It seems that running a popular nightclub (The Knitting Factory) wasn't enough for Michael Dorf. That, and a deep interest in fine wine, brought him to a new project, City Winery, part of the new wave of do-it-yourself winemaking that's coming to the city. The wine bar and event space on Varick Street is more than just a place to sit and sip: City Winery is a full-scale winemaking operation, allowing customers to blend their own grapes and create their own barrels (for a hefty fee, of course). A Mediterranean-inspired menu will be served. Due to launch in November, we have a couple artist's renderings of the room below.

Fashion Week Daily reports that FIT's upcoming exhibit "Gothic: Dark Glamour" will also debut an Ilori pop-up store at the opening. The shade brand will be selling a selection of goth-inspired frames as well as several styles from Alain Mikli to Zegna. Who would have thought to add a shop in a museum devoted to style?

Photo courtesy of FIT

Celebrity chef Todd English, chiseled jaw and all, will be making his mark in NYC again this fall with the launch of The Libertine. The restaurant is due to open in September in the new Financial District hotel, Gild Hall, from the same folks who brought you the stylish 60 Thompson. Here's a first look at the luxurious interiors, where a clubby, gastropub menu will be served.

In time for "High School Musical 3" and the upcoming "So You Think You Can Dance" tour, based off of the hit Fox show (coming to New York/New Jersey on Nov. 5-6, if you must go), here's a look at celebrities at their worst...on the dance floor. Kristen Bell, we're disappointed!

Most Embarrassing Celebrity Dance Moments (Los Angeles Times via AM New York)

Technorati Profile

Wow, cute pair of 7’s that girl over there is wearing...AHHHHHHH…HAHAHAHA.

Snapped at Lit Lounge last night. Begs the question…Lit Lounge is still open?

Cheap shot Fridays returns next Friday.  

We randomly got an invite to an upcoming event by this guy:

His name is Marc Weiss, he's a New Yorker, and this is his boast: He will "simultaneously cook up his signature dishes and deejay the music which has made him the most sought out entertainer for  special events, festivals,  food galas & corporate functions around the country." Apparently, he's quite popular, having DJ/cooked an MTV Spring Break and on the Food Network.

Metromix will be pursuing.

DJ Chef home page (DJ Chef)

Everyday I leave the F at 2nd Ave. subway station at Allen St., head east to home...and immediately come face-to-face with an American Apparel billboard. I can't put it into words, but it's EASILY the best part of my commute.

About a week ago, the billboard disappeared. This has apparently happened before, but I'm curious as to why it came down now...and what's going in it's place. I was hoping to get some more info on the AA model (if only to prove to my girlfriend I wasn't ogling what she called "a 16-year old skank"), but couldn't find her picture on the store's site. 

(Photos: Nighttime by Michael Galpert, daylight by Kirk Miller)

American Apparel Does It Doggy Style on Allen St. (Racked)

Models of American Apparel (American Apparel)

A sneak peek at Wednesday's best bets:

1. Market to Table with Your Favorite Chefs Join chef Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter in a trip to the Union Square Greenmarket, then head back to the restaurant for a meal. Afterwards, cuddle!

2. Blues Brothers @ Pier 54 There was a time when movies created from "Saturday Night Live" sketches were funny. There was also a time the name Belushi didn't bring up thoughts of "According to Jim." Those were good days.

3. Earl Greyhound @ Southpaw The Brooklyn power trio promises to "rock your faces, mix the races." And, tonight, they'll be face-rocking and race-mingling for free.

4. Quiz Night @ Crocodile Lounge Still the best trivia night in the city, if only for the crowd enthusiasm, drink prizes and free pizza. Bonus: the questions are sort of easy if you're a pop culture junkie, and there's no limit on team size.

5. Owen King and John McNally @ McNally Jackson Stephen King's son (a writer in his own right) joins together with John McNally to reinvent the idea of superheroes. They also hated the new Batman. Come argue with them tonight.

