UPPER EAST SIDE— Grub Street reports that Wade Burch, chef at waterfront restaurant Steamer’s Landing, will be the executive chef at Neely’s Barbecue Parlor, the new restaurant from TV chefs Pat and Gina Neely. The restaurant should open in February. [GS]
HELL'S KITCHEN—Crain's brings word that Traffic a popular Midtown East sports bar (especially among University of Indiana grads) is expanding. They'll open in the old El Deportivo space on 9th Ave and 48th Street this month and after that they'll expand to Long Island. [Crain's]
GREENWICH VILLAGE—Until December 15, guests who donate an unwrapped toy at BLT Burger for Toys for Tots will get a complimentary drink. [EaterWire]
WILLIAMSBURG—A writer discovers the rules of laptop users in coffee shops, or "Laptopistan," at Atlas Cafe in Williamsburg and finds out why some coffee shop owners encourage people to sit there all day. It draws in the more profitable takeout customers: "People come in to buy food and coffee to go, because they see a full crowd... They think 'Hey, this place must be good if I can’t even get a table.'" [NYT via Eater National]
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