So why is Jeffrey Chodorow’s new Lincoln Center meatery to be called Center Cut? Because it will be devoted to the center cuts of meat! There will be center-cut steaks, center-cut pork chops, center-cut venison, and so forth, says the chef's rep Karine Bakhoum. We are flabbergasted. Such a proposition sounds insanely expensive and is also silly, since the first two ribs off the shoulder (ribs 1 and 2 in the trade) are by far the best ones, with the biggest portion of the spinalis dorsi muscle, also known as the “lip” or “deckle.”

We also heard that Ono, though being replaced by the Maxim steakhouse, is not quite done for. But it doesn't have a new spot yet, either. The restaurant — which Bakhoum reminds us is “hugely successful,” — was put into suspended animation just because, get this, Ono is too classy for the meatpacking district! Or that’s how we interpret it, anyway. “Maxim belongs in that space and hood” Bakhoum says. There’s no arguing with that! It’s official, Mr. McNally. The fight is over, and the vulgarians have won.

Off the Menu [NYT]
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