El Quinto Pino Launches Brunch; Alobar's Second Birthday

CHELSEA — Alex Raij and Eder Montero are launching lunch/brunch this weekend in the new dining room of El Quinto Pino (dubbed "El Comedor"). The menu has soups, salads, sandwiches (including the uni Panini), Basque tapas, sweet entrees, and some egg dishes. Check out the full menu at the bottom of this post. [EaterWire]

LONG ISLAND CITY — Alobar in Long Island City is hosting a "nose to tail party" to celebrate its second birthday on Thursday, November 14. The menu from chef Michael Berardino will include things like homemade pates, tete de cochon, pig skin spaghetti, smoked pork shoulder, and mac & cheese, plus unlimited beer. With tax and tip included, the price is $103. Purchase tickets online. [EaterWire]

LISTICLES — In the latest issue of her lifestyle newsletter GOOP, Gwyneth Paltrow lists 11 tasting menus for $100 or less that show how tasting menus have been "deconstructed and deformalized to become a way for young, ambitious chefs to showcase their artistry in a very accessible way." Ms. Paltrow recommends Battersby, Aska, and Chez Jose, all in Brooklyn. [Eater National]

El Quinto Pino's Lunch/Brunch:

Ensalada/Sopa (soup and salad)

Xato- Catalan salad of raw salt cod, grated tomato, romesco, anchovy and chicory • 14

Sopa dia (soup for day)

Tapas Frias /cold tapas

Huevos Rellenos- Organic deviled eggs , green tahini • 6

Pan amb Tomaca- Garlic and tomato rubbed bread, sea salt, Catalan olive oil • 5
with Cantabric anchovies • 12

Picos y Taquitos- Imported chorizo, za'atar marinated Manchego, housemade Menorcan style spreadable sausage, Canadian honey, artisanal breadsticks • 12

Caballa en Conserva- olive oil cured Mackerel with Porto-Muiños style Kombu-Pikillo salad • 9

Tapas Fritas/fried tapas

Nuestras Bravas- Our signature rough cut potatoes, spicy aioli • 6

Pipparas- Blistered peppers with sea salt • 9

Garbanzos Fritos- Crispy pimentón dusted chickpeas • 4

Croquetas- Creamy Serrano ham croquettes • 5

Tortillita de Gamba- Andalucian shrimp and chickpea wafers • 6

Dulce/sweeter side

Talo- Cornmeal waffles with homemade txistorra sausage, Canadian maple syrup•12

Ensaimadas-olive oil and lard enriched Menorcan sweet bun •6

Croissant a la Plancha- griddled croissant, orange blossom marmalade • 8

Torrijas- Basque French toast, citrus, PX syrup • 15

Churros- Spanish crullers with dulce de leche • 6

Huevos/eggs

Tortilla Española- Classic egg & potato omelet • 7

Tortilla de Bakalao- Ciderhouse cod omelet, Pil pil sauce • 13

Soldaditos de Txitxiki- Poached eggs, crispy chorizo hash soldier for dipping • 11

Verdes- Fried eggs with sweet peas, onions, imported jamón • 12

Pisto Manchego- poached eggs with vegetable stew • 10

Revuelto Ortiguilla- Scrambled eggs with imported sea anemone • 14

Revuelto Huitlacoche- Scrambed eggs w/ fire roasted poblanos and corn smut • 14

Huevos Estrellados- Fried egg, chorizo, crushed potato chips • 12

Huevo con huevo- Poached eggs, snow peas, fresh mayo, flash fried Cadiz shrimp• 14

Morcilla Casera- Housemade blood sausage, organic fried egg • 14

Bocatas/sandwiches

El Doble- Double beef Patty, Idiazabal, sweet pickled onions, cornichons, "salsa especial" • 12

Uni Panini- Sea urchin sandwich • 15

Bocadillo de Calamar- Flash fried squid po' boy, spicy aioli, lettuce, tomato • 10

Lomo- House cured pork loin sandwich, melted cheese, piquillo pepper • 10

Pringa Cubano- Pressed sandwich of homemade morcilla, jamón, peppers, cheese, pickle, "salsa especial" • 15