This week in restaurant news, we learned what Taylor and Travis ate at their wedding rehearsal dinner, we said goodbye to another NYC food hall, indulged in martinis in SoHo, and we met a New Yorker who makes images of famous people out of leftover food.
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The 411
What T&T (aka Taylor & Travis) Ate
As of now, there are very few details about what Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and their A-list guests did at the celebrated Madison Square Garden wedding on Friday evening. But we do know what they ate at the 100-person rehearsal dinner on Thursday night, and we might be a little jealous. The affair was catered by Sartiano’s, a chic Italian restaurant in SoHo. Guests grazed on Spaghetti Arrabbiata, Meatballs, Stuffed Paccheri, and Caviar Cannoli.
The Sweet Potato Formerly Known as Prince
A portrait of Knicks star Jalen Brunson made out of mashed potatoes, peppers, turnips, and eggplant? An image of Prince made with purple sweet potatoes and spaghetti? It’s all the hobby of 38-year-old New York City resident Harley Langberg, who works at an investment firm by day, but creates portraits of well-known figures with food by night. You can even purchase his creative handy work.
Martini Madness
If you’re in the mood for a cold martini—and who’s not in this steamy weather?—point yourself to The Dutch in SoHo. Part of the space was just transformed into a nine-seat martini bar. There are signature martinis and riffs on the classic cocktail, including the shaved ice Dirty Snow Cone, as well as mini martinis.
Live Jazz, Japanese Style
The Fukuoka-style ramen spot in Gramercy, Gogyo, serves up some luscious soup and other southern Japanese delights. And if you like your ramen with live jazz, head there on Wednesdays and/or Sundays between 5:30 and 9 p.m. when the restaurant has a trio playing live (but soft) jazz as the soundtrack to your slurping.
Massara Is Back!
After a fire forced Italian restaurant Massara to relocate a few blocks away, chef Stefano Secchi has at last moved back to the two-floor restaurant’s original location on Broadway and East 21st Street. Even better news, Secchi can once again fire up that oven where he makes the most perfect mini pizzas in the city using a lievito madre (or sourdough starter) that began life about 35 years ago in Italy.
Another Food Hall Says Bye Bye
Perhaps a further piece of evidence that New York eaters are just not that into food halls, Urban Hawker is shutting later this month. The Singapore-style food hall in Midtown was originally thought of by the late Anthony Bourdain who had conceived of an idea to open a massive food hall with all his favorite food vendors from Asia and beyond.
On the Menu
Soccer Sandwich
If you have World Cup fever or sandwich insanity—or both—make a beeline for Alidoro at Rockefeller Center. The famed Italian sandwich shop has just added a limited-time soccer-themed sandwich to its menu. Meet Il Calcio, the Italian word for soccer (or football). The overly stuffed sandwich includes prosciutto, porchetta, mozzarella, salsa verde, giardiniera, habanero mustard, and Mike’s Hot Honey. It’s an Italian riff on the Cubano. Il Calcio costs $26 and comes with chips, a cookie, and soda. It’s available now and until July 19.
Tomato (Ramen) Season Is Here!
It’s officially summer which means tomatoes are gloriously ubiquitous. It also means that Ramen Dando has put Tomato Ramen on the menu. The restaurant focuses on tonkatsu ramen, a noodle soup that originated in Fukuoka, boasting a pork bone broth that simmers for 18 hours. The tomato version is tangy and delicious, and only available at the Park Slope location.
A Birthday Cake for a Nation
Delmonico’s, the first fine dining restaurant in the United States, is fittingly celebrating the 250th birthday of the nation by adding the Baked Alaska to its menu starting this month. The Baked Alaska was invented in 1867 by Delmonico chef Charles Ranhofer. The updated version was created by chef Miro Uskokovic of Hani’s Bakery + Cafe in the East Village.
Did Someone Say $9 Martinis?
At the new Piccolo Morini, located in SoHo, you can cozy up to the bar and sip very affordable martinis. That’s because they’re nicely priced at just $9. And if you need something in your stomach to continue the cocktail consumption, there are plenty of pastas to choose from.
Gramercy Tavern’s Surprise Sandwich
Every month, Gramercy Tavern offers a special surprise lunch offering, usually in the form of a sandwich and only available in the bar area. For the month of July, it’s Cucumber Soup and a Smoked Pork Sandwich. The sandwich also includes caraflex cabbage and grilled peach sauce.
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: Beloved SoHo spot, Lure Fishbar, was in danger of closing when its neighbor, Prada, coveted the restaurant space and threatened to take it over. The issue has been resolved and Lure will continue to cast its lines for fresh fish for years to come, hopefully—since it’s one of best restaurants in SoHo. To celebrate, I’ll be feasting on fish at this super fun hot spot.
Saturday: I’ll be at the Nando’s SoHo pop-up Saturday morning, July 11. The cult peri-peri chicken chain, with outlets in five other states (but not New York) is collaborating with Utopia Bagels to create a peri-peri chicken bagel. This clucking Franken-bagel is only available to the first 150 people, so get in line. The party starts at 10 a.m. at 341 Broome St. Can’t make it? Here are a few other prime spots to get your bagel on.
Sunday: Georgian food is one of the great, underrated cuisines of the world. Everyone should experience a real Georgian supra, or feast, in which gout-inducing levels of delicious food and wine are devoured and there’s enough revelry and fun to make you wish it would last a lifetime.
And now, New Yorkers can partake in a Georgian supra. Laliko, located in the West Village, is hosting a supra on Sunday, July 12 for just 12 lucky people. I will be one of them. The cost is $125 per person. The gluttony begins at 2 p.m.
