MitchW

Here's today's: Frenchette Bakery Opens on Buzzy Mott Street Frenchette Bakery’s opening adds another notable new food destination to the Mott Street area. Along with Oriana, Piccolo Morini from the Marea family debuted just around the corner. Together with nearby destinations like Emilio’s Ballato, Torrisi, Cervo’s, and Rubirosa, the neighborhood has become one of downtown’s busiest places to eat. How is Cervo's in the same neighborhood as Ballato, Torrisi, Piccolo Morini and Rubirosa? I think whoever "checked" the zip codes failed to notice that Cervo's is 10002, whereas the other 5 are 10012 or 10013.

In Donostia on our last trip there, the breakfast buffet at the Hotel Londres was very good. And on our recent trip to London, the breakfast buffet at the Bailey's Hotel was good, not great. I, like @relbbaddoof above, stick to what I know won't hurt me. And, if they'll cook me some eggs to my spec and to order (they did), I'll do that, make some toast, and be just fine with it. Significant Eater likes the individually wrapped cheeses (Babybel maybe?). Of course, I wouldn't pay extra to eat at a buffet, but if they come along with the stay, I can deal with it.

It could be effective, but doctors now are really under increasing pressure to not supply the drugs which actually work. I mean, 800 mg. of ibuprofen is not my idea of good pain meds.

Does Jonas get his revenge this year? Does Tadej continue his dominance in this race? So much can happen. I'm sticking with Tadej.

And for a reasonable price.

I have to say that some of the officiating in the France/Paraguay game was a bit "interesting." How Paraguay didn't earn a single yellow card is beyond me.

We needed to take a few subway rides yesterday, heading to and from the upper west side. No less than 3 different cars had air conditioning issues; I.e.: there was none. I felt as if we were back in London, though at least here we were able to switch cars at the next stop.

The Amanda Petrusch piece was a little gut-wrenching. I had no knowledge of any of it.

This past Monday, at City Winery, the Grammy Museum presented a conversation between: Lenny Kaye and Michael Imperioli. As some may know, Lenny has written a number of books: Lightning Striking, an autobiography of Waylon Jennings (Waylon gave up his seat on the ill-fated plane crash that took Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper), and a third called You Call it Madness: The Sensuous Song of the Croon. He's releasing his first solo album in forever, called Goin' Local, on July 17th. Sang a few songs from it. A fun evening. Lots of downtown musicians present - from Patti Smith, to Willie Nile, Tony Shanahan, et al.

One of my bucket-list wishes got fulfilled on our recent trip to London. Finally got to see a show at Royal Albert Hall! Chris Difford of Squeeze. And Elvis and the Imposters, with Charlie Sexton as the headliners. A pretty fucking great night.

We did make it over to: A very nice couple of drinks for us: While the prices for my macchiato and Sig Eater's latte were fine, the various rarities/pour-overs are insane:

Mountain, another from the Super 8 Restaurant Group (which runs BRAT, Impala et al.), was also quite good. Slammed on a Saturday night (we fought our way through the masses to get here), great service nonetheless. A really fantastic, fresh bread. Grilled peas - revelatory. Eaten like edamame, but...English peas. Braised beans with Cotechino. Grilled Sobrasada. Wild mushrooms. 1/2 order beef shortribs; after I heard the couple next to us order a half order, I had to try them. Small John Dory. Spring vegetables. Spenwood and Baron Bigod. And a fabulous chocolate sorbet to finish it all. Just a splendid meal throughout, and nothing too salty. COMP DISCLOSURE: A glass each of Averna and Montenegro. It should be noted that all the restaurants we dined at are now adding a "discretionary" 12.5% service charge.

It’s really a great, convivial bar counter to dine at solo.

RIP. Legendary.

Well, this sucks. Our meal at Twelve was two trips ago - I guess things have changed.

I have to say that Impala, our first dinner here, was really great. Great menu, lots of heat and varied, interesting spicing and…NOT TOO MUCH SALT. Obviously, that neighborhood is a fucking zoo, especially getting off the tube at Piccadilly. They’ve come a long way from the first outpost of BRAT. Didn't take a lot of pictures... Their fabulous bread. White bean dip. Kibbeh of white crab in shiso leaf. Pickled sea vegetables and a hot grilled squid salad. All quite good and unique.

Maybe they cook it enough.

I fell asleep at a Billy Joel concert there once!

Lower left corner of your picture. Of Cuts & Slices,I presume?

They'd really be aggravated on the lower east side.

Thanks! Yeah, I did mean Rochelle Canteen. I knew that Impala and Mountain are the same group as BRAT - I'm hoping these two are different enough from BRAT, where we've eaten twice...I think Impala should be, at least a little. We've eaten at Planque, but not Brawn (which looks nice). And I'm keeping my fingers crossed about St. John B&W; actually, I wanted to go to St. John, but it wasn't available. I was told Waterman's Arms is nice. It sure seems as if so many menus are similar...kinda reminding me of...here? Any idea where to get coffee beans - we're staying in Maida Vale. And having Sunday roast with friends at the Prince Alfred.

Anyone been in the past (almost) year? We have the following places set up: Impala, Mountain, St. John, Quality Wines, Rochelle Tavern (final night, early dinner). And our first show ever at Royal Albert Hall!

See, I think the slice is too cheesy and barely has any taste of tomato sauce. Reminds me of old Ray's, on 76th St. Haven't tried cuts & slices, yet I do try to practice social distancing.

I was semi-excited to try the new location of Paulie Gee’s, on 1st Avenue at 6th St. it was not great. It was not even that good. Wasn’t the OG supposedly very good? The newish Hots Pizza, at 181 E. Broadway, is better. Neither is as good as L’Industrie, whose new location on Grand Street I have yet to visit.

Looks like a great little show; we won’t, unfortunately, be up in Portland again until later in the year.