Debacle at the Russian Tea Room; Neroni Wins a RaveThe Russian Tea Room must be sorry they hassled Frank Bruni over a bottle of wine. [NYT]
Peter Meehan finds the ribs at the Smoke Joint “passable.” [NYT]
A rave for Grub Street pen pal Jason Neroni at Porchetta — “thought-provoking but mouthwatering as well.” [NYS]
Not a review, strictly speaking, but Cuozzo slams Varietal for their use of a toxic bean, finds the wine list “heavy on obscure and mediocre selections, like sour-tasting Tasmanian pinot noir.” [NYP]
Best sardines ever at Brooklyn’s Sample, “a geography class for gourmands.” [NYDN]
Chez Lola is an “incredibly sexy, glamorous and inventive melding of an art deco bar and eclectic antique shop,” and the food is pretty good too. [New York Press]
NewsFeed
Just in Time: Brunch in a Clinton Hill GardenChez Lola, barely two months old and already a Clinton Hill standby, has now taken its single-handed gentrification of Myrtle Avenue to a new level: The bistro, sister to Fort Greene’s Chez Oskar has started serving brunch. Chez Lola has been drawing diners with its heated garden, and though the weather will get chilly this weekend, expect much of the brunch crowd to sit outside. There will be a full menu of omelettes, salmon, slow-roasted pork loin, burgers, and croque madame available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chez, Lola, 387 Myrtle Ave., nr. Clermont Ave.; 718-858-1484.