felines Jourdan, Rhone 07 8 20

Gewurztraminer, Hare’s Label, Lingenfelder, Pfaltz 06 8 20

Verdicchio di Castelli Jesi, Buscareto, Marche 08 9 25

Roero Arneis, Cascina Ca Rossa, Piedmont 08 12 32

Sauvignon Blanc, Menetou-Salon, Domaine Girard Millet, Loire 07 12 32

Trebbiano di Lugana, Zenato, Veneto 07 10 29

Chardonnay, Bourgogne Blanc, Cellier de la Chaume, Burgundy 06 7 17

Rosé

Touraine, Domaine Bellevue, Loire 08 7 17

Red

Pinot Noir, Cloudline, Willamette Valley 06 12 32

Valpolicella, Corte Rugolin, Veneto 07 11 29

Negroamaro, Pietraluna, Puglia 07 9 25

Garnacha, Evodia, Calatayud 07 8 20

Bordeaux, Chateau Bujeau, la Grave 06 8 20

Sangiovese, Locorosso, Pratesi, Tuscany 06 11 29

Grenache / Syrah, Costiers de Nimes, Chateau Bellafontaine, Rhone 05 9 25

Syrah / Bonarda, Crios de Susana Balbo, Mendoza 07 12 32

Cabernet Sauvignon, Peńalolen, Maipo Valley 07 12 32

Primitivo de Manduria, Felline, Puglia 05 10 26

Milk Gouging Still Extreme, Cries Councilman Gioia

John Del Signore — 2009-07-06T18:13:27-05:00

Remember how last year the City Council made a big stink about milk price gouging, calling on the Department of Agriculture and Markets to enforce price limits after a study showed that 86% of NYC retailers are breaking the law by overcharging for milk? The department regulates the price of milk with a monthly cost calibration, but many grocery store owners are unaware the law even exists. It's one year later, and Councilman Eric Gioia—who's running for public-advocate—is still crying over the price of milk. Though there's been an 83% drop in the wholesale price of milk in the past 18 months, some Manhattan stores are still charging as high as $6 a gallon. The Agriculture Department just can't get it together to publish the monthly threshold price on its website, and at a press conference yesterday, Gioia told reporters that the department's milk price enforcement is virtually non-existent: "We have a state agency that's not doing its job. The Department of Agriculture went from bad to worse." With an election looming on the horizon, you can definitely expect Gioia to milk this issue for all its worth.

Aureole, Radiating Optimism, Opens at One Bryant Park

John Del Signore — 2009-07-06T17:14:50-05:00

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Charlie Palmer—chef, restaurateur, frequent Today Show guest and owner of a dozen restaurants nationwide—isn't afraid of a challenge, but his ambitious new endeavor must take nerves of steel in this economy: After two decades in a townhouse on the Upper East Side, he's relocated his popular restaurant Aureole to a flashy new home in the Bank of America tower at One Bryant Park. Unabashedly elegant, the new Aureole hearkens back to a more ebullient era, when opening a fine dining restaurant with a proven track record wasn't quite so fraught with terror. There's been a ton of money sunk into this baby, evident in the oak-clad columns, brushed zinc bar, walnut table tops, leather chairs, the wine mezzanine, and the five custom-made chandeliers. And the downstairs kitchen is massive.

There's an a la carte menu in the bar room, and a three-course prix fixe for $84 in the more upscale dining room, which exudes a dramatically different atmosphere from the bar, though no door separates the two areas. Where the dining room, with its thick carpets and flattering lighting, is peaceful and subdued, the bar is, as you might expect, more shiny and festive. Chef Christopher Lee's "Progressive American" menu includes such options as "Canadian Lobster Tail vs. Berkshire Pork Belly" (with Summer Squash, Porcini Mushrooms, Cape Goose Berries, Jura Wine, Almond Emulsion), a Diver Sea Scallop Sandwich (with Seared Foie Gras, Sugar Snap Peas, Passion Fruit, Chives), and a 21 Day Aged Beef Rib Eye (with Chanterelle Mushrooms, Green Asparagus, Potato Purée, Tarragon Mustard Beef Jus.)

During our recent visit as a guest of Palmer, a bartender poured one of Aureole's specialty cocktails (a vibrant Blackberry Manhattan with Michter's Straight Rye, Ruby port, muddled blackberries, and fresh lemon juice) while expressing hope that the bar would fill up at lunch due to its proximity to the walking corpse that is Conde Nast. Based on the tasty dishes we sampled, it seems plausible that the not-outrageously priced bar room could attract its fair share of media survivors and tourists. The Broiled Portugal Sardines—flown in twice a week from Portugal—were fresh, boneless, and beyond succulent; the Fluke Sashimi (Edamame, Yuzu Eggplant Puree, Shallot Ginger Dressing) was also outstanding. Lunch service begins today, with seasonal dining coming soon in a pedestrian walkway connecting the 42nd and 43rd Street sides of the building. See the full dinner and bar menu below.

