Keith, Alain, Rocco... so two months ago. Who's stepping up? Meet Grace and Jack Lamb, the duo behind East Village sushi shrine Jewel Bako and too-hip-for-its-own-good coffee shop Blue Goose Cafe. He "bounces" (Citysearch) and is "nattily attired" (NYMag); she is "warm" (Citysearch); together, they are a "hip, adorable couple" (Gotham). With the requisite egos to match—"I'll be the Danny Meyer of the East Village," Jack told the Daily News earlier this month. Friday, they open a new oyster bar across the street from Jewel Bako—on the first floor (yessss!) of their Fifth St. carriage house. Called Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar (ohhh yesss!), it marks the third in the Jack & Grace (anyone else feeling the Jack & Meg magic?) empire. Hold on, kiddles. Fame if not fortune, dead ahead. We'll see you on line, begging an autograph, tomorrow night.
Lockhart, are you for sale? Which PR machine has sunk their talons into your supple flesh? I expect you to stand against the hype, rather than join it!
There needs to be a NEW Lockhart Steele. Someone young. Someone untethered. Someone to offer the TRUE side to the Lower East Side.
And a child shall lead them!!!
Posted by: Palmermix at September 25, 2003 06:55 PMHow appropriate for the opening to be on such an auspicious day, as it's my birthday! In a related note, it is the sick romantic in me that I love the story of how Jack and Grace met.
And, yes, Lockhart Steele needs to spend some time hanging out at the LES bodegas more, street harrassing the ladies more, to get some of his flava back.
Posted by: Jen at September 25, 2003 07:05 PMWacky! Tomorrow night is MY birthday, too! And Marty Robbins, Olivia Newton-John, and T.S. Eliot's.
Lockhart, good to see what your "better things to do" were that are keeping you from buying a $200 Jet Blue ticket to Sunny LA.
You wasted digital hack!
Posted by: Palmermix at September 25, 2003 07:18 PMDude, knock it off. Stop posting as me. I love Lockhart Steele.com! I love Big Brother! I don't hate the South! I don't! I don't!
Posted by: The Real Palmermix at September 25, 2003 07:31 PMLook, Lockhart Steele can like who he wants to like. And if he chooses to genuflect at the altar of tried and true personality marketing, then, so be it. And, will the real Palmermix please stand up?
Posted by: The Real Real Palmermix at September 26, 2003 09:26 AMWell he seems to be from Boston, so we can understand his lack of sound judgements:
Here's a review at Citisearch, it sounds like a wonderful joint. I think if the oysters sit for 3 hours like the customers, they will both be dead.
uthor: spl1123 [Posted: 09/24/2003]
Remininiscence of the 80's
"Remember the 80's when you have to wait 1-2 hours for a table even though you have a reservation + the wait staff treated you like the idiot that you are for paying $2-300 per head for this treatment, then you should definately come to experience this jewel!! After waiting 1.5 hours for a table (with reservations) when I was told 15 minutes or so by the owner, waiting 1/2 hour between each appetizer (not course) my party was a bit edgy due to starvation. I can't really rate the food since I left after waiting 2 hours after being seated to be served 3 tiny appetitizers. The manager was unapologetic and distraught that we were had complained after 3 hours of waiting patiently. P.S. Jewel Bako needs to realize that times have changed, restaurants these days must have ambience,service and food to keep us coming back...Good Luck!!"
Palmer, I knew you'd go Tanzcam on poor little Below 14th one day...
Posted by: Lock at September 26, 2003 11:12 AMAh, Tanzcam. Long may you run. Long may you run.
Posted by: One True Palmermix at September 26, 2003 12:13 PMCan't we all get along?
I heart Palmermix AND LockhartSteele.com.
{{{{{{{{{Palmermix}}}}}}}}}}}
Posted by: Gavin "On" Jones at September 26, 2003 12:15 PMsince when has "too-hip-for-its-own-good" been a euphemism for "old age home"? i've never been to the blue goose without being the youngest person there by a margin of 50 years, and i like it that way! before long, they'll be calling stewed prunes and pbs pledge marathons hip, and then where will i be! and don't knock grace--not everyone can pull off those aristotle onassis-meets-catherine deneuve glasses...
Posted by: anon at September 26, 2003 02:23 PMJack and Grace need to get over themselves in a hurry! And better service would help too!
Posted by: rahim at September 26, 2003 04:26 PMYou guys all suck. Jewel Bako kicks ass fuck the hip. Expensive yes but some of the best sushi in NYC and a "cute setting"
I have to agree with tomblock. Damn, y'all are snarky. And I have a sneaking suspicion that few of you have even dined at Grace and Jack's places, let alone met them. For the record, Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar was a singular experience. So how about putting your oysters where your mouths are...
Posted by: latigresse at September 30, 2003 10:38 PMNY Press has a glowing review of the Jack's in it's latest issue. Hey It don't sound half bad. I wonder if the reviewers have to spend their own money for these gigs as money seems to never be an object of worry. BTW NYPress looks 9000% better with the new design.
Posted by: sy Klopps at October 8, 2003 06:23 PM