Grub Street

Eating Out on Thanksgiving: Go Beyond Turkey

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:00:00 -0500

If you're eating out this Thanksgiving (and whose oven can fit a turkey?), there are plenty of places to go for a tryptophan fix. But what if you hate turkey or are vegetarian or want beef? Or what if you think the whole turkey, stuffing, mashed-potatoes combo is an annual bore? No worries, because this is New York and nothing here is like anywhere else; you can eat whatever you want on Thanksgiving, as long as you're grateful for it. (It's a little tougher to make leftover sandwiches the next day, but you can always get one at the deli.) We found several restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinners that encompassed everything from bacon-wrapped wild salmon to porcini and chestnut roulade. Your taste buds will thank you.

Allen & Delancey: Striped bass, Arctic char, dry-aged beef strip, and veal. Three courses, $68. 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Amy Ruth's: Honey-glazed ham. Three courses, $27. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Artisanal: Duck bourguignon, wild-mushroom risotto, scallops, and skate. Three courses, $65. 11 a.m. to midnight.

Asiate: Sea bass, short rib, and gnocchi. Five courses, $98 adults, $58 children. Noon to 8 p.m.

At Vermilion: Feijoada, a spicy pork and black-bean stew. Five courses, $60. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Aureole: Entrées include venison, veal mignon, striped bass, and scallops. Three courses, $115 adults, $60 children. 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Aurora: Pork shoulder, lemon sole, and porcini risotto. Four courses, $65. Noon to 10 p.m.

BLT Market: Roasted prime rib and bacon-wrapped wild salmon. Three courses, $95. 1 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

BLT Prime: Dry-aged roasted prime rib and pan-seared Arctic char. Three courses, $68. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

BLT Steak: Roasted prime rib and pan-seared wild salmon. Three courses, $68. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Blue Fin: Halibut, crispy-skin salmon, wild striped bass, and grilled filet mignon. À la carte pricing. Noon to 10 p.m.

Braeburn: Rib eye, halibut, and wild-mushroom risotto. Three courses, $65. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Café des Artistes: Herb-and-garlic-crusted roast beef, pomegranate-glazed ham, Maine lobster, and caramelized diver scallops. Three courses, $85. 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Counter: Porcini and chestnut roulade. Three courses for $45. Noon to 9 p.m.

Craft: Roast salmon and roast sirloin. Three courses, $115. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Craftsteak: Roast salmon and roast sirloin. Three courses, $115. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Daniel: Bone-marrow-crusted Dover sole, kataifi-crusted sea scallops, and a duo of dry-aged Angus beef. Three courses, $135 adults, $65 children. Noon to 7 p.m.

davidburke & donatella: Filet mignon of veal, cavatelli and braised short rib, dry-aged prime rib eye, wild salmon "ham," halibut T-bone, lobster "steak," and Chatham cod. Three courses, $85. Noon to 9 p.m.

DB Bistro Moderne: Diver scallops, Atlantic salmon, orecchiette, and roasted rack of lamb. Three courses, $76 adults, $38 children. Noon to 9 p.m.

Dovetail: Short-rib gnocchi, prime rib, halibut, and ham. Three courses, $75. Noon to 9 p.m.

Eighty One: Salmon à la plancha, braised short rib, and sea scallops. Three courses, $65 adults, $32 children. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Eleven Madison Park: Wild skate and dry-aged prime beef. Four courses, $135. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Felidia: Pork ribs, beef shank, and lamb sausage. Four courses, $68. 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Five Points: Short ribs. Three courses, $65 adults, $25 children. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Four Seasons: Seared scallops, roasted snapper, filet mignon, grilled lamb chops, veal chop, venison, and crisp duck. Three courses, $135. Seatings at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Gilt: Prime rib. Three courses, $110. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Good: Cider-glazed pork tenderloin and roasted salmon. Four courses, $68 adults, $29 children. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Gordon Ramsay at the London: Filet of Brandt beef. Six courses, $150. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gotham Bar and Grill: Mushroom risotto and a roasted veal chop. Four courses, $110. Noon to 9 p.m.

Grayz: Grilled walleye pike, seared halibut, and braised flatiron steak. Three courses, $85. Noon to 8 p.m.

