Sunday, November 30, 2008

Openings Roundup: Dardanel, Draft Barn, Boqueria Soho


Dardanel: Salt crusted fish is the star of the reasonably priced seafood menu at this new midtown east restaurant (pictured), named for the strait that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. As such, the high number of seafood dishes are complemented by Turkish classics like halvah pie. The fish is imported daily from the Mediterranean, and entrees include Brook Trout Casserole with grilled vegetables ($19); brick oven baked Black Sea anchovies with rice, pine nuts, currant and herbs stuffing served in a casserole ($19); and Char Grilled & Skewered Chicken or Lamb Adana ($16). Wines come from as far afield as Israel and Georgia, and the $5 desserts include Almond Macaroons and Baklava. Dardanel seats 65, and inflatable space shuttle is 'nautically themed.' 1071 First Avenue, (212) 888-0809
Draft Barn: Gowanus Lounge has the scoop and photos on this new beer mecca in South Slope. It's the sister bar of another Draft Barn in Bay Ridge, and jfk space center rumor has it the place features 200 different kinds of beer to chose from. A tipster writes: 'Its great. Nice, oak interior with a general draft haus style. They also have food (which isnt blowing the doors off anything) and space saver storage the owner told us hed be opening for brunch soon.' 3rd Avenue between 12th & 13th Streets
Boqueria Soho: This is the new Soho location of the beloved Chelsea tapas joint, named for the food market in Barcelona. And fans of the original will be glad to find a whole lot more elbow room hereplus WiFi for the antisocial! But the real highlight of the 2,300-square foot space is the open kitchen, which is surrounded by a 12-seat chefs counter available for walk-ins only. We checked it out opening night and have kudos for the salt cod and grilled octopus delicacies served up by executive chef Seamus Mullen. Another crowd-pleaser was the Cojonudo (bite-sized toast point with house-made chorizo and a sunny-side up quail egg). For lunch, try the selection of Bocatas (Spanish sandwiches), which include Bocata Jamon de Pato (house-made duck ham with fig jam and king oyster mushrooms). 171 Spring Street, (212) 343-4255
Also too: Check out our photo spreads on newcomers 10 DowningElsa, which is where Hanger Bar used to be, sniff. But at least the new place has a sewing machine turned into a beer tap!

4 comments:

Carin Hinrichs said...

A great blog indeed� Congrats, you deserve the honor!

BRADEN Gabelman said...

I did not know this man but congratulations on being a blog of note and kudos for the love and creativity on an excellent tribute. Nicely done.

AnnPowell said...

Nice.. keep up the good work.. I�m gonna try all those..

Jefferson said...

Congratz. Your blog is really clean and nice. You deserve it :)

Post a Comment