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Palace Gate
This just out the gate! Or rather, inside it: The Palace Hotel has opened an outdoor lounge in the courtyard inside its iconic ornate gates, with a bar menu from Gilt exec chef Justin Bogle—call it Gilt Lite. The catch-all lineup includes thin-crust prosciutto pizza, grilled calamari and Asian-ish wings flavored with a ground yuzu-chili paste. And if you really need your "Gossip Girl" fix—the show is filmed at the hotel, for you non-Serenaphiles—Palace Gate will also be serving Gilt's popular Gossip Grill, a truffle-laced grilled-cheese sandwich created specifically for the show. "Oh hey, Jesus!" laughs Bogle when we mention the dish: Turns out, he had a background cameo on the first GG episode, which featured the restaurant and the dish. It's turned out to be their biggest seller. "Last week, we had a six-top come in—all six of them ordered it." Wash it down—along with your guilt for paying $30 for it—with a Pimm's Cup, made with lemonade, apple, cucumber and ginger beer. (455 Madison Ave. near 51st St., 212-891-8100)
Mesa Coyoacan
Ivan Garcia, who for two years was Patricio Sandoval's chef de cuisine at Mercadito, has flown the coop to open his first restaurant, in Williamsburg. It's Mexican, natch, but unlike Sandoval, whose vividly flavored dishes tend to skew modern, Garcia is keeping his menu strictly traditional, with recipes handed down by his grandmother. (The restaurant's name refers to the Mexican town where he was born.) La comida? Ceviche (octopus, shrimp, scallops), plus an array of tacos with a healthier twist—steak tacos are prepared al pastor (spit-grilled), while chile-laced fish tacos are grilled, not fried. Garcia is also serving traditional mixiotes—meats, such as lamb, cooked in banana leaves, which he pairs with cactus salad. (372 Graham Ave. between Conselyea St. and Skillman Ave., 718-782-8171)
Sel de Mer
Chef-owner Jeff Slagg, formerly of Oceana and neighborhood favorite Sweetwater, has gone “Mediterranean–meets–Long Island” with this seafood-focused eatery in Williamsburg. (Neighboring Mesa Coyoacan—see above—opened the same week, which could be the next big thing in reality TV. Dueling restaurant openings!). “The name does mean sea salt, but it’s sort of a play on words—it means people are working hard on the line to put out fresh fish, straight from the docks.” Slagg’s menu shows the chef’s love for the docks—three types of steamed mussels (garlic, Roquefort, chorizo) and oysters dot the appetizer menu. Whole fish like branzini and rainbow trout—served grilled, fried or roasted—fish cake sliders and beer-battered fish-and-chips round out the daily catches. T-bone and a smoked-Gouda-and-pancetta burger should suit those who could give a hell about the sel. (374 Graham Ave. between Skillman Ave. and Conselyea St., 718-387-4181)
Jacques Torres Ice Cream
Right on the heels of The General Greene's ice cream cart comes Jacques Torres' own entry into the scoop scene: The chocolatier has opened a cozy ice cream parlor next to his Dumbo choco shop. And unlike his Hudson Street store, which has a modest ice cream stand, this one's the full monty. A rotating roster of sweets includes up to 15 ice cream varieties, four sorbets and fro-yo, with flavors that riff on his uber-popular chocolate treats, like a caramel rum swirl based on his liquid caramel bon-bon and a "Wicked Chocolate" inspired by his hot chocolate. Plop them on a waffle, order up some cotton candy and cupcakes on the side (yes, they've got 'em), and then call an ambulance. (62 Water St. between Main and Dock Sts., 718-875-1269)
Also open:
Uber-popular Stumptown coffee is the bean of choice at Prospect Heights café Sit and Wonder, whose coffee-dunking pastries (scones, muffins) and 60 electrical outlets make this the ideal spot fork work, webcrawling or garden-variety wondering. (688 Washington Ave. at St. Marks Ave. 718-622-0299)
Much-hyped and blogged-about Chelsea gastro-lounge Avenue is set to open Monday, June 8, shelling out specialty cocktails and fancy food like Kobe beef sliders and prawn lollipops served in bento-box-like vessels. (116 Tenth Ave. between 17th and 18th Sts., 212-337-0054)
Gramercy noodle shop Terakawa Ramen offers something for noodle lovers of all stripes, from a pork-bone-based broth to soy-bean version. (18 Lexington Ave. at 23rd St., 212-777-2939)
The first Manhattan location of Yogurberry has landed on 23rd Street, offering another option for fans of live cultures at low temperatures but sets itself apart with a larger range of offerings including a "hot bar" fish cake on a stick and "cup noodle" instant ramen. (127 E. 23rd St. between Lexington and Park Ave. S., 212-228-9087)
The folks behind Slope pizza sensation Franny's have opened nearby upscale grocery Bklyn Larder, stocked with local pantry purveyors like McClure's Pickles and Nunu Chocolates, plus gourmet sandwiches and veggie-centric sides by the pound. (228 Flatbush Ave. between Sixth Ave. and Bergen St., 718-783-1250)
Meals, deals, specials:
Gansevoort Hotel: Every weekend until Labor Day, the Meatpacking hotel's rooftop lounge is hosting a "St. Tropez–style" brunch-and-booze pool party , beginning at noon. Brunch and bikinis—are we in L.A.? (18 Ninth Ave. at 13th St., 212-660-6715)
JoeDoe: The tiny East Village sleeve introduced a new happy hour with half-priced drinks and a "Munch Menu" (pickled duck eggs, fried cheese curds), with a drink-and-munch combo going for $8. (45 E. First St. between First and Second Aves., 212-780-0262)
Beppe: Nothing like kicking off the week with affordable wine! The Gramercy eatery is offering 50 percent off all wine bottles every Monday all summer long. (45 East 22nd St. at Broadway, 212-982-8422)
Additional reporting by Matt Rodbard; photo by Sean Ellingson
What other people are saying...
saraht - June 7, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Jacques Torres Ice Cream is fantastic. It's super decadent but a good summer treat.
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