Grub Street

A First Look at the Eldridge, Now Open for the Fashionable Few

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:51:19 -0500

Matt Levine told us the Eldridge was too cool for weekends, but this is Fashion Week, and the lounge everyone has loved to hate has parties booked fourteen nights in a row. Though we’re the first to come back with photos, a couple of other bloggers have penetrated the faux-bookstore front, and their reviews are … favorable! Club designer Steve Lewis, who lasted just five minutes at what we’re told was a Trump Model Management party last night (the Donald also passed through), reports, “It's a small joint. There was the Armand De Brignac wall which was a lot less tacky than I expected. Indeed the place looked good. Not too much, the design stayed within itself and didn't overpower the pretty people. There were no new ideas.”

Photo: Melissa Hom

NY Barfly concurs: “The attention to detail that has clearly gone into the room stands out — it’s a small space but they’ve gotten a lot out of it. The intimate banquettes will surely make for some healthy mingling at parties (considering you’re able to get in). And, we’re happy to see that the focus is clearly not on bottle service. An extensive (and delicious) cocktail list, delectable chocolates, intricate Absinthe table service — there is plenty going on here that is far and above schlepping a bottle of Grey Goose to a table of thirsty lawyers.”

We perused a six-page laundry list of Fashion Week parties, and the only one announced at the Eldridge was Catherine Fulmer’s after-party on September 11 (she was at the Hotel on Rivington last year), but then again not all designers announce their party locations. We'll wait to see whether Marc Jacobs pares down his list to squeeze into the joint.

Review: The Eldridge [NY Barfly]
We’re Going to Win! [Good Night Mr. Lewis]

Magnolia Bakery UWS Goes Kosher

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:15:26 -0500

On the heels of rumblings about a cupcake downturn, the folks at Magnolia Bakery’s uptown location write in to tell us that Orthodox Rabbi Yaakov Spivak has put the United Kosher Supervision’s stamp of approval on its buttercream-frosted cupcakes and other heart-exploding treats. Ingredients will now be sourced from kosher vendors, and the UKS's regulations are in full effect. Mazel tov!

Psilakis Still Top Chef

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:30:07 -0500

A year after Esquire picked Michael Psilakis for Best Chef of 2007, Bon Appétit has named our favorite Greek toquethrob Chef of the Year in its October issue. Psilakis, credited for helming his own Greek revival, said he's still defending his food's authenticity: "I got tired of answering the question, 'Is it really Greek?'" This latest accolade comes on the heels of a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant (Anthos), and the honor of sole New Yorker chosen as a Food & Wine Best New Chef. He even tells Bon Appétit that he dreams of his own restaurant in Athens. Just remember, Michael — we christened you a Greek God way back in early 2007. Babbo's Gina DePalma snagged the pastry-chef award, and Bobby Flay is this year's "Best Cooking Teacher." The winners get a gala in their honor at Del Posto on September 15.

The 2008 Bon Appetit Magazine Awards Celebrate Today's Best Chefs, Tastemakers and Food Artisans [Market Watch]

Cardoz to Serve ‘Iron Chef’ Menu, Opponent Flay Loves Paul Smith

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:15:48 -0500

Next week is Outrageous Ingredients Week on Iron Chef Japan, but we don’t really find stuff like natto, sea urchin, and spiny lobster that outrageous. We’ll more likely watch Floyd Cardoz battle Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America, Sunday at 9 p.m. In an inspired move, Cardoz will be serving up his Iron Chef menu at Tabla from September 8 to October 31. And speaking of Bobby Flay, our reporter Justin Ravitz cornered him at a “Ruby Slippers Reimagined” event at Saks last night — probably his wife Stephanie March’s doing. Apparently, Flay is a Paul Smith man. Big time. “I'm obsessed with Paul Smith,” he said. “Ninety percent of my clothing — my good clothing — is from them. I love his style. Been wearing it since Mesa Grill opened eighteen years ago.” Reality show producers: If Todd English doesn’t pan out, there may be a makeover victim here for you.

‘Todd English Is 48 and Single’?

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:15:00 -0500

Molto Mario might be the man when it comes to charming ex-models (Miss Model Behavior recently visited Casa Mono and ended up being fed ham, cheese, and wine by a drunk, “pretty sloppy,” purse-wearing Batali), but since he’s married, the producers of a certain reality show are going to have to settle for Todd English. A letter to one of Guest of a Guest’s correspondents reads: “We recently pitched our agency on a reality dating show concept for Todd English. They loved the idea and we were strongly advised to reach him direct to avoid the delays, blocks and red-tape that can come from going through managers and agencies.” Todd, if you’re reading this, do it! We’d love to see Hell’s Kitchen meet Hell Date.

[Todd English Wanted For Reality Dating Show [Guest of a Guest]

Tables Available at Pera Mediterranean Brasserie and Trestle on Tenth; Allen & Delancey Fully Booked

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -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: Refined Meathead.

Allen & Delancey (Menu)
212-253-5400
Two for eight? No
Best available: Fully booked

BLT Prime (Menu)
212-995-8500
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:45 p.m.

Centro Vinoteca (Menu)
212-367-7470
Two for eight? No
Best available: 10 p.m.

Craftsteak (Menu)
212-400-6699
Two for eight? No
Best available: 10 p.m.

davidburke & donatella (Menu)
212-813-2121
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:30 p.m.

Gyu-Kaku (Menu)
212-475-2989
Two for eight? No
Best available: 8:15 p.m.

The Harrison (Menu)
212-274-9310
Two for eight? No
Best available: 10 p.m.

Ouest (Menu)
212-580-8700
Two for eight? No
Best available: 9:30 p.m.

