Results matching “brunch”

       

Last week we noted the opening of a charming new restaurant/cocktail lounge/jazz bar called The Manhattan Inn in Greenpoint (located on Manhattan between Bedford and Nassau); but as you can see this place is so good looking it merits its own feature. This weekend we were actually lured there twice; the first visit was occasioned by our desire to wait out the Saturday afternoon rain and read over cocktails. The back room was uniquely suited for our purposes, and the Manhattan's Manhattan ($9) was as big and inviting as a heated private lap pool. (The classic specialty cocktail menu is from James Endicott, formerly of Per Se and Allen & Delancey, and there is also wine and craft beer on tap.)

Sheesh, now there are all these rules! A week after would-be Hamptons restaurateur Bruce Buschel published his list of 100 things restaurant servers must never do, longtime bartender and restaurant manager Patrick Maguire has fired back with some rules for people who eat at restaurants. Apparently, snapping fingers, demanding perfection, and starting a sentence with Gimmee or Get me are all frowned upon. But there are all sorts of other no-nos that come with paying strangers to serve you food. To wit:

   

Click on the images for details on Scarpetta's new five course tasting menu, The JakeWalk's new fall food and cocktail menu, and Dokebi's Korean tacos and weekend brunch.

     

Click on the images above for the scoop on 'Wichcraft's dinner, Harbour's lunch and "Mai Tai Tuesdays," brunch at Charles, speed lunch at La Fonda del Sol, and "Moules Frites Monday" at Bar Blanc Bistro.

Savvy subscribers to our indispensable free daily events newsletter, GothamList, have known about the Food Network New York Wine and Food Festival for quite some time now, and already secured tickets to sold-out events like the famous Burger Bash and the SWEET dessert extravaganza. But there are still tickets for sale for some of the celebrity chef cooking demos, wine tastings, and other consumption-related events during the festival, which kicks off tomorrow night and ends Sunday. Below, some of the highlights for which tickets are still on sale; be aware that though some of them are in the $100 range, proceeds benefit the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength, which is dedicated to ending childhood hunger, and you don't want the little ones to go hungry, do you?

After two entertaining yet vicious slams on Hotel Griffou and Gus & Gabriel, interim Times dining heavy Pete Wells throws a one-star bone to The Standard Grill, which has been winning over critics despite the grotesquely exclusive velvet rope scene at the door. Wells declares that "it is not the place I would send friends who want to study the latest contortions of the yoga masters of haute cuisine. But it is exactly where I would direct anybody who needs to recharge by plugging straight into the abundant, renewable energy source that is downtown Manhattan." And yet! "The tiled, barrel-vaulted ceiling makes for treacherous acoustics. At times conversations across the room are beamed directly to your table. Sitting by the open kitchen one night, we heard an expediter shouting out orders as if he were communicating with cooks in Jersey City." Still, "with 100 seats in this room, another 100 in an even noisier antechamber, and 85 more on the sidewalk, it is a marvel that the kitchen reliably bangs out solid, flavorful food."

Late-breaking links include a Hamptons neighbors fight over animal traps, Park Luncheonette closes, Vermont Farmacy opens and the passing of Lucy in the Sky.

       

Remember Center Cut, the eco-friendly but still murderous steakhouse that restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow opened last year? It looked spectacular, but some critics found the space cold, the menu uneven and overpriced. So Chodorow cut it from his portfolio and changed the emphasis to bounty from the sea. The new venture is called Ed's Chowder House, and the eponymous "Ed" is chef Edward G. Brown, who's well-respected for his meticulous seafood sourcing; he also runs the kitchen at Michelin Star-rated restaurant eighty one.

We're torn about this rather graphic video, which depicts an alleged bike thief getting beaten up after getting caught by the bike owner and his friends in the East Village. On the one hand, lowlife thieves deserve what's coming to them; on the other hand, street justice does have its downsides (anarchy, mob rule, model riots, etc). But the blogger who posted the video, Prolly is not Probably, is all for it, writing, "The guy wasn't bleeding or banged up. Just enough to send a message. DON'T STEAL BIKES. Cops won't do anything and this guy will think twice about stealing bikes."

