Posts for December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

By Grub Street

Have a safe, and great, night.Photo: Scott Houston/Corbis

We're headed off to unbox our finest Waterford crystal Champagne flutes and sort out last year's noisemakers to see which ones still work. First, however, we wanted to thank you for being here, and to say that we'll see you in the New Year. You have few options open if you still haven't found a place to get a meal tonight, and of course, the city is filled with alternative arrangements. If you wanted to have celebratory pork buns at Momofuku Noodle Bar, which is booked out, you can at least take solace in a cocktail at Booker and Dax, where they're taking walk-ins all night. And whether you're an amateur or a professional, remember there's lots of bubbly to sip tonight, and even if you're not proactive about hangovers, try not to forget about the possibly redemptive power of peanut butter sandwiches. Finally, no matter what happens tonight, don't forget there are plenty of great meals to be had, just ahead, in 2013. Have a great night.

Sylvia Woods Cooked for Them All

By Hugh Merwin

Woods, in 2002.

"Queen of Soul Food" Sylvia Woods died in July, but the Harlem lunch counter she turned into an institution and civic hub is stronger than ever. For its annual "The Lives They Lived" issue, The New York Times Magazine runs an oral history of Woods and her food, with contributions from family, celebrities, and politicians including Grandmaster Flash, Ed Koch, Al Sharpton, Chris Rock, David Patterson, and more. ("Grilled chicken liver with tons of grilled onions and scrambled eggs, medium," Roberta Flack writes. "Oh, yeah.") The restaurant will add more seats, and of course, more soul food, next year. [NYT, Earlier, Related]

The Very, Very, Very Last-Minute Guide to New Year’s Eve Dinner Reservations

By Sierra Tishgart

Take a seat at Fatty 'Cue.Photo: Danny Kim

Still not sure what you're doing tonight? Relax. A lot of great restaurants have availability tonight. New Year's Eve isn't everyone's favorite night to head to a restaurant, but if you're dying to go out before the ball drops at midnight, scope the list below to see which places can still squeeze in a party of two — but hurry before they're gone.

Want to toast at Empellon Cocina, Isa, or Kin Shop? »

John Catsimatidis Is Hinting at Another Mayoral Run

“Am I a Republican? Yes. Am I a Democrat? Yes. Am I a conservative? Yes. Am I a liberal? Yes." — Billionaire entrepreneur John Catsimatidis, who owns Gristedes, is once again explaining to New Yorkers why he'd be the city's perfect mayor. [NYT, Earlier]

Long Island’s Cult Pizzetteria Brunetti Is Opening in the West Village

By Hugh Merwin

They make clam pies, too.

One year ago, Slice reported that Westhampton Beach's well-regarded Pizzetteria Brunetti was scouting real estate in Manhattan to open its second shop, and now it looks like co-owner Jason Brunetti will appear in front of CB2 Manhattan's SLA Licensing Committee on January 8 with a plan to transfer the existing liquor license at 626 Hudson Street — most recently home to Bistro de la Gare — to a new establishment. Meanwhile, the cozy, fifteen-table French restaurant seems to have closed, and an outgoing message indicates it had been dealing with operational issues since Hurricane Sandy.

Read more »

Help Dogfish Head Figure Out Its Grateful Dead Beer Recipe by Midnight Tonight

By Hugh Merwin
Watch Video

The craft beer company is teaming up with the Grateful Dead on a pale ale made with barley and domestic hops, and in much the same way that Ommegang is getting medieval on its forthcoming Game of Thrones–themed Belgian blonde ale recipe, Dogfish Head has been searching high and low for one last ingredient to bring out that definitive deadheadishness of its American Beauty release. Founder Sam Calagione is turning to the public (of legal drinking age) for ideas, and the winner will be invited to the Delaware brewery next year to tinker with the test batch. Entries are due at midnight tonight, so check out the video ahead, and N.B.: The secret ingredient of this beer must be legal to consume in the United States.


Chia seeds? Cocoa nibs? »

Barbarini Alimentari Will Not Reopen in the Seaport

The owners of the South Street Seaport restaurant and wine bar Barbarini Alimentari will go their separate ways and leave behind their well-loved space at 225 Front Street, which was damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Co-owner Claudio Marini previously told Eater that he was seeking to open a new restaurant in a building less susceptible to flooding without his partners, who were still trying to figure out what it might take to reopen. Co-owner Stefano Barbagallo now tells the Post he and his wife are seeking a new space in the neighborhood, just outside Zone A. The Barbagallos say their next restaurant will be smaller than Barbarini Alimentari. The restaurant, located in a building that dates to the nineteenth century, had been going strong for almost seven years, but suffered more than $1 million of damage as a result of the storm. [Eater NY, NYP]

Eat Well: Wild Boar, Red Lentil Soup, and Baba Ghannouj

By Kate Lowenstein

Wild boar is leaner than steak.Photo: Lawton/SoFood/Corbis

Starting tomorrow, you're going to be looking to make good on those New Year's resolutions (which will only last a few days, tops). But you've got to ease into healthy eating this week: Kale and spinach won't satisfy you after you've enjoyed Christmas short ribs, sugar cookies, and eggnog. Turns out, restaurants around town are offering warm, comforting foods that happen to be packed with health benefits. This week, that means wild boar with chestnut purée at Vinegar Hill House, herb falafel at Boulud Sud, and creamy lentil soup at Zaytoons.

Sandwiches at Bien Cuit ahead. »

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