Thistle Hill Tavern - Fat Mike

I saw this article about how in the Olive Vine space, a new restaurant is coming in called Thistle Hill Tavern. For the punk rockers out there, it's partly owned by Fat Mike of NOFX. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like a restaurant where NOFX or other punk acts would play. Hopefully the food is good.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2010/03/thistle_hill_th.php

It's a block from where I live and so I pass it all the time. Looks like they are getting ready to open soon, last time I asked the workers I was told hopefully April.

Very excited about this, especially now that they have a great chef on board

this place is gunna be excellent!

the chef is FANTASTIC!

It does sound excellent so far. Love the hyper-local and seasonal approach as well. And we'll probably get a few months of BYOB until they get a liquor license on top of it

bobby flay is a deal breaker for me. i can not support him or works associated with him.

^ Based on the info above, I only see that a chef at Thistle Hill has worked at his restaurants in the past. Hopefully he's not involved, because I agree with you - he is a Douchebag of the Highest Order (I actually had the misfortune of spending an hour or two alone with him once and know some people who worked for him)

just out of curiosity, what makes bobby flay such a douchebag?

not trying to dispute, i'm just not following celebrity chefs as much and haven't heard too much about him lately

smug, arrogant personality on the shows. Been sued for screwing wait staff out of tips. I'll keep the stuff I know about him personally off teh interwebs.

John, a long-time bartender at Niagara in the East Village is a partner and an all-around good guy. I'm hoping for good things for this joint and will be happy to spend what little cash I have there when it opens.

TyroneShoelaces wrote: John, a long-time bartender at Niagara in the East Village is a partner and an all-around good guy. I'm hoping for good things for this joint and will be happy to spend what little cash I have there when it opens.

I love Niagra. Actually met the wife there

FAT MIKE! I promise not to allow my inner 15 year old to geek out or bring wreckords to sign, I promise!

Teckla wrote: FAT MIKE! I promise not to allow my inner 15 year old to geek out or bring wreckords to sign, I promise!

oooooh your going to make him sign your boob right?

I'd take Bobby Flay over Batali any day. Looking forward to the opening.

the paper covering the windows is off.... was across the street so i didnt get to look in, but it's possible (at least right now)

I really hope Fat Mike hasn't soul doubt by going into the restaurant business. Don't get me wrong, if there's green corn on the menu, i definitely won't leave it alone. I just hope they have their liquor license by the time they open so I can try the brews. If they do, I'll be a happy guy.

(Yes, I realize this is the wrong brews, but nofx doesn't have a song called the beers...)

up the punxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Flexichick wrote: smug, arrogant personality on the shows. Been sued for screwing wait staff out of tips. I'll keep the stuff I know about him personally off teh interwebs.

Its not cool to screw the waitstaff, but why should it matter to potential customers whether the chef has a good personality or not ? He'll be in the kitchen working, not hanging out at the bar. I think its great to have all these new places opening in the South Slope, and look forward to checking it out.

d_luxx wrote: [quote=Flexichick]smug, arrogant personality on the shows. Been sued for screwing wait staff out of tips. I'll keep the stuff I know about him personally off teh interwebs.

Its not cool to screw the waitstaff, but why should it matter to potential customers whether the chef has a good personality or not ? He'll be in the kitchen working, not hanging out at the bar. I think its great to have all these new places opening in the South Slope, and look forward to checking it out.

Celeb chefs very rarely work in the kitchen at these places. They spend more time on tv, and when they are in the restaurant, they are shmoozing in the front. Witness Tom Colicchio (Craft, Craftbar, 'wichCraft, TopChef, etc.)- when he recently oppened "Colicchio & Sons" it was a big deal because he was making a concerted effort to get back into the kitchen. Chefs who become that famous rarely actually cook.

The good news is that based on what I read, it seems that the chef listed for Thistle Hill only worked at one of Flay's restaurants before.....I didn't really see that he was an investor, or any indication that he'd be hanging out there.

I'm excited for this place. I was never impressed with Olive Vine and love what's been going on down at this end of 7th Ave.

Hopefully Fat Mike won't serve you shots of his piss. Check this out :-)

http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/26/nofx-singer-tequila-fat-mike-cokie-the-clown-urine-shots-video/#comments

the outside of this place looks really impressive. they've done a superb job on the details of the exterior. impressed so far. looks incredibly close to opening...

Just walked by and they had the doors open. It looks nice in there - a lot of wood and framed photos on the wall. Very different vibe from Olive Vine. I asked somebody (I assume one of the owners or managers) when they were opening and they said they were shooting for end of month - April 28 or 29th.

I'm excited for something new in that spot

I am super excited for this place to open. It sounds like what the n'hood needs.

Flexi, we were probably gawking together... I was just looking in there today as well. Looks really nice.

belzjm wrote: the outside of this place looks really impressive. they've done a superb job on the details of the exterior. impressed so far. looks incredibly close to opening...

Agreed - I think it is almost guaranteed that this place will do a great business, largely due to the "look" of the place. The facade is just really appealing, and people don't want to eat at / drink at, or take a date to a place that looks gross. If the food and service are even adequate this place will be a slam dunk (though hopefully both will be great!)

They say you can't judge a book a book by its cover, but realistically, everyone does it all the time.

they've now posted a dinner menu to the door..

menu seems to be diverse - from the fancy, to a lot of cheese, to burgers, to "breakfast" which is exactly what you think...

"a lot of cheese" = the way to my heart

(and my belleh, but the heart speaks louder and says "gimme!")

Thistle Hill Menu:




Sorry, that's the best image I could get

^ there are 4 salads ranging from 10-12 dollars, entrees from $11 (vegan burger) to $24 (grass-fed ribeye) which include mussels, octopus, gnocchi, duck leg confit, milk braised pork belly, and leg of lamb....snacks and sides from $4-6 which include olives, fried fennel, falafel, zucchini pancakes and charred kale.......and (my personal favorite) a big cheese selection - 1 piece $5, 3 pieces $13, 5 pieces $17

nice preview on nymag.com: http://nymag.com/restaurants/openings/65595/

me = stoked

i reiterate my position of this being the single most wussiest name of an establishment in park slope.

and that's saying something.