Win a Date With Thomas Keller; Year-end Lists Abound

Mix up your holiday charitable giving by entering a raffle for a coffee date with Per Se’s Thomas Keller or Ferran Adrià of Spain’s El Bulli. [NYT] Related: Ferran Adrià, Molecular Gastronomist—Who, Me? [NYM] On his No Reservations holiday special, Anthony Bourdain spoke with a veterinarian who explained that foie gras production is not the demonic act it has been portrayed as by animal-rights groups, so eat up! [Eat for Victory/VV] If Amy Sacco didn’t convince you of the growing synergy between restaurants and real estate, consider that Centovini has just struck a deal with luxe condo Soho Mews that offers not only delivery to the building but also the option to have executive chef Patti Jackson provide in-home cooking. [NYP]

Posted 12/12/07 in Grub Street : Mediavore

Tags: beyonce, centovini, chris santos, cookbooks, el bulli, ferran adria, foie gras, jay-z, maoz vegetarian, mediavore, no reservations, per se, soho mews, spotted pig, stanton social, supper club, tailor, tamsin lonsdale, thomas keller, tony bourdain

Misled Socialites Outraged by Tamsin Lonsdale's Supper Club

It looks like Tamsin Lonsdale, the London socialite looking to make a splash with her new private dinner club, might just have a flop on her hands. The Observer today chats with a couple of the club’s disgruntled ambassadors, one of whom says, “She’s not offering a service to the boldface names. She’s using these people to bring in the mass.” Shocking! You mean this wasn’t merely a way to get people together to talk about the new Ang Lee flick? It was a marketing gimmick? Hilariously, one member gripes that she paid $100 for a meal at the Spotted Pig that normally would’ve cost her $40, and Londsale defends herself by saying that Jay-Z ended up dancing with everyone. But really — if Gawker types can rub elbows with Jay-Z at the Pig, can’t anyone? BURP! Sykes Sister Strikes Out! ‘Exclusive’ Brit Supper Club Lays an Egg [NYO] Earlier Socialite Tamsin Lonsdale’s Supper Club Probably Doesn’t Want You

Posted 12/05/07 in Grub Street : NewsFeed

Tags: jay-z, newsfeed, spotted pig, supper club, tamsin lonsdale

Bobby Flay Enters the Burger Game; Serendipity 3 Reopens

Bobby Flay is entering the upscale-burger game with a chain of restaurants called Bobby’s Burger Palace. [GlobeSt.com via A Hamburger Today] Gossip Girl fanatics will be happy to know that Gilt has added Serena’s much-beloved grilled cheese with truffle oil to the bar menu. Only $50! [Zagat] Related: Is ‘Gossip Girl’ the Most Restauranty Show Since ‘Sex and the City’? The Times says the entrée is on its way out at restaurants all over the country, thanks to a loss of interest in “big, protein-laden main dishes.” [NYT]

Posted 12/05/07 in Grub Street : Mediavore

Tags: bobby flay, bobby's burger palace, bourbon, damien hirst, gilt, gossip girl, kellari parea taverna, marco pierre white, mediavore, serendipity 3, supper club, truffles