Scott Lynch

Good morning, East Village.

Now playing at The Box: “Eliogabalo,” “a Baroque Italian opera by Francesco Cavalli, written in 1667 but never performed in the composer’s lifetime, partly because the story was a shocker even for Venetian audiences used to seeing all manner of wild sexuality and political corruption on the opera stage.”

A local resident pens an op-ed: “For many, Soho House coming to the Lower East Side is just another stage in the gentrification process. As New Yorkers, we have come to view gentrification as just a natural part of urban life. However, Soho House’s plan for our neighborhood reaches beyond gentrification.” [The Lo-Down]

Empellon Cocina and David Chang are among the finalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards. [Grub Street]

Speaking of Momofuku, “four of Noodle Bar’s ‘O.G. cooks’ will convene at Joaquin Baca’s Brooklyn Star on April 1 to cook a four-course menu. Baca will be joined by Kevin Pemoulie, Tim Maslow, and Scott Garfinkel in the kitchen.” [Grub Street]

“This Stinks! Fermented Food Favorites from Asia” features “a sake pairing with fermented foods dinner at the pop-up Luckyrice Parlor at 168 Bowery.” [Gothamist]

Nick Solares likes the 14th Street outpost of Joe’s Pizza: “It’s a pure slice joint—no heroes, wraps or pasta—and at its best, the slices are virtually identical to those at the flagship location.” [Slice]

A Lower East Side bakery has changed the name of its “Irish Car-Bomb” cupcakes after receiving a letter of complaint. [DNA Info]