snack

hotsnack: cafe gray gets one week reprieve!

Sources say (unofficially) the management honchos up at Cafe Gray and Time Warner had a pow-wow this afternoon. Apparently there were too many farewell reservations on the books to close so abruptly (i.e. loosing the money and creating ill-will amongst customer). So the powers that be met in the middle and set the new closing date for Saturday June 21st.

Previously: Cafe Gray to close two weeks early!

hotsnack: cafe gray to close two weeks early!

The imminent closing of Cafe Gray at the Time Warner Center has been widely reported since it was first announce this spring. The last supper was set to be June 29th, ironically the same last day as Florent in the Meatpacking District.

Sources say (unofficially) the landlord has decided - yesterday! to close Cafe Gray on Monday June 16th, a full two weeks early.

While bloggers and journalists love this kind of breaking news story, the thing that is often forgotten is the staff. Word on the street is everyone had agreed to stay through the last hurrah. Some have spots set up for July, though many are still looking for work. So if you're a chef (say a former sous-chef at Le Cirque) planning to open a restaurant (say in the flatiron in July par example) sometime soon, there's a treasure trove of cooks who have become available.

Stay tuned for further developments.   

hotsnack: james beards awards live blog! and video!

The James Beard Award weekend has officially come to an end. If you want to re-live the glory and see video highlights from the red carpet check out the live blog from last night. It was a collaborative effort between the Foundation and five bloggers and a first for the awards. James Beard 2.0. On my end it was quite fun and gave a new twist to an event I'd been going to for more than 10 years.

I would have liked to blog all the after parties as well but the iPhone does not have a flash and is less than stellar in low light. Perhaps that's best. Who really wants their photo taken at 5am at Florent?

hotsnack: live blogging the james beard awards

Tomorrow night the James Beard Award weekend officially starts with the traditional Chef's Night Out party hosted by Bon Appetit. If the lighting cooperates, I'll do some live blogging from my phone. Likewise for Who's Who on Saturday night, hosted by Gourmet.

On Sunday I'll be live blogging the awards ceremony and some after-party action officially for the James Beard Foundation on their website. It is the first time they're trying it with a small cadre of bloggers- so it will be fun to see how it works. There are already official and non-official-but-compelling after parties.

Coincidentally it is also the Big Apple BBQ in Madison Park on Saturday and Sunday. I hate to miss an opportunity to see Chris Lilly from Big Bob Gibson and all the other pit masters and go whole hog. But I wonder if there is time for everything? I think I need to go and take a disco nap now.

hotsnack: where you been snack?

Where have I been of late? The short answer is I was in Los Angeles for the MTV Movie Awards. But perhaps the live photo blogging was a little abrupt given that I've been on a blogging hiatus of late.

The long answer is I've been racking up the frequent flier miles between O'Hare and JFK, because Mr. Snack just opened a restaurant in Chicago. My dance card while in NYC has been filled with some new projects at a Mad Ave ad agency. Which is completely outside of my usual food group, but lots of fun nonetheless.

So what does this all mean for Snack? Not quite sure. Perhaps some new flair in the future, from different cities and different kinds of events. Let's call it a work in progress. But I do love the live mobile photo blogging thing, and it is the James Beard Awards party weekend. Have iPhone, will travel and blog.

hotsnack: mtv movie awards live!

hotsnack: mtv movie awards live!

hotsnack: mtv movie awards live!

hotsnack: Where you at snack?

Where you at snack?

hotsnack: who is tending the bar at 202?

I've been a longtime fan of 202, the restaurant/Nichole Farhi clothing shop in the Chelsea Market, entirely due to the libations of Stephan Trummer. Recently I was planning to stop by to quaff my thirst, only to discover he has left the building. Stephan has decamped - permanently - for Washington D.C. where he plans to open  his own place. A bar or a restaurant I asked? He replied "Its going to be a fine dining restaurant, new American, sustainable efforts, 250 seat and a bar lounge on the first floor. Its a beautiful setting just like French Laundry. Its located in an old historic town." I wish him luck. And wish I'd know it was last call.