Welcome to the first week of autumn in NYC and the news. There are two new brunches in town, both at the same place; chef Stefano Secchi may be opening something in the West Village; and Oktoberfest is in full swing. Prost!
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The 411
This week we said goodbye to Sweet Chick and hello to FKA. We also learn how chefs are creating more food and less waste. And we may have a dreamy job for you at Eleven Madison Park.
And the Toughest Table in the World to Reserve Is …
Can you guess the hardest place in the world to get a reservation? A news study by hospitality tech app Dojo found it’s The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine. Maybe it’s called “lost” because you’ll most certainly lose at trying to get a seat at the table here.
Other restaurants in the top 20 include Disfrutar in Barcelona at number three and Pujol in Mexico City at number seven. In the second spot is the only New York City restaurant that made the list: Rao’s. It’s hard to believe that even 4 Charles, which is impossible to get into, didn’t make the list.
Are you an Experienced “Dreamweaver”?
If so, lauded restaurant Eleven Madison Park may have a job for you. But wait, what exactly is a “dreamweaver”? Let’s let the restaurant explain in the job posting: “We are looking for a hospitality-minded, highly-skilled artist to join our Guest Relations team as a Dreamweaver.
This position plays an important role in creating personalized and creative experiences for our guests using a variety of artistic mediums.” Among the job requirements are, “Artistic abilities spanning multiple mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and general crafting.” Apply here, and weave your own dream come true.
Oktoberfest Season is Here
It’s beer-drinking season. So try to fit into those lederhosen that have been sitting in your closet and point yourself to Sadie’s at the South Street Seaport. News is the restaurant and bar is going to be celebrating Oktoberfest on September 26 and 27 and then again on October 3 and 4. Guests can dig into autumn-inspired Teutonic fare like sausages, sauerkraut, plus-sized pretzels, and pastrami sandwiches. There will even be live music in the Garden Bar.
The Bar Formerly Known As …
The East Village is home to a new bar with a curious name: FKA, otherwise known as Formerly Known As. The bar is brought to you by alums of Balthazar, Del Posto, Arthur & Sons, and Lucky Charlie. Inside you’ll find craft cocktails and dishes inspired by street food from around the world.
Chef Stefano Secchi’s Next Move?
Word on the strada is that Stefano Secchi of Massara and Rezdôra is going to be moving into the West Village space formerly occupied by Elephant & Castle on Greenwich Ave. and Perry St. The name on the liquor license application is listed as “Forno,” but details on the news are scant at this point, so stay tuned for more. information.
Chefs on the Move
Chef Mark Ladner is out at Babbo. It’s been almost a year since Ladner and prolific restaurateur Stephen Starr attempted to resurrect the once-beloved Greenwich Village restaurant. Reasons for the chef’s departure have not been made public, but very mixed reviews of the new Babbo might point to the need for a change in the top toque.
In other Italian restaurant news, health-conscious Roman restaurant Ginger Ristorante has two new toques in the kitchen: Gabriel Luca as executive chef and Esmeyra Gomez as pastry chef.
The Ultimate Accessory for Your Martini
Ascend up to Guardian, the rooftop bar atop the W New York – Union Square hotel and order a Gilded Olive Martini. The martini is the work of Quattro Gatti Gin, designer Presley Oldham, and the W New York – Union Square and it comes with a custom bejeweled pick designed by Oldham. The olive-holding pick features deep green crystals and is yours to take home. But act fast: there are only 150 of them.
Make Food Not Waste
The third-annual Make Food Not Waste Restaurant Week is upon us, and this year there are a ton of restaurant industry heavy hitters participating. The list includes Cynthia, Somssi, and Oberon, as well as annual regulars Corima, Bangkok Supper Club, and Raf’s, among others. From September 28 to October 4, head to any of the participating restaurants to dig into dishes made utilizing a zero food waste philosophy.
The weeklong event is organized by Mill, an automated kitchen appliance that transforms food scraps into dry, odorless coffee-ground-like material.
Sweet Chick Clucks Out of Williamsburg
After 13 years, we heard news of Sweet Chick shuttering its flagship spot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Southern-accented fried chicken sandwich shop still has outlets on the Lower East Side, as well as in Long Island City, Prospect Heights, and Union Square.
