The long, narrow, striated-wood counter at chef Will Goldfarb's serves 30, but at the brand new Room 4 Dessert, previously home to Bar Tonno and Bar Veloce, it's a sweets-only endeavor. Goldfarb, the former chef at Cru, known for spontaneous and experimental creations, brings us desserts in themes, like a curry-scented concoction named "Voyage to India," cotton candy and meringues ("Infance"), a vanilla coupe glacee with whiskey sabayon, and quartets of apples in various states (tatin, cider, tartare, and sorbet). Desserts are paired with wines, champagnes, and exotic teas which the newbie staff ever-so-excitedly places before you as though awaiting a reaction. Goldfarb is ever-present with an infectious dessert-making energy, riddled with both sugar and a smile. more ›

First it was Bar Veloce, then Bar Tonno. So what's become of 17 Cleveland Place now? After a bit of a management upheaval, we ended up with...sushi. Former Morimoto chef Kyohei Fukushi continues to strut his stuff at Bar Sasa, where a large fishtank now greets visitors as they walk in to the long narrow bar. more ›

- And the catchphrase of 2005: "Is this because I'm a lesbian?" more ›

Gothamist had an amazing meal at Bar Tonno a few weeks back. We were wowed by chef Kyohei Fukushi's crudo (and smitten with sous-chef Paul's Australian accent), so we were somewhat dismayed when we read that it had closed. New York Magazine reports that:

After opening to immediate critical acclaim, in these pages and elsewhere, Bar Tonno closed late last month, a victim of partners who couldn’t reach an operational consensus (when do they ever?).

New York Magazine has published Where to Eat Now, a dining guide for 2005, and it's already got us making lists of where we want to eat next year! And although we probably won't be able to afford per se or Masa (unless our financial circumstances change dramatically in 2005), there are plenty of options, whatever your budget or your tastes. Whether it's crudo at Bar Tonno, pizza at Franny's, chili at one of Daisy May's carts, noodles at Momofuko, or frog's legs at Gavroche, you'll be able to find something in the guide that revs up your tastebuds for the new year. Gothamist Food resolves to visit as many new places next year as our budgets and our waistlines can handle! more ›

- First date advice and what happens when non-Jews use JDate more ›

We never realized how "on the cutting edge" we were (or possibly over the hill) until this week, when we were about to do a review for Bar Tonno. We went there Saturday night before we knew this was the cool week to review it, we swear! But, given the fact that we have a day job to hold down, we had to wait until now to review it. And despite the fact that, this week alone, the Village Voice, NY Magazine, and even NY Times hit it (highlighting the squid ink shot, pictured at right), we're still going to share our visit with you. more ›