Prune | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Prune, Co-op Food & Drink, Cup and Saucer, Cocoron

Soba spot Cocoron got some love from The New York Times this week.

Gabrielle Hamilton, the chef at Prune and author of a recent memoir, took home the Best Chef in New York award at Monday night’s James Beard Foundation Awards, raising some eyebrows with her acceptance speech. Time magazine, particularly, was unimpressed.
NYT’s Diner’s Journal details the plan for Co-op Food & Drink at The Hotel on Rivington, whose imminent opening we first reported last week.
DJ also has some news about David Chang’s former Milk Bar space this week.
Cup and Saucer Luncheonette’s building is for sale, raising questions about the quaint spot’s future.
Delancey Street’s tiny soba shop, Cocoron, gets the once-over from the NYT.
The Village Voice likes the new fried egg sandwich at Prosperity Dumpling.

Neighborhood food news to start off the weekend:

The former Mo Pitkin’s House of Satisfaction, which became the doomed Aces and Eights, may become Mo Pitkin’s again, according to EV Grieve and Fork in the Road.
Prune chef Gabrielle Hamilton’s moment in the NY Times’ spotlight continues this week with a profile, following up on their review of her new memoir, Blood, Bones and Butter.
Top Chef alumna Camille Becerra, who bagged on Orchard Street’s APL (which is due to open any week now, without her), has a new home in the kitchen at Hotel Chantelle.

Imperial Tavern: still closed.

In Lower East Side food news:

Fork in the Road notes that Imperial Tavern has not reopened, in spite of a sign in the window suggesting the new Ludlow Street party spot would resume operations February 14th.

Bowery Boogie reports Stellina, the bakery/gelato emporium next to Sorella, will be opening soon.

Serious Eats proclaims “Tasty Dumplings” on Mulberry Street the tastiest dumplings in Chinatown.

Per Eater, neighborhood semi-finalists for the James Beard awards include: Torrisi Italian Specialties (best new restaurant), Shuna Lydon of Peels (outstanding pastry chef), Wylie Dufresne of WD-50 (best NYC chef), Gabrielle Hamilton of Prune (best NYC chef), Sara Jenkins of Porchetta (best NYC chef).

Check out these restaurants, and more, on our fabulous Food Page.