Kitchen Dish
MOVING ON Varietal (138 W. 25th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-633-1800), whose kitchen most recently was revamped by chef Wayne Nish, has closed while its owners "re-examine the direction of the restaurant," according to Mr. Nish's publicists. The bar remains open, but Mr. Nish is no longer involved.
MOVING IN The space that used to be Commune, Rocco's 22nd Street, Caviar & Banana, and other restaurants that failed to thrive will open in its latest incarnation tomorrow. Borough Food & Drink (12 E. 22nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-260-0103) is a venture of chef Zak Pelaccio — recently of 5 Ninth and currently of Fatty Crab — and restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow, who owns, among other eateries, China Grill, Kobe Club, and Wild Salmon.
The restaurant will feature prized ingredients and recipes from throughout New York City — from Chinatown noodles and Lower East Side fish to Italian Bronx specialties, Brooklyn cheesecake, and endless goodies from Queens. Local beers will be available, too.
PROMOTED Brendan Slaven, executive chef of the Millennium Broadway Hotel (145 W. 44th St., between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, 212-789-7508), has taken on the added position of director of food and beverage. That means in addition to running the hotel's signature restaurant, Charlotte, he also is overseeing management and staff of all the banqueting and catering services there.
FOR A CAUSE KOTO USA, an organization aimed at training children in Vietnam in the hospitality industry, is holding its first fundraiser next Thursday, June 28, at the Institute of Culinary Education (50 W. 23rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues) at 6:30 p.m.
The $40 tax-deductable meal will feature guacamole from Rosa Mexicano, and barbecue, beer, and desserts from Blue Smoke. Students at New York University and ICE can attend for $25. To make reservations, contact events@koto-usa.org.
FIRE-GRILLED Firefighters from the five boroughs will compete tomorrow at noon in the Firefighters Grill Off Challenge at Gallagher's Steak House (228 W. 52nd St. at Broadway, 212-245-5336). The winner of the best beef preparation will compete later this year with firefighters in other cities where Gallagher's operates: Tampa, Newark, Atlantic City, Denver, and Las Vegas.
For $45 guests can sample the food, as well as chianti donated by Bracco Wines, owned by "Sopranos" star Lorraine Bracco. Proceeds will go to FDNY charities.
PEACHY KEEN In celebration of Gay Pride day in Manhattan, Klee Brasserie (200 Ninth Ave., between 22nd and 23rd streets, 212-633-8033) is handing out free glasses of its new peach sangria this Sunday.
Mr. Thorn is food editor of Nation's Restaurant News. He maintains nrnfoodwriter.blogspot.com.
