GRAMERCY—Fast-food eatery The Burger Joint, located on Third Avenue and 20th Street (no, not the one in the Parker Meridien), has been DOHed. Says a reader, "I was headed to the Third Ave. Burger Joint this afternoon, only to find it locked and shuttered. It's closed for violations to the codes of health and "mental hygiene." I can't say I'm surprised, because the place was pretty filthy and had its foam insulation sticking out everywhere. But I miss those damn burgers already." [EaterWire Inbox]
UPPER WEST SIDE—Let's all get very excited about Eighty One, a restaurant slated to open mid-fall at, you guessed it, 45 West 81st Street. There's just one problem: "No-one eats on the Upper West Side." Well, that's not what Bullfrog & Baum thinks. "Located on the upper west side – a burgeoning dining destination – eighty one will feature a menu of much more than just fish." Convincing! The chef of the place will be Edward Brown, formerly of Sea Grill. [Mouthfuls]
WEST VILLAGE—Portuguese restaurant Alfama has lost longtime chef Luis Caseira. Executive sous-chef Mark Twersky has stepped into his place and is creating a new, more adventurous menu, which will debut on June 21st. [Cutlets]
