EaterWire Archives
EaterWire AM Edition: Perry St to Offer Room Service, Pantry Stocking
WEST VILLAGE—Seems like special access to a local restaurant is the newest hot amenity for new developments. First Centrovini brokered a deal with nearby building Soho Mews, offering special deliveries, VIP resys, and appearances by chef Patti Jackson. And now Jean-Georges himself is offering to harness to powers of Perry St for the new Asymptote-designed development 166 Perry St, going up down the block. From the press release: "The 166 Perry Street alliance will include room service to residents of the new building...Vongerichten will also offer residents of 166 Perry Street individually customized catering and related services for private parties at home, including his own presence as chef upon request; VIP bookings at Perry St; and regular pantry stocking service via an extensive list developed personally by Vongerichten and his senior staff. [166 Perry St. Press Release (pdf)]
EaterWire: Florent Rumors, Andrew W.K. Denied
MEATPACKING DISTRICT— A tip from someone eavesdropping at a recent visit to the doomed Florent: "Just overheard a waiter telling a regular customer who'd just been gone awhile that yes they are closing. They are supposed to close in March but, and here he put his fingers to his lips and whispered shhhhh, the landlord isn't going to kick them out. but, he advised, 'we'll have to be quiet about it.'" [EaterWire]
CHINATOWN—And there's an update on Andrew W.K.'s new music venue Santa's Party House, which is set to open in early April: "SLA spokesman Bill Crowley tells us that although the authority provisionally approved a liquor-license application in 2006, it ultimately rejected it last Friday (as indicated by documents we’ve obtained), since the place hadn’t yet acquired or submitted a certificate of occupancy, among other things. " [Cutlets]
EaterWire: Saigon Workers Win Court Case, Magnetic Field to Shutter
GREENWICH VILLAGE—It's a great day in the world of organized labor: a judge ruled that the owners of Saigon Grill illegally fired 28 delivery men for filing a lawsuit against them: "...the owners illegally fired the men and must reinstate them, with back pay for all the wages they were denied since their dismissal. It’s presumed the Ngets will now have to pay the deliverymen the minimum wage of $4.85 an hour, which is roughly triple the $1.60 some claimed they were paid. Saigon Grill plans to appeal the decision." [Gothamist]
COBBLE HILL—Imbible has the news that Brooklyn bar and music venue Magnetic Field is shuttering next month: "'After five-plus years of rocking Atlantic Avenue and entertaining thousands of customers and welcoming hundreds of great bands, Magnetic Field in Brooklyn will be closing its doors on March 31st'...The press release also indicates that the bar will go out with a big bang of final shows the last week of March." [Imbible]
EaterWire: Bao 111 Moving, Olana Preview, New Trattoria in the Heights, Biscuit BBQ closes, and Robert Irvine Updates!
Eater Photo Pool/Eating in Translation
EAST VILLAGE— Cutty has it that beloved Avenue C noodle joint Bao 111 will move at the end of the month to a space on the West Side: "He doesn’t want to jinx lease negotiations by giving us a location, but he says the new digs will be larger than the original. 'We’ve had a great time, but rents have gone through the roof,' he tells us of his departure from the East Village. 'It’s more difficult to get a space with square footage.'" [Cutlets]
FLATIRON— A correspondent was at the press opening of the already buzzed about Olana and submits the following report: "The classic Hall PR scrum—crowding akin to the steerage class of an early 20th century ocean liner--was in full effect at last night's opening party in the old Mad 28 space. Nonetheless, give maestro/lord of the infernal arts Steven Hall a gold star for self-awareness: "They call me an evil genius, but in my line of work, that’s just about the highest compliment you can receive." Number of canapés spotted, in total, over the course of an hour: 11. Average amount of time it took for food to disappear once exiting the kitchen: 27 seconds." [EaterWire]
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS— And from the inbox, more action in upper west Manhattan, but this time in Morningside Heights: "The former Cafe Pertutti, in Morningside Heights, has been papered over. According to the fellow in charge of the renovation (actually a gut job, if you get a look past the door), the new restaurant will be an Italian trattoria owned by the same folks who run Nonna, on Columbus and 85th." [EaterWire]
The Latest on Robert Irvine and the Closure of Biscuit BBQ, next. >>Eater Wire: Ed's Lobster Bar Expanding, Oscar and Arrow Opening, More UWS Shutterville
SOHO— This week the Strongbuzz Classifieds reveal Ed's Lobster Bar (of Pearl v. Ed litigation fame) is expanding: "Ed's Lobster Bar Seeks Experienced GM for NYC Expansion...Be ambitious, easy to get along, have 3-4 years experience. Must find and manage staff to deliver excellent service..." [Strongbuzz]
