c/o NY Mag

According to NY Mag dance spot Salvalas is scheduled to close this week. They report:

Its Facebook page doesn’t give a reason, but an update posted yesterday says “The end is near. Come get a lethal dose of Savalas before we shut our doors. T-minus 6 days.” The bar has changed its profile photo to text: “THE SONG ‘THE FINAL COUNTDOWN’ IS NOW PLAYING IN YOUR HEAD.” Back in September, a bar employee sent an e-mail to DJs banning hip-hop, and explained, “the crowd at Savalas has been changing recently. Our old regulars are coming around less, drug dealers, meat heads, dare I say *gasp* New Jersey kids are coming around more.”

c/o Grub Street

If you love Southern Cooking and are looking for a new place to get your fix in Williamsburg, you’re in luck with the upcoming opening next Tuesday the 25th of Mable’s Smokehouse. Mable’s Smokehouse is owned by couple Meghan Love and Jeff Lutonsky who wanted simple and traditional Southern food. They promise to deliver borracho beans, Rotel-Velveeta dip, Luzianne sweet tea, hot links imported from Schwab’s in Oklahoma City, pulled-pork tamales, and, of course, pie. The selection of alcoholic drinks will be limited, with offerings of three vodkas, two gins, and a few bourbons.

Mable’s Smokehouse. 44 Berry St., entrance on N. 11th St., Williamsburg; 718-218-6655

Last week we posted that Crif Dogs was set to open their Williamsburg outpost sometime the following week. The great news came today that they’re finally open and ready for business! We can hardly wait to give them a try. Eater reports:

The space boasts a collection of old skate boards, a couple of vintage video games, a hot dog mosaic, and plenty of seating for the local deep fried hot dog lovers. And now, she’s open to the public. Expect the usual roster of specialty dogs like the John John Deragon, the Tsunami, the BLT, the Garden State, and the Spicy Redneck along with some breakfast sandwiches (coming soon!) and a coffee window. They’re open from 7 AM – 1 AM during the week and until 3 AM on weekends.

Crif Dogs is located at 555 Driggs Street. 718.302.3200.

It’s a new year and there are tons of recently opened spots for food and alcohol consumption. Below is a list of places to try in 2011.

Tuffet, a “cheese/meat/bar”  owned by a Market Table alum, opened on New Years Eve. Now that we’ve got our hangovers (& desire to eat nothing but wheatgrass and bean sprouts) mostly out of our systems, we’ll be looking forward to a visit to this intimate space, which features 15 rotating cheeses, cured and cooked meats, and a bar with wine on tap (!) 286 Graham Avenue, near Grand.

Walking into Cubana Social makes you immediately feel like you’ve been transported to 1950′s Cuba. The former cigar factory on N 6th Street has been transformed into a beautiful social club with high ceilings, brick columns, and a long counter that runs throughout the space. The food which is “traditional Cuban with a modern twist” nicely compliments the reasonably priced cocktails which run from $8-$10. Live jazz and salsa music is also slated to be part of the Cuban dining experience.  70 N. 6th Street, near Wythe Ave.

Feeling punchy? The Drink might cure what ails you. Metromix has a full report on this “vaguely nautical” watering hole, which focuses its ambitions squarely on ridding the spiked communal beverage of its association with prom disasters and pukey frat parties. Forget to leave room for the Holy Spirit with either a hot or cold cup of the stuff ($5) or really get the party started with an entire bowl ($43).  228 Manhattan Ave, between Grand and Maujer.

The musically themed bar LP & Harmony offers cheap drinks, a well-stocked jukebox, and open mic nights. It’s a strange mix between a sports bar with huge flat screen televisions showing the latest games, and a DIY music venue with local musicians singing in the background, and we’re not sure how we feel about it yet. There’s also a small dance floor with a DJ that begins every night after 10PM. In the summer, patrons will be able to drink the backyard garden which is always a plus. 683 Grand Street near Manhattan Avenue.

