RESTAURANTS: overheard at Irving Mill

Overheard at Irving Mill:
A cocky captain boasting to a visiting Kerry Heffernan - who was recently the toque at Danny Meyer’s 11 Madison Park and is scheduled to head the kitchen at 154 South Gate - that Gael Green was recently in, sat at a table in the front tap room, and actually wrote the review for New York Magazine. Most likely it was the piece that appears in this week’s issue, in which Green talks of her experience at the recent Irving Mill hosted Friends & Family.  He referred to it often as a review; maybe he hasn’t seen it yet?
To be expected from a captain who only moment earlier snickered at novice wine customers who agreed happily when their waitress offered new robust wine glasses in place of chintzy skinny ones.  “Those are for Bordeaux”. Even so, let the people drink! We know you know more than us, which is why you are the captain and we the customers. But be cool man, no need to snort.
 
As for Heffernan, he was soon greeted by Chef John Schaefer (also a fellow Meyer alum, he from Gramercy Tavern) and they talked of the coming opening of 154 South Gate, the restaurant that will take over the Cafe Botanica space in the Essex House Hotel which is being designed by celebrated designer Tony Chi. Schaefer and his crew are practically living at the Mill, having been only open 10 days and still with lots of kinks to work out. A few of those kinks: bland chicken liver crostini, overcooked duck, 20 minute waits for dessert, oh and that jackass captain.