Manhattan: Lower East Side Archives
The Temporary Shutter: BabyCakes' Oven Down
Lower East Side: We just received the above picture with the following email from an alarmed fan of the LES vegan bakery Babycakes: "They said they'd be open later but when I called they said they were shut down for the day and can't find the part for their oven. OH NO!!!! Maybe this is boring for you guys but it sucks for us who love them!" For those of you who consider a one day loss of vegan cupcakes a disaster, sit tight. The bakery tells us they'll be open tomorrow AM pending their oven repair. [ShutterWire]
EaterWire: Todd English's New Project, NYC Summer Restaurant Week, and Stumptown at Frankies 17
NEW YORK CITY— Mr. Cutlets brings in some juicy news from the universe of celeb chef Todd English: "English’s rep has told us exclusively that [Sam] Hazen, who left the massively profitable Tao back in May to focus on his consulting business HazenX3 and to work on a Nolita hotel, has now joined Todd English Enterprises, and will help English develop new concepts." [Cutlets]
NEW YORK CITY— New York City's Summer Restaurant Week takes place July 21 - August 1, and if you have an Amex, you can make your resys now. Otherwise you'll have to wait until Thursday to get a guaranteed $35 dinner at restaurants including L'Impero, Anthos, Gramercy Tavern, and Bar Boulud. The "week" is a crap shoot in a way since you never know which restaurant is really going to deliver the goods. But if you're into it, mark those calendars now. [EaterWire]
More Stumptown in Manhattan.>>Monday Opening Report Coda: Diamond’s Wine Bar
Lower East Side: It took just under two years for someone to make a go of it at 188 Allen Street, the sliver of space formerly occupied by Maradona Hookah Bar. Sometime in the last few weeks Diamond’s Wine Bar, a sleek-looking lounge that boasts a staff of scantily clad waitresses, opened up shop in a space half covered by scaffolding from the site of the Allen Street Hotel. The owner of the bar, a muscle-bound giant with a thick Russian accent who (brace yourselves) goes by the name of Diamond, tells locals he is the owner of The VIP Club - a strip club in Chelsea. That would explain the waitresses. Status: Certified Open. 188 Allen St., Lower East Side; 646-861-2195 [EaterWire]
— Chris Faherty
Adventures in Shilling #033: THOR, Last Licks, Thunder Jackson's, Brooklyn Ice House
It's time for another edition of Adventures in Shilling, in which we fight shilling the best way we can, by shaming tasteless, unscrupulous shills into submission. Well, that's the plan, at least. Fight shills yourself by dropping offensive links to tips@eater.com
This week all of the big shills come from our own comments section and tipline. Because if you want to fight shills, you have to start on your home turf. We've got a special 100% shill probability today so read through for all the despicable and sad attempts:
What makes this shill more suspicious than it already seems to be is that we've heard a number of negative reports on The Brooklyn Ice House. But to each his own: "Awesome neighborhood bar. The food is super tasty; brisquet, pulled pork sandwiches and now burgers. it offers a small, but good beer selection and reasonable prices for both the food and drink. The owner Trevor is a very nice guy and the other bartenders seem to be cool people as well. Its just what the doctor ordered."A 100% Shill, ahead.>>
Shill Probability 47%The following comment comes across as a shill mostly because it was posted almost three months after this original post went live. Oh, and also all the exclamation points. The Thunder Jackon's people just won't let up: "I don’t usually comment on sites like this BUT….are you all crazy?? The food is amazing! Do you realize that the chef is someone from a very upscale eastside restaurant? This is not your ordinary bar food. It is definitely not a Costco burger. Have the steak – it’s just as good as any fine steak house!!!! OK…. the "40's bag” thing is a bit corny- but the food is awesome!!"
Shill Probability: 72%
Friday Resy Giveaway!! Allen & Delancey
Didn't get that spot at Ko and need a resy for tonight? Skip the resy scalpers. In an attempt to throw a meaningful albeit small wrench in their system, we'll be giving away primo reservations. On Fridays. For free. Boomski.
This week:
ยท 7:30 p.m. resy for 2 tonight at Allen & Delancey
If you want in, email tips@eater.com telling us why.
Adventures in Shilling #031: THOR, Country, Highbar, Agave
It's time for another edition of Adventures in Shilling, in which we fight shilling the best way we can, by shaming tasteless, unscrupulous shills into submission. Well, that's the plan, at least. Fight shills yourself by dropping offensive links to tips@eater.com
The shills haven't been as ubiquitous this week, so perhaps the restaurant PR folk are taking a vacay during Shitshow Week. Sadly, there were still a few suspect comments left here, in the inbox, and on Citysearch, and we feel it's our duty to expose them.
Man, we hate to do this to you Geoffrey, but the commenters brought our attention to this possibly shilly comment: "I must totally disagree with many of the comments made by these people on Country. I have eaten there a few times and last week had lunch there. The service was fantastic. The food was exquistely prepared. The chef came out to the table to explain where he gets his food from. The wine list has been totally overhauled. Not only was our selection fantastic, but it also made for great reading until our meals came. Over all it was so nice I will definately be back, probably this week."THOR and Agave, next.>>
Shill Probability: 29%The following Citysearch comment is a suspect shill because it's the commenter's first review ever and it's a bit on the rosy side: "I went to the High Bar outdoor patio on a Wednesday night after work for drinks. The ambiance was incredible. I can't imagine a better place on a sunny day. I fear that as more people get wind of High Bar, it will be impossible to get in the door and will be a much more high strung crowd. *Sigh*...It was a relatively young and mixed crowd, suits and hipsters alike. The drinks are expensive. The cocktails are around $16 and come in plastic high ball glasses.