The Garden Spot Cafe is Greenpoint’s newest diner/coffee shop serving inexpensive staples that are necessary after a night out. We’ve been told the giant list of breakfast burritos is worth a try. 195 Franklin Street, near Green Street.

Calexico has finally come to Brooklyn, and we couldn’t be happier. The 65-seat eatery features new menu items such as fish tacos, grilled corn, and the 645 burger which is “a blend of brisket, chuck and short rib on a ciabatta bun with their signature chipotle “crack” sauce”. There’s a full bar that serves a variety of beer and cocktails, and a garden will be open in the warmer months. 645 Manhattan Avenue, near Moore Street.

If you’re lucky enough to live off the Bedford L stop, tomorrow from 7-11AM you’ll be able to get a free fresh-pressed tart cherry nectar juice from Red Jacket Orchards as a thank you for supporting local agriculture as well as a reminder that they’ll be at The McCarren Park Greenmarket throughout the Winter selling apples, various seasonal fruits, jams, and cider. We love anything that is gratis, especially when it’s delicious juice.

c/o The Wrong Way

Although it’s only Tuesday morning, it’s not too early to begin making your weekend drinking plans. We highly suggest kicking off the New Year by stopping by the 4th Annual Williamsburg Cask Beer Festival at dba Brooklyn. What is cask beer you may ask? It’s unfiltered, unpasteurized beer brewed from traditional ingredients, matured and naturally carbonated by a second fermentation in the container from which it is manually dispensed. It’s typically served at cellar temperature, which is about 54 degrees.

The Cask Beer Festival takes place Friday 1/7 to Sunday 1/9 from 1pm onward at dba Brookly which is located at 113 North 7th Street. The festival will feature at least 15 rare and delicious cask beers tapped simultaneously. There’s no entry fee, and you pay per drink.

c/o Time Out New York

We’re excited to report that the long awaited Williamsburg branch of Crif Dogs will finally open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Driggs and N 7th Street on January 10th. Time Out New York has the full report on the new spot.

We’ve been eating the amazing brunch at Le Comptoir for months and have eagerly been waiting for the day that they’re allowed to legally serve booze, which has finally arrived. In addition to the free flowing booze, dinner will also be offered (who can eat dinner without liquor)! Below is a sneak peek at their dinner menu, although it’s season and often changes.

Mushroom barley soup & slow poached egg 6
Autumn salad 6
Haricots verts, radicchio, blue cheese & toasted almonds
Warm goat cheese crostini 7
Mixed greens, shaved fennel & herb vinaigrette
Tuna tartare Japonais 8/14
Artichoke heart & goat cheese 8
Sauteed chicken livers, baby arugula, croutons & fig balsamic vinaigrette 8
Beef tongue, pickled chanterelles 7
Steak tartare “comme au bistro” 10/18
Charcuterie tasting & condiments 12
Cheese sampler from the first colonies 14
Tumbleweed, Hudson Red, Shaker sheep blue

Homemade potato gnocchi, shrimp, bacon, spinach 15
Seared pork tenderloin, sweet potato & Brussels sprouts 17
Shepperd’s pie, braised beef Bourguignon & mashed potatoes 16
Pan seared natural NY strip steak & chanterelles 26
Organic salmon “a la plancha”, braised lentils & sausage 17

All desserts $5 Floating island, chocolate mousse & tuile, poire Belle-Hélène, crème brulée

Here’s a last minute plan for tomorrow night: a nine course beer tasting paired with a German dinner at Lorely Williamsburg from 7-10:30pm.

Rudi Eilers, a German beer expert, will introduce 9 different beers from Germany (list below) and discuss each beer’s origin, brewing method (top vs. bottom fermented) and unique flavors.

7. Köstritzer Schwarzbier – the most popular dark beer in Germany, surprisingly light and fresh

8. HB Strong Bock – a bottom fermented light bock with powerful aromatic flavors

9. Einbecker Winter-Bock – a deep amber red beer with malty sweetness balanced by a hoppy bitter finish

Tickets are $29 and can be purchased here.

Here’s your Tuesday morning deal: $10 for $20 worth of American Food at Goods. To purchase, visit here.