Southern Hospitality

OK so another BBQ joint has recently opened in NYC. The draw on this one? JT is an investor (Justin Timberlake). While we all might agree that JT is merely Joey Lawrence with a bit of an edge, I can't get enough of this guy. In fact, it was enough to get me to go to Southern Hospitality on the Upper East Side. Well, that and the fact that I currently dwell about four blocks away.

So what's my take on this joint? Eh. It was fine. The food was fine. The service was kind of weak. There were 15 of us, so that may have presented some service challenges and issues, but stuff like there being almost no BBQ sauce on the table is kind of unforgivable at a BBQ restaurant.

It left me with the vibe like it could have (and perhaps should have) been a chain restaurant in the mall.

Sorry JT, stick to cranking out better than average pop music and videos.

I always feel like...The New York Times is watching me...

No, I swear - check out the posting from Wednesday's "Urban Eye" and then look at my posting from last week on Fette Sau in Williamsburg. Photos look familar??? I would say so. Sue everyone.

Fat Pig! (BBQ in Williamsburg)

Many fun times were had and inappropriate commentaries made the other night at Fette Sau, the Williamsburg BBQ joint on Metropolitan Ave. I'm not exactly sure why I continue to find myself at so many barbeque restaurants these days, but it does seem have become something of a raging culinary trend in our fair city.

With seating both inside and out, this place offers big giant plates of meat and sides to be shared at solid picnic tables. I loved the pickles. Others couldn't get enough potato salad. But what seemed to tickle everyone's fancy the most were the jugs o' brew. Real giant jugs. Filled with beer. Really!

Fette Sau also offers a mighty selection of Bourbons and some wines, but after we drank for free while watching everyone's favorite local band, Shiny Shoes, at Trash Bar, some wiser (and more sober) heads prevailed. Beer it was.

Apparently this place is packed to the rafters on most days and nights. So go at around 10 p.m. - the selection of food will likely be smaller, but you should be able to get a table and chow down among your posse.