Daniel Humm on Eleven Madison’s Fall on ‘World’s Best’: Closing Was ‘Probably Not the Best Idea’

Daniel Humm admits the timing of Eleven Madison Park’s closure was “not the best idea”

Eleven Madison Park recently slid from its top slot on the World’s 50 Best restaurant list, coming it at just fourth place for 2018. It wasn’t that surprising that its ranking fell from No. 1 considering the fact that the restaurant closed for four months of renovations shortly after securing first place last year. Chef Daniel Humm posted on Instagram yesterday that it was “probably not the best idea” to shutter after gaining the top title, but he added “we wouldn’t change a thing. I know we’re better than ever and we’ll be back.”

Fancy sandwich shop in Williamsburg shut down by DOH in its first week

Court Street Grocers, the high-end sandwich shop that took over the former Saltie space, was shut down on June 14 after a DOH inspection — just three days after it opened. Health inspectors found evidence of rats in the basement according to DOH records. But co-owner Matt Ross points out that no food or drink is stored in the basement. Three days and $4,000 later, the restaurant — which has three other locations in the city — reopened.

A new dinner series spotlights female chefs

French restaurant Benoit will host a special dinner collaboration between executive chef Laetitia Rouabah and James Beard Award-winning chef Dominique Crenn on Friday, June 22. The chefs will prepare a five-course meal and is the first installment of a new dinner series between Rouabah and other female chefs. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant, and seatings are available starting at 5:30 p.m.

Photo essay explores the craftwork behind Tom Colicchio’s Craft

The Times did a deep-dive into the behind-the-scenes work at Tom Colicchio’s Manhattan restaurant Craft, where the 84-person staff “work as an orchestra or a military platoon does, with each member dependent on the other for success,” according to Sam Sifton. The photos, by James Estrin, were taken over the course of six days and document that detail-oriented work that goes into the restaurant’s flow, presentation, and food. Everyone from the overnight porter to the prep cooks to the sommelier is featured in the comprehensive look at what makes a restaurant run.

Longtime LIC restaurant shutters to make room for new brasserie along the waterfront

Riverview Restaurant along Long Island City’s waterfront has closed and will open as a new American brasserie from the team behind nearby restaurant Maiella. Riverview Restaurant occupied the space at 2-01 50th Ave. for over a decade.

Two noodle-centric additions

A fast-casual Asian noodle dish restaurant called Noodlelove is coming to 192 Mott St. in Nolita. The space has been empty since summer 2016 when L’asso Pizza closed after 11 years in business. In other noodle news, udon specialist and Japan import TsuruTonTan has opened its second location at 64 West 48th St. in Midtown.