Rock-n-Sake's party-sushi concept first launched in New Orleans, a place that surely needed some fish-festivity in the time following Hurricane Katrina's devastation. A second location—also serving a wide selection of Japanese food and sake set to a rousing soundtrack—came to Port Washington, Long Island, in 2006, and now they've made it to New York City, where a Chelsea branch launches soon. Though Rock-n-Sake won't open its doors until next month, we have an early sneak peek into the 25th Street restaurant's development. Exclusive photos are below. 

Rock-n-Sake, 138 W. 25th St., between 6th and 7th Aves. 212-255-SAKE

Although the city's music venues have so far weathered the lousy economy and increasingly hostile community boards (save for Studio B), we're not exactly jumping for joy that an annex of the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame is coming to Stanton St. in November, even if it does promise a "New York Rocks" exhibit (expect the usual Ramones barrage). On a scale of rock'n'roll attitude, this strikes us as just a little better than another  Hard Rock Cafe opening (though admittedly a lot better than John Varvatos taking over another treasured music venue).

Billy Joel was on hand for the announcement, as was Mayor Bloomberg, who sat in a Chevy once owned by Bruce Springsteen. Good to see in these troubled economic times that our leader has time for meetings with Brett Favre and the guy who gave us "The Piano Man."

Rock Hall of Fame coming to New York (AM New York via Newsday)

A look from Thakoon's Fall 08 collection

Target just announced that Thakoon Panichgul will design their next Go International Collection. Born in Thailand, Thakoon debuted his first line in 2004, quickly becoming a celeb favorite (Sarah Jessica is a fan) with his feminine, yet distinctly modern clothes. So don't forget to mark your calendars for December when this collaboration is set to launch in Target stores across the U.S. Or get your fix now with these choice (and more recent) designer collaborations. 

The best scene in last season's Top Chef finale was when Eric Ripert and Dan Barber watched wide-eyed as Richard Blaise concocted his nitrogen-frozen ice cream. It's not just any technique that causes the world's best cooks to stand mesmerized, but most everything about molecular gastronomy is weird, wild and new. If you've ever eaten at wd-50, dreamed of traveling to El Bulli or admired/been grossed out by the work of Top Chef's Marcel, you know how strange science and fine food play well together.

The International Culinary Center, part of the French Culinary Institute, now offers recreational classes for nonprofessionals--and the one you want to sign up for is Food Technology for the Home Cook, a three-hour learning session that will take place on October 4. Taught by The French Culinary Institute’s Nils Noren and famous food scientist Dave Arnold, you'll have the chance to give Wylie Dufresne a run for his Pacojet.

Designer collaborations keep on coming. This time it is Roberto Cavalli designing for Coca-Cola light. The Italian designer will create three different designs with a limited amount (300,000) from September to December. Unfortunately, these snazzy sodas are only available in Italy. In the meantime, you can try scoping up some Patricia Field-designed Coca-Cola bottles.

Here's a look inside the insanely hyped and highly anticipated new Swiss restaurant Cafe Select, from La Esquina honcho Serge Becker. (It's right across from La Esquina -- the better to feed off some spillover fabulosity, no doubt.) No word yet on the opening date, despite reports that the place has been hosting several private parties for weeks now. Cue the inevitable puns about "time" and "clocks," judging from its ginormous Rolex centerpiece.

Photo by Sam Horine 

Picholine's Terrance Brennan wants to show that he likes you, he really, really likes you: To celebrate the restaurant's 15th anniversary, the James Beard–nominated chef is giving away $50 gift certificates. Yep, $50—no catch. No hidden fees. No budget-meal caveats. No economy-class tables all the way in Siberia.

The deets: Log on to Picholine's Web site, sign up, and eat away: The card is valid until 2009.

Maybe this noble act of altruism will finally convince Beard voters to give the perennial Beard bridesmaid—he's been nominated five times, much to his extreme delight—his due.

Here's a couple of photos people lined up on 34th St. for a screening of 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.' This was several hours before the movie started.

Really, New York? Were all of those questions from 'Traveling Pants 1' not answered?