Richard Branson's NJ Foodie Resort; Burnt Slices at Di Fara

NEW JERSEY— The Times reports that Sir Richard Branson, the 261st richest person in the world, is opening a "culinary resort" reminiscent of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Somerset County, NJ. Called Natirar, the 492 acre resort includes a cooking and wine school, a farm, and a restaurant called Ninety Acres. It was formerly the summer home of the king of Morocco. [NYT]

MIDTOWN— The Observer brings word that Maison du Chocolat will soon be opening up a branch of their Parisian chocolate store in what was once a storage closet in the Empire State Building. [NYO]

SCANDAL— The NYTPicker blog catches some dicey coverage in the NY Times' travel magazine, namely a five-page spread about Miami by freelance writer Suzy Buckley. Chief among Buckley's time-stamped recommendations is a 2PM visit to 8 Oz Burger Bar. The thing is, Buckley just happened to recently be in a relationship with the burger joint's co-owner and the owner of Table 8 here in New York, Mr. Josh Woodward. [NYTPicker via Eater National]

MIDWOOD— Always Hungry decides it's time to get outraged about the burned $5 slices at Di Fara. [AH]
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