Dear Friends,

It nearly feels safe to say that spring is here, and after February’s snows and March’s torrential rain, well, we’re probably in for some more showers in April, but don’t let the grey skies or taxman get you down. Spring is definitely right around the corner. The sun is feeling warm and staying with us a little longer every day. I’m very excited that it’s time to get my garden back in order for the season. This month will involve a lot of time tilling and fertilizing while I get my seedlings started indoors — and ready to be planted later in May. But I’m not the only one this year who will be providing tomatoes. My partner, John Silverman (of John’s Big Night fame) will also be bringing his homegrown heirlooms from upstate in for everyone’s enjoyment.

I want to extend my thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the restaurant’s third anniversary on March 16th. We had a great time that evening toasting to everyone who’s contributed our success. A special thanks to Steve Cerasoli from Madison Square Garden for the excellent personalized jersey.

Some new specials to look forward to this month include Crab Poppers with avocado puree and Cobia Crudo with Spanish olive oil, black lava salt and diced habanero peppers. But that’s not to neglect some of our other favorite chalkboard specials, like the Fried Ipswich Clams and the Bacon-Oyster Sliders. In addition this month, we’ll be featuring some new wines on the board and do come in and try my new favorite shooter: the Bloody Maria, our housemade bloody mary mix with 901 tequila.

Last month I attended the 2010 Lobstermen’s Town Meeting in Portland, ME, which was focused on sustainability issues and the economic future of the industry. I was part of a panel discussion on lobster pricing at the retail level with Mike Tourkistas from East Coast Seafood.  I was extremely honered to have been asked to participate and give my input on the future of the industry.  There were discussions about traceability of the product from live to processed, and hopefully within a couple of years I will be able to tell you exactly  which harvester (lobsterman) caught your lobster and the exact location it was brought into port.  Also at the end of the month, I participated in the New York Moves Magazine Third Annual “Personal Chef” charity culinary competition at the James Beard Foundation. The winner has yet to be announced, but it was a good time for a good cause.

As always, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter. Lots of new cooking videos up on our blog also.

All the best,

Ed McFarland