All stories about "Al Fresco"
The Curious Case of Greenpoint's Papacito's
Restaurateurs have all kinds of weird setups in New York. Cramped kitchens, dumbwaiters, hot plates instead of burners, and on and on. Yet we rarely hear about a restaurant actually sharing its kitchen with another. Our roving photographer found out that's exactly the case at Greenpoint's new and already packed outdoor restaurant/bar Papacito's. His report:
I swung by Papacito's and ran into the owner (former owner of Brooklyn Label). He says they won't be totally up to speed for another week (even though they're technically already open since last weekend). Right now the menu is just a sign on the wall but they'll soon have printed menus. More significantly, I found out where the heck the cooking is being done. While there's some meat cooking outside on a grill, he's actually sharing the kitchen with the Thai place next door. He says they're actually buying out the Thai restaurant, so in addition to the beer garden area they'll have indoor seating (and delivery!) once they take over the space."We wonder if that means you can order Papacito's in the Thai place and Thai food out in the garden of Papa's. Would be nice no?
· South of the Border, By Way of Greenpoint [Brooklyn Based]
· The Curious Case of NYC's First 'Sports Bar for Kids' [~E~]
Steve Lewis has the news of yet another rooftop bar opening in time for summer. In a surprise twist, it's at Bed: "Mark Baker and the Mansion Crew have joined forces with the Pink Elephant crew, Alex Martini, Yura and a host of others to get Bed's rooftop reopened for the upcoming season...The space, formerly known as Bed Rooftop, will be named something along the lines of Sky Garden." [Good Night Mr. Lewis]
Opening Report Coda: Rink Bar
Rink Bar, the seasonal bar and grill set up in the middle of Rockefeller Center, opened on Mother's Day, but they held an official opening party last night to celebrate the momentous occasion. Since they didn't want to lose any business from their Rock Center happy hour regulars and curious tourists, they cordoned off a section to give away free cocktails (strong and incredibly cloying) and some bar food (a chicken wrap was a low note) to the press and VIPs. It wasn't the most enjoyable opening shin dig, but that's neither here nor there. As far as workers in and around Rockefeller Center are concerned, summer is officially here.
· Plywood: Rink Bar [~E~]
Eater Sneak Preview: Highbar
Highbar, one of the city's newest rooftop lounges, opened last night for a friends and family preview before their official opening next week, and we have to say it has a pretty sweet setup. Great views, a modern design, plenty of cushioned seating (including private beds), and a grill for burgers all make it a great summer night spot. And the fact that Greg Brier of D’Or, and Amalia is behind it means these kids know what they're doing.
But there's a catch. The level of douchiness will undoubtedly be an issue the second it opens (in 9 days) and will reach unbearable heights by mid-June. However, Brier has said he is trying his damnedest to attract industry types with special parties and discounts. But no matter what he does, the location off Times Square (at 48th and 8th) means all kinds of be-suited office types will be cramming in for their $18 cocktails (and helping Brier pay his rent, natch). Our thinking is, if you are invited to a party here, go. Otherwise, don't say we didn't warn you.
· Rocky Mountain Highbar [Good Night Mr. Lewis]
· A First Look at Highbar, Midtown's Newest Rooftop [Cutlets]
EaterWire: A60 Opens in One Hour
SOHO— A60, 60 Thompson's exclusive, spectacular rooftop bar opens today at 5 p.m. If you aren't a guest of the hotel or holder of an access card, you're ostensibly screwed. But, from the release we just got: "When the weather turns warm, true New Yorkers know the best place to relax and unwind is on the roof of 60 Thompson...The limited edition key card admission insures that the breathtaking space is never overcrowded and always filled with New York's movers and shakers. The 2008 season begins Wednesday, May 14th. Hours are 5:00pm -1:00am, seven days a week, weather permitting." [EaterWire]
EaterWire: Patroon's Rooftop Lunch, Caliente Cab Co. Settles
MIDTOWN— Midtown's Patroon is serving lunch on their roof for the summer: "In late summer last year, Patroon started offering lunch service on their roof for the first time; it proved so popular that this year they’re doing it all season long, and with several improvements: new tables and more comfortable chairs, and heating lamps for days when there’s a chill in the air. They’ve also introduced a special rooftop menu of lighter fare." [EaterWire]
WEST VILLAGE— Remember when a worker at Caliente Cab Co. chased a lesbian out of the ladies room because she thought she was a man? Cutlets brings the not so shocking news that the company settled: "...though Caliente denies any wrongdoing, they’ve agreed to pay $35,000 in a settlement, along with adding gender identity to its nondiscrimination policy and updating the employee handbook with a restroom section." [Cutlets]
Gowanus Yacht Club Alert: Today's Special
CARROLL GARDENS— "Today Only: Duck Confit With Every Beer." [EaterWire]
EaterWire: Gowanus Yacht Club 2 Days Out
CARROLL GARDENS—A Eater correspondent lets us in on the status of everyone's favorite summer restaurant/beer garden, Gowanus Yacht Club: new tables are out, extra soundproofing has been added to the walls, and a chalkboard out front says, "Opening Any Day Now." We're all still waiting on the menu. A call to the restaurant confirms: They are opening this Friday at 4 p.m. Stay tuned for the around the clock coverage and/or liveblogging of the momentous event.
· EaterWire: Two Weeks Left at Gowanus Yacht Club [~E~]
—photo credit
Listage: Al Fresco Edition
It's quarter to five on the warmest day of the year. You need to sit outside tonight.
· NYC Drinking in the Great Outdoors [Gridskipper]
· Outdoor Dining [MUG]
· Outdoor Seating in New York [Citysearch]
· Tops Outdoors [Zagat]
· Outdoor Dining [NYM]
· Outdoor Seating [TONY]
EaterWire: Empire Hotel Roof Bar, Updates on Scott Conant, New Kefi Location, Chickpea Goes Glatt Kosher, and a real Indian Deli
UPPER WEST SIDE— Check out the sweet rooftop bar that's set to grace the top of the Empire Hotel (right). Zagat has the details: "...the Empire Hotel doesn’t have much of a reputation as a hot gathering spot. But we’re betting that will change quickly when its rooftop lounge opens to the public around May. Details are scarce – we can only confirm that the space has been leased by Jeffrey Chodorow's China Grill Management, which plans to renovate it." [Zagat]
MEATPACKING DISTRICT— Cutty's got the update on ex-L'Impero and Alto chef Scott Conant: "He will be the chef-owner of Scarpetta, which will open in the meatpacking district this spring at 355 West 14th Street. The place is conceived as seasonal Italian and will feature the kind of elegant, yet elemental and assertive food Conant is known for...The room, which is designed by S. Russell Groves, will hold 70 seats, have a long mahogany bar, and a twenty-seat café in the front." [Cutlets]
The deal with Kefi, Chickpea, and a Midtown Indian deli, next.>>Sign up for our email newsletter.
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