ACME is hip - but comfy and delicious too

What’s all the fuss about ACME? The facade is exactly the same as it was during it’s many years as an “Authentic Southern and Cajun Cookin” bar and grill… But the interior has been completely redone, well, to look old. Danish chef Mads Refslund brings a modern, and somewhat revolutionary cuisine to the spot, not disappointing his legacy of being an apprentice of the world-renowned restaurant Noma in Copenhagen. 

The doorman with the list at the door is obviously intimidating to passers by and completely discourages walk-ins. The place has a super buzzed scene, but once you score a resie (really simple, try opentable in advance), and after you pass the lizard handles on its shiny red doors, service is friendly, the mixologist kind, and the atmosphere  quite welcoming, emulating a Parisian café.

Downstairs is a funky basement bar, for aperitifs or an après-dinner cocktail. Perfect place if you want a hip vibe, with innovative and interesting dishes. 

For more information go here.

Red Farm: Chinese barn

A dim sum barn in the West Village? Sounds odd, and it is. But deliciously so. The food is healthy, less greasy than your typical Chinese, with a fresh twist on Asian classics such as crispy beef (a must have!) and dumplings.

Red Farm opened end of last year, and has quickly turned into a classic for New Yorkers in the know craving some American-Cantonese. The atmosphere is lively, and the crowd very mixed. The long communal table in the center of the small, cozy restaurant, summons a relaxed vibe, while the red checkered booth cushions evoke a leisurely picnic. 

Chef Ed Schoenfeld’s whimsical creativity is reflected in his creations: eyes on dumplings and crispy noodles that look like oysters clutching a vegetable salad. 

We sat at the 4-seat bar counter and were very well served by a beautiful and friendly Asian-American mixologist.No reservations accepted.

Red Farm529 Hudson Street by Charles Street    

Michelin Starred Italian Antonio Guida at Casa Lever in Midtown

Two star Michelin chef Antonio Guida is Casa Lever’s guest chef from now until mid February. The acclaimed Guida brings the Italian cucina from Tuscany’s most legendary hotel, Il Pellicano, to one of my favorite Manhattan contemporary Italians, Casa Lever.

Set on the cliffs of the Argentario peninsula, Il Pellicano is a classy, luxurious resort that attracts renowned artists and families to relish in its pristine 18 guest bedrooms at the farmhouse and its 9 lovely cottages.

Right here in midtown, you can now enjoy the most delectable food European jetsetters vouch for. Conveniently until February 14^th, you know... “that day.”

Reservations: 212 888 2700

390 Park Avenue, corner of 53rd Street

Casa Lever

Curious? More on the Pellicano Hotel

Saxon and Parole is on a roll

You’ve gotta be really alert to keep up with all the new eatery and bar openings on the Bowery. One of them is the newish Saxon + Parole, where Double Crown used to live (not very memorable). I’ve been there three times, just to make sure it’s consistently good, of course! Well, kudos to the chef and the staff. This is going to become my reliable neighborhood to-go restaurant. I usually arrive without a reservation, and that’s ok because I’m never snubbed by the hostess.

Old school bartenders: mega ice cube waiting to be chiseled

The restaurant is usually fully booked. That’s not an obstacle to me, since I’m a big bar-dining fan. Besides, the mixologists at S&P absolutely know their craft. They can prepare a delicious Aperol Spritz, my favorite drink.

Yummy souffle

The food is labeled American, and I recommend the fillet and the chocolate soufflé, which was delightful.

316 Bowery, (corner of Bleecker St)

212 2540350

saxonandparole.com

Museum Lunches: The Wright at The Guggenheim

The lunch:

I wasn’t very hungry after a vertigo induced museum stroll around Maurizio Cattelan’s hanging lifetime oeuvre… but still, lunch at the Guggenheim’s The Wright, sounded just… you know. My friend, also feeling a bit dizzy after our rotating stroll staring up and down the museum’s void, wanted something light as well. We both had the calamari salad appetizer as our main, and were not disappointed. The small lunch allowed us to share a delicious pumpkin cheesecake with dulce de leche ice cream. The restaurant is smaller then I expected, but cozy, light and clean.

The exhibit:

There’s nothing conventional about this provocative artist, neither is the way his art is displayed. Perfect match: no chronological order, nor your standard way to see art. Nothing wrong with that. Besides the vertiginous feeling when you look down from the Guggenheim’s spiral walkway, the only other little thing that bothered me a bit were all the stuffed real dogs. I’ve seen plenty of large taxidermy animals, so many artists now do them, but puppy pets? What’s next? The hanging children or the old lady in the fridge? If he could, would he?

You really should see it for yourself, it is totally worth it and don’t forget to download the app, it was very useful at some point. Don’t read while walking, you might feel sick, and that would spoil your appetite… The Wright is totally worth a lunch or dinner.

Ends January 22^nd

For tickets, directions and hours.

