Boulton & Watt, the new bar-restaurant concept from the people behind Ella and the Blind Barber, officially opened this week at the former Nice Guy Eddie's space.
BlackBook described the space this way:
[T]he prime spot has a steampunk twist with salvaged windows, an antique steam engine used to power the restaurants fan system, and a spattering of repurposed furniture.
And the food? Chef David Rotter said it was "a revised take on rustic American comfort food." Zagat points out that Rotter "pays homage to [the industrial revolution] with twists on throwback dishes such as Scotch egg with béarnaise; and short rib and bone marrow toast in bordelaise. There’s also a 'pickling station' featuring an array of fruits and veggies, including figs, pineapple, radish, Brussels sprouts and beets."
We've heard from people that the food is good, though "pickling station" might make parody fodder for a TV show that has a poster near the restaurant...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors about the new name for the former Nice Guy Eddie's space
Last night at Nice Guy Eddie's
Ha! The first thing that popped into my mind was "We can pickle that!"
ReplyDeleteWhatever the thoughts about what this place replaced ( or about the menu, whatever), simply on the looks of this joint--I think it looks great.
ReplyDeleteWe just ended up stopping in on fri night last week, for a quick drink, and it was cool. Nice looking space. It feels like they turned it around really quickly. Could be an ok place to hang out, I dont know, not sure about happy hours or anything yet either.
ReplyDeleteI have been calling it watson and crick the whole time, thanks for clearing that up. Now that would be an interesting bar...
Sorry, but just seeing the photos and the name, it looks like yet another place designed for the generation of privileged self-entitled faux-hipsters that live in the EV or wish they could. "Scotch egg with béarnaise; and short rib and bone marrow toast in bordelaise". Seriously? Yeah sounds like a real neighborhood place...
ReplyDeleteNose-picking station? That's too easy, but - this is true - the plastic shields over the food at cafeterias are called "sneeze guards."
ReplyDeleteAnother outlet for alcohol? Who could have guessed! It always make me laugh that people pay lots of money to downwards engineer these 'rough' looking spaces to give the simulation of authenticity.
ReplyDeleteEveryone sing: "subsidize the corporate state with your booze taxes"
Chorus: "Oh the slaves are happy we have booze on every corner we won't question anything as long as we have booze"
verse: "O we purchase our self identities from the bars where we purchase our booze!"
The look is very Williamsburg. Expect the waiters to look like the Smith Bros (of cough drop fame). And who knew Bordelaise was hanging around in the lexicon of "rustic American comfort food?"
ReplyDeleteZagat's and Blackbook's description of this sounds like it's a Stefon guide.
ReplyDeleteThe words, "Pickling Station" brought back fond memories of Buddy Sorrell's wife for me.
ReplyDeleteHad the fish & chips the other night, and it was surprisingly good. Big piece of center cut cod and rosemary fries. The prices are reasonable. Got very busy around 9pm.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a shill snuck over from Eater.com. I'm talking to you, "center cut cod."
ReplyDeleteHow did the East Village go from a place known for punk rock, The Ramones, The Dead Boys, etc. to 'pickling stations' and 'center cut cod and rosemary fries'? I mean what in the fuck is going on here?
ReplyDeleteThey've done a great job on the look of this place from what I've seen peering into the windows. Hope the vibe/food proves to make it a lasting venture.
ReplyDeleteI really don't get the grumpy reactions to new places. I guess if you can't afford to eat out, one gets snippy. I'm not made of money either.
The space looks cool, I'd check it out.
ReplyDeleteI believe I have previously classified thing sort of thing as "douchey apostrophe'd gastrocrap."
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected.
It is in fact
"douchey AMPERSANDED gastrocrap."
My sincere apologies for the grievous misrepresentation.
; P
Really though i guess this one could be worse... but hey really should have left the KISS mural.
ReplyDeleteSorry but stripping it was just atotally unnecessary "f*ck you" to the hood.
they better have a d@mn cheap happy hr.
