Jason Dady at City Grit; Gotham’s Vegetarian Lunch

• Black Tree on the LES is launching a summer "Slip and Slide-r" happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m. A slider-size sandwich board ($9) offers three sandwiches with daily changing fillings like ale-braised short rib. Chase your sliders with local craft beers on tap ($4) or a glass of wine. [Grub Street]

• Momofuku restaurateur David Chang, Andy Ricker of Pok Pok, Carlo Mirachi of Roberta's and Blanca and the Del Posto crew are among the all-star lineup of chefs who'll join Christopher Kostow's Twelve Days of Christmas dining series in December at Restaurant at Meadowood. Tickets range between $395 and $750, and the restaurant donates a significant portion of all sales to nonprofit organizations. Email reservations@therestaurantatmeadowood.com for more information or to secure your spot.

• To celebrate its new cookbook, Greenmarket to Gotham, the venerable Gotham Bar and Grill is offering a special vegetarian lunch this Saturday. A $75 ticket includes a three-course meal featuring recipes from the book, wine pairings from New Zealand Fine Wines, and a copy signed by chef Alfred Portale. Tickets can be acquired online or by phone. Seatings will be from noon till 2 p.m. [Grub Street]

• Jason Dady, the up-and-coming San Antonio chef, will cook a City Grit dinner this Friday. Expect dishes like blue-crab bahn mi and roasted papusa with duck carnitas. Tickets are $75. [Grub Street]

• The Center is kicking off Pride Week this Monday on Hudson River Park's Pier 84 with food from Acme and the Standard Grill, along with many others. [Grub Street]

Read more »

Dunkin’ Donuts Will Never Say It’s ‘Time to Make the Doughnuts’ Again

"He's not coming back." —Dunkin' Brands Group CFO Paul Carbone doesn't want to talk about Fred the Baker anymore. [AP]

Simon Oren’s Chef Driven Market Will Open in Union Square, After All

By Hugh Merwin

It's on again.

The restaurateur behind the 5 Napkin Burger chain and many other French-Mediterranean spots has been given the green light to open his planned 200-seat, full-service restaurant called Chef Driven Market on the north side of Union Square, the Post reports. Earlier, a nonprofit called NYC Park Advocates had been successful in its bid to stop the restaurant from opening, along with its "eye-popping brunch prices of up to $19.95 a plate." In January, a judge denounced the Bloomberg-backed plan, along with a Union Square-set holiday market, but today the five-judge Appellate Division reversed the ruling. The advocacy group may still appeal the decision. [NYP, Earlier, Earlier]

Pizza Drones and Hands-Free Whopper Holders: How Fast-Food Giants Make Big Money by Selling Fake Products

By Hugh Merwin

The hands-free Whopper holder is real, sorta.

Chances are good that in the last couple of years, you've helped a junk-food maker or fast-food company advertise itself. That's because big food corporations are figuring out that they can maximize their social-media footprint if they stop marketing their actual products and instead roll out fake, attention-grabbing creations they have no intention of ever making. It's not at all surprising that companies are trying to use viral content to market their products — but it is a little bit shocking how readily consumers go for the bait.

A relatively small initial investment on a fake product will yield returns. »

Lady Gaga’s Dad Unleashes Twitter Fury on Health Department

By Hugh Merwin

He previously went to the press when he had issues with the Health Department, but Joe Germanotta was apparently so angered after Joanne Trattoria on the Upper West Side was inspected last week that he decided to vent and offer his side of the story on Twitter. In some nineteen-odd tweets spanning everything from rotten potatoes to ice scoops, the restaurateur singles out "corrupt" officials by name and badge number, and even implores Bloomberg to give him a call so they can advance the cause of food safety together, or something like that. [Daily Mail via Eater NY, Earlier, Related]

Food Companies Tricking Customers by Making Processed Products Look More Natural and Wholesome

By Sierra Tishgart

Be afraid.

Most people know that a McMuffin's perfectly rounded egg has little relation to anything found in nature. Same goes for Kraft's identically shaped oval turkey slices — and the square burger patties at Wendy's. This is why companies are now intentionally making their products look less perfect and more rustic and wholesome: Kraft hired researchers to study the way people cut their meat so that its products appear "home-cooked," and Domino's workers received instruction to make pies look a bit sloppy. Customers are smart enough to know that processed food is bad for them, but companies hope that a "natural" appearance will trick them into thinking something's actually healthy. But, if anything, now the food's ugly on both the inside and the outside. [AP]

Rachel Maddow Improved the Piña Colada

By Hugh Merwin

Where's the rum?