Malta: Okay, this unappreciated Williamsburg restaurant isn't new—it opened some six months ago—but this little gem hasn't gotten the attention it deserves, and seems to be struggling in the shadow of the neighborhood's newer cool kids, such as Brooklyn Star, Vutera, and Walter Foods. Part of that may also have to do with the rather uninspired interior design, but tucked away in the back is Malta's hidden strength: a serene backyard garden that's often shockingly deserted. You might think the emptiness portends lackluster food, but Malta, open for dinner daily and brunch on weekends, is high quality at reasonable prices.

       

This month marks La Superior's first full year in business, after opening up in Williamsburg much to the delight of taco-loving locals. Their authentic Mexican street and market fare has tantalized the tastebuds of everyone who has stopped by the taqueria (the first real one in Williamsburg, for those keeping track). This year they've got a new mural up, and hopefully by next year they'll have their outdoor seating available.

The same disease that caused the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s is spreading with an “explosive” rate of infection through Northeast tomato farms. Called "late blight" disease, the fungus causes white-mold-encircled gray spots on leaves, blackened stems, wilting and death. Organically grown crops are particularly vulnerable, and some farmers in Rhode Island have plowed tomato fields under at the first sign of blight. Vegetable pathologist Meg McGrath tells Newsday why everyone should probably be hoarding tomatoes: "People need to realize this is probably one of the worst diseases we have in the vegetable world." Yikes, this makes last year's Salmonella tomato scare seem like a leisurely Bloody Mary brunch!

     

Step inside Sazon, the new Latin Caribbean restaurant and lounge from the team behind Sofrito, a popular mid-price Puerto Rican spot in midtown east. The bi-level place opened quietly last month in the Reade Street space formerly occupied by Fresh Tribeca; the swank and sexy interior design features bright tropical colors, black lacquered chandeliers, a tufted leather back wall, and a coveted private booth secluded behind thick drapes. The elegant yet relaxed vibe extends to the downstairs lounge—tagged wall-to-wall by street artist James De La Vega—where a second bar facilitates weekend salsa dancing parties.

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

Cafe Grumpy first opened the doors of its Greenpoint location in late 2005. A year later, they opened a store in the heart of Chelsea with an eye-catching Clover machine that gained them much more visibility and buzz for having some of the best coffee around. Grumpy began making a name for themselves as one of a handful of places around town (along with Ninth Street Espresso and Gimme! Coffee) that were bringing New York a serious coffee culture, the kind that the west coast has gained a reputation for over the years. Now the rep they've built themselves—recently having won Best Coffee in NYC in the Time Out New York Eat Out Readers Poll—is sure to grow even further with the newest store they've just opened on 7th Avenue in Park Slope.

We've covered New York City brunch here and there, perpetually getting those bloggy defibrillator paddles to ask time and again whether or not all those filled-past-capacity mimosa hours are ever actually worth it. While it's still not clear why brunch even exists, brunch springs eternal. Thankfully, the kind folks over at Time Out New York have put together some epic roundups on those magical, egg-poaching hours in this week's issue, breaking things down into nine categories such as no-wait spots and best biscuits. There's a section on deals, like Mercadito's massive $15 fresh fruit mimosa, rice, beans, and entree superplate. Another section measures the door-to-door travel time of one prospective brunchee waiting in line at the popular Clinton Street Baking Company with another trekking out to Forest Hills to a underdog spot called Just Like Mother’s. Perhaps most useful are details on four alternative brunch cocktails. That section, however, leaves out Clover Club's entire "Liquid Brunch" menu, probably the most innovative brunch talking point to emerge in a long time.

Papacitos, the wildly popular Greenpoint Mexican restaurant with the best vegetarian tacos in town, was the victim of a brazen robbery Saturday night. Co-owner Cody Utzman tells us that thieves broke into the establishment after it closed, hopping the courtyard fence and entering through the back. According to Utzman, the robbers smashed open the cash register and made off with a safe that had $10,000 inside, as well as the restaurant stereo and some employees' personal belongings. Police have dusted for fingerprints and are investigating the incident.

