Today we look at two important openings that include two important sets of, dare we say, delectable photos.
They’re called, respectively, the John Lamb and Metropolis (pictured), and we’re going to compare them,
tale-of-the-tape-style.
You’ll need to read on to hear about them and to see them. And trust us, you want to read on.
The Background
The John Lamb: An LES basement with a former Palm chef and a former Gilroy drink man.
Metropolis: An old bank vault beneath Blue Water Grill helmed by a Per Se vet and with drinks from an EMP and Craft one.
The Scene
The John Lamb: A narrow corridor of Victorian trappings named for a Revolutionary War officer, on the Continental side.
Metropolis: Old-school Manhattan lounge complete with grand piano and drum kit, scattered white-tablecloth four-tops and suede crescent banquettes.
The Grub
The John Lamb: Farm-to-table (meh) with influences from Colonial times (okay, that’s a little more interesting). Examples include garlic shrimp in a cast-iron skillet, topped with greens, and ricotta gnocchi with carbonara, crispy pancetta, fresh peas and grana padano. Just like Patrick Henry used to love.
Metropolis: All manner of oysters (Rockefeller, margarita jalapeño, etc.), paired with champagne if you please. Also, a Velveeta-topped cheesesteak. Also also, a pepper-vodka-cured salmon with mustard deviled egg and grilled frisée. (Menu here.)
The Drinks
The John Lamb: Stick to cocktails, because one of them is the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, which is tobacco-rinsed whiskey, maple syrup, mesquite barbecue bitters, Angostura bitters and a hickory-salt rim.
Metropolis: All kinds of cocktails, including a lot with champagne, and a large-format menu that’ll serve from two to eight people. One of those is an applewood-smoked white Negroni. Both places are really doing fall drinks well, is what we’re saying.
The Use
The John Lamb: First dates and big dinner parties.
Metropolis: Third dates who appreciate some good piano shredding.
The Bonuses
The John Lamb: They’re more than willing to make things in their entirety for group dinners—whole hog, whole lamb, duck, turkey, salmon. All that.
Metropolis: Music, sweet music. Jazz, to be specific.
The Slideshows
The John Lamb: Here. (Of note: beautiful cocktails, including that Chattanooga one. And scallops, and many other consumables.)
Metropolis: Here. (Of note: beautiful cocktails and bivalves, and many other consumables.)
You’ll need to read on to hear about them and to see them. And trust us, you want to read on.
The Background
The John Lamb: An LES basement with a former Palm chef and a former Gilroy drink man.
Metropolis: An old bank vault beneath Blue Water Grill helmed by a Per Se vet and with drinks from an EMP and Craft one.
The Scene
The John Lamb: A narrow corridor of Victorian trappings named for a Revolutionary War officer, on the Continental side.
Metropolis: Old-school Manhattan lounge complete with grand piano and drum kit, scattered white-tablecloth four-tops and suede crescent banquettes.
The Grub
The John Lamb: Farm-to-table (meh) with influences from Colonial times (okay, that’s a little more interesting). Examples include garlic shrimp in a cast-iron skillet, topped with greens, and ricotta gnocchi with carbonara, crispy pancetta, fresh peas and grana padano. Just like Patrick Henry used to love.
Metropolis: All manner of oysters (Rockefeller, margarita jalapeño, etc.), paired with champagne if you please. Also, a Velveeta-topped cheesesteak. Also also, a pepper-vodka-cured salmon with mustard deviled egg and grilled frisée. (Menu here.)
The Drinks
The John Lamb: Stick to cocktails, because one of them is the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, which is tobacco-rinsed whiskey, maple syrup, mesquite barbecue bitters, Angostura bitters and a hickory-salt rim.
Metropolis: All kinds of cocktails, including a lot with champagne, and a large-format menu that’ll serve from two to eight people. One of those is an applewood-smoked white Negroni. Both places are really doing fall drinks well, is what we’re saying.
The Use
The John Lamb: First dates and big dinner parties.
Metropolis: Third dates who appreciate some good piano shredding.
The Bonuses
The John Lamb: They’re more than willing to make things in their entirety for group dinners—whole hog, whole lamb, duck, turkey, salmon. All that.
Metropolis: Music, sweet music. Jazz, to be specific.
The Slideshows
The John Lamb: Here. (Of note: beautiful cocktails, including that Chattanooga one. And scallops, and many other consumables.)
Metropolis: Here. (Of note: beautiful cocktails and bivalves, and many other consumables.)