Over the weekend, Dan Pashman of the Sporkful took to the airwaves and discussed the sorry state of the late modern piña colada with "Weekend Edition" host Rachel Martin on NPR. The gist of it is that the rum cocktail is traditionally based on Coco López, a stabilized and emulsified product that apparently scares some people off, and that it's never been improved. Until recently: The MSNBC host apparently developed a hack a while back that replaces the cream of coconut with orgeat, and the result is a less sickly sweet drink. The Maddow Colada recipe — which may or may not be crucial to a more bearable summer — is straight ahead.

Grab your paper umbrellas. »

McDonald’s Worker Sues After Receiving Ridiculous Debit Card Instead of Real Paycheck

By Hugh Merwin

Last month, Dallas, Pennsylvania, resident Natalie Gunshannon stopped working at her local McDonald's after three weeks on the job, not necessarily because the pay was bad (at $7.44 an hour, though, it was), but because the local franchise holder repeatedly told the 27-year-old that the only way she could be paid was in the form of a prepaid Chase Bank debit card that basically made the single mother pay extra any time she wanted access to her earnings.

Dollar menu, dollar surcharge. »

Disney’s Rumored Star Wars Land May Include Real-Life Mos Eisley Cantina

By Hugh Merwin

We already have, like, three of these in Bushwick.Photo: Lucasfilm/Twentieth Century Fox

Last week, Theme Park Insider cited "multiple sources" and posted a report that claimed that a spectacular Star Wars–themed attraction will be a main feature of Disney's overhaul of its Florida theme park. While a Disney World spokesperson says they've got "nothing to announce" at the moment, that hasn't stopped others from speculating about what might go on inside the Mos Eisley Cantina–themed restaurant that's said to be a key component of the rumored attraction. Think Jedi-mind-trick happy hours, craft cocktails with Greedo, and lots and lots of blue milk. [Theme Park Insider, The Force, Disney Food Blog]

Situational Dining: Where to Eat and Drink Outdoors in New York This Summer

By Sierra Tishgart

Sexy time at Montmarte.Photo: Henry Hargreaves

On the off chance that it's not pouring rain in the city — a depressingly frequent occurrence this year — you'll want to act quickly and enjoy the nice weather by eating outside. But since this is New York, "outdoor seating" can mean that you're at a table that overlooks traffic and you're breathing in fumes and shouting over honking just for the sake of getting some fresh air. That doesn't have to be the case: It should be pleasant and relaxing to sit outside in the summertime, and the good news is that there are a lot of new restaurants that understand this. Here are fifteen spots where you can enjoy various meals in the sun, ensuring that no matter who you're with or when you're eating, you can properly savor the season.

Hawker Bar, Distilled, and more. »

Eric Ripert Beats Jury-Duty Blues With Fond Thoughts of Vichyssoise

By Hugh Merwin

The Le Bernardin chef gets a jury summons and is called to report, and for whatever reason, even the drabbest municipal settings seem to inspire detailed ideas for dishes.

Twelve angry scallops. »

Ommegang Announces Take the Black Stout, Its Second Game of Thrones Beer

By Hugh Merwin

That's a weirwood tree on the label.Photo: Ommegang Brewery

The second installment of Brewery Ommegang's Game of Thrones–branded beer is a stout inspired by the Night's Watch. Take the Black Stout, My Beer Buzz notes, is "as dark as the winters that once engulfed Westeros, as robust as the men who swear their oaths at the Weirwood Tree." Also, it has a really pretty label! At 7 percent ABV, this beer is slightly more alcoholic than its predecessor, and it will be brewed with star anise and licorice root. These are two great talking points to keep in mind for the beer's fall release or for the next time George R.R. Martin shows up for dinner unannounced, whichever happens first. [My Beer Buzz, Earlier, Related]

Milk & Honey Drops Reservation Policy, Introduces ‘Joni Mitchell Blue Hour’

By Katie Van Syckle

Cocktailier Sasha Petraske is no longer taking reservations at Milk & Honey on 23rd Street. The place already accepted walk-ins, but now that will be the norm: "The rate of no-calls, no-shows went up by a factor of five from the downtown location," Petraske tells Grub Street, suggesting the ease of online reservations was part of the problem.

