Webster Hall Landmarked; Bruni Bestows Honor on BostonRest easy, as Webster Hall is safe at last, highly desirable restaurants exist in both Boston and Philadelphia, and food companies finally learned to court bloggers. Especially weird niche ones.
NewsFeed
Coming Soon: Boqueria, Part DosIf you’ve ever had the experience of squeezing past the Scylla and Charybdis of Boqueria’s tightly packed models and hams, you’ve probably wished the place were a little bigger. Owner Yann de Rochefort is now in talks to find a space for a bigger downtown Boqueria. And the leading candidate? None other than 10 Downing Street. That is to say, 10 Downing Street south, the southern of two storefronts in the building across from Da Silvano — as opposed to the other 10 Downing, north, the almost-home of Scott Bryan’s 10 Downing and now said to be the future kitchen of “Desperate Chef” Jason Neroni. (To add to the confusion, 10 Downing is also the name as well as the partial address of the latter restaurant.)
Neighborhood Watch
Gusto Now Going to Look and Taste Like Centro VinotecaChelsea: It doesn’t look good for those who are just getting used to the belly; pig’s ears are the latest trend, and even the version at stellar tapas spot Tía Pol was described by Peter Meehan as “crunchy and sticky with a funky pigskin flavor.” [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]
Financial District: Don’t forget, the trial run for the proposed year-round seasonal market at South Street Seaport starts on December 16 (and Molto Mario will be there). [Grub Street]
Park Slope: Tempo Presto is closing this Friday because the restaurant can’t keep up with the pricey rent. [Gowanus Lounge]
Upper West Side: Dovetail‘s opening next week. [Zagat]
West Village: Sasha Muniak must feel really good about the Centro Vinoteca formula; after tapping chef Anne Burrell to take over for Amanda Freitag, he plans to redesign the Gusto space by next year with help from Centro Vinoteca and Jean Georges designer Thomas Juul-Hansen. [Restaurant Girl] Andrea Strong unveils renderings of Jason Neroni’s new gig, 10 Downing. [Strong Buzz via Eater] Magnolia Bakery will be open regular hours every day this holiday season except for Christmas, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 24, kids can pick up a cupcake that comes with a note to Santa. [Bottomless Dish/Citysearch]
Williamsburg: A benefit party at Supreme Trading tomorrow night promises an open Bass Ale Beer bar from 7 to 8 p.m. and “one of the most difficult cuisines to find in New York City: Rwandan.” [Cakehead]
Back of the House
Jason Neroni Rumored to Be Cooking at 10 DowningWhen we spotted him cooking in Cantina’s tiny kitchen, Jason Neroni wouldn’t clue us into his future plans. Now Gawker brings word that he may be moving to Stephane Dorian’s 10 Downing, where Scott Bryan was the head chef. If it’s true, we bet Neroni will appreciate the extra legroom in the kitchen.
Rumors: Is Jason Neroni Off to 10 Downing? [Gawker]
Earlier: Jason Neroni Spotted in Cantina’s Kitchen, ‘America’s Most Wanted’ Not Called
Mediavore
Madman Runs Amok With BBQ Knives; Traci Des Jardins Overboard on ‘NextA madman grabbed knives from the Texas Smokehouse Barbecue and started slashing people in Murray Hill until he was gunned down. [NYP]
Traci Des Jardins is the first one overboard at The Next Iron Chef. [Serious Eats]
A lot of good restaurants have failed health inspections, leading to: “You’ll pay $90 for a prix-fixe meal complete with foie gras and lobster at celebrity chef David Bouley’s namesake restaurant — just watch out for eight-legged appetizers.” [NYP]
NewsFeed
What Will Scott Bryan Do at 10 Downing Street?Is Scott Bryan taking a lesser role at 10 Downing Street? A couple of weeks ago, we reported (and confirmed with the restaurant’s publicist) that Bryan would lead the kitchen at 10 Downing Street. Bryan himself discussed plans for the place with Food & Wine’s blog, Mouthing Off. But now we hear that Bryan may just be a consulting chef there. Given how famous Bryan is for his kitchen leadership, this would be a loss for 10 Downing. But maybe it won’t come to that! Negotiations between Bryan and the owners are ongoing; we’ll let you know when we do.
Earlier: Scott Bryan Will Cook at 10 Downing Street [Grub Street] Food and Wine interview [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]
Neighborhood Watch
Squid Guts, Massage Parlors, and Discounted WineDumbo: Superfine is hosting a Brazilian cocktail and dance party on Sunday night to benefit a “baptism ceremony for new students” of Capoeira Brooklyn. [Dumbo NYC]
East Village: Squid guts at Menkui-tei in Cooper Square are not as delicious as they sound. [Eat for Victory/VV]
Fort Greene: A bakery called Krumbs will open in the old Frosted Moon Emporium on Vanderbilt just near Myrtle. [Clinton Hill Blog]
Lower East Side: Schiller’s wants you to know that it’s not a massage parlor. Oh, and delivery is discounted. [Eater]
Midtown East: Crush Wine is taking 20 percent off all white bottles under $55 through this Friday. [Grub Street]
West Village: Scott Bryan expects to have his kitchen at 10 Downing Street up and running by November. [Mouthing Off]
NewsFeed
Scott Bryan Will Cook at 10 Downing StreetWe hate to spoil the fun over at Food & Wine, where a Mouthing Off post today quizzed readers on the new chef of 10 Downing Street. Given that we just announced our own contest, it seems unsportsmanlike to give the game away. But then we remembered our news mission. The answer is Scott Bryan, the three-star veteran of Veritas and one of the most widely respected chefs in the industry. (Readers of Kitchen Confidential will remember the otherwise corrosive Tony Bourdain’s almost reverent tribute to the chef in the book’s latter part.) Bryan will be serving what the restaurant’s publicist describes as “American cuisine with Mediterranean influence reminiscent of the early days of Chez Panisse and Zuni Café in San Francisco,” but really, the big draw is Bryan himself. It’ll be good to have him back.
Best New Chef Restaurant Quiz [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]
