F: Is for Food Anticipation!

A couple of blocks away from my house on Saturday a line went around the corner for the opening weekend of the UWS location of the Shake Shack. It was raining, windy and cold but that did not detour those fans of the 23rd street eatery. Danny's Meyer's celebrated burgers, same hit menu (and lines) from downtown had all ages drooling with anticipation. ShackBurger, Shack-ago Dog, frozen custards, fries, drew upper westsiders and tourists. After all it is adjacent to The Museum of Natural History. 11 tables, as well as a downstairs "rec room" for private parties is sure to be coveted for those sweet sixteen birthday soiree's. Time for me to try the Natural History Crunch (vanilla custard with malt, Valrhona chocolate crunchies, caramel and hot fudge). Time to start Shackin' up! (366 Columbus Ave. at 77th St.)

One block down from the Spotted Pig. Braeburn has opened. Braeburn means apple pie and this is a restaurant that uses seasonal fare. Fig-stuffed quail "sausage" and rack of pork with potato-prune gratin. Owner Brian Bistrong even grows some of his own ingredients, using chard, parsley and, yes, apples, from his Connecticut farm, which is has a starring role at the restaurant: A painting of it hangs on one of Braeburn's walls. Bistrong background is impressive, starting with Rocco DiSpirito at Gray Kunz’s Lespinasse, Amy Scherber to David Bouley. It is no surprise that scallion biscuits are what started it all. Made with scallions, thyme, garlic and buttermilk. There are 2 rooms. The first has a bar right in the middle with about 12 seats, the other room is must larger with seating only. 200 year old barn wood and handmade mesquite tabletops add to the modern country feel. Bibb lettuce with toasted pumpkin seeds, chopped with a light olive oil lemon dressing. Sea Scallops, braised endive and walnut puree should tempt you and those are only the appetizers. (117 Perry St. at Greenwich St., 212-255-0696)

Fall means warm meals, new discoveries, apples, pumpkins and good times. Todays column is a new location of the tried and true and a branching out of an old space and that is a F.A.C.T.