The Harrison: Duck breast, grilled scallops, hanger steak, and slow-cooked Arctic char. Three courses, $65 adults, $45 children. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Icon: Wild salmon, lasagne, and, if you must have turkey, a turkey and foie gras ballotine. Three courses, $50. Noon to 6 p.m.

Inside Park at St. Bart's: Cedar-roasted salmon, juniper-smoked loin of venison, and Native American bean stew. Four courses, $68 adults, $25 children. Noon to 6 p.m.

Irving Mill: Sea bass. Three courses, $55. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Isabella's: Braised short ribs. À la carte pricing. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

James: Filet mignon, butternut-squash risotto, halibut, and pine-nut-and-rosemary-crusted loin of lamb. Three courses, $75. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Keen's Steakhouse: Prime rib, lobster, mutton chip, and filet mignon. Five courses, $86 adults, $43 children. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Le Cirque: Halibut and strip steak. Four courses, $105. Noon to 8:30 p.m.

Maze: Filet of Brandt beef. Five courses, $75. Noon to 10 p.m.

Mia Dona: Grilled branzino, pappardelle Bolognese, and grilled hanger steak. Three courses, $45. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Oak Room: Herb-crusted salmon, maple-bourbon-glazed Virginia ham, and roast loin of pork. Three courses, $85. Served from noon to 5 p.m. in the dining room, at 5:30 in the cabaret before a performance by Andrea Marcovicci.

Olana: Prime rib, ham, and salmon. Three courses, $75 adults, $30 children. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

One If by Land, Two If by Sea: Beef Wellington. Three courses, $85. 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Park Avenue Autumn: Filet mignon, venison chop, halibut with black truffles, and crispy Arctic char. Three courses, $79 adults, $49 children. 11:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Payard: Wild striped bass and hanger steak frites. Three courses, $62. Noon to 7 p.m.

Perilla: Sautéed triggerfish, roasted porchetta, kombu-oil-poached salmon, grilled steak, and pan-roasted wild striped bass "vitello tonato." Three courses, $65. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Petrossian: Filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, and pumpkin risotto. Four courses, $73. 2 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Picholine: Venison, wild-mushroom risotto, and scallops. Four courses, $95. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pomme de Terre: Beef Wellington. Three courses, $29. Noon to 8 p.m.

Pranna: Mint-braised lamb shank, crispy red snapper. Four courses, $65; $85 with wine pairing, $95 with cocktail pairing. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Prune: Entrée choices include capons. Five courses, $70. 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Pure Food and Wine: Pecan, baby spinach, and aged-cashew-cheese tamale; and sage-rubbed portabella and king oyster mushrooms. Four courses, $72. 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Red Cat: Roasted suckling pig, grilled and roasted salmon, grilled New York strip, and crispy sautéed skate. Three courses, $65 adults, $45 children. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The River Café: Crisp duck breast, prime dry-aged sirloin, Colorado lamb, Maine lobster, vegetarian risotto, and branzino. Four courses, $125. 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Savoy: Wild striped bass, and spiced goat chops. Four courses, $85. 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Telepan: Seared duck breast, heritage pork, roasted trout, and wild striped bass. Three courses, $79 adults, $40 children. 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Town: New York strip, Arctic char, and roasted trout. Three courses, $75. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Kyotofu to Go Opens Monday in Chelsea

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:46:42 -0500

Ooh baby, sesame macarons.

Kyotofu celebrated its one-year anniversary in October by rolling out ridiculously cute bakery items like the chubby black-sesame-and-red-bean macarons shown above. On Monday, the Japanese dessert innovators will further expand the brand by opening what we'll call a Kyo kiosk at the BoConcept furniture shop in Chelsea. Throughout the winter, the delightful partnership will sprout several other chocolate-soufflé-cupcake and miso-choko (preter-brownie) stands at BoConcept locations in Soho, Dumbo, the Upper East Side, and midtown. In addition to the signature items, owner Michael Berl tells us the kiosks will stock other Kyotofu baked goods like green-tea and yuzu-vanilla, and coconut-shiso cupcakes; Genmai almond financiers; coconut-yuzu and chocolate-green-tea ganache macarons; spicy and espresso versions of mini miso chokos; gift packages; and cookies — lots of cookies. You can grab a cup of Japanese tea or coffee, but no word yet on whether you can enjoy your snack on a floor sample.

