EAST VILLAGE—So where does a renegade chef go for dinner after he's been booked and released on a class a petty larceny misdemeanor charge? Bar Jamon, it turns out, where one Jason Neroni dined last night with friends. This is the sort of thing we figured you'd want to know. [EaterWire]
MIDTOWN WEST—The recently-opened West 63rd Street outpost of American eatery P.J. Clarke's appears to have run into some trouble with the local community board. From a reader,"I ate at PJ Clarke's new location at 44 West 63rd Street last night, which has been open about three weeks. When the check came at the end of dinner, the server gave us pre-addressed postcards to Chirstine Quinn and asked us to send them in to support their fight against the local community board/city council. She wasn't entirely clear on the issue, but it was something to do with problems with their new storefront façade. A little digging and I found this link, which explains the scuffle." If you don't feel like reading the entire article, here's the synopsis: P.J. Clarke's owner Phil Scotti wants the new outpost to have sidewalk seating, the restaurant's neighbors are worried about tables impeding foot traffic. [EaterWire Inbox]
MURRAY HILL/PARK AVE SO—The recently DOHed Les Halles has reopened, reports a reader. "Just walked by, lights on, people inside, outdoor tables even set (and drenched.) hurray!" [EaterWire Inbox]
WEST VILLAGE—Regarding the opening of long-plywooded restaurant P*ONG, mentioned in yesterday's 'wire: A tipster has a clue as to when, exactly, the place will be opening. "This is a copy of the preview menu they sent out last June (!) when the restaurant was originally supposed to open. Per Pichet, they'll be open next Wednesday (4/18)." [EaterWire Inbox]
WEST VILLAGE—City Bakery owner Maury Rubin's new west side cookie joint will not be referred to as "Birdbath," the name of his green bakery in the East Village. Instead, he christened the place "Sparrow." Of course, the strange secrecy and quotes around the names remain—and remain annoying. As does the immensely pretentious website. But the cookies are good. Damn you, Rubin. [Cutlets]
UPDATE: A reliable source has already visited "Sparrow," and weighs in with a report. "So, the new Birdbath on Seventh Ave.: open from 8 am until they run out of food, 10 pm depending on the day. That’s what the very nice, bright young woman in a flax-colored smock (a uniform?) told me when I walked my dog earlier tonight and lingered by the door. I live around the corner, and I’m a little annoyed that Birdbath has landed in the neighborhood because I love City bakery cookies, and I like that it takes some effort to get to 18th St. Now it’s like shooting me in a barrel." [EaterWire]