Adam Platt Ranks 6 of Our Favorite New Tasting MenusOver the last several months, newly refurbished tasting ateliers, discreet dining bars, and elaborately conceived chef’s menus have been popping up with such frequency that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
ByAdam Platt
Neighborhood Watch
Anella’s New Menus; Secret Café in Clinton HillPlus: Mile End struggles with the demand for smoked meat, and how to meet the brothers Voltaggio, in our regular roundup of neighborhood food news.
Bye-bye, Bottled Water; Cheyenne Diner ClosedBottled water is becoming a faux pas, Cindy Adams takes the stand in the Patsy’s-vs.-Patsy’s trial, and the patrons of the Cheyenne Diner have one last meal there.
Economy Shrinks Portions, Swaps Ingredients; a Ko Reservation Fake-outWith food coasts soaring, high- and low-end kitchens are taking measure to reduce portions, swap out costly ingredients, and serve more dishes with higher profit margins. [WSJ]
In related news, it doesn’t look like wheat prices will drop anytime soon: “Consumption has exceeded production in seven of the last eight years.” [NYT]
The online reservation page for Ko was live for ten minutes on Friday, but now you need a password to enter it. Still, at least you can add the URL to your bookmarks and check it every hour. [Eater]
Did you know that nine large feasts from Boston Market can add up to $1,800? A Queens woman found that out, but since she was using fake checks, she didn’t care too much. [NYP]
The Times has a review/promotional article of their own city-beat reporter Jennifer 8. Lee’s exploration of Chinese cuisine, The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food. [NYT]
Related: Jennifer 8. Lee Tackles Fortune Cookies
Mediavore
Pizza Prices Definitely Going Up; Bruni Loves BjörkThere’s no doubt about it: Pizza prices are going up. A survey of pizzerias around town — well, below 14th Street, anyway — reveals that slice prices are almost unanimously going to increase over the next few months, owing to the soaring price of flour. [City Room/NYT]
Though the National Labor Relations Board ruled more than two weeks ago that Saigon Grill‘s deliverymen must be rehired with full back pay, delivery service at both locations remains suspended and there are doubts about its returning anytime soon. [Villager]
You can learn so much from hanging out at Ko and the Rusty Knot, like how good Jay-Z is at playing pool. [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]
Mediavore
Psilakis Moving Kefi to Better Space; Chodorow Moving Wild Salmon to a BetterMichael Psilakis is moving Kefi into a bigger and better space not far from its current location. [Diner’s Journal/NYT]
Jeffrey Chodorow’s plagued seafood endeavor Wild Salmon is rumored to close before the New Year. [Eater]
A list of restaurants for Christmas Eve and day dining includes traditional picks like the Café at Country and Allen & Delancey, and more unique options like a Scandinavian Christmas Eve feast at Aquavit and dim sum from Chinatown Brasserie. [Restaurant Girl]