$84 Dinner Prix Fixe

First Course

Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare

Daikon Radish, Nori Toast Points, Aji Amarillo, Miso Sake Dressing

Artichoke Ravioli

Louisiana Crayfish, Black Olive Oil, Andouille Sausage, White Wine Caper Sauce

Diver Sea Scallop “Sandwich”

Seared Foie Gras, Sugar Snap Peas, Passion Fruit, Chives

Japanese Madai Snapper Ceviche

Summer Melons, Hearts of Peach Palm, Cucumber, Avocado, Prosciutto

Crispy Soft Shell Blue Crab

Belgium Endive, Granny Smith Apple, Smoked Paprika, “Sauce Rémoulade”

Local Heirloom Tomatoes

Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Cheese Gelato, Haricot Vert, Petite Lettuces, Pine Nut Crumble

Sauté Foie Gras
Maine Blueberries, Smoked Corn Bread, Pickled Jalapenos, Macadamia Nuts

Chilled Sweet Yellow Corn Soup

American Caviar, Vidalia Onions, Lemon Citrus, Ancho Chile Oil

Main Course

Crispy Black Sea Bass

French White Asparagus, Smoked Yellow Tomato, Endive, Watermelon Basil Vinaigrette

West Coast Halibut “Bouillabaisse”

Fruit de Mer, Baby Vegetables, Garlic Potatoes, Preserved Lemon, Saffron Shellfish Broth

Olive Oil Poach Alaskan King Salmon

Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Quinoa, Watercress, Fava Beans, Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Canadian Lobster Tail vs. Berkshire Pork Belly

Summer Squash, Porcini Mushrooms, Cape Goose Berries, Jura Wine, Almond Emulsion

North Carolina Poulet Rouge

Sweet Yellow Corn, Escarole, Black Garlic, Breakfast Radish, Lemon Pepper Chicken Jus

Veal Tenderloin and Sweetbreads

Wild Asparagus, Charred Onion, Georgia Peaches, Pickled Ramps, Lovage Veal Jus

21 Day Aged Beef Rib Eye

Chanterelle Mushrooms, Green Asparagus, Potato Purée, Tarragon Mustard Beef Jus

Australian Rack of Lamb

English Peas & Carrots, Cipollini Onion, Medjool Date, Almond, Vadouvan Devonshire Cream

Bar Room a la carte menu

First Course

Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho $15

Canadian Lobster / Avocado / Baby Basils

Foie Gras Torchon $23

Wild Strawberries / Anise Hyssop / Pistachio / Brioche

Diver Sea Scallop “Sandwich” $17

Sugar Snap Peas / Passion Fruit / Chives

(Foie Gras Supplement $5.00)

Crispy Soft Shell Blue Crab $16

Belgium Endive / Granny Smith Apple / Sauce Rémoulade

Pasta Garganelli $11

Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes / Fresh Mozzarella / Pine Nuts / Prosciutto

Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare $17

Daikon Radish / Nori Toast Points / Miso Sake Dressing

“House Made” Charcuterie $22

Onion Marmalade / Pickle Vegetables / Country Bread

Farmed Baby Green Salad $9

Blue Cheese / Summer Vegetables / White Balsamic Dressing

Main Course

“Aureole” Grilled Burger $22

Smoked Bacon, White Cheddar, Onion Rings, Pickled Ramp Dressing

Wild Striped Bass $34

White Asparagus / Smoked Yellow Tomato / Watermelon

Free Range Chicken $29

Escarole / Buttered Corn / Radish / Lemon Pepper Chicken Jus

Scottish Organic Salmon $28

Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes / Fava Beans / Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Whole Roasted Branzini $31

Artichokes / Capers / Black Olive / Piquillo Peppers / Anchovies

Berkshire Pork Chop $32
Porcini Mushrooms / Squash / Peaches / Picked Ramp Pork Jus

