Eat Cetera: Madison Square Market Eats, Hotel Griffou, Rouge Tomate
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<em>Alex Fischer</em><br/><br/><strong>Mad. Square Market Eats:</strong> While we tend to avoid overcrowded holiday markets and gyro-schilling street fairs, we will admit that this year's outdoor dining/ shopping/ bottleneck-inducing <a href="http://urbanspacenyc.com/">Madison Square Market</a> has a pretty solid lineup of food vendors. <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/02/25/camera_in_the_k_97.php">Robertaâs Pizza</a>, Asiadog, <a href="http://www.gothamist.com/tags/eataly">Eataly</a>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/11/10/what_to_expect_at_the_momofuku_milk.php">Momofuku Milk Bar</a>, ilili, Sigmund Pretzelshop, Bar Suzette, <a href="http://gothamist.com/tags/calexico">Calexico</a>, Nunu Chocolates, The Filling Station and P&H Soda Co. are a few of the higher-profile names involved, though we are still maybe hoping for a special appearance from the Mozzarepa truck (don't judgeâthose things are good). Starting your own pickling/brewing/poaching company? Market organizer Urban Space is still <a href="http://urbanspacenyc.com/">accepting applicants</a> for prospective vendors on their website, so act fast. The Market runs from this Friday, May 6th, through June 3rd, in Worth Square, at 25th Street on the west side of Madison Square Park. â <em>Jamie Feldmar</em>
<strong>Hotel Griffou Happy Hour:</strong> Perhaps recognizing that they need to try harder to lure customers into their subterranean den now that it's finally frickin <em>Spring</em>, the handsomely-appointed <a href="http://www.griffou.com">Hotel Griffou</a> is offering a weekday happy hour deal. Instead of the usual $15-$16 pricetag, cocktails are $10 between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Before you say, "$10 is a deal?!" you should give one of these drinks a try. Concocted by Johnny Swet (Balthazar, Freeman's, Jimmy at the James), they're like the Cadillac of cocktails, and hold their own against Milk & Honey or PDT or any of the revered cocktail dens around town.<br/><br/>The new <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/02/18/larry_poston_hotel_griffou.php?gallery0Pic=1#gallery">Hotel Griffou</a> cocktail menu includes options such as F*ck Port Arthur Texas, a tribute to Janis Joplin featuring Southern Comfort, Johnny Drum Overproof Bourbon and a homemade âtobaccoâ cordial with a flamed orange twist; and Swetâs twist on the Aviator Cocktail: the Kitty Hawk, featuring Farmerâs Organic Gin, maraschino cherry liquer, Crème de Yvette, lemon juice and tonic water. To go with the food, Hotel Griffou's very good chef David Santos is doing a variety of $5 happy hour bar snacks, including Lamb Sliders with Curry Goat Cheese; Piri Piri Shrimp; Portuguese Charcuterie Sampler; BBQ Seasoned French Fries; Cod Fritters; and Tempura Asparagus with Orange Soy Sauce.<br/><br/><em>21 West 9th Street, (212) 358-0228</em>
<em>Katie Sokoler/Gothamist</em><br/><br/><strong>Rouge Tomate:</strong> The big, beautiful, health-conscious restaurant <a href="http://www.rougetomatenyc.com">Rouge Tomate</a> recently debuted a five course tasting menu that seems the perfect end to a day of Speedo shopping. Though the militantly fresh restaurant isn't required by law to <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/02/28/health_department_says_calorie_coun.php">share its calorie info</a> (that only applies to chains), their new menu clocks in at under 1,000 calories. Yes, for five courses! It doesn't use any butter or cream, but that doesn't mean it's drearily spartan. Ingredients include caviar, lobster, uni, and foie gras. <br/><br/>After a delicate Wellfleet oyster and lobster amuse, the first course is a Hawaiian Walu Ceviche with Avocado, Sugar Snap Peas, Spring Radish, and Yuzu. Later comes a Wild Nettle and Young Garlic Soup with Fingerling Potato, Spring Onion, Woodlands Prosciutto, and Pumpernickel; followed by Porcini Farrotto with White Asparagus; then Squab with morel, ramp, and foie gras. All that, plus dessert and more, is under 1,000 calories; the cost is $89. You can also do wine or cocktail pairings for $45, or a seasonal juice pairing for $35. Located on East 60th Street by Central Park, it's a beautiful place to dine, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/10/30/rouge_tomate.php#photo-1">as these photos show</a>. <br/><br/><em>10 East 60th Street, (646) 237-8977</em>