Kyotofu for BoConcept, 144 W. 18th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; no phone

No Panic at Nobu

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:17:36 -0500

Richie Notar is planning a “bailout bites” special at Nobu’s L.A. location, but he’s still going strong in New York: “It’s almost a reverse psychology, where people will come to Nobu and they’ll sit at one of the front tables because they want to show people that they’re okay in this economy. We’re involved in a lot of egos in this world, and they want to sit up front and go, ‘I’m fine.’” [BlackBook]

A First Look at At Vermilion (Awkward, Isn’t It?)

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:58:11 -0500

We’re not sure why Rohini Dey chose the name At Vermilion for the offshoot of her well-regarded Indian-Latin Chicago restaurant, Vermilion. It makes certain things hard to say. Like: "Salman Rushdie was spotted at At Vermilion’s opening party on Monday!" Or, “They have a vegetarian menu at At Vermilion.” Nevertheless, our photographer Melissa Hom was recently at At Vermilion and came back with some shots of the sleek bi-level midtowner. One note before we proceed to the menus: Not only should the city be glad to get a new female restaurateur, but at At Vermilion, the executive chef, Maneet Chauhan, and the chef de cuisine, Ipshita Pall, are also women.

DINNER

Small Plates
Blue corn crusted scallops: kali mirch calabasa goat cheese puree - $13

Duck vindaloo arepa: brushed pomegranate molasses, curry leaf mango - $12

Coconut chili mussels: south indian coconut broth infused with curry leaves - $10

Wild boar jibarito: street Puerto Rican open sandwich on plantain, pear-guajillo - $10

Cilantro tamarind shrimp: daikon swirls - $14

Artichoke pakoras: spain’s thistle in indian fritters + eggplant chili coconut sauce - $10

Cardamom octopus escabeche: chardonnay caviar - $12

Peruvian black ceviche clams, scallops, scotch bonnet chilies - $12

Butternut squash coconut soup, curry leaves - $9

Roasted three pepper soup, s.indian kick - $9

Juhu ki pani puri street indian chaat, flour shells, spiced potato, chili mint water - $8

Heat
(Entrées from the indian subcontinent, spice untamed)

Lobster Portuguese (stewed in a goan gravy + coconut rice) - $34

Miris sri lankan whole fish (16 spice seasonal fish + steamed rice) - $28

lamb shank gassi (mangalorean braised domestic lamb shank + mango panch puran rice) - $28

The Deep
10 element, 5 course seafood tasting menu - $90
seared – 10 element, 5 course red meats tasting menu - $90
duo of – lobster portuguese and chimichurri new york strip - $60
(Please request our custom vegetarian or milder adaptations menus, if needed)

Signature Preparations
(Entrées with an Indian-Latin confluence)

Chimichurri new york strip (red mexican arbol - kashmiri mirch chimichurri, “kadai” sweet potato) - $32

Caldeirada de peixe (brazilian seasonal seafood stew with an indian kick, tomato rice) - $26

Tandoori skirt steak (seared churrasco in a classic indian marinade, plantain chips, garlic spinach) - $25

Chili-glazed blackened tamarind ribs (Indian-latin tamarendo/imli glaze, amchur tortilla crisps, corn ginger salsa) - $24

Crab or paneer konkani (jumbo crab shredded, oaxacan crepas de huitlacoche/mexican truffle, inca red quinoa) - $29/$25

Amchur and ancho crusted chicken breast (dhokla, spicy potato curls) - $22

The Tandoor
Grilled Meats:
Chicken kabab - $12
“Seekh” minced beef - $14
Mysore lamb chops - $14
Jumbo shrimp - $15

Grilled Breads:
Ginger mint naan - $5
Kadai naan - $5
Spinach fenugreek parantha - $5
Naan, tandoori roti - $4

Chicken kabab in a makhani base - $20

Thali (complete indian platter) - $28

Daal makhani (slow cooked creamy black lentils) - $8

Sides - $6
Coconut rice
Kadai potato
Raita
Daikon slaw
Chili chutney

LUNCH
Salads
Lobster heart of palm salad + gazpacho shooter (mango, jicama, greens, hearts of palm, royal oak leaf lettuce, passionfruit dressing) - $18/$32

Shaved beef vermicelli salad (marinated beef NY strip, curry flavored vermicelli) - $13/$22

Chopped chicken mint salad (grilled tandoor chicken, pico de gallo, napa cabbage, mango flavored tortilla chips) $12/$18

