As reported in New York magazine’s Grub Street column, “We had heard that New York was to have its own version of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (minus the sunshine, ocean, flowing sea breeze, and so on, of course). But only in paging through the Sunday Times at Jerry’s Deli on Collins Avenue did we find this tidbit, from the big SOBE style section: “A version of the festival will soon be headed north. Last week Mr. Schrager came to an agreement with New York officials to run a two-day food festival in the Meatpacking District on Columbus Day weekend.”We’re going to close Ninth Avenue, he said.” Now that is good news. It’s high time that Ninth Avenue was closed.”

It finally looks like the granddaddy of the Meatpacking District, and the man partly responsible for having the entire Meatpacking District designated a Historic District, will be forced out of his place of business at 69 Gansevoort Street after 23 years. It’s not 100% certain that Mr. Florent Morellet, a 54 year old native of France, will have to leave his famed restaurant space but… more…

Merkato 55 is open for business. Marcus Samuelsson’s African themed restaurant on Gansevoort Street has finally opened to the public. I stopped in the other day to take a look at the interior and was pleasantly surprised. Menno Schmitz, the Dutch architect who designed the restaurant, did a wonderful job. The place was very busy and the hostess, well she was just so friendly. I can’t wait to eat there! I suggest you all stop in and try some of those specialty African drinks at the bar.