at the sign of The Pink Pig

Time Out Dumb Eats 2011

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  June 28, 2011]

Time Out's annual Cheap Eats survey went above and beyond this year.  It has always been a reliable source of gaffs when it comes to misleading price estimates and unhelpful tips.

Can I split it?  (Yes, you can...)

This year it really jumped the shark.  It may be the single worst food feature I've ever read in a New York magazine.  Really.

The Morgan Restaurant (Not Museum)

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  June 27, 2011]

Could Bushwick (oh, sorry, East Williamsburg - yeah, right) become the new East Village?  As far as dining and drinks go, anyway?

It will take a long haul to get there.  Not that The Morgan isn't a worthwhile step in that direction.  And about five minutes from the same L Train stop as Roberta's, in case you are wondering whether it's worth reading this review.

The Tender Tears of Laurel Nakadate

[New York Peasant by Wilfrid:  June 27, 2011]

For once, let me not completely fail to review an exhibit before it closes.  Okay, this is an imperfect attempt, because you just missed Laurel Nakadate's "365 Days: A Catalogue of Tears" at Lesley Tonkorow.

But I save the day - because many of the photos from that piece, together with an enormous overview of the rest of the artist's practice, runs at MoMA PS 1 through August 8.  Get over there.

Stricken: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  July 27, 2011]

Stricken.  By what?  By journal is silent, except to say that I was.  Four or five days so I expect it was just on of those miserable summer colds.  Not much, therefore, to report on what happened to me in the persistent June rain ten years ago.  A bit of eating and gallery-going nevertheless.

The Whitney and the Frick, in any case,  ignoring forked lighting, for Calder, Van der Rohe, El Greco and Roni Horn.

People have been asking "What happened to Mouthfuls?" Yes, it's down. No, it's not meant to be. Doubtless either a problem at the vendor's end or a payment which didn't get processed. Steps have been taken to inform Mouthfuls Senior Management (believed to be traveling). The good thing is - now you know you miss it.

Quick Bites: Agreeable Apiary

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  June 24, 2011]

I wonder why Apiary seems destined to remain off the foodie radar?  This does not, of course, mean it's struggling.  I made a spontaneous visit one recent Friday night and was lucky to grab a seat at the bar.

It's neatly positioned to command the loyalty of an affluent neighborhood clientele who are immune to the attractions of Japanese row, sports bars and youthful haunts like The Smith.  Nicely pitched.

Rue La La La

[Free Stuff by Wilfrid:  June 22, 2011]

Launch party for an invitation-only designer shopping website?  Free-flowing cocktails and a parade of models and might-as-well-be-models at the bar of CO-OP in the Hotel on Rivington?

Why thank you, Rue La La, I do have a gap in my social calendar.  And what cheerful fun it was.

3 Burgers In One Week (Peels, The Brindle Room, The Commodore)

[Pigging by Wilfrid: June 20, 2011] Remember when this was no big deal? When you were happy with a competently made bar burger, and occasionally you'd make a big-deal visit to Corner Bistro or Molly's or even Peter Luger for something more special?

The Brindle Room burger

Farewell innocence.   Now we have an amazing tricked out new burger every week and a restaurant which doesn't have something special in the meat-in-a-bun line hangs its head in shame.  Time, I thought, for a catch up.

The Cheese: Riley's Coat

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  June 15, 2011]

This week, something from Saxelby's just come into season.  Semi-firm goat, so I thought the scribbled name was Riley's Goat.

No, no.  Named for the coat of the sheep and/or goat dog at Blue Ledge Farm, I believe, who must be a very blue-grey hound indeed.

Danube And Le Cirque: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  June 20, 2011]

Warm, humid, summer sales at Ermenegildo Zegna and Bloomingdale's, the Yankees beating the Mets.  Typical June week.  A couple of notable meals too.  Can you believe Danube opened as long ago as 1999?

This was David Bouley's essay at upscale modern Austrian, in the building which had housed the original Bouley.  At least I think so; it's been hard to keep up with the musical chairs the chef has played around a couple of blocks of Tribeca since he went independent in 1987 (wrong! As readers inform me, the original Bouley was at 161 Duane).