The news this week may leave a bad taste in your mouth. Or a 22-pound chocolate egg.
The McDonald’s on Broadway and 96th street is undergoing a full gut renovation. “Gut” is the word I think of first when I think of McDonald’s. Thanks to Ken for the tip and photo.
Pedro Hernandez Perez, the chef at new-ish Mexican restaurant Cocina Economica Mexico started out working at restaurants when he came to New York from Mexico as a 17 year old. After 7 years working his way up at Land Thai, the owner decided to give him a job running this new Mexican spot, which replaced Recipe on Amsterdam between 81st and 82nd. The Village Voice finds a lot to like, and a few areas that need improvement. “His menu at Cocina Economica Mexico is like that family meal on a good day—hearty, satisfying, and rough around the edges. The antojitos shine, like the hot quesadillas sealed with Oaxacan cheese, dripping neon chorizo-longaniza oil, and the soft, doubled-up tortillas stuffed with braised beef cheeks and pulled pork shoulder ($4)…Sometimes, though, the food at Cocina can be a little too reminiscent of home cooking. This is especially true when it comes to the platillos ($13–16), larger plates of meat and vegetables that can be comforting, but also veer dangerously toward the 30-minutes-or-less efforts of an exhausted parent, eager to get something—anything—on the table.”
Andanada 141, which replaced Gastroarte at 141 West 69th, gets 4 stars out of 5 from the Daily News: “Restrained Chipirones ($11) mock the ubiquitous rubbery calamari that we are conditioned to expect. Instead, greaseless tender squid arrive fragrant with grassy olive oil and sea salt.” (Photo of dining room at right)
Starbucks on the corner of 75th and Broadway is remodeling and will be closed for 2-3 days. “Anyway, I thought local Starbucks junkies like me should know as there is no sign on the door that says when they will be re-opening!” said our tipster Sally.
Sugar & Plumm on 78th and Amsterdam is selling a giant chocolate egg for $1,000: “Wow all of your family and friends this Easter with this amazing almost 3 foot tall sculpture made completely of chocolate. This exclusive chocolate show piece is hand-crafted with our signature dark, milk and white chocolates. The egg measures approximately 30″ tall by 18″ wide and is weighing in at around 22 pounds!” Available for pickup.
Remember: the Food Emporium liquidation began today at 68th and Broadway, starting with a 10%-off sale. We are hearing from multiple people that the space could become a Walgreens, but that’s still a rumor.
We updated our story on 72nd Street Bagel to include the health violations posted on the DOH website. Check them out here.
I’m baffled as to how anyone can live inthe city and be a “starbucks junky.”
Their coffee is bad by any reasonable standard. Their baked goods are terrible. And their atmosphere is bland and boring. There are so many great local options for coffee in the city, especially in this neighborhood.
Correction: The Starbucks I referred to is on 75 and Broadway.
Re: these supposed health-code violations at72nd Street Bagel:
“3) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.”
HEY, US RATS ARE N’YAWKERS. WE LOVE OUR BAGELS! GIMME AN EVERYTHING, EVEN WITHOUT A SHMEAR, AND I’M HAPPY FOR THE WHOLE DAY! A LITTLE SLEEPY, BUT HAPPY!
“4) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.”
MY COUSINS! AIN’T THEY CUTE!
“5) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.”
NOW THAT’S DISGUSTING!!
I remember when the Mcdonalds opened on 96th.The lines to get in were around the block for about a week and after that there were still lines outside. I guess the novelty has worn off.
if a Wallgreens goes in to the Food Emporium spot I wont step foot in that place. Im so tired of banks and Duane Reads and Wallgreens.. so much Corp bs going on up here..How about something we can all use which isnt on every other corner. We as a hood should let these Corps know we wont patronize there stores if they open u here…