New in the Hamptons: The Capri Hotel, Nobu at the Capri and Cynthia Rowley

Cynthia Rowley in one of her wetsuits designed in partnership with Roxy

The post-Memorial Day pilgrimage out east has started and you know you'll be stuck on the Long Island Expressway. Focus on the positive: besides the beach, freshly renovated hotels, new shops and novel restaurants are awaiting you in the Hamptons.

The Capri Hotel was newly sold (together with its sisters the Atlantic and Bentley) to Jackie Mansfield (W Miami) and will house another one of sushiman’s Nobuyuki Matsuhira empire outpost. After a face-lift overseen by Meyer Davis Inc, with touches from business partner Steven Kamali (from the successful Surf Lodge in Montauk), a table is are already an impossible feat to achieve. Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley will add her chic perspective to the interiors as well as to her own boutique, adjacent to the hotel’s lobby. According to the company’s press release: “Rowley’s fashion-forward aesthetic will be seen in décor details within the Capri’s rooms, as well as in the Nobu restaurant, and an expansive poolside and event area, entitled The Bathing Club. With a sun-soaked indoor/outdoor lobby, oversize beach pillows and deck beds, and antiqued wood floors in each guestroom, the Capri’s aesthetic seeks to echo the relaxed, rustic atmosphere of its beachside property, yet provide a level of luxury and sophisticated service that is in tune with the Hamptons visitor. The Southampton boutique, the designer’s seventh U.S. retail location, follows last summer’s Montauk store, which is open yearly from Memorial Day through to the fall.”

The Capri

281 County Road 39A

Southampton, NY, 11968

tel: 631-283-6100

Birreria at Eataly: Preview

My weekly morning caffe at Eataly has become a tradition, and I feel more and more like a professional navigator in the labyrinth of Italian gourmet goodies. Today I found the secret door to the top of Batali’s empire. Not only did I find, it, I was actually guided though it by one of the chef’s partners, Adam Saper. It was one of those coincidences. After chatting at the coffee counter, we realized that we had worked together 12 years ago on the same project. I asked if I could see the rooftop Bierreria, which was previewed to the press last night and voila, the secret space was unveiled. Eater.com has posted last night’s party pictures this morning.

Today the retractable ceiling was closed, and staff was working and holding meetings there to get everything ready to officially inaugurate on or around June 3^rd. The Birreria is a brewery/bar/restaurant occupying 8,000 square feet of prime penthouse space with a good view to the Empire State. According to Eater, there will be three beer types brewed on the premises, as well as a full bar and menu, seating up to 200. Stay tuned, for if when those plastic curtains are drawn, the show will begin. Ride up the elevator, then take the stairs with Dante’s Inferno quotes printed on the stair raisers to arrive at this little piece of cielo on earth.

Eataly

200 5th Avenue at 23rd Street
(646) 398-5100

Boulud Sud, by chef Daniel Boulud's, plus 4 new restaurants in New York

by Alexandra Forbes

Five new restaurants in New York, for my friend Ines....


BOULUD SUD

With so many restaurants in New York - Daniel, DBGB, Bar Boulud, Cafe Boulud - it is difficult to get excited over yet another opening. But all it took was one night of tasting Boulud Sud's menu from start to finish to conclude that the man did it again. The most French chefs, serving babaganoush and Tabouleh with mint and parsley? Yes, and both unbelievably good! He says Sud serves Mediterranean cuisine, a super vague term that enables the menu to hop along Valencia, Greece, Provence, Tunisia and Lebanon.
The robust and tasty cuisine and efficient service à la française are tops. The bland décor, not so much...
Boulud SUD: West 64th Street, tel. (212) 595-1313,



Epicerie Boulud
Nextdoor to Boulud Sud, this chic shop serves breakfast and lunch (including several hot sandwiches, like hot dog and a fancy crab roll. You can also buy amazing artisanal cheeses, baguette and terrines by Gilles Verot, sweets and gelatos. Only a five minute walk to Central Park - perfect for a picnic day!
1900 Broadway, tel. (212) 595-9606, www.danielnyc.com

THE DUTCH
This restaurant with an oyster bar and big windows in Soho is enchantingly beautiful. Chef Andrew Carmellini (Locanda Verde) goes more casual here, serving dishes like crab with bloody mary and aspargus with Thai flavours.
131 Sullivan St. tel. (212) 677-6200, www.thedutchnyc.com

SSAM BAR
The cult David Chang's restaurant no longer offers a full lunch menu, but it has now switched to serving quick lunches at the bar, where everything has duck in it, from the duck mousse sandwich to the roasted duck with rice. There's even duck mortadella and pancetta!
207 Second Avenue, tel. (212) 254-3500, www.momofuku.com

UNTITLED
This is the strange name of the new casual restaurant in the Whitney Museum, run by none other than ace Danny Meyer (Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, etc.). At lunch it is very coffee-shop-like: sandwiches, soups, pies and only one dish of the day.
On weekends it serves family-style dinners, where all clients eat the same menu and food comes in platters, to share.
945 Madison Ave tel. (212) 570-3670, http://www.untitledatthewhitney.com/