Times Square Gossip

**** THE WEB GOSSIP Gossip By The Nostalgic New Yorker **** Steven Spielberg WARHORSE AT AVERY FISHER -- Steven Spielberg’s big screen adaptation of Warhorse was world-premiered at Avery Fisher Hall this past Sunday evening and drew a most impressive array of bold-faced names, including: NBC’s Brian Williams; Eric LaSalle; Michael Michele; Tony Danza; Fox’s Arnold (Shame, Shame, Shame) Diaz; ABC’s Art McFarland; Mariska Hargitay with husband Peter Hermann; PR-pasha David Salidor with client Dayme; Elizabeth Olsen; Jessica Capshaw; Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick; Ralph Macchio; as well as the terrific cast: Tom Hiddleston; Celine Buckens; David Thewlis; Jeremy Irvine; and, Emily Watson. I saw the play earlier this year and Spielberg has opened it up dramatically for the screen. A most impressive effort for sure. The horse-Joey deserves some sort of recognition as well. How they got him to accomplish what he does in the film, is nothing short of astonishing. Special note: the John Willi...

**** THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER **** Dhaba 108 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 679-1284 www.highwaydhaba.com **** Dhaba Bar Located in New York’s famed Curry Hill, Chef Shiva Natarajan’s new restaurant Dhaba brings a fresh take on Indian fare by showcasing authentic Northern Indian and Punjabi cuisine. Traditionally, “dhabas” are eateries commonly found in the outskirts of metros in Northern India and are widely reputed to serve authentic local food. More recently, dhabas are sprouting all over cosmopolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai, bringing their brand of authentic, flavorful food to city connoisseurs. Dhaba offers a full menu and several specialty menus such as Dhaba After Hours, the British Curry House, and an extensive vegetarian selection. Favorites include familiar “dhaba” staples such as Sarson ka Saag and Makki da Roti, but also spotlights a wide array of Punjabi dishes such as Hare Nimbu wale Murgh, Chicken Kaali Mirch, Punjab da Lauki Masala, Shalgam Saag...

**** THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER **** ELEMENTI 140 7th Avenue Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 718-788-8388 **** The Elementi Bar **** One of our favorite PR-people, DAVID SALIDOR (The Pasha!) has been telling us about ELEMENTI in Park Slope, for the last two weeks. Salidor, who reps the PALM WEST (our spot for clams ... always!) has raved on-and-on about Elementi's chef (Camillo Bassani) ... and, we decided to head out there on our own Saturday night, incognito as it were, and try it on our own!We know he won't mind, and, as we found out quite quickly, he was right ... in fact, he usually is!This past Saturday was the warmest night of the year so far, so once we arrived, we found 7th Avenue in Park Slope positively buzzing with excitement. The restaurant itself, a 2-story stand-alone structure, is terribly inviting, warm golden-hues and discreetly placed mirrors created a most inviting environment. The place was packed with several groups waiting at bay.We decided to start the evening ...

THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER Taj II 48 West 21st St. New York, NY 10010 212-620-3033 www.tajlounge.com The Taj II The reinvented Taj II combines restaurant, lounge and event space to stand out amidst the usual suspects of the Flatiron District. Owners Dave Casey and Lesly Zamor had a desire to create a truly unique and innovative dining experience for New Yorkers and with the opening of Taj II they have succeeded.With opulent imported furnishings including carved teak woodwork, sandstone Buddha sculptures, and a one of a kind mahogany and copper-topped bar, Taj II’s India inspired decor transports guests to the ultimate dining and nightlife experience.Menu offerings feature American cuisine with Indian influences. Exceptional service compliments the menu items for an experience not soon to be forgotten. Taj II transforms into a late-night lounge with top New York DJ’s spinning sexy lounge music and the hottest hits. The venue boasts a separate VIP mezzanine complete with its own separate...

THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER Steak Frites 225 Varick Street (Corner of Clarkson) New York, NY 10014 Phone: 212-463-7101 www.steakfritesnyc.com Steak Frites Long-running French staple Steak Frites has relocated from its former Union Square location to a buzzing, vibrant location downtown at the crossroads of SoHo and the West Village. The quintessential, neighborhood-friendly brasserie, Steak Frites offers a casual-hip and inviting atmosphere complete with a wrap-around bar and well-spaced lounge tables and an airy, open dining room, perfect for brunch, late-night dinners, business lunches, and mid-week meals with the family. The restaurant's extensive selection of wines, beers, and cocktails perfectly complements the extensive menu which features such updated, affordable French classics as the "entrecote de Paris," a perfectly prepared steak frites, and a giant serving of moules frites—each accompanied by a decadent mountain of crispy, hand-cut fries. Other signatures incl...

THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER Trattoria Toscana 64 Carmine St. New York, NY 10014 212-675-8736 Trattoria Toscana Since Franco Fazzuoli left New York twenty years ago, Italian dining in New York City has never been the same. New Yorkers have long missed the Florentine delights he served at Il Ponte Vecchio, Zinno and Cent’Anni. However, 2008 brought the return of one of the city’s finest Italian chefs with the opening of Trattoria Toscana in the West Village. Franco combines the freshest ingredients bought daily at the city’s markets. Daily specials include homemade pasta, freshly caught fish and organic free range chicken to create the finest Italian delicacies in the city. He has held his recipes close not letting his best kept secrets out and has served some of the country’s top leaders. Traditional family recipes coupled with innovative and sumptuous flavor medleys assures that Trattoria Toscana will please even the most discerning lovers of Florentine cuisine.

THE NOSTALGIC NEW YORKER AMOR CUBANO 2018 Third Avenue @ 111th Street 212-996-1220 Pure Perfect Mojitos Pure Cuban Elegance Escape to a world of Cuban delicacies at Amor Cubano. The authentic 1950’s Havana setting combines the classic golden age of Cuba with a younger, hip and sexy atmosphere. All the recipes come from the owners’ mothers and are family secrets. The air is filled with dancing, singing and performance art as you dine on Cuban cuisine at this truly unique restaurant. You don’t have to go to downtown to enjoy authentic home cooked Cuban.