TED Turner is having a tough time finding homes for his bison-theme restaurants to roam and multiply in New York. Jane Fonda’s ex says he wants to open as many as 500 branches of his fledgling Ted’s Montana Grill saloons – 15 are open now. But so far, available restaurant spaces for the Mouth from the South’s new venture appear to be on an endangered species list.
The 65-year-old entrepreneur – who’s serving up bison meat in the South and in Colorado from his 14 ranches – had been unsuccessfully negotiating to open his first branch in Gotham at 57th Street and Sixth Avenue.
Perhaps it’s a blessing he’s not going to that location, since the storefront property has seen multiple eateries come and go since longtime tenant Wolf’s Delicatessen gave up the space a few years ago.
Not one to give up easily, sources say Turner has now set his sights across the street on the southwest corner, where a Chase bank recently closed.
* What’s goes with a $50 burger? How about a $100 beer? Boston-based Samuel Adams has produced a limited bottling of a strong, specially crafted brew called Utopias in a fancy decanter-shaped bottle.
Meant to be enjoyed as an aperitif, like a cognac or sherry, the uncarbonated, 50-proof “extreme beer” is aged in bourbon, Scotch and port barrels.
* It’s already white truffle season. And according to the experts they’re going to be very expensive this year. So the Maccioni family (Sirio, Marco and Mauro) is hosting a private auction and luncheon for their well-to-do clientele to bid on 30 of the fancy fungi, each weighing about 300 grams, on Nov. 1 at Le Cirque 2000. Guests include famed singer Andrea Bocelli.
* Speaking of bidding, you can have the world’s top chefs serve up dinner at your home if your bid is tops at City Harvest‘s “Bid Against Hunger 2003” on Oct. 28 at the Puck Building. The talent includes Eric Ripert and Rocco DiSpirito preparing a dinner for eight at your place. Tickets range from $200 to $1,000. Call (917) 351-8700.