Neighborhood Watch

Grandaisy Bakery to Close Soho Shop; Toqueville Gets a New Toque

Midtown West: This year, Chocolat Michel Cluizel will make Purim even sweeter with an inventive take on the mishloach manot, an edible gift basket customarily gifted for the holiday. The basket (which is actually chocolate) will include kosher truffles and hamantaschen. Be a mensch and buy one for a friend, for only $35. [Grub Street]
Prospect Park: If the first hint of spring weather has you daydreaming of searching for wild spring greens and roots, wander no further than Prospect Park, where “Wildman” Steve Brill will lead an urban foraging expedition on March 17. Call (914) 835-2153 at least a day in advance to reserve a spot. [Grub Street]

Soho: The flagship location of Grandaisy Bakery will close in July. Plans to expand into Chelsea appear still to be moving forward. [NYT/Eater NY]
Times Square: The ballet “Aureole” has, on its 50th anniversary, inspired a special prix fixe menu at Aureole. The celebratory dinner menu will be offered until April 1 for $55, or make an evening of it and pair the dinner with its dance for $125. Our taste buds have danced before, but they’ve never turned pirouettes – until now. [Grub Street]
Union Square:Tocqueville has announced Jason Lawless as its new chef de cuisine. Lawless, who has trained at Tocqueville for a year in preparation for his new gig, is an alum of Tabla, Mix, and Morrell’s, among others. [Grub Street]
Upper East Side:Numero 28’s location at First Ave. and E. 74th St. will be serving up its inaugural brunch this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Try the brunch pizza (topped with mozzarella, tomato sauce, eggs and choice of bacon or ham) and a Bloody Mary made with pizza sauce. [Grub Street]

Grandaisy Bakery to Close Soho Shop; Toqueville Gets a New Toque