Motorino 2, And Other Edible News
There has been word of a strange liquor license swap between Motorino and its pizza-topia predecessor, Una Pizza Napoletana, for a while now. Finally some clarity: it looks like our Motorino, one of the neighborhood's biggest success stories, will be taking over the the UPN space when chef, er, pizzaioli, Anthony Mangieri, takes off for the West Coast. The news comes just as Bruni declared both joints to be among the city's best, so I suspect the East Village will eventually learn to cope with their loss. [Eater]
Meanwhile, on the waterfront: Jimmy's No. 43 owner and cook-off maven Jimmy Carbone is throwing a locally-sourced BBQ contest at the LIC Water Taxi Beach on July 21, from 6-9pm. For $35, you'll get to gorge yourself on not only the contestants' fare, but that of Fette Sau and the upcoming Fatty 'Cue as well. As The Feedbag points out, and Eater recently surmised, this could be your last best chance to try the 'Que before you actually have to get your hog-loving self down to South 6th Street.
Hachi, the 'hood's newest pan-Asian joint, is now open, and surprisingly not on the Bedford strip. The decor of the Grand Street spot may be about as subtle as a Jack Black, but early reports from the FreeW crew suggest that the very affordable sushi is well worth the visual affront, though the entrées don't fare as well. Full menu and pics at Grub Street.
For a heartier meal, you can head over to Pop's at North 8th and Bedford to catch their hot dog-eating contest tomorrow, July 11, at 4pm.
And last, a venue so new all we can tell you is the name: Bakeri. Work on the old St. Helen's Cafe spot on North 7th and Wythe has managed to come quite far without attracting any attention. More info when we have it. [Thanks, Skeeter]
