Burger Destination Au Cheval Isn’t as Good as the Chicago Original, Critic Says

Au Cheval NYC doesn’t have the same sparkle as the Chicago original, critic says

New York magazine critic Adam Platt doesn’t mince words in his latest review on Chicago modern diner import Au Cheval: “...the new, eagerly awaited New York outlet of Au Cheval, which opened a couple months back in a great boxy space down in Tribeca, feels less like a culinary happening than the arrival of a storied franchise, like some formerly trendy, hipster version of Applebee’s, say, or the first-ever Chick-fil-A to open in Midtown.” Though he finds moments of “a sense of the old two-fisted grandeur this kind of cooking used to inspire,” he mostly concludes that the famed burger and bologna sandwich are just “really heavy brown food,” which isn’t the way he wants to eat anymore.

Met Gala pre-party went down at the Stonewall Inn

Tonight is the Met Gala, Vogue’s annual flagship party to celebrate fashion. There are always pre- and post-parties, and this weekend celebrities flocked to the historic Stonewall Inn for festivities. The theme of the party was “Cotton Campy,” and the Four Seasons Restaurant catered plenty of cotton candy, as well as a raw bar, vegan appetizers, pigs in a blanket, macarons, rainbow tequila jello shots, and tons of cupcakes. It was all laid out on candle-lit tables, where celebrities such as Kasey Musgraves and Laverne Cox sat. Drag queen Aquaria also performed.

Other celeb spottings at NYC restaurants

Other than the Met Gala, celebrities were out in force this weekend. Musicians Mary J. Blige and Lil’ Kim partied at FiDi steakhouse Brooklyn Chop House in honor of their friend’s Tribeca Film Festival documentary. Uptown, Jennifer Lopez and fiance Alex Rodriguez ate dinner at the Upper East Side Serafina, while beleaguered actor Jussie Smollett had some pizza at celebrity chef Donatella Arpaia’s new Prova Pizzabar in the Times Square Moxy Hotel.

Closings and coming attractions

The East Village will soon be home to a new tea shop called Spiritea at 300 East Fifth St., but 13-year-old sports bar the Bling Pig is closing on May 18 due to a rent hike. Neighbor Beijing Express at 92 Third Ave. is also having some rent issues, allegedly owing nearly $60,000 according to a sign on its now-closed door.