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Ando Rolls Out New Desktop App, Rao’s Family Feud Flares Up, and More Intel

Two Boots expands to Staten Island, plus more news and gossip from around NYC

[Looking from the dining room into the barroom at P.J. Clarke's.  <a href="http://ny.eater.com/2013/4/18/6447819/the-original-p-j-clarkes-tuesday-at-12-30-p-m">See more of Daniel Krieger's Eater Scenes here</a>]
[Looking from the dining room into the barroom at P.J. Clarke's. See more of Daniel Krieger's Eater Scenes here]
Daniel Krieger

— Today, David Chang’s Ando — AKA the hottest delivery-only restaurant in the galaxy — is launching a new desktop app, which means that you will no longer need a smartphone to order things like chicken cheesesteaks, vegan mapo tofu, fried chicken buckets, and "spicy green bowls." Team Ando recently pushed the boundaries of the delivery zone so that it stretches all the way over to Eighth Avenue and north to East 65th Street. Although Chang and Co. won’t disclose info about how many deliveries they’ve made or subscribers they have, a rep for the company says that Ando has seen 35 percent growth week-to-week. Here’s what the on-site delivery app looks like:

— The family behind the Rao’s food line is getting ready to duke it out in court over management of the company. According to court documents, Ronald Straci — nephew of Rao’s original proprietor Vincent Rao — established the East Harlem restaurant’s affiliated food line in 1991. Under the original deal, Straci, his wife, and their investors had a 50 percent stake in the company, while the other half of the shares went to Vincent Rao, his wife, and Straci’s cousin Frank Pellegrino. Now the Stracis claim that they’re essentially being pushed out of the company, which they helped support when it was going through a rough patch. According to the docs, the Stracis haven’t met with the other shareholders in 12 years. Earlier this month, the Post noted that Pellegrino and Straci still work the room at Rao’s, but there’s a palpable tension in the air. An unnamed regular remarked: "Frankie usually sits in the first chair by the bar, and Ron stands on the far wall, but now, when one shows up, the other leaves."

Two Boots is opening a new location inside the Empire Outlets shopping center on Staten Island. This is the complex that will also include Mighty Quinn’s and an upscale food hall. The restaurant will have a bar and a stage for live music, and just like every other Two Boots location, the walls will be adorned with work from local artists. It’s slated to open next year.

— Here is a photo of Mission Chinese/Cantina chef Danny Bowien posing with Santa Claus as a teenager:

Just because we care about our followers... Here's teenage @dannybowienchinese with (uncomfortable) Santa

A photo posted by Mission Chinese Food (@missionchinesefood) on

— The East Third Street space that housed Tut, Lumiere, and Casablanca in quick succession now has a "store for rent" sign hanging on the door.

— Chris Rock dined at Catch in the MePa on Sunday night with girlfriend Megalyn Echikunwoke.

Instagram-friendly pop-up dinner party Dinner En Blanc will return to NYC on September 15. Just like in years past, participants will receive information about the location on the day of the event, and everyone has to wear white clothes. Fun-loving party dad/chef Todd English will be providing the food.

Magnolia Bakery is serving a special version of its banana pudding mixed with peanut butter from now through August 28.

— And finally, here's a look at the bialy operation at Kossar's: