Burgers at Bouley Upstairs

Taste of Tribeca favorite David Bouley is winning new fans with his Bouley Upstairs makeover. It is time to add it to the list of best burgers. Click to read the article in the New York Journal.

Corton Gets Three Stars from Frank Bruni

Here's a way to ruin my lunch- after months of peering in the windows and awaiting its opening my hopes of getting into Drew Nieporent's newest venture Corton are dashed. There's been plenty of buzz for sure, with that kind of pedigree what else could I expect? But as I read the NY Times over lunch today, I saw the 3-star review from Frank Bruni. Looks like I'll have to settle for a 5:30 reservation if I'm lucky.

I suppose we can still dream about seeing them at Taste of Tribeca 2009?

'Tis the Season: Duane Park Patisserie

'Tis the season and I will be ordering my annual Plum Pudding from Duane Park Patisserie. I bring it to a friend's Christmas party in Brooklyn and I better not show up without it. Now if you're thinking "fruitcake", just stop right there. There is no comparison. This is a lush, moist concoction that would do Dickens proud. And of course it must be set aflame! The folks at the bakery will give you the instructions but here's how I do it: warm a 1/4 cup (or more) of brandy in a covered saucepan over a very low flame. Rum, whiskey or cognac will all substitute nicely. Pour the spirits over the cake, dim the lights and touch a lit match. You'll be rewarded with a lovely blue flame that will slowly die out (Who cares that your apartment doesn't have a wbf?). Serve it up with the hard sauce that Duane Park provides (I always order extra). Be warned: Caroling may ensue!

Potluck Confessions

It was an evening event and I didn't really know the hosts who happened to have a posh river-view apartment on the UES. The invite specified "Finger food-entree. No red wine". Yikes! That's a pretty tall order and there was no way I'd be cooking on a weekday afternoon. Solution? Ring up Tokyo Bay. I had them put together a selection of maki rolls and about an hour later I stopped by to pick up their beautifully composed platter. Of course there was no way to pass it off as my own home-cooking, but I prefer to leave the sushi making to the professionals anyway. I represented Downtown very ably that night. And when I got home, I treated myself to a big glass of red wine.

The Best of Tribeca's Wine Stores

On last year's Taste of Tribeca walking tour of neighborhood wine stores I was thrilled to discover Chambers Street Wines. They always have a great selection of limited release wines, as well as filling the need for a great local wine store with affordable, delicious wines for a party.

The Wall Street Journal likes it , too. Click here to read more.

David Bouley Makes Top 10 List

Why does it feel like David Bouley owns Tribeca? Because for more than ten years, he's played musical chairs with various eateries around his favorite city blocks...

So writes Sylvie Bigar in her recent post titled New York's 10 Most Influential People in Food. Click here to read more.

Knitting Factory Founder Makes Wine

Michael Dorf's City Winery is already getting previews. Let's hope this mix of performance space, make-your-own winery, and party mecca will participate in Taste of Tribeca, May 16, 2009!