"All I Want" and "My Old Man" ... »

NYU and New York Magazine Launch Bedford + Bowery

By Grub Street

We're happy to announce that Bedford + Bowery is now live. The site, which was formerly the Local: East Village and a joint venture with the Times, is now a collaboration between NYU and New York Magazine. The blog has a new name, a new home, and a new scope: In addition to the East Village and LES, the site will also cover local news in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick. As Bedford + Bowery editor (and former Grub Street–er) Daniel Maurer said when the collaboration was first announced, the new site will cover "street-level stories that wouldn’t be reported otherwise." That means you'll be able to read about secret Black Flag shows, a new play about six Lena Dunhams all living together, and a Williamsburg rooftop supper with the author of Cook to Bang. Do click over (and follow them on Twitter) to give it a look. [Bedford + Bowery]

California Club Requires Women to Wear Heels

By Sierra Tishgart

You're off the hook if you're on crutches.

"Ladies: No flat shoes or sandals. Must have heels. Exception will be made if injured," reads the flyer announcing the opening of a twenties-themed club in Riverside called ProAbition. People found this offensive, of course, so ProAbition posted a half-assed apology on its Facebook page, stating that the flyer was for a specific event for after-dinner hours (shady!) and that "Fashionable Cocktail Attire" would have sufficed. "The bottom line is that we do have a dress code. Our dress code is not carved in stone — it changes with the time of day, day of the week, and with any event that is scheduled. Our intention was never to offend anyone." ProAbition will probably just hire an obnoxious bouncer to size up women and only let in the ones who look "sexy." Isn't that what other clubs do? [9 News World, ProAbition/Facebook]

We Have Our Winners for the Saveur Summer BBQ Tickets Giveaway

By Hugh Merwin

Last week, we asked to hear about your Most Outrageously Awesome Experience Cooking With Live Fire in exchange for a chance to win tickets to Saveur magazine's annual summer barbecue, which takes place next Tuesday at the West 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe. You told us stories about lighter-fluid explosions, marshmallow fires, lamb offal, and even Marlon Brando. Our five favorites are straight ahead.

"Here's to enjoying the simple things in life like a charred head of goat on open fire." »

Nigella Lawson’s Husband Met With Police After Public Choking Incident

By Hugh Merwin

Charles Saatchi reportedly "accepted a caution for assault" by police at a central London station yesterday after a series of disturbing photographs depicting the 70-year-old multimillionaire art collector choking and pushing wife Nigella Lawson was printed in the Sunday People. A number of photos depict the British celebrity chef and cookbook writer visibly upset and even in tears, but Saatchi has tried to downplay the incident, saying the spread gives a "more drastic and violent impression" than what actually happened last week when he repeatedly put his hands around her neck at a Mayfair restaurant during an argument in partial view of the public. "There was no grip," he said in a statement released yesterday. "It was a playful tiff." [Guardian UK, Earlier, Related]

06/17/13

Vin Sur Vingt May Open Near Madison Square Park; Dressler Closes

• Edible Queens is throwing a beer and meat party at Sunnyside Gardens Park on July 11. Samples of smoked whole hog, Peking duck, roasted lamb, and local craft beer will be available for tasting. Tickets for the shindig are $40 and can be purchased here. [Grub Street]

• Brooklyn's Mable's Smokehouse wants to mobilize production of pulled pork and candied yams. The restaurant's owners recently launched a crowd-funding campaign via FairStreet to raise $8,000 to create a smoker on wheels. Mable's has twelve days left to meet its goal. [Grub Street]

• Old School Brooklynin Carroll Gardens is now open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes a prix fixe option: You can get unlimited bellinis, mimosas, draft beers, or sake bloody Mary’s with any brunch item. [Grub Street]

• The West Village wine bar Vin Sur Vingt may be opening a new bar near Madison Square Park at Broadway and 26th Street. [Mad Park News]

Read more »

Applebee’s Now Promoting Coney Island’s Alt-Culture Mermaid Parade

By Hugh Merwin

Looks like fun.Photo: Courtesy of Applebee's

In what bizarro world does it make any sense whatsoever that the world-famous fast-casual purveyor of glazed riblet racks and Fiesta Lime Chicken salads would sell $45 tickets to an all-you-can-eat buffet in conjunction with Coney Island's biggest, grandest neptunian celebration of everything strange? The juxtaposition may be jarring, Jeremiah's Vanishing New York argues, but the brand-new neighborhood Applebee's promotion of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is just indicative of the neighborhood's sanitized future. It's the kind of place where chain restaurants open on every block, and sharks eat the little fish, literally.

Shoot the freaks. »

Watch CollegeHumor’s Amir and Ben Attempt to Fast

By Sierra Tishgart
Watch Video

In their latest contest, Amir and Ben see who can go the longest without eating or drinking. Raisins aren't even allowed! As expected, starvation is a struggle for these two: They start seeing Bruce Willis in bread form.

Scary stuff. »

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