Savory New York One Sheet: July 4th - July 11th

// This Week on Savory New York //

The Japanese soup known as ramen has become one of the most popular dishes, and fervently discussed topics, amongst the New York food blogger set in recent years. Though its basic makeup is fairly straightforward there are dozens of styles and variations to be considered here in NYC. A great place to start the discovery is at Men Kui Tei, which has locations in Midtown and the East Village. Writer Elizabeth S. Bennett paid Men Kui Tei a visit to take measure of their popular tonkotsu ("pork bone") ramen in Destination Dishes. Find out why Men Kui Tei is worth the trip.

// Recently Opened //

• Socarrat Paella Bar - A new 24-seater in Chelsea from the owner of La Nacional, the social club/restaurant below the Spanish Benevolent Society. If the paella and fideua are as good as what's available at La Nacional this will be a place worth checking out. 
• Uncle Nick's - A new Fashion District location of this reliable Hell's Kitchen Greek restaurant.
• Macondo -From the owners of Rayuela comes this new Latin-inspired restaurant and watering hole in the Lower East Side.

// This Week's Restaurant Reviews //

• NY Times:  Frank Bruni goes to Benoit and gives it 1 of 4 stars. Here's what he liked, "It serves a veal appetizer — thin slices of poached tongue spiraled around thin bands of foie gras mousse in the manner of a Swiss roll — that alone is worth the trip." Here's what he didn't like, "As for entrees, I wanted less of the recklessly intense shellfish reduction on the lobster ravioli, and I wanted more of everything — meat, seasoning, joy — in the cassoulet. Speaking of which, this is a summer menu? What's on the winter one, chilled gazpacho?"
• NY Mag: Adam Platt reviews Alain Ducasse's benoit and gives it 0 of 5 stars. It's hard to find much that Platt and his companions enjoyed about their meal. "The cassoulet at benoit (“J.?J. Rachou's recipe” says the menu) contains all the proper ingredients (duck leg, veal sausages, etc.) but appears to have been preheated in a microwave." and, "Among the seafood dishes, the soggy, grayish lobster ravioli is a viscous mess." On a somewhat positive note, Platt says, "the kitchen does a serviceable job with that old warhorse duck à l'orange, which consists of crackly skinned slices of duck breast, turnips, and a gentle dose of bigarade sauce."
• NY Post: Steve Cuozzo visits Upper East Side Italian newcomer, Alloro and sings its praise,
  "'Creative Italian' alloro, all of two weeks old, is adorable. It's also strange, perplexing and often wonderful. Five pasta dishes I had there just might be the best five I've had at any one place this year."
• The New York Daily News: RG gives Hundred Acres 2 of 5 stars. "The kitchen does a really good job with Maine sea scallops, nicely charred and skewered with Tokyo baby turnips poised in a tangy yogurt-mint sauce. There's a gratifying riff on macaroni and cheese made with Westfield Farms goat cheese and specked with morel mushroom and English peas."
• Village Voice: Sarah DiGregorio filling in for Robert Sietsema visits Persimmon in the East Village. She labels it as an alternative to Ko (can there really be a substitution)? "Persimmon has just one small room and one table. That long, wood-beamed table is lined with simple stools, seating 20 communal diners." As to why it's a good alternative, "The place is usually not full, so you can actually get a reservation (always a bonus!), and the generous four-course menu is reasonably priced at $37 (plus it's BYOB). On the other hand, the cooking doesn't have David Chang's experimental edge; instead, it showcases fairly straightforward but refined Korean dishes."

// In Other News //

• Brooklyn Bridge Park has opened "Pier 1" as a great destination for an evening or, heck, mid-day beer. There is also a limited menu of serviceable burritos, fish tacos and hot dogs available for consumption. Sit at one of the picnic tables and watch the boats go by or get a good glimpse of two of the Olafur Eliasson waterfalls in action. Open now through Labor day from 10am to 10pm daily.

// Upcoming Events //

• Celebrate Bastille Day tomorrow with the French Institute. Head to 60th street from 5th to Lexington Avenues for fun and food. Sample eats from Payard, Petrossian, Bouchon Bakery, The French Culinary Institue and others.
• Another "Summer of Riesling" tasting with Hearth, Insieme and Terroir's Paul Grieco. Take the opportunity to taste Riesling wines of Germany with a man who is ape about the grape and has a good sense of humor to boot. At Terroir on Monday, July 14th from 6 to 7:30pm. Cost is $55, all inclusive. To reserve a seat call 646-602-1300.