Brooklyn bar opens with ax-throwing

New Yorkers can now get their rage out at Kick Axe, a new bar in Gowanus that offers axe throwing. The 7,000-square-foot bar has 10 throwing ranges, safety experts, and food and drink for all. A 75-minute ax-throwing session costs $35. The bar, at 622 Degraw Street between Third and Fourth avenues, does not yet have its liquor and health department licenses, so Stuf’d Food Truck is parking inside the lodge-like space. Ax-throwing has become increasingly popular, both as a competitive sport and as a recreational activity. Places across the country are opening with both booze and ax-throwing.

De Blasio press secretary taken on New York pizza tour

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and his team just can’t get pizza right. After de Blasio was ridiculed for eating NY pizza with a knife and fork in 2014, now his press secretary Eric Phillips declared Chicago deep dish pizza as superior. To counter that notion, pizza obsessive Scott Wiener of Scott’s Pizza Tours took Phillips on a whirlwind NY pizza tour in a cute video from AMNY. Wiener guided Phillips to Di Fara in Midwood, Luigi’s in Park Slope, Sam’s in Cobble Hill, and Lucali in Carroll Gardens — after which Phillips declared his “newfound appreciation” for New York’s regional pizza style, while still maintaining allegiance to Chicago.

Brooklyn bar pisses off locals with neighborhood graffiti

Gowanus butcher shop and restaurant A&E Supply Co. has gotten into it with some neighbors on Instagram. The restaurant from Top Chef contestant Adam Harvey and co-owner Ennio Di Nino used semi-permanent paint to stamp the restaurant’s logo on sidewalks throughout the neighborhood, which local Statia Grossman took issue with, posting her ire on Instagram. Now, the comment section on the post is filled with people for and against the marketing tactic, with A&E eventually writing, “You have a lot to learn about how little I personally don't give a damn about your potential business, opinions and the like. I take calculated risks and am well aware of what I'm jeopardizing. With that I'll bid all of you adieu. Keep on hating, and I'll keep being me.”

A new tenant for old Cafe Henrie space

Taking over the old Cafe Henrie space at 116 Forsyth Street is Gem, an all-day New American restaurant with 10 tables that will serve pastries during the day and small plates at night. Cafe Henrie closed in November after two years as a cute fashion- and art-focused coffee shop.

Another weigh-in on Chez Ma Tante

The Robs have awarded four out of five stars to Chez Ma Tante, that meat-forward restaurant in Greenpoint from Cafe Altro Paradiso alums. The New York magazine critics say that, “In an era when critical praise is often reserved for ‘interesting’ food, there’s something bold about celebrating the greatness of timeworn classics, and there’s something very appealing about a restaurant that just wants to serve simple, honest, irony-free food like Caesar salad. Chez Ma Tante’s version is a master class...” Eater critic Robert Sietsema agreed, giving the restaurant where “meat shines” the maximum four stars in October. For a primer at some of the charcuterie that graces the menu, watch below: