New York nightlife tries to sell itself as being full of happening people, the coolest music, and always on the verge of the next big thing. Then why do they keep recycling the same tired ideas?
♦ The Observer picks its favorite pizza joints around town. [NYO]
♦ Andrew Carmellini has a new restaurant in the works, although he isn't sharing too many details. [GS]
♦ Trader Joe's may open a store on 72nd and Broadway next year. [GS]
♦ The meltdown is having an impact on the restaurant biz. Duh. [Time]
♦ The Times travel section spends 36 hours in NYC and offers up "plenty of reasons not to stay at home watching CNBC." [NYT]
♦ It seems the closure of Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg's Marquee this summer had more to do with a drug-related sting operation than a water main break. [NYO]
♦ Frank Bruni gives one star to Socarrat Paella Bar in today's Times: Although Socarrat's signature dish isn't perfect, it's "better than the paellas at many other Spanish restaurants in New York." [NYT]
♦ The fro-yo wars are heating up: Both Pinkberry and Red Mango have hired branding firms to help define their places in the fro-yo market. [AdAge]
♦ The East Village nightclub Mr. Black has been shut down after failing to pay taxes. [VV via Gawker]
Last we heard, recently-busted sort-of underground gay party super-hangout Mr. Black wouldn't be back until January. Now they're saying it's coming at the end of November! With like a 500-person occupancy! And a night devoted to Baltimore Club, to which we say, hell yes. It will be somewhere—possibly in the Financial District? [Next]
Super-gay super-underground nightclub Mr. Black, the scene of recent intense police attention resulting in a drug raid with almost no score, will reopen in January 2008—but not in the space sullied by the coppers. According to an email sent by its proprietor (Mr. Black, obvs!) it'll be finding bigger digs. Until then, there's the promise of monthly parties for those who need to feel dirty.