Shill Probability: 45%
EaterWire: San Domenico Send-Off, Cold Stone Deal, New THOR Chef, and Free Coffee at Starbucks
CENTRAL PARK— Florent isn't the only city staple closing next month. San Domenico (which is actually relocating) closes its doors on June 17th and is celebrating its anniversary in the month leading up to it: "...it is kicking off a 20-day celebration to celebrate its 20-year anniversary. From tomorrow until June 17, the restaurant is featuring items from its first menu at its original price of $55 for three courses — and throwing in a free glass of Spumante Brut sparkling wine." [NYS]
ASTOR PLACE— The Cold Stone Creamery in Astor Place will be offering 8 cent scoops on June 8th as part of some scheme with the coupon distributor 8coupons. [QSR]
LOWER EAST SIDE— We received this email from a tipster/PR person about the new chef at THOR: "A great new executive chef, Jesi Solomon, and a new menu!!!!!! It is fabulous. Jesi was Sous at Stanton Social." [EaterWire]
"Bucks Update>>EaterWire: Jean Adamson Gives Notice at Freemans
LOWER EAST SIDE— 'Tis the season for seeing chefs on the move. We have it on good authority that Jean Adamson, the executive chef at Freemans restaurant has given her notice. Of course the the officials at the restaurant are straight up denying, so this is still in the unconfirmed territory until Messrs. Somer and Tigertt pony up the info. According to sources, Adamson plans to open her own restaurant in Brooklyn with her boyfriend, an owner of the Freemans Sporting Club. No word on who is to replace her. [EaterWire]
Friday Resy Giveaway!! Allen & Delancey
Didn't get that spot at Ko and need a resy for tonight? Skip the resy scalpers. In an attempt to throw a meaningful albeit small wrench in their system, we'll be giving away primo reservations. Every Friday. For free. Boomski.
This week:
· 7 p.m. resy for 2 tonight at Allen & Delancey
If you want in, email tips@eater.com telling us why.
The First Word: Stanton Social's New Tapas Steakhouse, The Darkroom May Lose License, Crif Dogs Update, and More!
Welcome to First Word, wherein Eater and its correspondents sit for hours at steamy community board meetings to bring back the first word of new establishments and what they're up to. Your reports from the field always encouraged to tips@eater.com.
As is the norm these days, last night's Community Board 3 SLA & Economic Development Committee meeting was a doozy. Owners of restaurants and bars big and small battled the CB for the right to liquor up their patrons. Let's see who sneaked one by and who got the big hammer drop:
1) The committee rejected Ludlow Street's Darkroom for a liquor license renewal. They cited several infractions including noise complaints a few counts of selling booze to minors. The bar will have to plead its case with the full board later this month.
2) Robert Schagrin, co-owner (with Drew Nieporent and Josh Guberman) of Crush, or what he called "the most famous wine shop in the world," was on hand vying for a license for a potential Italian spot on B and 3rd. Robbie insisted it would be frequented by the sommeliers of places like Cru, Daniel and Veritas, but didn't have all the necessary paperwork.
3) The team behind Stanton Social are planning on opening a "tapas-style steakhouse" at 146 Essex in what is now a furniture shop. They said they were waiting for liquor license approval from the CB before signing the lease, and the committee granted their request. If all goes according to plan, we'll all be feasting on overpriced miniature steaks by summer '09.
Crif Dogs, Gourmet Burgers, Fu Sushi, and More!!>>EaterWire: Power Outage at Allen & Delancey
LOWER EAST SIDE—Looks like there's some trouble in paradise. We've now read two separate reports of a power outage at LES darling Allen & Delancey last night, and there's still no word as to whether the problem has been fixed. From a disgruntled would-be diner:
"Allen & Delancey claimed that their kitchen lost power last night and turned away all their customers. All the lights in the dining area and bar were on though...I was a bit pissed that they didn't just call us (they did call to confirm our reservation) to tell us about this to save us the trip."At first we figured/hoped there could be a scandal afoot, but a post on Doree Chronicles corroborates the intel:
"That was when most of the lights went out and the music stopped...Then the manager came over and said the electrician was coming; his entire kitchen was out, including the coolers and the hood and the stove. We were welcome to wait, or leave."An UPDATE ahead.>>
EaterWire: Guastavino's Reopening, James Murphy Joins Andrew WK Project, New Menus at Rosanjin & Spitzer's Corner, and a New Chef at Queen's Hideaway
MIDTOWN EAST— Guastavino's, a landmark event space under the 59th Street bridge, is opening on May 12 after "substantial renovations." A new executive chef John Stevenson is on board to serve classic American fare. [EaterWire]
SOHO— Cutty brings the news from Andrew WK's new project on 100 Lafayette: "LCD Soundsystem front man, James Murphy, reveals on his label's message board that he’ll be doing a little something there called Special Disco Version." [Cutlets]
LOWER EAST SIDE— Zagat gets dibs on the new menu at Spitzer's Corner: "Lower East Side gastropub Spitzer's Corner has completed a whole new menu, which had been a work-in-progress over the past two months. Consulting chef Wayne Nish (of the late Nish and March) and chef de cuisine Sung Park have dropped everything from the original menu – except the homemade pickles ($4) and the short rib burger ($10)." [Zagat]
New Chefs, another new menu, ahead.>>Back to top
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