New Restaurants: Bar Pleiades, Numero 28, Juliet Supper Club

Forget the Age of Aquarius (and forget the recession, too, while you're at it); it's the age of the Pleiades, 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 Surrey Hotel, across the lobby from Cafe Boulud, Bar Pleiades is a spacious and comfy cocktail lounge serving a changing finger food menu from the restaurant.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 Sasha Petraske, 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). 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 the recent two star rave review for DBGB in the Times, Boulud remarked, "Maybe one [star] would have been better! We don't want young people to get the wrong idea about the place." 20 East 76th Street; (212) 772-2600

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.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). 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, "Maybe one [star] would have been better! We don't want young people to get the wrong idea about the place." 20 East 76th Street; (212) 772-2600

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Forget the Age of Aquarius (and forget the recession, too, while you're at it); it's the age of the Pleiades, 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 Surrey Hotel, across the lobby from Cafe Boulud, Bar Pleiades is a spacious and comfy cocktail lounge serving a changing finger food menu from the restaurant.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 Sasha Petraske, 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). 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 the recent two star rave review for DBGB in the Times, Boulud remarked, "Maybe one [star] would have been better! We don't want young people to get the wrong idea about the place." 20 East 76th Street; (212) 772-2600

Gothamist

After a soft opening earlier this month, the West Village's Numero 28 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. 196 Spring Street; (212) 219-9020

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. 196 Spring Street; (212) 219-9020

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After a soft opening earlier this month, the West Village's Numero 28 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. 196 Spring Street; (212) 219-9020

Gothamist

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 Juliet Supper Club, this completely over-the-top west Chelsea restaurant/lounge is the work of Jon B., co-owner of the embattled club Greenhouse, 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 [Eyebeam]? They are important! You're NOTHING!" Ooh, we're gonna have fun with this place.The upscale restaurant features a Mediterranean-influenced menu created by celeb chef Todd English, whose recent broken nuptials have provided endless tabloid fodder. 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. 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. 539 West 21st Street; (212) 929-2400

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.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. 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. 539 West 21st Street; (212) 929-2400

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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 Juliet Supper Club, this completely over-the-top west Chelsea restaurant/lounge is the work of Jon B., co-owner of the embattled club Greenhouse, 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 [Eyebeam]? They are important! You're NOTHING!" Ooh, we're gonna have fun with this place.The upscale restaurant features a Mediterranean-influenced menu created by celeb chef Todd English, whose recent broken nuptials have provided endless tabloid fodder. 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. 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. 539 West 21st Street; (212) 929-2400

Gothamist