Last week, Times food critic Frank Bruni panned perennial Midtown media hangout Michael’s: “California cuisine?” he sneered. “More like gloppy, affected pub grub.” Though Mr. Bruni did acknowledge that “food is no longer the point of Michael’s," it shouldn't be resting on its laurels as a go-to power lunch and breakfast spot: “Michael’s presents itself as a serious restaurant and charges like a serious restaurant…It should perform at the level of a serious restaurant. These days, it usually doesn’t.”

All this displeasure is fine for Mr. Bruni, whose myriad dining options will soon flush the taste of “arid ricotta cannelloni” and “repellently chalky hamachi” from his palatte, but what about the legion boldfaced name regulars of the cultish restaurant? How did it play with those who, for professional or personal reasons (the lines blur with this crowd), simply can’t stay away?

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Even in an era where the Internet allows anyone with an appetite to act as critic, The Times’ top foodie still wields considerable power to boost careers and crush dreams.  read more »

• Michael Pescatore ran the East Coast's biggest "chop shop" (stolen cars galore!), and then he meticulously built a kingly "14,431-square-foot mansion on Long Island's Gold Coast." If only he hadn't messed with the interior designer, he wouldn't be in prison now. [Village Voice]
• How expensive is New York real estate? Expensive. The Real Deal breaks down the boroughs' priciest blocks: from Columbia Heights to East 78th to Douglaston (to Staten Island's Todt Hill). [Real Deal]
• "Findologist" Professor Solomon has written a 152-page illustrated book on the rainbow-colored history of Coney Island. And the masterwork is free. [Boing Boing]
• "Several of the top kitchens" in Manhattan are listing some charming snapshots (at top) of Times food critic Frank Bruni. The headline says "Wanted Dead or Alive," and below it are listed his 24 common eating companions. New York kitchens are pretty creepy. [Eater] - Max Abelson]]> http://www.observer.com/node/35964#comments Real Estate Coney Island Frank Bruni Gold Coast Village Voice Media Inc. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:22:59 -0400 Observer Staff 35964 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/35096
  
  He's #1! He's #1!
  • It's been a quarter-century, but legendary DUMBO boy David Walentas has finally returned to Manhattan. The developer just signed a $130 million contract for the east side of Eleventh Avenue between 53rd and 54th. Why? Because he can. (And because when the block's zoning changes, he can put up 1,000 apartment units). (NY Post)
  • Bless their hearts, The Real Deal and PropertyShark.com have brought us the best list of 2006: the top 25 New York co-op sales. Not surprisingly, Rupert Murdoch (above) makes it into the top ten twice. Mazel Tov! But guess how many apartments outside of Fifth Avenue, Park, or Central Park West made the cut? Only Mr. Murdoch's old Prince Street pad. (The Real Deal)
  • What happens when Pataki's chief of staff gets together with WTC "architects" Daniel Libeskind and Michael Arad, plus the Lower Manhattan Development Corp.'s chairman and the Port Authority's vice chairman? They warn that "New Yorkers might object to the rapid speed of development at the WTC site in the near future." Um, probably not. Meanwhile, Larry Silverstein shouts from his 38th-floor office at 7 WTC: "The fact that this is the only building down here just drives me, candidly, to distraction." (NY1)
  • The only thing cattier than the aforementioned co-op list is Frank Bruni's run-down of the hits and misses of Manhattan's new restaurants. Buddakan and Fatty Crab score points, but The E.U. and Ninja do not. Mr. Bruni hisses that "adults with taste buds and a firm tether to mental health" will not enjoy the latter. Oh, Frank! (The New York Times)
  - Max Abelson]]> http://www.observer.com/node/35096#comments Real Estate Frank Bruni Manhattan Rupert Murdoch World Trade Center Wed, 06 Sep 2006 04:30:04 -0400 Observer Staff 35096 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/38608 On a recent sunny afternoon, the actress Tatum O’Neal arrived at the doorstep of the Forward B  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/38608#comments Real Estate Barrie Mandel Frank Bruni Ronald Castellano Tenement Museum Sun, 26 Mar 2006 19:00:00 -0500 Michael Calderone 38608 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/50815 In February, New York Times food critic Frank Bruni reviewed Alain Ducasse at the Essex House. Mr.  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/50815#comments Alain Ducasse Daniel Okrent Frank Bruni The New York Times Company Sun, 15 May 2005 20:00:00 -0400 Tom Scocca 50815 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/50816 In February, New York Times food critic Frank Bruni reviewed Alain Ducasse at the Essex House. Mr.  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/50816#comments Media Alain Ducasse Daniel Okrent Frank Bruni The New York Times Company Sun, 15 May 2005 20:00:00 -0400 Tom Scocca 50816 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/46103 Robin Pogrebin, who covers theater for The New York Times, mistakenly slammed a door on the fingers  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/46103#comments Media Bernard Weinraub Frank Bruni Jacob Weisberg Keith Blanchard Sun, 09 Jun 2002 20:00:00 -0400 Sridhar Pappu 46103 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/45712 Amblinginto History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush , by Frank Bruni.  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/45712#comments Arts & Culture Barbara Bush Frank Bruni Texas Sun, 10 Mar 2002 19:00:00 -0500 Molly Ivins 45712 at http://www.observer.com