New York - June 23, 2003

Wild Goose Chase

Blue Goose Restaurant Opens

You’re in the East Village and you need a pretty, clean cafe that serves a great croissant. Easy, right? One on every corner.

Hardly. It’s slim pickings in the land of grunge.

Till now. Grace and Jack Lamb (the duo whose Jewel Bako beautified neighborhood sushi) have opened The Blue Goose Cafe, haven for those who prefer their macchiato served with a shot of stylish comfort.

Named after Count Basie’s tour bus, the sunny blue-and-white-striped cafe offers selections from New York’s best bakeries. Sweets include Payard Patisserie’s Pont Neuf chocolate mousse cake, Ceci-Cela’s chocolate eclair, and Tom Cat Bakery’s muffins. It doesn’t end there: Try Sullivan Street Bakery’s mushroom pizza or baked brie with green apples. Wine and champagne are also served, being the perfect complement to something like, say, a Steve’s Authentic chocolate-dipped key lime popsicle.

Slim pickings? More like rich rewards.

The Blue Goose Cafe, 101 Second Avenue, between 5th and 6th Streets (212-253-7848).