Shaved fennel moong dal salad (ginger flavored moong dal, cilantro, jamaica vinaigrette) - $10

Green terrine (seasonal vegetables, grilled & layered with paneer, balsamic gelee, mint oil) - $10

Tapas
Blue fin tuna (avocado escabache pineapple chimmichuri, pink peppercorn) - $14
Blue corn crusted scallops (kali mirch latin calabasa goat cheese puree) - $12
Mysore lamb chops (spiced, tandoor seared + a minty red onion salad) - $13
Artichoke pakoras (Spain’s thistle in indian fritters + eggplant chili coconut sauce) - $8
Cilantro tamarind shrimp or paneer-cheese (daikon swirls) - $14/$12

Soup
Butternut squash coconut soup, curry leaves - $9
roasted three pepper soup (South Indian kick) - $9

Sides - $6
Sweet potato fries
Chaat onion rings
Chimichurri avocado

Kathi seekh roll (Indian flatbread, layered egg, beef kabab, lime cilantro chutney, slaw) - $14

Chicken or tandoori masala burger (caramelized onions, chipotle salsa, cumin-mango sweet potato pries, tamarind chutney) - $16

Lobster crab club (jicama, cucumber, red oak lettuce, roasted cumin dressing) - $28

Portabella and paneer naan sandwich (cumin flavored, shredded indian cheese (paneer), mint raita, plantain chips) $15

Entrées
Tandoori skirt steak (seared churrasco, classic indian marinade, plantain chips, garlic spinach) - $18

Chili-glazed blackened tamarind ribs (Indian-latin tamarendo/imli glaze, corn ginger salsa, rice crisps) - $18

Caldeirada de peixe (traditional brazilian seasonal seafood stew with an indian kick, tomato rice) - $16

Coriander crusted salmon (onion rings, cauliflower ceviche) - $22

Amchur and ancho crusted chicken breast (chickpea bread, slaw) - $17

Chimichurri new york strip (red Mexican arbol - kashmiri mirch chimichurri, “kadai” sweet potato) - $32

Three-Course Prix Fixe Lunch - $30
Shaved beef vermicelli salad or
Butternut squash / roasted three pepper soup

Tandoori skirt steak or
Amchur and ancho crusted chicken breast

Dessert of the day

VEGETARIAN
Small Plates
Blue corn crusted heart of palm on a kali mirch calabaza (goat cheese puree) - $10

Tamarind paneer with daikon moong bean “koshimbir” - $10

Juhu ki pani puri “chaat” flour shells with spiced potatoes + a tangy puree of chili mint - $9

Artichoke pakoras (Spain’s thistle in classic indian fritters + eggplant chili coconut sauce) - $9

Chipotle corn vadas (crisp corn-lentil adaptation of s. indian croquettas, tamarind chutney) - $9

Aloo vindaloo arepas (goan potato, brushed pomegranate molasses, curry leaf mango) - $9

Roasted three pepper lentil soup - $9

Slaw trio: avocado mint ceviche, mango coriander pepper, lychee jalapeno, corn ginger salsa - $9

Seven course customized tasting menu - $75

Signature Preparations
(Vegetarian entrees with an Indian-Latin confluence)

Chili-glazed blackened baby eggplants (Indian-Latin tamerendo/imli glaze, white rice crisps, corn ginger salsa) - $20

“Gobi” portuguese cauliflower stewed in a goan gravy + coconut rice (blended tableside to your taste) - $20

Paneer konkani in Oaxacan crepas de huitlacoche (Indian cheese favorite, Mexican “truffle” crepe, with inca red quinoa, papadum) - $24

The Truckstop, Dhaba Fare
popular at trucking pit stops in India (dhabas)

“Pindi” butter paneer (creamy-tomato hued finger-licking good gravy, tribute to delhi’s pindi dhaba + naan) - $18

Methi-sarson-palak paneer (paneer Indian cheese in a seasoned triad of greens - mustard greens, spinach, fenugreek + naan) - $17

Vermilion thali (chef’s choice of two regional Indian entrees with daal makhani, naan, basmati rice, papad and mint raita) - $26

Daal makhani (slow cooked creamy black lentils) - $9

Punjabi chole (spicy garbanzo beans, with “chaat” and ginger hues) - $9

DESSERT - $10
Vermilion hedonism (dark chocolate molten cake, chili - masala orange - blueberry sorbet)

