Gourmet Gossip: November 2016

In this great dining city of ours, barely a day passes without news of an exciting restaurant opening, a devastating closing, a shocking chef shuffle, or a groundbreaking, must-try dish.  That’s why we’re keeping you apprised of the industry’s most noteworthy bits and bites, from the launch of Keith McNally’s glittering Augustine, to a Danny Meyer takeover in Bryant Park.

Augustine in Autumn: After a tremendous amount of lead-up, Keith McNally’s Augustine is finally set to open in the gloriously restored Beekman Hotel.  Helmed by his longtime chefs Daniel Parilla and Shane McBride, the French fare-focused stunner will further cement his position as king of the NYC brasserie, serving Salt-Baked Oysters, Gruyere Souffles, Duck a l’orange and a towering Le Petit Aioli.

Going Public: Danny Meyer is already the king of Madison Square Park, and this winter, he’ll be taking Bryant Park by storm as well, with the debut of his holiday pop-up, Public Fare.  Occupying the northeast corner of the skating rink, the all-day eatery is serving coffee and pastries, soups and sandwiches, and even an array of warm and cool cocktails.  And not only that, but Marco Canora’s bone broth-purveying Brodo has set up shop in the bustling winter market as well — so get ready for an epic afternoon of ice skating followed by a holiday shopping blow-out, buoyed by sensational, sustaining bites from two of NYC’s most formidable restaurauters.

The White Album: While it will still be a week or two before they start a full-fledged dinner service, April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman’s newest juggernaut — the over-the-top butcher shop, White Gold — is officially open for business, serving breakfast items and snacks.  But we’re not talking croissants, crudité and avocado toast here; hearty, meat and potatoes offerings include English-style pasties with root veggies and short rib, bubbling pots of bone broth, and a hot dog happy hour — serving housemade, reduced-priced links to the after school set.

Death by Chocolate: Thought Gabriel Kreuther couldn’t get any more luxe?  The fine dining-reviving restaurant just launched a gorgeous adjunct candy shop called Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate.  The establishment’s eponymous Alsatian chef teamed up with longtime pastry partner, Marc Aumont (also formerly of The Modern, where he masterminded the chocolate trolley) to open the cocoa wonderland, which peddles truffles like Roasted Pineapple, Concord Grape and Bananas Foster, as well as Hazelnut Cheesecake Macarons, and Tea Cakes injected to order with eyedroppers of maple syrup.

Pasta Pop-Up: After serving as opening chefs for the East Village’s diminuative restaurant “speakeasy,” dinnertable, husband-and-wife team Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito are leap-frogging on the success of their Lasagna Bolo for Two — by offering a limited time Pasta Omakase inside of New York Sushi Ko.  Taking place on Sunday evenings from November 6th through December 18th, the 10-course tasting menu cuts a swath through Italy and Japan, with inventive noodle compositions such as Buffalo Milk Caramelle with black sesame and persimmon, Tortelletti In Brodo with stracchino, pistachio and mortadella “tonkotsu”, and Pici di Grano Arso with duck sausage and preserved plum.

A Moveable Feast: It’s the most wonderful time of the year — the debut of Momofuku Milk Bar’s Thanksgiving Croissant!  An unofficial kick-off to the holiday season, the limited edition, annual treat packs an entire dinner into the flaky depths of a celery salt-seasoned pastry; including cranberry sauce, gravy, and an even mix of light and dark turkey meat.