Around 3 a.m. we received word over the wire that there was a "large crowd" on 168 Delancey Street, AKA bar & nightclub The Delancey. However, the NYPD told us, "That's just typical of any night. It's not something we would be reporting on," so we'll have to rely on our "Twitnesses" for information. Here's what we're piecing together.
What Happened Outside The Delancey Last Night?
Pencil This In
FOOD: Those with a taste for expensive ham and the means to pay for it will be tantalized by tonight’s one-night-only 5 course tasting menu at Suba, a Spanish restaurant on the Lower East Side. Chef Seamus Mullen has obtained the prized “Rolls Royce of Ham” – Jamón Ibérico – and will be offering it tonight with Ossabaw Island hogs and Iberian wine. There are just a few seatings still available for tonight's event, which will also feature a winter salad with raw artichokes and pine mushrooms and a gnocchi dish with littleneck clams, among other delicacies. If the $110 price tag seems steep for the tasting menu and wine pairings, just think: The first shipments of ibérico ham that arrived last month after USDA restrictions were lifted cost $90-$99 a pound at Despaña. – John Del Signore
Pencil This In
EXHIBIT: Apparently there's an exhibit of Anna Nicole Smith photographs starting tonight. We can't find much info on it, but What's Up NYC says there's a "reception and exhibit of portraits and candid photographs of, wait for it, Anna Nicole Smith."
Pencil This In
READING: Jonathan Franzen reads at the Bam Cafe tonight, but not after a buffet that include wine from the Pine Ridge Winery and other treats. There will also be a live acoustic performance and a Q&A with Franzen.
Ed Burns at The Delancey
Of all the actors with bands (Jared Leto, Adrian Grenier, Jason Schwartzman) we had our money on Ed Burns to be in a pretty rockin' one. He recently played The Delancey with his band The Blue Jackets, and you can watch one of their songs from that night right here:
Pencil This In
READING: READINGS: Looks like literary talent might just be genetic - 26-year-old Owen King, son of best-selling spookmaster Stephen King, has a collection of a novella and short stories out and is reading tonight at the Astor Place Barnes & Noble. We're All in This Together has been called "compelling" and "imaginative", and having a famous father can't hurt, right? - Krissa Corbett Cavouras
Pencil This In
ART OPENINGS: Ann Craven's latest ?
Pencil This In
MUSIC: If you aren't going to a 06.06.06 party tonight, and if we are in fact all here and the apocolypse hasn't happened...we suggest getting over to the Delancey. Why? Because it's the first Beg Yr Pardon party and there will be free red velvet cupcakes and brownies! There will also be all you can eat BBQ if you're into that sort of thing (for an extra $5). Oh, and music! There is also music. The lineup is: Momad, Kickstart, Fenwick, Up The Empire and Cholo.
Eat This Book!
Stemming from a short piece in the Voice journalist Nerz writes about the history of competitive eating, tracks day to day training of the superstars and his own adventures in hope of gastrointestinal glory.
My Open Bar, Your Open Bar, Our Open Bar
Is it too early to post about free alcohol? Of course not. Have you heard of MyOpenBar.com yet? We have, though sadly admit to never taking advantage of it. Tonight, however, the site is having it's official (and long overdue) launch party.
Food Events: Gothamist Takes in Taste NY
Last week, The Delancey played host to the launch of Taste NY, a new TV show about eating in New York. As a co-production of NYC TV and Time Out New York, the connection is obvious from the venue (one of the rooftop bars featured in last week's cover story ahem Drink Up, ahem) to the premiere episode about cheap eats (this week's TONY cover story). The host, Kelly Choi, was on hand to ask what the best thing guests had eaten lately-our choice was the the almond cookie ice cream at The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory but if there is a God the footage of our sweaty face will never see the light of day. Kelly's got charisma to spare, statuesque and a little hyper, not unlike how we imagine Kimora Lee Simmons would come across after some pixie stix and her enthusiam for food has made us love her. Margaritas, punch and straight Corazon tequila got the crowd going and we were more than happy to be satiated by Patricia Yeo of Sapa's catering, especially the lemongrass cured salmon cucumber sandwhiches, more than a little appropriate for the Lower East Side. With unbridled enthusiasm and access to amazing chefs-and kitchens- we'll keep our eye on Taste NY.
Reel to Reel Records At The Delancey
Our friends at Reel to Reel Records, the indie internet-only record label, is having their Winter Party tomorrow night at the The Delancey. The line up features Laneview, Dangaru, The Royal Wylds, Electric Engine, Christopher Sullivan, Hayday, plus special guest The Shalitas. The show starts at 8PM, and Gothamist will be there to enjoy the rock. And it's free.
Coolfer's Holiday Party Season Music Picks
'Tis the season for corporate holiday parties, which could really get in the way of the great music we have in the coming week.
Coolfer's Slightly Hung Over Music Picks
Yeah, I'm pretty sure there are some shows coming up. Lemme collect myself...

