at the sign of The Pink Pig

Hearth: Still There, Still Good

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  march 28, 2010]

Eschewing novelty this week - after all, if the Times restaurant critic can file a review of Chin Chin, the bar for newsworthiness is set pretty low - I revisit two East Village troupers which deserve renewed attention - Hearth and Pata Negra.

In fact, you can blame Sam Sifton for the Hearth visit almost entirely. 

Pata Negra: Still There, Still Good

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  March 29, 2010]

Does Pata Negra get enough love?  It's the small tapas bar on 12th Street, on the same strip which features the ever-packed Motorino and popular S'Mac. 

In this currently meat-obsessed city, you'd think fine Spanish hams would get at least as much worship as the average "smashed burger," but I just don't hear enough praise of this place.

All Popped Up: Tony Fletcher On The Sounds Of New York

[The Cunning Tower by Kim Davis:  March 29, 2020]

The title of Tony Fletcher's survey of New York music, 1927 through 1977, is a bit of a giveaway.

"All hopped up and ready to go..." is a lyric The Ramones liked so much, they sang it twice.

Tête-à-Tête With A Peacock: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  March 29, 2010]

Laurent Gras has quite a resumé. After working with such toques as Senderens, Savoy and Ducasse in Paris (and Monaco), his career brought him U.S. acclaim at the Fifth Floor in San Francisco, and now at L.20 in Chicago. But there was a New York interlude (and I don't mean at Bistro du Vent).

Support Brooklyn Star By Hootenannying

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  March 24, 2010]

I don't know if I reviewed Brooklyn Star, the Williamsburg slice of southern Americana, too warmly here - "A Star Shines in Brooklyn" - but a few weeks later the poor place was gutted by fire.

The building stands, but some refurbishment is clearly needed.  An event this Friday aims at raising money in appropriate style, presenting food and music in a "hillbilly chic" context.  For a good cause, anyway - details on the website, and good luck to them.

Roberta's: More New Bushwick Cuisine

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  March 22, 2010]

My claim to fame this week: if you google "Bushwick dining" - try it - the Pink Pig is the premier source on the worldwide web.  I never imagined.

Since this unlooked for prominence is based on the shaky foundation of my one review of Northeast Kingdom (which now has a new chef and menu, by the way), I thought I should bolster my credentials.

Quick Bites: Kanoyama

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  March 22, 2010]

Kanoyama is one of the better sushi options in the East Village, and recently extended itself by creating a sake bar in the premises next door.

The main attraction for me is the daily sheet of fish specials inserted in the menu - and last week it listed baby eels.

Uptown/Downtown: From The Whitney To The Dead Boys

[New York Peasant by Wilfrid:  March 22, 2010]

To the Whitney for another biennial, as much out of some probably misplaced sense of duty as out of real curiosity.  The seventy fifth such event, which had me scratching my head until I discovered it was originally an annual show.  I mean, the Whitney looks very young for 150.

Crimson And Clover: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid: March 22, 2010]

Da-na, na-na, na-na.  I know you are all singing along, and rightly so - because this week ten years ago I stood in line in an ice cold wind to see Joan Jett herself in some cavern of a ballroom too near the Hudson River.

Snacking: Is That A Brooklyn Shake Shack I See Before Me?

[Snacking by Wilfrid:  March 17, 2010]

Imagine a Shake Shack in Brooklyn.  That would stir some excitement, no?  The first in that proud boro.  But located where, exactly?