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Good News/Bad News Motorino East Village

[Krieger, 9/14/09]
East Village: It's been nearly two weeks since chef/owner Mathieu Palombino opened the first Manhattan branch of the popular Williamsburg pizza mecca Motorino. Not only does this mark the first expansion of the restaurant, but it also marks the closing of another well respected neighborhood fixture—Una Pizza Napoletana. Since then, waves of locals and food types alike have descended upon the place to determine how the much talked about oven is faring and whether the location is a worthy successor to an old favorite. So far, all signs point to yes. Though the service remains a concern for some, that could prove to be a minor kink that can be ironed out.

While Motorino Gets Love, Keste Gets The Smackdown!>>

A Moveable Tweet: Questlove Not on Momo Chicken Train

Prolific Twitterer Questlove, from The Roots, files his thoughts on the Momofuku fried chicken program.

That's not all>>

EaterWire: Panya to Open Next Week, Lovely Day in October

EAST VILLAGE— The long awaited move of the sorely missed Panya Bakery into the shuttered Around the Clock space on Stuyvesant Street may finally be completed soon. The signage is up and workers on the scene hope it will be ready by next week. Japanese pastries and tea sandwiches for all. [EaterWire]

NOLITA— Lovely Day, the beloved and affordable Nolita Thai restaurant that was felled by fire last year, is hoping to reopen "sometime in October." They're just awaiting one more permit for the DOB. [Fork in the Road]

FIDI—The Daddy reports that Burger Shoppe in FiDi has opened up Workshoppe, "a two-floor personal think-tank and loft space situated above financial district staple Burger Shoppe—available to rent by the day, week and month" on its upper floors. [UD]

The Shutter: Birdies Closes Up and Moves South

A sign outside the restaurant reveals that Birdies, the East Village fried chicken spot that replaced Flor's two years ago, is closing today and moving down south. Get over there now to buy their fryers and silverware. Known mostly for its often disappointing fried chicken and, more recently, for a hilarious surprise visit from a hawk, Birdies really had no chance with all the new competition around (ahem, Momofuku Noodle Bar). That said, a local vegetarian reports it's a major loss for fake-meat lovers.

But it's not all bad news in the East Village today. Yokocho will reopen tonight after a recent DOH shutter.
· Village Yokocho Will Re-open Tonight [Fork in the Road]
· Hawk! Bird Of Prey Seeks Meal At East Village Chicken Joint [Gothamist]

Dave Chang Wins: Momofuku's Gossip Girl Cameo

When Momofuku makes a cameo on NYC teen hit Gossip Girl, it's not to be the setting for some boozy teenage date, power play, or a Dan and Vanessa soft serve break on the way to the NYU campus. No, oh oh oh. No, when Momofuku makes a cameo it's when a bottle of their milk gets hand delivered to Chuck Bass's suite along with a platter of pastries. A word to the gentlemen out there: if someone brings the MomoMilk from the EVill to the UES (and also, see the picture to the right) you don't turn her away.
· All Gossip Girl NameCheck-O-Matic Entries [~E~]

EaterWire: Motorino Lunch, Tyra Does Food Trucks

EAST VILLAGE— Glory be! Starting next Monday, Motorino's East Village location will serve lunch. [Twitter]

PIZZA TOWN— Eight locations of Famous Original Ray's will be serving up slices for 45 cents a piece tomorrow from 11 a.m until midnight. Click through for locations. [Slice]

VILLAGE— An addendum to today's Opening Report, courtesy of Grub Street: Robataya NY, a new Japanese grilled meats spot, is opening on East 9th St. and 2nd tonight. Like Manhattan's other robataya restaurant, Inakaya, food is served to the diners sitting around the large counter on long wooden paddles. [GS]

Tyra Banks visits food trucks>>

The Shutter: Lulu, Better Burger, Tea Lounge, and More

[Femia]

1) Little Italy A tipster reports that sweet Mulberry Street restaurant Lulu has officially closed. After shuttering temporarily for San Gennaro, the "owners got an offer they couldn't refuse." and will not be reopening: "Sad to see it go, really liked the vibe in there. Despite the inconsistency of the food, you could tell that the people who worked there cared about the place and the people that made up the constituency. Some of the staff will be moving over to sister resto Bread." A walkby reveals chairs up on tables, bottles removed from the bar, and no signs of life. Neighbors tell Eater they're not sure what's going on. [ShutterWire]

Tea Lounge, Better Burger>>

Lobster Mania: More First Looks at Luke's Lobster

East Village: Following Joshua David Stein's first reveal and Tasting Table's profile last week, today the food world sends more love to Luke's Lobster, the lobster roll shack opening on East 7th Street on Thursday, courtesy of Thrillist and Serious Eats. There's not much new here—all signs point to the rolls being cheap and austere— but they do have some good lobster and crab roll porn. In addition to the $14 rolls, Luke's will serve shrimp, chowders and bisques, crab claws, split lobster tails, and lobster knuckles. They'll be open until 2 a.m. Expect the Urban Daddy, RareDaily CityStyle, and Daily Candy reports by tomorrow afternoon.
· Luke's Lobster [Thrillist]
· First Look at Luke's Lobster in the East Village [SE]

DOH Chronicles: Angel's Share & Yokocho Get Hit

Everyone's favorite secluded Japanese closer cocktail spot Angel's Share and the restaurant it sits behind, Yokocho, got a little visit from the spooks at the Dept. of Health this weekend. Both operations, located on the second floor above what was once Around the Clock diner and Panya bakery, were closed on Saturday with the ominous yellow DOH stickers in the window. This morning, the stickers have been haphazardly scratched off (a good sign?) but there's still no word from the bar, the restaurant, or the DOH on when they'll reopen. It's an unfortunate occurrence given the two already have to deal with the massive construction underfoot. Luckily, Sunrise Mart next door is still open. Any intel on the situation is welcome.

The official report.>>

Renovation Report: Le Gamin Reopening on Oct 10

East Village: Just a quick note to assuage the East Villagers in the crowd. A number of readers have written in both here and on EV Grieve to report that Le Gamin on East 5th St. between Aves A and B—the last Le Gamin in Manhattan—has closed. A worker at Black Iron Burger Shop next door reports that no, they are just renovating, extensively. They will reopen with the same name but a different "theme" and a more "modern" look on October 10. Funnily enough, the restaurant closed for renos just one year ago when the original owners took off to focus on their Le Gamin upstate. While Le Gamins and Les Deux Gamins once cluttered the city's downtown neighborhoods, this location, the Le Gamin truck, and a Prospect Heights cafe are all that remains.
· The Shutter Report: Province Canteen, Le Gamin, Mamlouk [~E~]

Ko-BOOM: $25 Price Hike to hit Momo Ko Next Week

Behold, the latest Momofuku Ko pricing change, recently announced on the restaurant's website. Dave Chang's 12 seat East Village baby raised the prices once before, from the original $85 to $100 back in June '08 (a 17.6% increase), and starting next Monday, dinner at Momofuku Ko will be $125 (previously $100, another 25% increase) and lunch will be $175 (previously $160, a 9% increase). Quite a bit more than inflation, no? According to the site, the increase will give them the opportunity to "cook with a greater variety of ingredients." To those recessionistas out there, no fear: that fried chicken dinner is still $100.
· Momofuku Ko [Official Site]
· EaterWire: Price Jump at MomoKo [~E~]