Pinch & S’MAC: Dejected fans of Pinch, the defunct Park Avenue South “pizza by the inch” joint, will not only be reunited with their favorite Pinch pizza, but they can even slather it with the incredible mac-n-cheese from East Village favorite S’MAC. The new cheese and carb cartel will bring the best of both menus together on the Upper West Side, forming a single, unified, belt-busting celebration of starch. If you’ve never tried S’MAC, you’re......

Kellari’s Parea: This Greek bistro, housed in the space that was formerly Michael Symon’s Parea, was created by the same team that runs Kellari Taverna in midtown. This "green" restaurant features an organic menu that includes pizzas fresh from the wood-burning oven, lamb that has been marinated overnight, and eggplant with feta ice cream. 36 E 20th St between Broadway and Park Ave South (212-777-8448) Maxie’s Grill: This casusal offshoot of Angelo & Maxie’s steakhouse......

Today at noon, animal advocates will be holding a rally outside the Port Authority's headquarters at 225 Park Avenue South (between 18th and 19th Streets) to protest the PA's decision to round up feral cats at JFK Airport. The rally is organized by Neighborhood Cats and In Defense of Animals, two of many rescue groups who question the agency's reasoning that cats pose a danger to air traffic safety. In fact, Neighborhood Cats offers......

June 30: Italian Wine Merchants - A Study of Friuli Learn about Friuli-Venezia Giulia through a study of wine and food. Friuli's whites will keep you cool during the summer, but the red varietals hold their own as well. 1:00 - 3:00 pm, $75.00. Register online or by calling 212-473-2323 x106. Italian Wine Merchants - Studio del Gusto, 108 East 16th Street between Park Avenue South & Irving Place. June 30: 5th Annual Tuttorosso Pasta-Eating......

June 14-16: Food Film Festival, Part 1 This weekend is the official kickoff of the first annual NYC Food Film Festival at Water Taxi Beach. This weekend features regional american burgers and asparagus, with Hamburger America (for those of you who missed our QBQ Burger Bash last year), Asparagus! A Stalk-Umentary, and more, including your chance to taste the famed green chile cheeseburger. Drool. You can find the full schedule here. June 14, 19:......

The family and friends of the Brooklyn resident killed early Saturday morning by a hit-and-run driver hope that someone will step forward with information. Matthew Hopkins was crossing Park Avenue South at 22nd Street when a speeding car traveling south hit him near 4AM. The car didn't stop and Hopkins was later pronounced dead at Bellevue. Hopkins' friends and family are offering a $5,000 reward toward any information that leads to the capture of the......

Early yesterday morning, a 26-year-old Brooklynite was killed when crossing Park Avenue South. Matthew Hopkins had been walking west on East 22nd Street when a car traveling south struck him at around 4:09AM; witnesses say the car didn't even slow down. Hopkins was pronounced dead at Bellevue at 4:30AM. Police are looking for a 1991 maroon Honda with damage to the front; call Crime Stoppers (800-577-TIPS) with any information. And the Post reports that Hopkins......

June 7 - June 11: Broadway Panhandler "Yard Sale" Just because they don't technically have a yard in their new location won't stop Broadway Panhandler from having its annual Yard Sale, where you can find discounts of up to 75 percent off on select cooking supplies. 65 East 8th Street, 212-966-3434. June 8: Beard on Film Join directors whose films will be featured at the upcoming NYC Food Film Festival (June 14–16, 21–23, September 6–8):......

This week in the Times, Bruni goes to Esca, calls chef Dave Pasternack a "fish whisperer" (um, OK Frank) and awards the restaurant three stars. "In an era when too many restaurants try to be everything to everyone," he says, "Esca has a specific agenda: show what the sea can yield." The restaurant was previously awarded two stars by William Grimes in 2000. In $25 and Under, Peter Meehan checks out the cafes at the......

Last night's first Critical Mass ride in an era of the police parade rule that requires groups of 50 or more to apply for permits resulted in three people getting arrested, forty-four receiving tickets, and a few people getting summonses. Based on the NY Times and Newsday articles, the arrests were for disorderly conduct, obstructing government administration, and something to be determined. Newsday had this interesting account of one bicyclist's experience after the ride......

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a commercial hi-rise fire on Park Avenue South, a baby abducted from hospital in the Bronx, and something about "odor of gas" in Midtown! Interesting: cities with more bikers on the street actually have a lower rate of per capita biking injuries and fatalities-- apparently drivers learn to be more careful. The Archdiocese of New York: "We're looking for the lord. We're finding him. We're embracing him, and we've......

We recently got the opportunity to take a peek at Japonais, the much-anticipated Chicago import from partners Rick Wahlstedt, Miae Lim, and Jeffrey Beers. A great deal of detail went into the majestic space -- approximately 11,350 square feet (includes both inside and outside areas), which seats close to 300 patrons -- decked out with gold banquettes, red plush chairs, and multiple seating areas, including the bar and lounge, main dining room, an upstairs......

A high-end restaurant row is rapidly emerging on West 20th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue South. Three-star restaurants Gramercy Tavern and Veritas, nearly opposite one another, are now joined by the outstanding Greek newcomer Parea, just a few doors down. Parea, which means “group of friends,” is the creation of Michael Symon, the chef of Lola restaurant in Cleveland. (Many may know Symon from his profile in Michael Ruhlman’s "The Soul of a Chef.")......

Veritas is well known as an oenophiles delight. The wine list has the heft of a Tolstoy novel, with more than 1,300 offerings, and up to four sommeliers work the intimate space at one time. You might think the food would be an afterthought, but the surprise is that it is every bit as impressive as the wine. The menu at Veritas is full of quiet pleasures. Chef Scott Bryan presents dishes that each remain......

So we were looking over the Gothamist Contribute and we noticed the photo to your left from kerfuffle & zeitgeist's flickr stream. Ever since we were first started going on urban hikes (not to mention when we started working nearby) we've found this incongruous sign, located on 27th and Park Avenue South, and it's many brethren strange. We'd just never thought of Fourth Avenue being a "real" avenue beyond it's tiny existance between Astor......

The Department of Transportation is looking into making Union Square more pedestrian friendly. Well, it's certainly not car friendly as it is. NY1 reoprts that the DOT is looking at creating a "possible five-foot sidewalk on the north end of the park and modifying the timing of traffic signals to allow more east-west traffic flow, which would also allow for more east-west pedestrian crossing time." A sidewalk for the north end of the park?......

- Paris Commune, the West Village eatery that moved into new space at 99 Bank Street last year, is celebrating its anniversary by opening the Rouge Wine Bar. Quaff wines from France, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Chile while you wait for a table upstairs, or finish off your night by sipping on a glass of cognac while you gaze at the original fresco covering two walls. Look closely and you might see Marc......

Drink Up will be a regular bar review column appearing Friday afternoons, in hopes that it'll give you a new (or old) spot to check out over the weekend. Enjoy, and drink up! Gothamist was curious as to what George Ruotolo (Tribe, Vig Bar) had up his sleeve when he and partners opened PS 450 in the unsettled area of north Murray Hill. We bravely ventured above 14th Street to report and were immediately put......

So you've made it through another Valentines Day -- whether you shared a romantic evening with your sweetie-pie or drank your sorrows away with some spicy shiraz, it's time to move on, as there are some food and wine events this week that need your attention: February 15: The Soul of a Red Wine, 6:30–8:00 p.m. Peggy Lauber of Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek Vineyards will lead a tasting and discussion of the basics of......

If you were all set to flash the new peach-imbued twenty dollar bill, be warned that many NY shop owners are dubious of it and don't believe it's real. Riaz Mohammed, the manager of Gramercy Park Photo on Park Avenue South, tells the Post, "There's no way I would accept this. Have you got anything else?" but the Federal Reserve feels everyone will be used the newer and uglier bills in a few weeks.......

Big Apple Barbecue
Gothamist tries barbecue from around the country without leaving Manhattan....

Aaron mentioned this way back, but since the event is tomorrow and Sunday, we'll mention it again: The 1st Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, presented by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, Blue Smoke, and The Jazz Standard. It's all happening on East 27th Street, between Park Avenue South and Lexington Avenue. And as Gothamist loves to eat, we'll be there. With digital cameras, even though Lockhart Steele is afraid of our pictures. The......