In the middle of the 19th century, more than 12 Brooklyn breweries were busy producing suds within the same 12-block square Williamsburg neighborhood—the so-called Brewer's Row—on the daily. A history focused group named Urban Oyster now leads walking tours of the area every weekend, retracing long gone hops with steps. Tour features include a peek at the two remaining Brewers' Row 19th century buildings, a pit stop at the Brooklyn Brewery, some snacks, tastings, and a lot of breweriana. Tours take three hours; more information is here. In other news, a massive home brew and beer themed cook-off is happening this Sunday at the Bell House. It's beer revival time!

So far, the reviews have all mentioned that you cook out of a small kitchen here, but I really think you have one of the smallest kitchens in the city back there. It’s just rough. It’s just me and my cook during service. We don’t have room for a kitchen staff, really. I receive deliveries, prep the food, sometimes wash dishes during service. I also cook the food.

Finally: Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto tells us how he really feels about brunch. In an interview with the NY Times, Musto discusses his Sunday rountine, which includes checking the gossip ("I check my e-mail and I check all the gossip. I have to constantly update my blog, and try to be a kind of ringmaster to the circus freaks who find me, and who I love"), visiting his mother and relatives in Brooklyn, and maybe movie night with friends. But when asked if he does brunch, he lets loose: "I hate brunch. I hate hearing the word “brunch.” It was this trendy construct that people decided to buy into. And are still buying into. I manage with a bagel and coffee and can wait until lunch, not bogus three-egg omelets." Best not to ask him about linner.

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: An unusual rescue at Central Park & W 64 St in Manhattan, a sexual assault on 62 Ave in Queens and a pursuit at Castleton Ave & Clove Rd on Staten Island.
• Michael Vick was released from federal prison after serving 21 months on federal charges of bankrolling a dog fighting operation. He must spend another two months in home confinement.
• A Long Island day care center's owner and assistant director were arrested, because the facility lacked proper licensing and training. In March, a 2-year-old died after choking on a carrot there.
• A man who sells newspapers on West 56th and the West Side Highway was given $1,000 in cash from mysterious benefactors. The note said, "From Chris and George," so the newspaper seller now wears a "Thank you so much Chris and George" sign.

       

Here's a look at Entwine, a new wine bar and small plates lounge over on the far side of West 12th Street. Perhaps you're thinking, "Finally! Another wine bar in the Village." But Entwine has some attributes that make it worth a trip west (or east, if you want respite after roaming Hudson River park). There's the tranquil back yard garden, for one thing, as well as the creative cocktail menu, which includes bartender Duane Fernandez's delicious twist on the Rusty Nail; dubbed the Scotland Yard, it sports Dewars, Drambuie, fresh ginger, lemon juice and basil.

Serious Eats reports that the UWS Shake Shack location will begin serving corndogs during Memorial Day weekend. Per the post, Danny Meyer and his crew of nostalgic, frozen custard loving, fast food scientists are currently busy perfecting the batter recipe at Union Square Hospitality Group's remote facilities on Shake Island, located somewhere in the North Bronx. Serious Eats says the corn dog will be available at the end of this month, and then will "reappear as a summer holiday special around July 4 and Labor Day." As others have noted, corn dog madness seems to be on the rise: along with the Shack Corn Dog, talented chef Akhtar Nawab has added a house made corn dog to his brunch menu, and the dank, "corn smut" (or huitlacoche) corn dog first served by Sam Mason at Tailor has now migrated across town to join the hot dog pantheon at PDT. Will Daniel Boulud's beer-and-sausage based DBGB, which will be previewed on Saturday, be the next spot to offer up another kind of corn dog?

Opia: With eight years under their belts, the owners of this popular French restaurant recently gave the place a major facelift, reopening last week with three expanded terraces, two private rooftop decks, and a private banquet room. But it's not just about a new look; they've also brought on new Executive Chef Ted Pryor (formerly of La Goulue, Orsay and Les Halles) to streamline the menu. While keeping popular offerings like the “Sushi Corner” and “Le Coin Japonais,” Pryor has brought in signature dishes like his Crab Cake made with buttery brioche and served with celery remoulade. There's also a three-way Battle Royale between L’American Sliders with American cheese, onions and pickles on a potato roll; Le French Sliders with Béarnaise and Comté cheese on a Brioche roll; and Le Lobster Sliders with fresh lobster meat, chives and chervil. Opia's open for breakfast through dinner Monday through Friday, with brunch and dinner on the weekends. 130 East 57th Street, (212) 688-3939