Mora berry mousse gelee, cumin ice cream, channa chor brittle

Mango, olive shrikhand, port tapioca (mango sheets - port olive - fennel mango chutney)

Liquid dessert duo (garam masala mexican hot chocolate, cinnamon rice horchata)

trio of sorbets (blueberry cardamom, passionfruit chili, coconut clove)

Warm plantain cake + banana ice cream (star anise molasses brown sugar plantain, turmeric sugar, shrikhand)

Mango cardamom flan (coconut foam, mango escabeche, pink peppercorn)

Vermilion immoderation (three of our favorites) - $16

Coconut cardamom saffron cocktail - $12

At Vermilion, 480 Lexington Ave. at 46th St.; 212-871-6600

Kurve’s Andy Yang Thinks It Was Bruni Who Was ‘Konfused’

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:53:29 -0500

Andy Yang, owner of the endlessly entertaining Kurve, tells us that he was a bit surprised that Bruni chose to review him, and he thinks that the Times critic completely misunderstood the place when he compared it to “a nail salon on Venus.” Yang tells us, “Venus is the goddess of love, and the restaurant is pink, and I think pink is a very manly color.” Bruni just didn’t understand, Yang says, that the food is meant to surprise people who wouldn’t expect it of a lounge. And he was wrong to sling accusations of spaghetti-carbonara trendiness since, Yang says, the dish has been common in Thailand for over a decade — heavy cream and eggs are a good way of tempering basil and chile. He was also mistaken to call Pichet Ong’s desserts unremarkable, says Yang — they were purposefully simple in order to serve the restaurant’s mantra, “simplicity is complicity.” Okaaay. Anyway, Yang is putting the teasing behind him and tomorrow he’ll launch a winter menu that includes a selection of vegan dishes and a burger of Wagyu beef rubbed with basil and marinated with garlic and pepper. Regarding the latter, Yang promises that “Mr. Bruni might find it odd.”

Kurve winter menu

Tables Available at Insieme, Telepan; Blue Hill Nearly Booked

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:21 -0500

It’s 4 p.m., and that means it’s time to play Two for Eight. We just asked ten restaurants the best time they can squeeze a couple in for dinner; you need only make your chosen reservation. (As always, we make the calls but don’t guarantee the results.) Today: Haute Barnyard.

Barbuto (Menu)
212-924-9700
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:15 p.m.

BLT Market (Menu)
212-521-6125
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:45 p.m.

Blue Hill (Menu)
212-539-1776
Two for eight? No
Best available: 10:30 p.m.

Cookshop (Menu)
212-924-4440
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:15 p.m.

Esca (Menu)
212-564-7272, ext. 2
Two for eight? No
Best available: 9:30 p.m.

Insieme (Menu)
212-582-1310
Two for eight? Yes

Mas (farmhouse) (Menu)
212-255-1790
Two for eight? No
Best available: 7:30 p.m.

Park Avenue Autumn (Menu)
212-644-1900
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:30 p.m.

Rose Water (Menu)
718-783-3800
Two for eight? Yes

Telepan (Menu)
212-580-4300
Two for eight? Yes

The Sweet & Lowdown on the Lower East Side’s New American Wine Bar

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:42:04 -0500

Pair the surge in patriotism over the election with the plummeting state of the economy, and there's no better time to drink American. The city has a fine source for domestic bourbon at Char No. 4, and Friday marks the official opening of Sweet & Lowdown, an all-American wine bar. Tree-huggers beware: The candlelit space is where American oak trees came to die, and is a departure in style from owner Israel Katz's flowery other venture, Le Jardin Bistro. Wine collector Scott Sinawi curated Sweet's wine list from the domestic regions you might expect — California, Oregon, and Washington — but New York and Virginia are also represented. There are small plates and even a mini-cupcake assortment from How Sweet It Is bakery next door for dessert. Check out the full menu of bites and booze below, then click through the slideshow to see more of the lumber-jacked space.