EAST VILLAGE— Looks like Avenue A is getting yet another divey rock 'n roll bar. According to a tip in the inbox: "Went to a private birthday party [last] Tuesday night at a new bar called Arrow in the East Village, in the space formerly occupied by the Rook and Route 85A. The place is being opened by a couple of the bartenders from Irving Plaza and one of the booking people at Pianos...Apparently they're gonna open sometime this weekend or next week." [Eater Wire]
SOHO— New French restaurant Oscar opens today, per a tipster: "Oscar is opening today, located in the old Cafe La Palette space on MacDougal between Prince and Houston. Its wine and beer only, looks very cozy and serves breakfast lunch and dinner. It has a 8 seat bar and some small cafe tables." [Eater Wire]
UPPER WEST SIDE— And the commenters are reporting that the UWS shutters discussed earlier today aren't the only ones in the nabe: "Metsovo recently closed on West 71st. Maya Schaper on West 69th has a note in the window indicating that "Cheese and Antiques" was nearly replaced by a Vietnamese bistro; instead they will be renovating to include a cafe. Many of the new additions to the neighborhood seem to be chains...not a good sign for the neighborhood-y feel of Columbus in the high 60s and 70s." [Eater Wire]
Eater Wire: Le Gamin Switcheroo, Aix Closes, Waiters' Day in Court, BLT Renderings
UPPER WEST SIDE— Cutlets reports that UWS neighborhood spot Aix will close this week: "We’re told by a source close to the restaurant that Aix Brasserie, Philip Kirsch's Upper West Side French restaurant, is closing after service on Sunday. Apparently, the costs and complexities of running the place have become too much for Kirsch to bear, particularly as he struggles to maintain FR.OG. The staff is to be told today." [Cutlets]
WEST VILLAGE— The West Village location of the NYC French bistro chain Le Gamin transformed into a different restaurant within the span of a week: "This week a stealth change took place over at the Hudson Street branch of Le Gamin. According to staff, along with rechristening the spot The New French, one owner is out and a new chef is in. The menu has also transformed, and instead of the same old quiche, crepes and salads, dishes like spiced pulled pork poutine, pho with shredded chicken, and shrimp-and-chicken meatballs add a welcome new spin." [Bottomless Dish]
Continue reading "Eater Wire: Le Gamin Switcheroo, Aix Closes, Waiters' Day in Court, BLT Renderings"Eater Wire: Secret LES Bar, EV Yacht Club on the Move, Taco Bite Resurfaces
LOWER EAST SIDE— Gawker stumbles upon a secret bar in a former vaudeville theater, takes a short video. From the videographer: "I shot as much as i could before I was forced to turn my camera off, but I think you can get an idea of the insanity that is this room. Easily one of New York's best kept secrets. I was told its an original vaudeville theater from way back and thats about all I could find out. I managed to spill a drink all over a old piano converted into a bar." [Gawker]
EAST VILLAGE— Cutty has it that the East Village Yacht Club is closing up shop and relocating: "'Apparently they are moving to a new space. Last night was their last open evening. They're moving to a two-floor space on Bowery and Bond. They'll open there in a week.' Perhaps he’s referring to the space on Bowery and Bleecker that used to house Mannahatta?" [Cutlets]
The Opening of Friedman's Deli and Taco Bite coming up. >>Eater Wire: Butterfish Wars, Nawab's move, Riverview Hotel Update, Momo License Petition
WEST VILLAGE— Down by the Hipster has some intel on the Riverview Hotel and its nascent tower lounge, opening in the building housing lounge and restaurant Socialista. Per DBTH: "the dynamic duo is going to turn the magnificent tower overlooking the water into a lounge. Very cool, if they decide to let anyone in or serve non-guests drinks. But we also wonder what their tenants at Socialista are feeling?" [DBTH]
MIDTOWN— This just in: Radar responds to Eric Ripert on the whole butterfish-gate ordeal. Says the author of the piece: "My issue is not with the portions, it's with what the fish does to you. And your pants. I don't think it can be likened to an allergic reaction because there seem to be —as you know as well—way too many adverse reactions to this fish. I'm sure Eric Ripert serves his escolar in such a way that it doesn't make people shit orange oil. He's good like that." Let the butterfish wars begin. [Radar]
Akhtar Nawab's new gig, Momo Ko Petition, Todd English News, one click away. >>Eater Wire: Egg now 'Pig & Egg', Pizza at Crosby, Hunts Point Aftermath, Destino Opening Thursday, and More
WILLIAMSBURG— Just last month George Weld's rabidly popular brunch spot Egg began serving dinner, and a commenter points out the restaurant is looking to get a liquor license under a new name: Pig & Egg. The dinner menu covers a slew of southern dishes including both pigs and eggs (and also fried chicken, natch), but we're still filing this one under bad call. [Eater Wire]
