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 Annual Restaurant Issue PublishedWe want to congratulate the following restaurants for their inclusion on our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. list published in our 2007 Restaurant Issue: Bouley, Daniel, Eleven Madison Park, Jean Georges, Le Bernardin, Le Cirque, Masa, The Modern, and Per Se. We would also like to congratulate Gordon Ramsay at The London for its place on our Top 10 New Restaurants list and Peter Luger for its place on our Top 10 Steakhouses in the U.S. list. New York chef Wesley Genovart of Degustation also took top honors and was named one of our Rising Chefs.
The second New York outpost of the Singapore-based sushi chain Sakae Sushi has opened. The West Village spot serves sushi---like its siblings---on a conveyer belt. Sakae Sushi, 135 W. Third St., New York, NY 10014, 212-228-9839.
Vai serves small plate Italian food. Look for all the standards at Vincent Chirico's Upper West Side wine bar, from yellowtail crudo with sea salt cheese to charcuterie samplers and spaghetti with baby clams. Vai, 225 W. 77th St., New York, NY 10024, 212-362-4500.
The first project of Bryan Calvert (Union Pacific, Bouley) is James, a seasonal American spot he's opened with his wife. The space is a 100-year-old townhouse bedecked with vintage stools and other aged fixtures in Prospect Heights; the menu includes dishes like fava bean ravioli with morels and crispy sweetbreads with a rhubarb honey glaze. James, 605 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238, 718-942-4255.
The Cacio e Pepe empire has expanded above 42nd street: Salvatore Corea's Alloro is open on the Upper East Side. The menu, like the restaurant's whimsical green and white décor, is more playful than that of its downtown siblings. Here, caprese is bufala mozzarella and tomato tartare, and the kitchen even makes a variation on fried spaghetti. Alloro, 307 E. 77th S., New York, NY 10075, 212-535-2866.
Chef-owner Coby Farro (The Spotted Pig) is behind B&B, in Williamsburg. Foodwise, it's more gastropub than quaint cottage; the menu includes mac and cheese enlivened with a crispy boar's ear. B&B, 109 S. Sixth St., Brookyln, NY 11211, 718-782-2333.
West Village chicken mecca Pardo's is now Panca. In addition to ditching rotisserie birds in favor of ceviche and other classic Peruvian fare, the menu boasts fruits of the sea like bay scallops with Parmesan and char-grilled octopus. Panca, 92 Seventh Ave. S., New York, NY 10014, 212-488-3900.
Julie Reiner of the Flatiron Lounge is trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice at the Clover Club on the always busy Smith Street. Named for a Philadelphia dining society, the vibe is fussily Victorian (right down to the vintage punch bowls). Drinks, divided into nine categories, are more modern. Nibbles include cheesesteak panini and fried oysters. Clover Club, 210 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718-855-7939.
Chef Alain Ducasse has chosen the city of Osaka for his latest restaurant, Le Comptoir de Benoit. After the launch of Beige and Benoit Tokyo in the country's capital, Ducasse's third restaurant will be located on the 33rd floor of The Breeze Tower in the historic Nishi-Umeda district. The restaurant is a Japanese adaptation of the traditional French bistro, using local ingredients like Kobé beef and Kyoto vegetables to create classically French dishes including "oeuf cocotte," Saint-Jacques scallops, and quenelles de brochet (a mixture of creamed fish, chicken, or meat with a light egg binding).
The TriBeCa eatery Forge, designed by AvroKo, has opened and is serving seasonal New American cuisine by chef Marc Forgione (son of Larry Forgione). Forge, 134 Reade St., New York, NY 10013, 212-941-9401.
Hallo Berlin Express was made for the wurst-lover in a hurry. At this self-service spot, the sausages are named for German motors from Bimmers to Mercs. Links can then be paired with a impressive coterie of German suds on draft. Hallo, hangover! Hallo Berlin Express, 744 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10019, 212-333-2372.
Five Napkin Burger promises to deliver just that, a multi-serviette eating experience. Notably, the burger was first featured on the menu at Nice Matin, and now has a restaurant of its very own from the same partners. Other burger iterations include ahi tuna and lamb kofta, as well as an impressive selection of 21 different types of bourbon. Five Napkin Burger, 690 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10036, 212-757-2277.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten didn't give up on the old 66 space: it was overhauled and is now called Matsugen. The theme: all things Soba noodle. Don't worry, you can still drop big bucks here on big ticket items like Wagyu steaks, though 66's infamous foie gras dumplings are long gone. Matsugen, 241 Church St., New York, NY 10013, 212-925-0202.
Shalizar is a traditional Persian restaurant in the not-so-traditional location of the Upper East Side. Look for classic fare here, including lamb kebabs and yogurt spreads alongside pomegranate martinis. Shalizar, 1420 Third Ave., New York, NY 10028, 212-288-0012.
Summer Restaurant Week
This year's Summer Restaurant Week runs from July 21-25 and July 28-August 1. The three-course price-fixed lunch is $24.07 and dinner is $35. Some of the restaurants participating in the event are 5 Ninth, Bar Boulud, Devi, Gotham Bar & Grill and Nobu New York, among others. For more participating restaurants, visit nycvisit.com.
Hung in There
"Top Chef" winner Hung Huynh is reported to be about five months away from opening his own eatery in Murray Hill. Which means the actual opening time will be about eight months. Stay tuned.
Going, Going, Ko!
