It’s mid-July and the New York dining scene is hot with weather and news. This week we say farewell to the owner of Peter Pan Donuts and Midtown restaurant The Lambs Club. On the brighter side, Tribeca Indian restaurants Musaafer and Tamarind have both added new items to the menus that we can’t wait to try.
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The 411
Community Mourns a Brooklyn Legend
Since 1993 Donna Siafakas ran Brooklyn’s famed Peter Pan Donuts & Pastry, which opened in Greenpoint over 60 years ago. now, the great lady has gone to the great doughnut bakery in the sky.
New Chef at Askili Orchard
Georgian-born Tengo Eteria has led an interesting life so far: he was a professional soccer player in Estonia, he’s worked as a musician and DJ, he’s logged time in the kitchen of Michelin three-star restaurant, Azurmendi, in Spain’s Basque Country, and he’s served as a judge on the popular Georgian TV cooking show, Kitchen Wars.
His latest chapter is executive chef at cutting-edge Georgian restaurant, Askili Orchard, in the West Village. Chef Eteria has added some zest to the menu with a dozen or so new dishes that have a lighter, more refined touch with a dose of creativity. One example: khachapuri stuffed with nettle leaves and spinach, and glazed with a chive pesto.
Mee Noodle Shop & Grill Gets a Second Life
There was a legitimate fear that longtime East Village Chinese spot Mee Noodle Shop & Grill was going to shutter due to the outrageous rent hike by the landlord. Fortunately, as reported by EV Grieve, said landlord has had a change of heart and the beloved noodle shop will continue making cold sesame noodles and other delights for years to come.
Pour One Out For The Lambs Club
Atmospheric, 16-year-old Midtown restaurant, The Lambs Club, will serve its final meal on July 25, the restaurant announced on Instagram. The space will eventually be reborn as The Wolseley Restaurant under new ownership.
This Restaurant Flies Away
The Avenue C bar and social club, Francis Kite Club, will be grounding its kite for good on August 1, the bar announced on its Instagram account last week. The reason for the closure: a large rent increase, which unfortunately is a tune we’ve heard too often.
Hot Dog, Meet Burger
Hot dogs and burgers are getting chummy. For National Hot Dog Day on July 15, 107-year-old Walter’s Hot Dog Stand in White Plains and Mamaroneck is doing a weiner pop-up at Gotham Burger Social Club on the Lower East Side. For one day only, guests can stop into the popular burger joint starting at 11 a.m. to enjoy a classic dog topped with Walter’s proprietary tangy mustard, onions, and sauerkraut.
Coming Soon to SoHo
We were sad to learn that chef Enrique Olvera’s Atla had shuttered back in May, but now elated to know that in that same SoHo space the chef is opening up Bar Cosme this autumn. The bar will be helmed by Eleven Madison Park alum Sebastián Tollius and will focus on raw-ish ingredients, plus fire-kissed, asador-style fare and creative cocktails.
It’s Untitled For a Reason
Korean restaurants are having a New York moment. Now, chef Jungsik Yim, who helms the kitchen at his eponymous Michelin three-star restaurant, has just opened up a new spot at W. 30th St. Meet MŪJE, meaning “untitled” in Korean, a more casual restaurant than Jungsik, but still elegant and refined. The menu, taking inspiration from all over Asia, includes an eight-course prix-fixe option for $150.
On the Menu
Baristas and Beans Meet at Bloomingdales
Italian coffee roaster, Illy, is temporarily setting up shop in front of Bloomingdale’s SoHo location. The pop-up offers limited-edition, seasonal coffees and beverages, such as the Vanilla Clove and the Rose Berry Foam. Visit the stand now and until October 1.
Tamarind Tribeca’s Birthday Menu
To further celebrate Tamarind Tribeca’s 25 years of life, the august Indian restaurant will feature menu items old and new until July 25 with an 18-dish prix-fixe menu for $125. In the old category, there’s fan favorite Kalimirch Lamb Chops and in the new category, there’s Malabar Lobster.
Musaafer’s Summer Menu
Buzzy Tribeca Indian restaurant Musaafer just debuted a summer menu inspired by chef Mayank Istwal’s 100-day journey across India. Some new dishes include, Prawn Manchurian Toast, Jhol Momo (chicken, timur xo, tomatoes, sesame, and peanut), and Dum Aloo Gucchi, which is a crispy potato disc with garlic-tomato chutney, Kashmiri dum, and aloo gravy.
Haute Dog
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has created The Mark’s Caviar Haute Dog, a hot dog sprinkled with Caviar Kaspa. It’s no wonder it comes with a $58 price tag. Get the one-day only dish at The Mark on July 18 in honor of National Caviar Day.
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.
Tuesday: To celebrate the semi-finals in the World Cup, particularly France vs. Spain on Tuesday afternoon, I’m going to one of my favorite BYOB restaurants: Tartine, a rustic French restaurant in the West Village.
Wednesday: In related news, I’ll be spending Wednesday afternoon watching the other World Cup match, England vs. Argentina at Bohemian National Hall, a century-old Czech beer garden in Astoria, Queens., that is on our list for the best places to watch the World Cup.
Saturday: To reference a great Stevie Wonder album, it’s hotter than July. So head to the beach—specifically Coney Island. It’s National Hot Dog month too, so it’s the perfect time to indulge an all-beef frank at Nathan’s, as well as other delights around the neighborhood.
