Eat Cetera: Umami Burger Rising, A Mexican Clambake, Central Park Booze Trucks
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(Audrey6398's flickr).Umami Burger: Remember how excited all those midwestern transplants got when it was announced that Potbelly was coming to New York? Did you see the lines when the first one opened up? Well, now it is time for the left coasters to start their cheering. No, In-N-Out is not coming to town (someday...) but that's okay. Grub Street reports that LA's well-regarded burger joint, Umami Burger, is coming our way. The chain, which already has five outposts in la-la-land, should hit our shores late next year, so you've got time to prepare with frequent trips to the gym. According to our sibling LAist, Umami has the fourth best in City of Angels. "Burgers are still king here, as the unadorned plates and attention to detail shows well," they say. "Juicy and unique, with the savory umami sense weâre all still trying to define, these babies have long been meant for the spotlight."Fun, but as we've already got quite a lot of gourmet burgers around here we'd still prefer an In-N-Out...
Garth Johnston<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisgold/3370720096/in/photostream/">ChrisGoldNY</a><a></a>'s flickr).</em><br/><br/><strong>Mexican Clambake:</strong> While we admit that we've never previously thought of the words "Mexican food" and "clambake" in the same sentence, we are nonetheless intrigued by this unlikely pairing. Rosa Mexicano in Union Square will be celebrating their monthlong "Mexican Clambake" festival next Wednesday, July 13, with a Clambake Party featuring newfangled combos like Mexican lobster rolls and clam chowder enchiladas. Special cocktails will be on hand and guests will be privy to "an inside look" at how some of the restaurant's most popular dishes are prepared. Ole! Or, um, Old Bay? (Jamie Feldmar)<br/><em>7-9:30 p.m. // 9 E. 18th St // (212) 533-3350 // $50</em>
Food Trucking With Booze In Central Park: Food trucks may be fighting with the po-po in midtown, but not in Central Park. Last month the SLA made a big move and awarded its first liquor license to the Pera Turkish taco truck outside the old Tavern on the Green. And now, as expected, Pera's truck neighbors have gotten in on the action. In the coming days diners can get beer, hard iced tea and a spicy watermelon cocktail from the Ladle of Love truck. And those who wander over to the Rickshaw Dumpling truck can expect a "fairly simple" menu that will include Tsingtao and sake. If you do go though, remember that no matter how close Sheep Meadow looks... you can't take your drinks with you.
Garth Johnston<strong>Classy BBQ:</strong> Food Network reality TV stars Pat and Gina Neely are bringing their Tennessee-style barbecue to us Yankees, with the opening of their first New York restaurant on July 13. Neely's Barbecue Parlor aims to provide a more "upscale" barbecue experience, and will feature items like pulled pork, barbecued mussels, cedar-planked salmon, chicken-fried steak, and beer-can chicken, which should be an interesting sell for the Upper East Side set. (Jamie Feldmar)<br/><em>1125 First Avenue // (212) 832-1551 // <a href="http://www.neelysbbqparlor.com/">website</a></em>