Results tagged “wyliedufresne”

Yesterday, chef Grant Achatz of Alinea was slated to deliver a presentation on his eclectic serving implements (the antiplate, tripod, and squid) at the StarChefs ICC. First, however, he had a few words in response to “something that came up with a group of gentlemen,” referring to Anthony Bourdain and English chef Marco Pierre White’s controversial Sunday night panel.

           

The festive factor was running high at last night's Taste of the Lower East Side, the 8th Annual fundraiser for the Grand Street Settlement. Forty neighborhood eateries pitched in to benefit Grand Street's programs that assist low-income Lower East Side residents, and they showcased some of their best dishes for the crowd of well over 1,000 people.

Today the Times’s chief food critic Frank Bruni revisits WD-50 (pictured) and elevates the Lower East Side avant-garde restaurant to three stars (a 2003 Times review by another critic had awarded it two). Chef Wylie Dufresne has made WD-50 a destination with his experimental, transgressive menu, and Bruni concedes that in the past “too many of his creations were gratuitously perverse… many visitors understandably feel that what they’ve experienced isn’t so much a meal as a prank.” But now most of the dishes are “knockouts” and Bruni extols “the tidiest Benedict the egg-loving world has ever known.”

Last night, Savoy chef and local foods champion Peter Hoffman gave a presentation at the Museum of Natural History on the role of water in sustainable farming, in conjunction with the ongoing Water: H2O = Life exhibit (now through May 25). We missed it too, but found some similar upcoming events. Call it the Mr. Wizard meets Escoffier edition- these food happenings deal with the intersections of ingredients, science, and art.

Without much fanfare last July, Alex Stupak replaced Sam Mason as pastry chef at Wylie Dufresne's Clinton Street avant-garde institution WD~50. Prior to arriving in New York, Stupak, who will turn 27 later this month, had already accrued a blockbuster resume- most notably he was the pastry chef at Alinea in Chicago, named the #1 restaurant in the United States by Gourmet magazine in 2006. Last week, Stupak talked with Gothamist while plating one his desserts at WD~50.

Gothamist would like to congratulate Chef Jason Neroni of Porchetta on today’s New York Times review. The following conversation took place two weeks ago at the Smith Street restaurant.

- Ed Levine wonders aloud if there is such a thing as a "cheap 4 star" eating experience, and then tells us about his, at the Del Posto Enoteca.

Gothamist's Star Chefs report is brought to us by Regina Varolli, a Manhattan-based freelance writer. Though most of her private clients are in DC, she lives here because the food is better, in general.

Gothamist's Star Chefs report is brought to us by Regina Varolli, a Manhattan-based freelance writer. Though most of her private clients are in DC, she lives here because the food is better, in general.

Savory New York, created by husband and wife team Christopher and Jennifer McBride takes the classic online restaurant guide one step further. In addition to basic facts and information about atmosphere, noise level, signature dishes, and links to other reviews, Savory New York brings us video profiles of restaurants. From the comfort of your own computer, you can watch Tom Colicchio (Craft), Daniel Boulud (Daniel), David Chang (Momofuku Noodle Bar), Jody Williams (Gusto), Wylie Dufresne (wd-50) and other top chefs share their perspectives and cooking philosophies. Neat, huh?

The other night, Gothamist had the most decadent dream: in one night, we ate at Hearth, WD-50, Asiate, Public, Cru, Sumile and Per Se. We sipped wines from all over the world, and nibbled on delectable desserts from Spice Market. When we woke up the next morning, we realized that it wasn't a dream after all -- it was the StarChefs.com annual Rising Stars Revue, and Gothamist was there.

The NY Times noted the similarity between this incident and Burke O'Brien's death on Orchard Street two years ago. The O'Brien murder also occured in the early morning, around 4AM. This makes Gothamist think that even though the Lower East Side is hopping with bars and activity, like any part of the city, it's vulnerable at night.

This past week Gothamist learned two very important things that we will carry with us into the New Year: we love sherry and we hate sherry hangovers.

Veritas Tender Braised Veal

WD-50's Red and Golden Beets

Upon entering Time Out New York's Eating & Drinking event at Splashlight Studios the other night, Gothamist felt a little like we had wandered into a fashion event rather than a food event -- stark white walls, dj_cat's 80's music blaring, and tall, thin, beautiful people who certainly looked like they didn't spend all that much time eating. But after we got over feeling a little like Team Party Crash and getting over the fact that we were about a foot shorter than everyone there, we relaxed and joined in the festivities. The event celebrated the launch of TONY's latest Eating and Drinking guide by featuring over 35 restaurants featured within and bringing together some of the city's most famous chefs, including Wylie Dufresne of WD-50. With two floors of tasty delights to choose from, we opted out of Wylie's pickled beef tongue sandwich (sorry, Wylie, tongue still freaks us out a little), and headed upstairs to taste some of the international cuisine featured there.

Eating In: 71 Clinton Fresh Food's Warm Stuffed Figs

This fundraiser, which benefits Lincoln Center, will be held on Tuesday, June 13th and will feature tastings from some of the city's finest chefs, including David Bouley, Wylie Dufresne, and Tom Valenti. Tickets are $250. For more information, call 212.875.5460 or visit the Lincoln Center website.

Bronx - "the Bronx"

The Council on the Environment of NYC runs the Greenmarket and has schedules for what runs when. And then there's the big kahuna of them all in NYC: The Union Square Greenmarket.

It's true: There is a Nancy Pearl librarian doll with shushing action.

dishes that they have created are copied with nary a glance backward, but more of a middle finger backward, it seems. One dish to be mercilessly imitated: Daniel Boulud's foie-gras, short rib, and truffles stuffed sirloin burger, the DB burger at DB Bistro Moderne.

These dudes look like they're in a rock band or just went to check one out downtown. But actually they are the chefs at WD-50, headed by Wylie Dufresne, formerly of 71 Clinton Fresh Food and who helped spark the Lower East Side restaurant boom. The Times gives foodies a glimpse into the new operation. Don't know if Wylie Dufresne is trying to be all ironic, but WD-50 is a lot like WD-40. Not to worry 71 Clinton fans - the new chef is doing just fine.