West Coast Halibut $33

Creamed Corn / Potato Gnocchi / Sugar Snap Peas / Basil Pesto

NY Strip Loin $38

Green Asparagus / Potato Purée / Tarragon Mustard Beef Jus

Buttermilk Channel Felled by Mysterious Robbery

Hugh Merwin — 2009-07-06T15:10:10-05:00

The well-regarded and homey Carroll Gardens restaurant Buttermilk Channel was broken into sometime last night. Owner Doug Crowell was contacted by his security alarm company at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the scene to find nothing stolen or vandalized. This year has been marked by a spree of overnight restaurant robberies in Manhattan, and post-closure B&Es seem to be on the rise in Brooklyn as well: last month Papacito's in Greenpoint was robbed of $10,000 a few hours after the final enchilada of the night was served. In Carroll Gardens, Ackerman, Buttermilk Channel's mascot goldfish (right), has long left the building (in an All Goldfish Go to Heaven kind of way), so it is thought there are no reliable witnesses to the incident at this time. Buttermilk Channel owner Doug Crowell recently tweeted that he was still "waiting for detectives to come" to take some fingerprints, but in the meantime, has been "eating some Cato Corner cheeses" to pass the time.

Restaurant Annisa Destroyed by July 4 Fire

Hugh Merwin — 2009-07-06T12:21:41-05:00

After an email circulated saying that Barrow Street restaurant Annisa had been "destroyed" by a fire on the morning of July 4, Serious Eats' Ed Levine sent a quick note to Anita Lo, the restaurant's acclaimed chef and owner. It turns out the rumor is true: while no one was present at the time, a fasting moving blaze has in fact destroyed the restaurant. "The fire marshall hasn't come yet, so we don't know what started it," Lo tells Levine. "And yes, we are going to rebuild--hopefully better than before." You may remember that a fire temporarily shut down another restaurant owned by Lo, Bar Q, which has since closed for good. While Annisa does its whole phoenix/flames thing, you can catch Anita Lo compete on this week's Top Chef Masters. Neil Patrick Harris is guest judging.

Joe Jr. Greases Its Last Spoon

John Del Signore — 2009-07-05T15:23:59-05:00

Via Lost City

It seems that a passionate petition drive and an eleventh hour overture from the landlord weren't enough to save Joe Jr., the classic greasy spoon that's been a Greenwich Village institution for more than three decades. The coffee shop was packed with diners this weekend; among them was blogger Vanishing New York, who overheard one customer declare, "The landlord is a greedy prick." The petition on the counter read, "Joe's is our kitchen, our meeting place, our hangout, our comfort food. Our neighborhood will lose a treasure should it shut down this weekend." 65-year-old owner Teddy Hondros's lease had expired at the end of June, and it appears that a dispute with the landlord over who should pay the cost of repairs from a basement electrical fire were a major factor in the closure. Lost City was probably the last blogger to dine there yesterday, and reports a line stretching outside the restaurant: "I don't know about you, but I've never seen a line outside a greasy spoon before... That such a quintessentially American business should on July 4th is bitterly ironic." He says the doors were locked for the final time at 3 p.m., and our calls to Joe Jr.'s today are going unanswered.

Joe Jr., Classic Village Coffee Shop, to Close This Weekend

John Del Signore — 2009-07-03T15:17:07-05:00

Photographs from reader Mike Murphy

After more than 35 years in business, quintessential greasy spoon Joe Jr. Restaurant on West 12th Street and Sixth Avenue will close this weekend. Devoted regulars and casual admirers were both dismayed at the news yesterday, and over 1,000 customers signed a petition begging the landlord to renew the lease, which expired June 30th. But 65-year-old owner Teddy Hondros seems resigned to his fate, and says an 11th hour overture from the landlord is too little too late; he's arranged to have the gas turned off and close after one more Saturday night.

Hondros's son Gregory, who manages the coffee shop, tells NY1, "It hurts right now. I'm trying not to cry because I grew up here since I was eight years old but it hurts me, it hurts my father, it hurts all of us." He says an electrical fire broke out in the basement of the building last month, and his father had been in a dispute with the landlord—also a father-son team—over who should pay for the repairs and renovation. Speaking to the Times, Gregory estimated that the work would have cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars." (Eater reports that figure at $750,000.)

Teddy Hondros tells Grub Street, "With the father I can agree all the time, but the son has new ideas. Maybe they want to clean this place, with all the smoke and oil. Young people don't want the flames, the cooking, all this stuff." While NY1 was on the scene, the elder landlord, Sal Iuso, showed up and promised to work out a solution to keep Joe Jr.'s alive. Gregory refused to believe him, insisting that Iuso's son wanted them out. Iuso replied, "Forget him altogether, forget him we'll rectify it that's it." But by all accounts, Teddy Hondros seems tired and absolutely committed to closing Sunday.