Sexual Misconduct Allegation Fallouts Continue for Batali and Friedman

Fallout continues for Mario Batali and Ken Friedman after misconduct allegations

Investigations this week regarding the alleged sexual misconduct of chefs Mario Batali and Ken Friedman are still rippling through the industry. On Thursday night, ABC announced that it has officially fired Batali from The Chew, the daytime show he’s co-hosted since 2011, though they “remain unaware” of any inappropriate behavior while Batali was on the show. Earlier this week, the network only asked him to step away.

Over at The Spotted Pig, Grub Street reports that the restaurant is busy, but some staff are feeling weary about staying considering the allegations against Friedman. “I would rather work at Benihana than a playground for rich, ageing milquetoasts to grope and catcall,” one cook said. The James Beard Foundation, which has given both men awards, is also “evaluating” its policies in light of the allegations.

Sprawling Brooklyn Cider House debuts in Bushwick

A huge cidery, tasting room, restaurant, and bar called Brooklyn Cider House opened in a former warehouse at 1100 Flushing Avenue on Thursday. Head cider maker Peter Yi put in three dining rooms with lots of communal tables, kind of like a German beer hall for cider. Spain-inspired food includes chorizo braised in cider, jamon, olives, and dry-aged ribeye. The company’s own ciders, produced in New York, make up the bulk of the drinks, as well as other New York-based ciders, beer, and wine.

A Taiwanese noodle shop will open in East Village in former Porchetta space

Looks like the prominence of Taiwanese food in NYC just keeps going up. A noodle shop called Ho Foods plans to open this month at 110 East 7th Street, between First Avenue and Avenue A. Chef-owner Richard Ho says the 10-seat restaurant “pays homage to classic flavors and techniques by way of San Gabriel Valley, California.” The flagship dish is his version of a traditional beef noodle soup. See the full menu below. In other noodle news, a place called Tang’s Noodle is opening in Chinatown. It has no relation to Shorty Tang’s Noodles or Tang Hotpot.

Ice cream sandwich purveyor The Good Batch goes savory

Prolific food market vendor and Clinton Hill bakery The Good Batch — known for its ice cream sandwiches — has opened a savory shop and gourmet grocery as well. Gordon Savory, at 995a Fulton Street in Clinton Hill, will serve sandwiches like a grilled kimchi avocado and a roasted chicken caesar, as well as prepared foods such as salad bowls and soups. Breakfast items will include egg sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and pastries from both The Good Batch and Bien Cuit. It’s run by husband-wife owners Steve Hartong and Anna Gordon and Charlie Bird alum chef Jason Rivera. She Wolf Bakery alum Erin Detrick is in charge of breads. See a full menu below. For a look at how different bakers make bread, check out this video: