FOOD: Trestle on Tenth, the “homey joins hearty” Swiss-inflected restaurant that takes its name from its proximity to the High Line and the avenue where it’s found, kicks off a special five-night series called “metzgete.” The Swiss tradition loosely translates to “butchers affair” and arises from the practice of salvaging every scrap of pig after the winter slaughter – “especially those parts that would or could not be dried, smoked or pickled for later consumption.”......

There are a number of restaurants opening in 2008 that we've been eagerly awaiting and we thought we'd highlight some that particularly piqued our interest and have us drooling in anticipation. John Dory -- this new meatpacking seafood spot comes from Spotted Pig owner Ken Friedman and Partner/Executive Chef April Bloomfield. Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich are also partners, not to mention neighbors. Sara Ochs will serve as the Chef de Cuisine. It is designed......

This week Inside Edition aired footage of rats in some of New York's more popular restaurants. The statement we received from the program states: "In middle to late August, Inside Edition’s 'Rat Patrol' took to the streets of Manhattan between 1am and 4am peering their cameras and flashlights into the windows of a wide variety of eateries from fast food places to fine dining establishments." In total they found 22 restaurants harboring the urban......

July 19: Summer Wine Tasting The Village Pourhouse is hosting a tasting tonight featuring select wines from the award winning Anthony Road Wine Company, guided by John Martini, Anthony Wine's owner. While you sip, nibble cheese samplings provided by Heluva Good Cheese and listen to live music provided by Akiva. Tickets cost $25 and are available online. For more information call Cari at 212-228-4200 x8003. 64 Third Avenue at 11th Street. July 22: Top Chef......

Recently the occasion popped up to go by Trestle on Tenth, the newest restaurant on this still burgeoning, food focused stretch of Tenth Avenue north of 14th Street. Chef and owner Ralf Kuettel has set up camp with modernized versions of dishes from his native Switzerland. Not knowing what to expect was a welcome plus for the experience (not another Italian restaurant, thank god) and the dishes surely did not disappoint. For that matter neither......

Thanks to the folks at New York Mag for bringing this one to our attention. Tia Pol's Chef Alex Raij is putting together a Valentine's day menu that contains loving tributes to her favorite dishes throughout the city. Some of Alex's favorites are ours too: Banh Mi So 1's amazing sandwiches, Pearl Oyster Bar's lobster rolls, 'ino's truffled egg toast, and Momofuku's pork buns. For each dish, she creates her own variation. If you could......

January 29: First Day of the Lunar New Year -- Year of the Dog There's plenty going on to celebrate the Lunar New year, but of course we're focused on the food. Explore Chinatown's site has a list of restaurants offering special feasts for the occasion, including Gothamist favorite Fuleen Seafood, and explains the different foods that are traditionally eaten as part of the celebration. January 31: Chef Tasting Series at Appellation: Marc Meyer Join......

It's all about the latest addition to the Batali/Bastianich empire in this morning's food news. The big one (and we mean really big -- 24,000 square feet between the dining area and the kitchen): Del Posto. Frank Bruni at the Times gives us fair warning of what to expect: $240 rack of veal, $220 shoulder of pork and a $200 whole king salmon for four to eight people, to be carved within view of the......

The New York Times reports that the newest addition to the Rosa Mexicano empire is scheduled to open this Saturday. Fingers crossed -- it's always good to have another location for our passionfruit margarita and fresh guacamole fix. Also open: Cookshop, from the folks who brought you Five Points, (yes, we know about all the damn hype); 156 Tenth Avenue (20th Street), (212) 924-4440. Also "Loft, a lounge and restaurant mixing Asian and Mediterranean, 505......

Police believe one man is responsible for seven sexual assaults in NYC and NJ over the past year. This past Friday, he grabbed a woman who was leaving the club Cain in Chelsea, and then dropped her off in Elizabeth, NJ, after raping her. This incident occured at 4AM, at West 24th Street and Tenth Avenue; Cain is on West 27th near Tenth. This MO is similar to an incident last Halloween, when a woman......

One of the books we've been enjoying recently (recommended by brokentype - thanks again) is Waterfront: A Journey Around Manhattan by Philip Lopate. Lopate looks at how New York's waterfront developed; he calls the waterfront "the key to New York's destiny." It's full of rich details (maybe too specific for a reader looking for a quick browse), and since Gothamist is always fascinated by how the city was built, it's a must if you're a......