Todd English's Sexy New CrossBar

Dreamy lobster guacamole

Is it sacrilegious to say one of the sexiest new summer spots in the city stands in a former Gothic church? Todd English's ode to pork CrossBar, in Limelight Marketplace, is undeniable seductive from the second you walk through the shiny red doors.

The interiors, with a fireplace rotisserie surrounded by regal reds and dark woods, look like a scene from "The Tudors." Picture Henry VIII gorging on a spit roast pig.

Lil' pulled pork tacos

If that's your fantasy, starting this weekend your dreams can come true. On July 9th, CrossBar is introducing the all day Saturday Backyard BBQ.

A $24 prix fixe menu gets you roast suckling pig, two sides and house made sweet tea or lemonade. If you don't eat pork, you can get BBQ chicken instead.

Summertime action centers around the lavish courtyard that recalls an exotic Moroccan riad. On a recent outing, the steady stream of gorgeous food - much of it sharable - kept heads turning. And the staff graciously identified everything we kept pointing to.on the "global American" menu: pulled pork bites, duck sliders, elotes, giant pork schnitzel.

Score a cabana

The best seats in the house are outdoors. Two seductive cabanas flank the courtyard. These plush daybeds, adorned with cozy cushions and  discreet curtains are perfect for two. Planning a special date? Book one of these beauties and thank me later.

Now that the mood is set, share some nibbles and tipples. The lobster guac ($16) is meaty, decadent and delicious. The lil' crunchy tacos - which come in four options - tuna tartare, fish, chicken or pulled pork - are also popular sharable snacks. The pulled pork taco ($12) is really tasty. Sticky sweet meat comes alive with soft hominy and fresh jalapeno.

Drink this

Was dying to try the puffed pig's ears with smoked paprika ($8), but got vetoed by the table. Is it as good as the addictive spicy pork rind at Chicago's The Publican?, I ask myself, while sipping my thirst quenching One and Don tequila cocktail ($13) with strawberry-jalapeno mash and lime. I'll worry about that next time.

For now, I'm loving my oversized copper mug just as much as the kicky booze inside. (The beverage menu is carefully designed: cask beers, whisky flights, 'Old + New Testament' wines, and cocktails with housemade infusions.)

Sunday brunch begins July 19th. And daily specials including Confessions after Dark on Thursday nights sound very intriguing. It's luring me back already.

47 W 20th St near Sixth Ave

212 359 5550

Whole suckling pig dinners are available.

The Ultimate Pig Out

Korean sam gyup sal, aka outrageous pork belly

Move over, suckling pig feasts. Here comes sam gyup sal. What?, you say. Pay attention: this popular Korean classic literally translates to sam (three), gyup (layered) sal (flesh) - or to us Americans: pork belly. Thick slabs are grilled table side, served wrapped in lettuce parcels and accompanied by a grilled trio of kimchi, sliced garlic and bean sprouts. Add to that pickled jalapenos, radishes, bean paste sauce and crown with one single peppercorn. Then just wait for the flavor explosion to burst in your mouth. It's incredible.



Porky welcome at Tong Sam Gyup Goo Ee

 For the real deal, take the LIRR to Tong Sam Gyup Goo Ee Korean restaurant in Flushing. Just look for the three little piggies in the window, across the street from the Broadway train station. Nothing but pork is on the menu. I quiver in anticipation.

Serious patience is required over the next 15 minutes, as you watch your server carefully grill your meal. The pork, placed at the top of a dome shaped grill, pops and sizzles, releasing that comforting aroma and succulent juices, which drip down to flavor the kimchi and sprouts. Bacon fat just makes everything taste better. While you build your appetite waiting, you do get a flavorful vegetable broth, cleansing your palate for the feast ahead.

Don't forget the peppercorn

Our server spoke little English but happily demonstrated how to prepare our lettuce  wrapped meaty parcels. Grab some extra napkins and get busy.

Just as you begin to slow down is when Act II perks you up again. Ask for "rice" near the end of your meal, and, for a few extra dollars, your server will smear any remaining morsels of crisp pork and veggies with a thick layer of seasoned rice and nori. Left to grill and absorb the pork drippings, the resulting bibimbap is yet another

Bibimbap in bacon drippings

sheer delicacy. Filling without making you want to explode, the meal is a relative bargain at around $30/head. Time to round up your pork loving posse. 

162-23 Depot Rd, Flushing, Queens
LIRR Port Washington Line to Broadway station
Mon-Sun, noon - 12 am
Reservations accepted
718 359 4583