WILLIAMSBURG—Coda to yesterday's Wire item concerning the expansion of DuMont Burger: expansion confirmed. "yeah. they're expanding. next door will just be take out. different kitchen, same menu. good burgers. the old space will be just sit down, bar, and will probably expand their menu a bit. this is all according to friends in the know. i.e. the bartender." Per another tipster, "This has been mentioned to me by a number of dumont staff for about a month or so." So the unveil can't be far off. [EaterWire Inbox]
LOWER EAST SIDE—Blue Seats is, miraculously, still not open: "So, I have anxiously been awaiting the opening of Blue Seats, the over-hyped 'Upscale Sportsbar' on Ludlow. We need something besides the ESPN tourist-zone and the various 3-tv pubs. A few weeks ago I started calling them. At first, the message was, "Thank you for calling Blue Seats, we expect to open later this week, leave a message." Later that week, "we expect to open early next week" and then this week - just "leave a message." I ventured there last night to take a look and it was locked up tight with no progress. Just a handwritten sign, "For Blue Seats deliveries, call [cell # redacted]." Is it too soon to put this on the Deathwatch?? With football season starting in 1-2 weeks, this place needs to be open. Any other updates?" In fact, we've got nothing. But pity. Sam Mason, any advice you can provide here? [EaterWire Inbox]
NEW YORK—There is but a week left to nominate your favorite street cards for the annual Vendy's, the annual street fare cook-off to benefit the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center. Nominations are being accepted at http://streetvendor.org/vendies.html, with finalists to be annouced on September 1st. More, from the press release: "The winner of the coveted Vendy cup shall be determined by a panel of expert judges. This year's lineup includes Mo Rocca, political satirist and host of the Mo Rocca Show on Sirius Satellite, Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President, Ed Levine, author of "New York Eats", Sara Moulton, former host of Food Network's Sara's Secrets, Andrea Strong, from "the Strong Buzz" and Michael Musto of the Village Voice." [EaterWire]