TRIBECA — Marc Forgione's American Cut is debuting its new weekday bar menu and happy hour tonight from 5-7 p.m. There are chili lobster rolls, Wagyu sliders, Buffalo chicken nuggets, popcorn shrimp. To wash it down, there's $5 prosecco, $3 beers, and several wine specials. [Eaterwire]
LOWER EAST SIDE — Nick Morgenstern has been busy this week. There's a new dinner menu available at his tiny cafe El Rey, which offers vegan chicharrónes, an octopus salad, and green mole with burrata. And, over at Morgenstern's ice cream shop there's a salt and pepper bread pudding, and avocado toast with avocado ice cream for breakfast through March 8. [GS, NYT]
WEST VILLAGE — Louro is celebrating the Oscar's with a special three-course menu inspired by this year's best picture nominees. Highlights include roasted piri quail for "Birdman" and "Grand Budapest Hotel" potato pierogis. Seatings begin at 7 p.m. for the $45 prix fixe. Call 212-206-0606 or email info@louronyc.com for reservations [EaterWire]
UPPER EAST SIDE — When Seamstress debuts on Thursday it will launch its "Charity Cocktail of the Month." First up, the "Cold Smoke," made with Snow Leopard vodka infused with lapsang tea, fresh lemon juice, ginger syrup, Benedictine, pear brandy, and bitters. All of the cocktail's proceeds will go to the Central Park Conservancy, while a portion of the proceeds from Snow Leopard vodka sales go to snow leopard conservation efforts. [Eaterwire]
WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ — Matt Bernero left his position as chef de cuisine at Battersby this weekend to become chef de cuisine at The Ryland Inn in central New Jersey's Hunterdon County. [Instagram]