Crave on 42nd finally marks the NYC debut of 'Top Chef' alum Dave Martin
(Credit: Jori Klein)
The phrase “I’m not your bitch—bitch!” will forever trail “Top Chef” castoff Dave Martin, but hopefully this colorful new way-west spot will provide a better gastro-legacy for the emo-chef and his upscale comfort food. “I just wanna really get my food out to people,” he tells us. “Even if it was a food cart—if I didn’t get a restaurant, I’d get a street cart and get it out there somehow.” Yep, Martin’s ultra-hyped black-truffle mac-‘n’-cheese is the centerpiece (“We can’t keep it on the shelf anymore!” he exclaims), but he also throws in curios like “Sassy Sea Bass” with adobo honey butter, mascarpone-and- green-apple ravioli with bolognese sauce, plus a smattering of burgers and pizzas. It was a tough year for Martin, who was previously attached to Lola Is Soul but was ultimately asked to pack his knives and go. “It just wasn’t the right thing for both parties,” he says. “That was the past and a lesson learned.” But as Lola Is Soul co-owner Lola-Gayle told Metromix in September, “I think that David is a terrific chef with lots of potential, and I hope that New [Yorkers] have the opportunity to taste his cuisine soon.” C’mon Dave, now’s your chance to put on the waterworks. 650 W. 42nd St. at 12th Ave. 212-564-9588
Rheon Café
When the kitchen appliances get as much attention as the menu, you know you’ve met the newest love child of corporate-product-placement shack-ups. Enter Rheon Café, the Soho food outpost of a Japanese company that manufactures high-tech baking gadgetry like the Multi Co-Extruder—no, it’s not Han Solo’s toothbrush, but a cookie-making machine. The menu, which was crafted by former Morimoto sous chef Hisanobu Osaka, features an array of Asian-tinged pastries, soups and sandwiches, such as prosciutto with mozzarella, tomato, arugula and sesame-mayo sauce; and roasted duck with romaine lettuce and miso sauce. Sandwiches are available half (about $5) or whole (about $8). The space is tiny—four tables, eight chairs—but an outdoor patio should ease the croissant congestion. No word yet on whether there’s a Millennium Falcon landing pad out there. 189 Spring St. between Sullivan and Thompson Sts., 212-966-7040
Tre
All bets are off when you offer a $17 all-you-can-drink champagne brunch, but hey—when you’re trying to break into the increasingly saturated resto-polis known as the Lower East Side, you can’t blame a restaurant for trying. Brunch boozies notwithstanding, this deconstructed Italian newcomer, with its wood beams and exposed-bulb fixtures, offers a reliably savory menu filled with dishes like lamb meatballs and pantacce with sausage, fennel and grape tomatoes. The real intrigue, however, lies in subversive global touches: Ingredients like lemongrass, peanut sauce and chorizo make cameos in raviolis and tartares, and the restaurant winks at Spain with a pollo arrosto dish of crispy chicken breast with black beans, spinach and mushrooms. 173 Ludlow St. between Houston and Stanton Sts., 212-353-3353
ChikaLicious Puddin’
Business is booming for haute dessert-bar pioneer ChikaLicious: It hops across the street with this Mini-Me takeout-only sister spot dedicated solely to three types of pudding, each made to order: steamed apple, brioche bread and “Adult Chocolate,” made with Valrhona chocolate. A trio of shortbread gift boxes, which includes a seasonal holiday spice version, is also available at $10 a pop. 204 E. 10th St. between First and Second Aves., 212-475-0929