On the Menu
There’s news of fresh brunch services—two of them, actually—at Union Square, an autumnal menu at The Golden Steer, and a new sandwich collaboration at Edith’s.
STK Is Celebrating Its RARE Steak Championship Win
After winning big at the RARE Steak Championship in New York a couple of weeks ago, STK is celebrating in the best possible way: it’s offering BOGO—that’s Buy One, Get One Free—of its A5 Wagyu Poststickers. At first, STK was only offering it at its New York locations and then they decided to throw caution to the wind and shared the news that the offer is now at every STK in the country (except for one location—sorry, Las Vegas). The deal goes through September 27.
Sundays Are for Steak
Close out your weekend with a cocktail at Limo Bar in the East Village. They’ve just begun a Sunday evening special. Every Sunday they’re offering Steak Frites topped with salsa verde for $29, a perfect accompaniment to your dirty martini or old fashioned.
The Golden Steer Gets Autumnal
Las Vegas export, The Golden Steer, is stepping into autumn the only way it knows how: by offering some seasonal dishes to its menu. Grab a seat at this Greenwich Village steakhouse to graze on Baked Crab Cakes with Bowtie Remoulade, Butternut Squash with Marcona Almonds and Sage, and, of course, Pumpkin Pie.
Edith’s Latest Collab
Starting September 23, Edith’s Sandwich Counter is collaborating with Amber Waves Farm, a non-profit that teaches food education and sustainability, to create a limited-edition sandwich. Let’s introduce our mouths to the Eggplant Schnitzel Sandwich, topped with date and orange mostarda and crunchy almond remolata. It’s a very friendly sandwich to vegetarians (and the people who love them.) The sandwich will be on the menu until the ingredients run out, so act on this news fast.
New Brunch Above or Below at W New York – Union Square
The revamped restaurants and bars at the W New York – Union Square are welcoming diners for weekend brunch. On Saturdays, stop by ground-floor restaurant Seahorse to indulge in unlimited Spritzes, Prime Steak and Eggs, Brioche French Toast, and Eggs Benedict. On Sundays, the rooftop bar and restaurant, Guardian, takes over brunch duties with Lamb Chops and Wagyu Sliders, highlighted by a 90-minute open bar.
Fly Us to the Mooncake
The new 9,000-square-foot Long Island City bar, restaurant, and karaoke spot, Rewind, is celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival by offering a mooncake-inspired cocktail and pairing it with actual mooncakes.. Enter the Moonlit Aroma, an interpretation of autumn via a Chinese cultural lens. The drink includes Remy Martin V.S.O.P., osmanthus, A-Li-Bang black tea, Tie Guan Yin oolong tea, black sesame, salted egg yolks, pineapple juice, and, finally, served alongside a warm chestnut. Head there on Friday, September 25 and your Moonlit Aroma will be paired with Green Tea Lava Mooncake or a classic White Lotus Mooncake.
Indian-Inspired Cocktails Await
Indian eatery Kanyakumari has just initiated its very first cocktail program. And it’s a potently good one. Each cocktail is connected to a coastal region or city in India. Stop in to sip on a Mumbai Dreams, which includes banana-infused bourbon and house banana skin oleo saccharum. Or Goa Sunset, a blend of tequila, fresh pineapple juice, passion fruit, lime, and agave. There are a handful of other inventive cocktails waiting for you.
Don’t Miss This Week
Need some dining out recommendations? Try these three hot spots, and make sure to check out the week’s events.
Wednesday: Lounge on Pearl at the Wall Street Hotel is saying “pumpkin schumpkin” and offering a new lot of autumnal cocktails inspired by seasonal ingredients that don’t have the words “pumpkin” or “spice” in them. I’m all about this and I’ll be headed there this week for sure, maybe making a pitstop at nearby Delmonico’s
Thursday: Papa San, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant located near Hudson Yards, was a big winner at the RARE Steak Championship a couple of weeks ago in the Creative Steak category. I know this because I was a judge and rated Papa San’s entry very highly. I’m headed to the restaurant this week to try the steak again because it was that good.
Friday: Amidst the NYC bakery boom we’ve been witnessing in this post-pandemic world, there are excellent bakeries we’ve yet to ever hear about or try. And then there’s Red Beard Coffee & Bakery in the East Village, where I’ll be pointing myself on Friday
