at the sign of The Pink Pig

Published every Monday morning: an online magazine of eating, drinking, arts and the city.

The World Of The Breslin

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  December 14, 2009]

Welcome to Planet Ace.  Or the Ace Hotel, I should say, on 29th Street, a venue where experience is rated above hospitality, if I read correctly.

The Breslin restaurant within the Ace, named not for the feisty author and columnist, but after the hotel's original name, manages some hospitality, I'm glad to say, along with some worthwhile food.

Ardesia's West Side Cheer

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  December 14, 2009]

An appropriate season to review this recently opened wine bar as ardesia (or ardisia) crenata is also known as "Christmas berry."

It says here, anyway - I know nothing of plants and flowers.

The Appetizing Cisco

[Free stuff by Wilfrid:  December 14, 2009]

Why traipse up to Eli Zabar's E.A.T. on the Upper East Side to taste smoked whitefish?  Even free smoked whitefish?

But an invitation is an invitation and I'm glad I accepted it.  Partly because Mr Zabar (present) pours a good champagne, and partly because the story of the Bering Cisco turned out to be uncommonly interesting.  Also, if it's good enough a party to attract David Rosengarten...

Bound For Toronto: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  December 14, 2009]

It so happens that I've seen a lot of Toronto over the years.  Not by choice, although I have nothing against the city at all.  Clean, friendly and pleasant to visit.

Apiary: The Buzz

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  December 7, 2009]

I did visit Apiary no long after it opened last year on an unpromising stretch of Third Avenue regularly thronged by thirsty NYU students, football fans headed to the Village Pourhouse (ho ho) and soccer fans bound for Nevada Smith's.

And while there was nothing much wrong with the meal, it made a sufficiently faint impression that I didn't bother reviewing it.  Things have changed.

Quick Bites: La Superior

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  December 7, 2009]

A comfortable stroll from the Marcy Avenue subway through the backstreets of Williamsburg, towards the river, brings you to the austere oasis of La Superior.

Behind a scarlet wind guard door, the single dining room is modest, uncluttered with tables even.

Holy Profanity! - From El Greco To Paul McCarthy

[New York Peasant by Wilfrid:  December 7, 2009]

There could hardly be two more contrasting exhibits to visit in one day than the ravishing lesson in Cretan religious iconography at the Onassis Cultural Center and Paul McCarthy's vigorous debasing of the Snow White legend at Hauser and Wirth.

Heading Upstate: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  Decembr 7, 2009]

I can claim to have been diligent these last ten years in getting to sundry remote corners of at least four of New York's five boros.  I have been lazy, however, about traveling upstate.  To say nothing of visiting New Jersey.

London, Then Thanksgiving: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  November 29, 2009]

Obliged to zip over to London, ten years ago this week, I was determined to make it home for Thanksgiving.

Holiday Teasers

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  November 30, 2009]

A week off, more or less, for the post-Thanksgiving Pig, and I send belated holiday wishes to all my readers.  I hope you enjoyed your turkey, wild or tame, roast or deep-fried or cooked for eighty hours sous vide.

But to give you a taste of what's been going on, and what's to come in December, here are a few pictures from restaurants I won't be reviewing, as well as some hints about reviews in progress.