Shake Shack’s ‘Innovation Kitchen’ Open in West Village in September
Shake Shack’s West Village location and test kitchen open soon
Finally throwing its doors open next Tuesday, Shake Shack arrives in the West Village at 225 Varick St. The Innovation Kitchen will also open on its lower level, acting as the hub for all Shake Shack menu development. It’s a little different from other locations of the global burger chain. Recipes cooked up in the test kitchen will also occasionally be served upstairs on the West Village’s menu before then rolling out to other locations.
An opening and coming attraction in East Village
A Rolling Stones-themed bar named after the song Waiting On A Friend recently opened at 132 First Ave. at St. Mark’s Place. The space features album artwork. The tribute has historical context, as the “Waiting on a Friend” music video was shot on St. Mark’s Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. Also in the neighborhood, signage has arrived for Dim Sum Tea House at 152-154 Second Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets — just a few blocks away from the upcoming dim sum spot at 59 Second Ave., Dim Sum Palace.
Two wine dinners in town
On September 18, the Breslin will host a wine dinner in collaboration with the Spanish winery Jorge Ordonez Selections, serving a three-course meal along with four glasses of wine for $150. More information about tickets can be found here. Villanelle in Greenwich Village will host its own wine dinner on September 25, serving a five-course menu with dishes like pork cheek with fermented pomme puree. Wine director Sarah Tracey, an alum of Rouge Tomate in Chelsea, will oversee the wine pairings. Tickets are $135 and can be purchased here.
Kal Penn goes all in on White Castle’s Impossible sliders for publicity stunt
Today, Kal Penn will travel back to 2004, when he starred in the movie Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle alongside John Cho. Penn is set to appear at Manhattan’s location of White Castle at 351 East 103rd St. to dish out the Impossible sliders, which are finally rolling out across all locations nationwide. Eater critic Ryan Sutton praised the sliders when they debuted, writing: “It’s one of the country’s best fast-food burgers, period.”