SMALL PLATES
1. “Strong cheese” melts on toast with shredded dry sausage and pickles $9
2. Buckwheat crepe with truffle salami and goat cheese $10
3. Mixed pickles $5
4. Snails with garlic parsley and Vermont butter $8
5. Warm baby potatoes with crème fresh, domestic caviar and chives $8
6. Hand cut Colorado beef tartar $10
7. Rosemary roasted “piggy” with polenta and blue cheese pie $12
8. Assortment of domestic blue cheese with port glaze and pistachio $10

PLATES
1. Assortment of domestic cheeses (Three – $11 five – $14 seven – $17)
2. Assortment of domestic cured meats (Three – $11 five – $14)
3. Mixed cheese and meats plate $22
4. Goat brie baked in box with cured meats and pickles - $25

DESSERTS
1. Mini cupcake assortment $8
2. Pie of the day P/A
*Additional daily specials will be written on chalk board

Red Wine
1. Lyeth, Meritage, Sonoma CA, 2006 9/34
2. The Zin, Zinfandel, Lodi CA, 2005 12/45
3. Simi Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley Ca 2004 20/75
4. Bedell “First Crush”. Merlot/Cab Franc, Long Island NY 2007 10/36
5. Erath, Pinot Noir, Dundee OR, 2007 11/42
6. Judds Hill, Petite Syrah, Lodi CA 2005 15/55
7. Bonny Doon “Ca del Solo”, Sangiovese, CA 2005 13/47
8. Tolosa, Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo, CA 2006 16/64

White Wine
1. Albemarle, Viognier,, VA 2006 10/38
2. Heron Hill, Riesling, NY 2006 8/30
3. Fortress, Sauvignon Blanc, CA 2006 8/30
4. Lamoreaux Landing, Chardonnay, NY 7/26
5. Koehler, Chardonnay, CA 2006 12/ 48
6. Babcock Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Lompoc, CA 2005 13/52
7. Seven Hills Winery, Pinot Gris, Walla Walla, WA 2006 11/44

Rose, Sparkling, Dessert, and Reserve Wines
ROSE
1. Sofia Coppola Rose, Napa, CA 2006 12/46
SPARKLING
1. Kluge, Sparkling Rose, VA 2006 12/46
2. Gruet Champenoise Gold Label, Brut, NM NV 11/44
DESSERT WINE
1. Vidal ice wine 2007 NJ 8
RESERVE LIST (November 2008)
1. Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia 2002
2. Beaulieu Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
3. Dominus Estate 1999
4. Joseph Phelps Vineyard Insignia 1998 (magnum)

123 Allen St., nr. Delancey St.; 212-228-7746

Your Chance to Chat Up Thomas Keller

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:22:42 -0500

Man, nothing associated with Thomas Keller comes cheap. Dinner at Per Se is $275, his new sous vide cookbook, Under Pressure, is $75, and if you want to hear him, Jonathan Benno, and Michael Ruhlman talk at the Astor Center on Saturday, it’ll cost ya $125. Then again, that includes a personalized copy of the book and a wine reception featuring bites from Bouchon Bakery, so as far as these things go, it’s something of a steal…

Under Pressure: An Evening With Thomas Keller [Official site]

Former Save the Robots Space Is for Sale

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:39:29 -0500

According to a Picken Real Estate listing, the bi-level bar and music venue currently known as Rehab (and before that, Midway and Scenic) can be yours for $350,000. The 3,200-square-foot space’s eight-year lease is $8,195 per month. Curiously, the listing identifies the venue only as “former nightclub icon, Save the Robots,” which is funny since Robots, besides being the most mythologized club aside from Area, was of course a quasi-infamous after-hours (though it was as Guernica that the spot achieved true notoriety after a stabbing). Manhattan Offender recently recalled being asked for coke there — twice by the same person. Anyone care to rekindle the magic?

P&G to Make a Comeback in Evelyn Lounge Space?

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:05:54 -0500

The Post gathers all the usual suspects in today’s list of the city’s top dives. One establishment that didn’t make the cut is the P&G Corner Café. Lost City previously reported that it will close on December 31, and now hears from patrons that it’ll be moving to the Evelyn Lounge space. We gave the bar’s pay phone a ring and a scratchy-throated regular told us he was 99 percent sure that the move is on, though he couldn’t say where to. Since speaking to a barfly is as good as speaking to the barkeep, we’ll take his word for it.