Hudson Terrace: After operating as a private event space last year, this gorgeous bi-level aerie with the commanding Hudson River views opens to the public for the first time tonight with a Cinco de Mayo bash. Tented on rainy nights and featuring a heated floor to ward off any early-season chills, Hudson Terrace will now be doing happy hour parties on Tuesdays through Fridays, as well as Sunday brunch (from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.) with a menu from Vintage Irving's executive chef Jason Bunin. The happy hour deal is good for 2-for-1 specialty cocktails, and an extensive nightly appetizer menu includes duck confit quesadillas, crab and artichoke croquettes, and smoked salmon nachos. A rooftop BBQ grill will also round out the edible options (tempura chicken skewers, anyone?), while beverages run the gamut from wine and sangrias to margaritas, mojitos, and caipirinhas. Or just get two Jim Beams and Coke for the price of one and savor the sunset. 621 West 46th Street, (212) 315-9400

In the immortal words of Ween, Cinco de Mayo's on Tuesday. Which is tomorrow. It will be raining, but did a little rain stop some 4,000 Mexican soldiers from defeating almost twice as many French invaders back on May 5th, 1862? No, they vanquished their oppressors, just as we shall vanquish the temptation to stay inside watching Biggest Loser: Couples tomorrow night. Here is where you'll find us raising a glass to General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín, who we've been big fans of since we looked all this up on Wikipedia five seconds ago.

Clerkenwell: Named for a London district that was once that city's Little Italy, this new 40-seat homage to the "English" gastropub opened last week on the Lower East Side. The menu, obtained by Grub Street, emphasizes traditional fare like Slow-roasted belly of pork; IPA ale and beef pie; and Yorkshire toad in the hole with English sausages, cream mashed potato and gravy. Brunch began last weekend too, and includes items like eggs and soldiers; fish n’ chips; and walnut crusted chicken served with classic Waldorf salad of celery leaves, Sweet Granny smith Apples and mixed baby lettuce. Eater has photos and notes that Clerkenwell is doing a weekend late-night menu as well, with just the libations you'd expect: Boddingtons, Guiness, and Bass (and more imports on the way). 49 Clinton Street, (212) 614-3234

Rye: If there's a softer mode than "soft opening," a more friendly and familial "friends and family," it's embodied by this new Williamsburg restaurant from chef Cal Elliott (Dressler, Dumont). Though word of the new establishment, located in a former bodega, began trickling out several weeks ago, it is still very much a work in progress, albeit a gorgeous one. During a visit to Rye yesterday, an admittedly exhausted Elliott declined to reveal anything about his menu, which he would only describe as "contemporary American." He told us that a recent photo spread on Grub Street and menu reveal on Eater were done without his approval, and he may soon close the kitchen for a week to reevaluate.

At last, someone finally adapted brunch into a rock musical! The waiting; the crowding; the cacophony; the lukewarm coffee; the inattentive service; the sloppy, overpriced food—the whole irritating experience has long been ripe for satire, and Brunch: The Musical is eagerly skewering it live onstage four nights a week. Written from the point of view of the harried staff who sweats off their weekend hangovers in pursuit of big tips, the new Off Broadway show stars Maxx Mann (lead singer of the rock orchestra Trans Siberian Orchestra) and a disgruntled cast of thousands. (Okay, 15). And in a demonstrably successful publicity gimmick, this Sunday night's performance will be free to anyone currently employed in the restaurant industry…and who brings an apron. And can get somebody to cover their shift.

       

Fans of the Aururo Italian restaurants in Soho and Williamsburg may also enjoy Emporio, the new venture from chef/restaurateur Riccardo Buitoni, originally from Piedmont, Italy. Soft-opening tonight in Nolita, the "rustic Roman" restaurant is named after the Italian word for "local grocery store." Buitoni's seasonal menu hews toward a slightly lower price point than Aurora, and features Italian and local cheese, artisanal and house cured charcuterie, a raw bar, fritti, wood-fired pizzas, home made pasta and other traditional Roman entrees.