New Restaurants: Bar Pleiades, Numero 28, Juliet Supper Club
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<p>Forget the Age of Aquarius (and forget the recession, too, while you're at it); it's the age of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades_(star_cluster)">the Pleiades</a>, that mystical blue star cluster in the constellation of Taurus. Those stars are presumably far enough away that chef Daniel Boulud isn't worried about getting a C&D for naming his swank new bar after them. Located in the ground floor of the <a href="http://thesurrey.com">Surrey Hotel</a>, across the lobby from <a href="http://www.danielnyc.com/cafebouludNY.html">Cafe Boulud</a>, Bar Pleiades is a spacious and comfy cocktail lounge serving a changing finger food menu from the restaurant.</p><p></p>The cocktail menu is created by Cameron Bogue, whom Boulud imported from his Vancouver outpost of db bistro moderne. Apparently, Bogue is like Canada's <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/10/17/milk_honey_cocktail_mecca_goes_from.php">Sasha Petraske</a>, and his drinks are mostly innovative twists on old classics, with lots of house-made infused liquors. His take on the Moscow Mule, for instance, is the Beijing Mule, which uses vodka infused with roasted Asian pears, yuzu juice, saffron-flavored simple syrup and house-made ginger beer ($15). <p></p>At the opening party last night, we were loving the Southern Fashion ($16): Espelette Candied Pecan Bourbon, Vermouths, Maple, and Islay Scotch as a garnishâwhich Bogue fastidiously adds with an eye-dropper. Halfway through the crisp and light Cornucopia (Gin, Kirsch, Apricot, Sage, Lemon, $16), Boulud led us on a tour of the new Cafe Boulud kitchen, which was noteworthy for its focused lack of drama (at least with Chef hovering around). Commenting on <a href="http://events.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/dining/reviews/14rest.html">the recent two star rave review</a> for DBGB in the Times, Boulud remarked, <strong>"Maybe one [star] would have been better! We don't want young people to get the wrong idea about the place."</strong> <em>20 East 76th Street; (212) 772-2600</em>
<p>After a soft opening earlier this month, the West Village's <a href="http://www.numero28.com/">Numero 28</a> has officially opened an outpost in SoHo, with Roman style "by the slice" pizza available with a number of authentic toppings. All the pizzas are made in a custom-built electric oven flown over from Italy and served by the slice. Customers enjoy their food on shiny red bar tables surrounded by orange walls with Italian-inspired art (Vespa paintings, anyone?) Toppings range from the classic Alla Bufala (cherry tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and basil) to the bolder Al Tartufo, with potatoes, speck (juniper-infused ham), truffle cream and mozzarella. But our money is on the Alla Zucca: With pumpkin cream, pancetta and smoked provola, it sounds like autumn on a pizza. With prices from $2.50-$3.80 a slice, a lengthy taste-test may be in order. <em>196 Spring Street; (212) 219-9020</em></p>
<p>Heads up, location scouts: When you need the perfect place to shoot the pivotal scene in which the altruistic young prosecutor (Julia Stiles) is seduced by the sinister, Satan-worshiping drug dealer (Matthew McConaughey) over champagne at his private banquette, look no further. Called <a href="http://www.julietsupperclub.com">Juliet Supper Club</a>, this completely over-the-top west Chelsea restaurant/lounge is the work of Jon B., co-owner of the embattled club <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/10/23/greenhouse_shut_down_after_stabbing.php">Greenhouse</a>, among others. When we arrived for the opening party last week, an irate local middle-age man in jeans and T-shirt was already standing on the steps yelling at the emaciated young greeter, "You people are not important! You see that place across the street [<a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/11/09/last_nights_party_eyebeam_undergrou.php">Eyebeam</a>]? They are important! You're NOTHING!" Ooh, we're gonna have fun with this place.</p><p></p>The upscale restaurant features a Mediterranean-influenced menu created by celeb chef Todd English, whose recent broken nuptials have provided <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/eateries_took_toll_on_todd_KWZwxhjtNjRSWybl2C7RzN">endless tabloid fodder</a>. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., after which the 4,000-square-foot space will, according to the press release, "flawlessly transform from a high-end eatery to a chic lounge open until 4 a.m." Far and away the best dish we tasted during our visit was the harmonious Tuna Tabouleh ($16), with cracked wheat, raw tuna, and minted yogurt nestled at the bottom of the bowl. There are also a range of skewers like the Mahi Mahi Kebab, all priced at $22, and some shawarmas for $28. <p></p>Or, if you and your bros are on a budget, you can just order bread with a variety of $3 spreads, like lamb hummus and fire roasted black baba eggplant. But honestly, unless Matthew McConaughey's paying, you may not feel very comfortable hanging out here without a bankroll and a head full of product. <em>539 West 21st Street; (212) 929-2400</em>