On Saturday there will be an informal memorial service for the late vegetable peeler peddler Joe Ades, organized by admirers of the distinctive street salesman. (More on Ades, who passed away Sunday, here.) more ›

A big crowd packed Joe on East 13th Street last night for New York’s first inter-cafe barista showdown, as representatives from some of the city’s top coffee houses competed in a Latte Art Throwdown to benefit American Red Cross relief efforts in Burma and China. In fact, so many spectators turned out to watch the competition – which was simulcast on the back wall – that they had to send out for more beer three times, “devolving from Sierra to cans of Bud Light,” according to event organizer Erin Meister. more ›

Serendipitously coinciding with Obama’s big primary win, tonight’s Latte Art Throwdown at the 13th Street Joe will surely be crawling elitist liberals who love stuff like delicious espresso and college education. The city’s top coffee houses (Ninth Street Espresso, Gimme Coffee, Cafe Grumpy, Everyman Espresso, and Gorilla Coffee) will be sending baristas to the event, which is called "Rosettas for Relief" and benefit the American Red Cross' efforts in Myanmar and China. more ›

DUANE PARK: When the beloved Tribeca restaurant Duane Park Café closed last January, general manager Marisa Ferrarin decided to keep hope alive by buying the place. With her partner Frank Locker, they’ve spent the past months transforming the interior with touches like an antique crystal chandelier. Chef Shawn Knight, who learned a thing or two from Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans, is bringing in a taste of the Big Easy with dishes like barbecued quail with a black-eyed-pea salad and Louisiana crabcakes with remoulade and paddlefish caviar. Save room for pecan pie with whiskey for dessert. 157 Duane Street, (212) 732-5555. more ›