After a more than year-long pause during the pandemic, the Lower East Side’s Metrograph theater is (almost) back in full swing. The two-screen theater reopened for in-person screenings on October 1, and now its ambitious, upstairs restaurant and bar have returned, as well. The Commissary is open for dinner from 5:30 to 11 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, with plans to reopen full-time, with brunch and late-night service, in the coming weeks.
The Commissary opened shortly after the Metrograph theater in 2016, and is inspired by the backlot cafeterias of Hollywood studios a century earlier, where directors and key grips would rub elbows over steak frites and other affordable fare. The team is sticking to that theme for the reopening, with a revamped menu that now includes spiced lamb chops, chicken liver pate, and other bistro classics. Most dishes are priced between $10 and $25.
At long last, Alamo Drafthouse opens in Manhattan
Also in theater news, popular dine-in movie chain Alamo Drafthouse has nailed down an opening date for its long-awaited Financial District location. The theater at 28 Liberty Street, at William Street, will open the doors on its 14-screen, 598-seat location on Monday, October 18, according to Variety. The opening marks Alamo’s third outpost in New York City, and first in Manhattan, following theaters in Brooklyn and Yonkers.
Another week, another Win Son Bakery pop-up we’re throwing our money at
The latest in a series of pop-ups from Win Son Bakery is this tag-team with Taiwanese restaurant and cocktail bar Double Chicken Please. On Sunday, October 17, the two teams will come together to serve mochi doughnut fried chicken sandwiches out of the front room of Double Chicken Please, at 115 Allen Street, near Delancey Street. Catch them starting at 5 p.m., and be sure to get there early. They’re only making 160 sandwiches.
Guevara’s takes its vegan tortas to Domino Park
Guevara’s, an all-day vegan spot from the Mekelburg’s team, is taking its eggplant milanesa tortas to Domino Park. Starting today, the Cuban cafe will serve doughnuts, empanadas, coffee, and other pastries from the cafe at Mekelburg’s in Williamsburg, according to Alicia Guevara, who opened her restaurant with Daniel Mekelburg last fall. In mid-November, its full menu of breakfast tortas and cashew crema chilaquiles will be on offer at the new location.