Momofuku Ko auctioned off dinner at the restaurant as part of a charity auction sponsored by Grow for Good. The dinner for two, with a wine pairing, went for a staggering $2,870. Momofuku Ko, 163 First Ave., New York, NY 10003, No phone. 
Quite the CatchOceana will move to the McGraw-Hill Building in late 2009. The current location of Oceana will stay open for at least a year while the McGraw-Hill space is constructed. Oceana, 55 E. 54th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-759-5941.
We Scream for Helado!
Rosa Mexicano has kicked off its annual (and popular) ice cream festival. Until July 20, ice cream lovers can enjoy flavors like salted butter avocado, mango and rum. All three locations are participating. Rosa Mexicano, 1063 First Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-753-7407. Rosa Mexicano, 61 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-977-7700. Rosa Mexicano, 9 E. 18th St., New York, NY 10003, 212-533-3350.
Robuchon Out to Lunch
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon is discontinuing its lunch service after July 20. L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Four Seasons Hotel New York, 57 E. 57th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-350-6658.
Summer Prix-Fixe Special at Sea Grill
Sea Grill in Rockefeller Center has introduced a summer pre-theater menu for guests attending nearby performances. The three-course menu changes monthly, but may include items like chilled asparagus with roasted tomato vinaigrette, bluefish lightly smoked with warm La Rotte potato salad, and chocolate filled bomboloni with malted milk ice cream. The dinner costs $45 per person and is available from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. daily. Sea Grill, Rockefeller Center, 19 W. 49th St., New York, NY 10020, 212-332-7610.
English Out, Italians In
Todd English is out of the game concerning his 98 Kenmare project; instead, the lease was taken over by the owners of Sfoglia. English and the leaseholder of the space couldn't come to an agreement on the cuisine of the putative restaurant (or much of anything), hence the change of backers. No word yet on an opening date.
Sheridan Square Squared
Sheridan Square will expand to take over the space last occupied by Tasca, next door. The additional 40-seat room is currently scheduled to be ready by the middle of July.
Italian Mainstay to Move
Legendary Italian restaurant San Domenico has served its last meal. At least in its cushy digs on Central Park South. Tony May and company will be reopening a new San Domenico---to be called SD26---on Madison Square Park next year.
Former Aix Space Update
Turns out Tom Valenti took a pass on the Aix space: Philip Kirsch and Jeremy Wladis will take over the space, with the interior designed by Lincoln Clark. No word on when they're set to open.
Market at Market Table Tabled
Ta ta market, hello tables! The popular West Village eatery yanked their retail operation at the front of the restaurant in favor of 20 new seats. Pat LaFrieda meat patties, which the restaurant uses in its hamburgers, remain available for purchase. Market Table, 54 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014, 212-255-2100.
Top Chef to New York?
A producer from Top Chef let fly that the current plan is to film the next season of the show in New York. There's no official word yet, but viewers would likely be excited to see head judge Tom Colicchio in his own backyard.
Chang-High Surprise
Momofuku Ko's fixed-price menu has risen from $85 to $100. David Chang says the menu's price will fluctuate based on ingredients and slight changes in the food line-up. Momofuku Ko, 163 First Ave., New York, NY 10003, No phone. 
Patio ProspectsBoth Sangria 46 and Bar Q, located in the Theater District and the West Village, respectively, are celebrating the warm weather with back-patio dining. At Bar Q, guests dine in an atrium-like space. Bar Q, 308 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10014, 212-206-7817.
Dell’ Anima, Il Secondo
It's been no secret that Maremma owner Cesare Casella has had his West Village eatery on the market. Well, he might have a taker. It's being reported that Joe Campanale and company, from nearby Dell' Anima, are going to be taking over the West Tenth Street space, converting it into a rustic-looking Italian eatery. Maremma, 228 W. Tenth St., New York, NY 10014, 212-645-0200.
Maremma has closed. As previously reported, Joe Campanale and his team from Dell'Anima will take over the space. Cesare Casella, meanwhile, plans to open Salumeria Rosi, a specialty Italian grocery store on the Upper West Side.
Restaurant Florent finished all five stages of grief and is now closed. Meanwhile, after failing to find a taker for the space, the landlord will reopen the diner as the R&L Restaurant---what it was called in the days before Florent.
The Theater District Italian eatery, Southside Café, has shut down after a decade of serving hearty dishes.
The longtime Italian eatery Rosario's in the Financial District has baked its last ziti and has shuttered for good.
Café Gray has closed, a week earlier than scheduled. Café Gray, Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Cir., New York, NY 10019, 212-823-6338.
Justin Smillie has departed as chef at The E.U. for failing to keep costs low, according to the ownership. No replacement has been named. The E.U., 235 E. Fourth St., New York, NY 10009, 212-254-2900.
Brooks Headley is now the pastry chef at Del Posto, replacing Nicole Kaplan, who left earlier this year. Del Posto, 85 Tenth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-497-8090.
Gregory Pugin has been named the executive chef at Veritas. He had been executive sous-chef at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Veritas, 43 E. 20th St., New York, NY 10003, 212-353-3700.
Jason Kallert, Le Cirque's chef de cuisine, has departed to take an executive chef job at the Friar's Club. Le Cirque, One Beacon Court, 151 E. 58th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-644-0202.
Former The Stanton Social chef Jesi Solomon has been named new chef at Lower East Side eatery Thor. Thor, Hotel on Rivington, 107 Rivington St., New York, NY 10002, 212-796-8040.
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New York Dining
Top 40 Restaurants
Our annual restaurant issue features our top 40 selections, including New York's Le Bernardin, Jean Georges and more!