Pera Mediterranean Brasserie (Menu)
212-878-6301
Two for eight? Yes

Trestle on Tenth (Menu)
212-645-5659
Two for eight? Yes

Newly Dapper Daniel to Reopen September 8, Tables Still Available

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:40:54 -0500

After a hiatus of about six weeks, the newly remodeled Daniel will reopen on September 8. A call to the restaurant shows there’s still a 9:45 p.m. table up for grabs, though reservations aren’t available via OpenTable till the next evening. Don’t expect an overhaul of the sort Karim Rashid imagined. The press release says: “The new design by Adam D. Tihany can best be described as placing a sleek and contemporary layer over the restaurant's superb existing lines. As a result, the space's striking neo-classical architecture with its soaring 18 foot coffered ceilings and delicately carved balustrades and pilasters will be refinished with a fresh new appeal, custom furnishings, subtle lighting, fabrics and finishes.” No word on how Daniel's coveted kitchen "skybox" will be affected.

Cheftestants Revealed?

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:00:00 -0500

The Rocky Mountain News lends to the “Top Chef” speculation (we previously outed one of Anne Burrell’s sous-chefs as a cheftestant, and Eater has a map of other possibilities) by I.D.’ing not one but two Boulder, Colorado, chefs reportedly on the show: Melissa Harrison, sous chef at Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace, and Hosea Rosenberg, executive chef at Jax Boulder. Update your scorecards. [Rocky Mountain News via Eater SF]

Bruni: Clam Bellies Are the New Pork Bellies

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:45:00 -0500

The mollusk has a surprisingly complex anatomy, Bruni discovered: "an 'incurrent siphon' and an 'excurrent siphon,' a heart and a foot, an intestine and an anus." As with pork and lamb, look for fried belly, like they serve at Oriental Garden in Chinatown, for extra richness. [Diner's Journal/NYT]

Brooklyn Bourbon

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:30:13 -0500

LeNell Smothers tells us she’s still looking for a new space that might house a whiskey bar, but in the meantime Carroll Gardens swillers have another option: “A few doors down from Clover Club, at 196 Smith, comes Char No. 4, a whiskey bar extraordinaire … Char No. 4 will feature more than 150 whiskeys, all American. Bourbons, Ryes, Tennessee Whiskey, stuff from states you never thought made whiskey. There will also be a ‘tight wine list’ (one of the owners [is] a sommelier) and Southern-style food.” [Off the Presses]

Get Tipsy at DKNY Show With Domaine Chandon

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:52 -0500

American sparkling wine is fitting fuel for Fashion Week, and DKNY will distribute 800 special-edition bottles of Napa's Domaine Chandon at Sunday's show in Bryant Park. The French-owned producer drew from two decades of recipes to blend a cuvée for the clothing line's twentieth anniversary in 2009. In return, DKNY designed the "Twenty Year Cuvée" label, will market totes cut to carry Chandon during the holidays, and will release smaller totes (meant for four mini Chandons) in the spring. Bottles will be popped at the designer's parties throughout the year, but the uninvited can buy the bubbly off Chandon's Website come January. The taste of the "Twenty Year Cuvée" has notes of apple and pear and has been deemed "approachable" by Chandon (read: goes down easy!) — perfect for model tipplers this week, and even better when we start carrying it around to family gatherings come winter.

Chandon Partners with DKNY to Celebrate DKNY's 20th Birthday [Market Watch]

Greenmarket Values

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:37:16 -0500

According to the Observer, the city’s top ten Greenmarket restaurants are, from last to first, Cookshop, BLT Market, Park Avenue, Market Table, applewood, Sfoglia, Telepan, Craft, the Grocery, and, of course, the top dog: “Blue Hill may not be as flashy as Craft, its pioneering Greenmarket kin, but don’t be fooled — it’s always the quiet ones.” [NYO]

Double Seven Construction to Begin on the Double

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:30:01 -0500

Models coming back to New York for Fashion Week and wondering what the hell happened to their go-to, Double Seven, can rest assured: Owner David Rabin tells us he just got the designs in and construction will start at the former Rhone space on Gansevoort Street next month. Expect a new Double Seven several months thereafter. No timetable yet for his mystery project in the old Lotus digs, but the nearby Standard hotel ramped up construction in order to open its public space for an Interview magazine party last night. Padma, of course, made the scene. Whatever. Call us when the rooftop pool goes in.

Union Hall’s Bell House Will Open September 18 With Free Show

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:40:53 -0500

Gowanus may be too divey even for Siberia’s Tracy Westmoreland, but the Union Hall guys are okay with it. Per Gowanus Lounge, they’ll soon open their new performance venue and lounge, the Bell House, in a twenties warehouse at 149 7th Street between Second and Third Avenues, and a new Website has the starting lineup: The Lilys and Matt Pond PA will play for free on opening night, September 18. Subsequent acts to grace the 450-square-foot stage include our own Eugene Mirman (hosting a comedy festival), Babe the Blue Ox, Diego Garcia of Elephant, and, of course, the requisite night of burlesque. Says the press release, “The storefront features a comfortable 150-capacity lounge which will be open seven nights a week as a friendly neighborhood bar and gathering space featuring beer from independent and local breweries.” We’re checking to see whether Floyd’s and Union Hall’s irresistible "beer cheese" will be carried over.

Opening Bell About to Ring for Gowanus’ Bell House [Gowanus Lounge]

Bam!

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:30:00 -0500

Emeril Lagesse has signed a ten-book deal with HarperCollins’ experimental HarperStudio imprint, but that doesn’t mean he has jumped ahead of Rachael Ray as the world’s wealthiest chef — instead of a hefty advance, he’ll get a 50/50 cut of the cookbooks’ ~~royalties~~ profits. [Crains]