From "center cut cod"...no affiliation with Eater.com (or even a reader)...just hate the cat food grade fish tails that some places try to pass off as fish. Don't knock the rosemary fries until you try them.
ReplyDelete"People want the neighborhood to be what it was/is"
ReplyDeleteWell, people want the neighborhood to be what it was in a very specific period of time, and then the romanticized version of that era.
Ella sucks
ReplyDeleteBlind Barber sucks
This will suck
P.S. The Penny Farthing called. Said "Imitation is the highest form of flattery."
@ anon 2:35 with the "I guess if you can't afford to eat out, one gets snippy."
ReplyDeleteNice try at a dig. Which owner/partner/manager are you?
What year are we supposed to freeze the East Village in? 1975, 80, 90, 00?
ReplyDeleteThe year before trolls like you arrived. Freezing time and not spreading your butt cheeks for corporate/ upscale/ luxury gentrification are two different things, but I guess you'd need to have a soul to understanfd that concept.
ReplyDeleteSo we're all supposed to be frozen in time, squatting on Ave C dressed like the cast of 'Despirately Seeking Susan,' eating $0.99 slices for breakfast, lunch and dinner? You must be a sight. There is nothing corporate about Boulton & Watt. I met the owners...yes owners, not the vegan cooperative member's board.
ReplyDeleteIt looks good, but I'm getting tired of this trend. Enough places have the rustic/steampunk/ industrial thing going. Whether it's hipster or not, it is stale. Would much rather see something more original, but much like Hollywood these days, remakes are safer.
ReplyDeleteWait, is Chittle defending the East Village institution, Penny Farthing? Ive actually never been to PF, who knows, it could be cool, anythings possible.
ReplyDeletechanging subjects a bit. Some of my friends have been to that new place Headless Horseman recently, and have bemoaned the ski lodge that they changed our 119 into. I dont know much about 119, but we loved it.
Well, people want the neighborhood to be what it was in a very specific period of time, and then the romanticized version of that era.
ReplyDeleteHow about not wanting a romanticized version of the industrial steam trunk era? What you don't get is that this place lacks authenticity. It's fake and soul-crushing.
And while the restaurant is technically not a chain, it certainly feels like one -down to the conformist, light blue button down uniforms of the waitstaff, the paper placemat Denny-time menus and the cutesy Disneyfied tin bucket your bill comes in.
I don't see how anyone can like this place. Please explain. I
ReplyDeleteCould it be that the real estate brokers/developers and restaurant/bar owners are one in the same?
This business is owned by Darin Rubell of RP Miller & Associates, Ella, Gallery Bar and many others. Bob Perl of Tower Brokerage is one of the other Partners. Bob has a real estate empire in the East Village, but it's not just that. He is also the owner of various businesses including The Blind Barber. He also sponsors the HOWL Festival along with other developers and brokers.
Both Darin and Bob were good enough to participate in TSP Movie Night.
Cutesy Disneyfied tin bucket? We can pickle that!
ReplyDeleteOwning a few small businesses doesn't make you a corp stooge, and no business opens in the city without backers. Anybody who's moved to the EV since 1980 and doesn't live in public housing has had a gentrifying impact, whether you believe that or not. You sound like you want the EV to be an 80s version of a hippie commune. 40-50 somethings wearing asymmetric bobs, black lace and Doc Martens. Save it for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteGrandma, can you tell us that story again about living in the EV before cell phones?
ReplyDeleteThe problem with all these critics is that thay all live in their own particular time warp. They believe that the neighborhood should be exactly like and remain just the same as when they arrived upon the scene. Each of us has had our effect on those that were living here before us. All of us changed the neighborhood and thats life. Grow up.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the biggest critics won't face themselves and their sad need to hang on to what was obviously a better time for them. Get out of your below market rent stabilized apartment and join the human race. Find an outlet to make yourself useful and take a lesson from those creating something Something more than bitter rants and ugly attacks.