Whither P&G Cafe? Maybe Evelyn Nesbit's Home [Lost City]

‘GQ’’s Gordon Ramsay Crush Is Starting to Creep Us Out

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:40:11 -0500

GQ, apparently not finding it sufficient to write a love letter to Gordon Ramsay in an earlier issue, have now seen fit to name him a Man of the Year, under the category, of course, of “Prick.” Aside from his lucrative TV deal, we’re not sure why Gordo struck GQ as one of the influentials of 2008. And it’s doubly stalkerish since the British edition also named him a Man of the Year in September. This is even more embarrassing than Esquire’s David Chang obsesh. GQ and Gordo, get a room already!

Men of the Year [GQ]

Morton’s Introduces ‘Teledining’ to Downtown Brooklyn

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:19:29 -0500

Brooklyn Paper gets a sneak peek of the Morton’s coming to downtown Brooklyn on November 21 — the video is a rather hilarious display of mock excitement. Best part is when the “teledining correspondent” tells us all about the satellite screen that allows you to virtually dine with other Morton’s patrons across the country.

Morton’s Offers Sneak Preview [Brooklyn Paper]

Revolt at Republic; Defining Organic Milk

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:04:21 -0500

• Delivery workers at Republic plan to protest the restaurant today, alleging that they are owed almost a million dollars in back wages. [NYP]

• The Department of Agriculture proposes rules that will define organic milk as coming from cows who are at pasture for at least six months a year and eat lots of fresh grass. [AP via USAT]

• Perbacco is asking diners to sign a petition in support of the restaurant (and its liquor license) moving to a larger space on Avenue B. [Goings On/NYer]

• Bonjin, a pop-up ramen restaurant, opens inside Williamsburg’s Dokebi on Fridays from midnight to 4 a.m. [Serious Eats]

• Private-club mania comes uptown as Harlem bar and restaurant Baton Rouge transforms into OH, a members-only lounge. [Uptown Flavor]

• Refrigerator makers are introducing new products they say will keep food fresher longer — but it'll cost you. [WSJ]

Fistibluffs

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:54:32 -0500

Yesterday Frank Owen told BlackBook that he had filed a complaint with police over Steve Lewis seemingly threatening to pop him in the nose. After BlackBook insisted Lewis was being hyperbolic, Owen now says he has thought better of pressing charges, and offers a mea culpa for the passage in Clubland that set Lewis off: “Apologies for taking the DEA’s word over yours. I know you’re not a liar. But you are a drama queen.” [BlackBook]

Bruni Kills Kurve, Secession Yields Mixed Results

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:40:39 -0500

Frank Bruni is bemused by Kurve — its poor service, its surprise menu substitutions, and its uneven menu. "How do restaurateurs pour this much money and this much vanity into a project and bungle it to the extent that the Kurve brigade does?" he wonders, before answering with zero stars. [NYT]

Secession's "sprawling menu is almost defiantly unfocused," writes Steve Cuozzo. But he likes the "strong execution" of the dishes, the "grand" pasta, and a varied wine list. The front of the house could use some discipline, he warns. [NYP]

Jay Cheshes also hit Secession this week: "The new brasserie features a mismatched polyglot menu as sprawling as a Greek diner’s, served in a chaotic belle epoque setting that’s shrouded in a conversational roar." But, he concedes, "[i]f you surrender to the chaos, dinner here can be a lot of fun." [TONY]

Ryan Sutton's Secession experience was not as good. "Mediocre food, regardless of the price, can feel like a rip-off," he stings. And though he liked the shellfish and some other dishes, "good luck finding them on the poster-size menu with 70 items." [Bloomberg]

Cipolla Rossa on the Upper East Side "has a way of taming the robustness" of the game that populates its menu, but prepare yourself for "endearing shortcomings." It's cramped and the front-of-the-house staff is one person. "Perhaps that's why Cipolla Rossa is so welcomely inexpensive," says Danyelle Freeman. [NYDN]

If you want the "fabulous people following other fabulous people as well as the air of controversial fabulousness," Alan Richman recommends going to the second sitting at Charles. The food is still uneven, but Richman blames it on chef shuffle. [Fork/GQ]

Nick Paumgarten joins the parade of praise for Convivio, calling the pastas "distinct and astonishing," and concluding "There’s a fine array of fish and beast, but in Tudor City, apparently, starch is king." [NYer]

Robert Sietsema travels to Ravenswood, Queens, this week, where he finds Philippu Lounge y Restaurante, a Filipino restaurant that is "consistently excellent" but needs to win over its Dominican neighbors to stay alive. [VV]