MIDTOWN EAST— Yesterday, we wondered why Justin Timberlake's restaurant Destino was shuttered, and commenters reported that the cause was a burst water pipe. We sent a correspondent who confirmed the shutter was temporary: "There's no DOH sticker on it but it's closed and empty and there are signs all over it that they'll be opening for Valentine's Day and thanks for the support...The bar was still full of bottles and there were no signs of disrepair or maintenance or construction that I could see from the street." [Eater Wire]
NOHO— Gothamist is reporting that Crosby Connection a.k.a. Crosby @ Parisi, is selling pizza and they've got the food porn photos to prove it. [Gothamist]
When is 10 Downing really opening? >>Eater Wire: JT's Destino in Trouble, Casella Opening on the UWS, and More
MIDTOWN EAST— Looks like we might have a possible shutter in the works for Justin Timberlake venture, Destino. Per the Gluttoness: "While Southern Hospitality may be crowded on the regular, it looks like there is trouble in paradise at Justin Timberlake's other culinary investment, the Italian eatery, Destino. Passerbys have confirmed that the restaurant is closed "until Valentine's Day" for circumstances "outside of their control". A peek into the window gives a glimpse into a disheveled space..." Fancy Timberlake groupies, sit tight: Eater correspondents are en route to find out the deal. [Gluttoness]
GREENELAND— Foodie vamp, seductress of Elvis and Burt Reynolds, famous hat wearer, and longtime reviewer for New York Magazine Gael Greene celebrates her 40th year as a restaurant critic today. Her commemorative post is a lengthy one, but here's a great quote re Greene's second favorite hobby: "Very young men were thrilled to join me for dinner and then boogie on Regine’s pulsating heart shaped floor till 2 or 3 in the morning. If you weren’t there it might be difficult to imagine the ecstatic years between the pill and the plague." Viva Gael Greene. [NYM]
Another cowboy restaurant for Cesare? >>Eater Wire: Restaurant Assoc Pres Linked to Mob, Grom is Hiring, More, More, More!
CARROL GARDENS—Joseph Chirico, the president of the Brooklyn branch of the New York Restaurant Association and owner of Carrol Gardens restaurant Marco Polo Ristorante, was indicted yesterday in the government's groundbreaking case against the mafia. TONY reports Chirico was "named among the 62 mob soldiers indicted for crimes relating to the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno families...suffice to say this doesn’t bode well for Brooklyn Restaurant Week." [TONY]
WEST VILLAGE—The latest news from gelato joint Grom is that they're opening next month and "they need full-time gelato producers, part-time scoopers, and shift supervisors. The new store will be located at 233 Bleeker Street, at Carmine." [EfV]
WEST VILLAGE—Employees Only's new chef Julia Jaksic, who just rolled out a new late night menu two weeks ago, just announced her new brunch menu, which they will start serving tomorrow. Full detail here. [Eater Wire]
EAST VILLAGE—17 year-old East Village Italian restaurant La Casalinga is shuttering on Monday due to rent increases: "They might be moving to the West Village or maybe Williamsburg. The future is uncertain. What is certain is that I will miss their delicious and cheap salads and pastas, which I've been eating for a decade and a half." [Vanishing NY]
The Shutter: El Portal, Jodie's Friends
It's a shuttery end to a shuttery week. Coming up next, Plywood Mania; now, the last of this week's closures. Know of a place that has met their demise? Let us know, yes?.
1) Lower East Side: A tipster emails: "I'm pretty sure El Portal on Allen Street has closed I walked by the other day and it was shuttered, and when I called the number, it was disconnected. Really a shame - they had great burritos." NB, this El Portal is not in any way related to the Elizabeth St. staple Cafe El Portal. [Shutter Inbox]
2) Central Village: Another tipster writes in: "Walked by Jodie's Friends on 8th Street earlier this week. Windows were covered with paper on inside. Phone has been disconnected. Pretty sure this restaurant opened in October 2007 (which you covered). It looked like they spent a good deal on interior design. While certainly not a record, less than 5 months of operations has to be in top 20. Looks like 8th Street, while certainly improved, is not for the weak of wallet (or patience)." [Shutter Inbox; previously]
3) West Village: Zagat Buzz reported of Absolutely 4th on West 4th Street lost their lease and closed. [Zagat Buzz]
4) Chinatown: Chinatown spot Almond Flower Bistro, known for its innovative former chef Chris Cheun, also shuttered this week. [Zagat Buzz]
Back to top
About Eater
From the newest temples of haute cuisine to the oldest dive bars in New York, from Batali to McNally, Eater has you covered. More about Eater...
Tipping Is Customary
Know about a restaurant opening or closing in your neighborhood, or other NYC restaurant gossip? Do let us know.
Restaurant Search
Archives & Feeds
Full-Content FeedContact Us
Email Eater
|
EATER
Editor
Amanda Kludt
Eater Radar Editor
Kelly Dobkin
Photography
Will Femia
Noah Kalina
Daniel Krieger
Interns
Erin Sikorsky
Adam Hass
Banner Design
Khoi Uong
Editors-in-Chief
Ben Leventhal
Lockhart Steele
