Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.




New York Restaurants - Restaurant News
April 2014 Archive

Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive

Keep abreast of what's going on in New York here at Gayot. You can learn all you need to know about new restaurant openings, special events, and more. The information you need on restaurants in New York is here.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Underneath RedFarm, the Chinese/dim sum West Village spot, owner Ed Schoenfeld and chef Joe Ng have opened Decoy, a restaurant that focuses on Peking duck. Decoy, 529 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014, 212-792-9700.
 
Stephen Starr's kitschy Philadelphia import, El Vez, has opened in downtown Manhattan. The restaurant serves up an array of Mexican fare, like chorizo nachos, shrimp tacos and even steak. El Vez, 259 Vesey St., New York, NY 10282, 212-233-2500.
 
Tavern on the Green has re-opened Tavern on the Green is back! The New York culinary institution shut down and was dormant, lights out, burners off, until April 2014. The chef in charge of the kitchen is Katy Sparks, who is churning out seasonal American fare for the fashionable diners. Tavern on the Green, Central Park W., New York, NY 10023, 212-877-8684.
 
In the space that once housed wine-centric Cru and then Lotus of Siam comes Claudette. The team behind successful West Village restaurants Bobo and Rosemary’s has brought the space back to life. The menu features the cuisine of Provence with hints of North Africa. Dishes include chittara pasta with sardines, raisins, pine nuts, guanciale and broccoli, as well as chicken tagine. Claudette, 24 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-868-2424.
 
Huertas, a Spanish restaurant in the East Village, is helmed by former Maialino chef Jonah Miller. The menu is focused on the Basque region and includes plenty of tapas and pintxos. There's even vermouth on tap. Huertas, 107 First Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-228-4490.
 
In the West Village comes Baker & Co., an Italian restaurant from the team behind NoLIta Roman favorite Emporio. The name is a nod to Zito's Bakery, an 80-year-old spot that closed up shop in 2004. Baker & Co., 259 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10014, 212-255-1234.
 
The new Beautique is not a hair salon. It's a restaurant where Craig Hopson, the erstwhile toque of Le Cirque, churns out creative and inventive dishes. The pastry chef is Jiho Kim, who had previously logged time at Gordon Ramsay at The London. Beautique, 8 W. 58th St., New York, NY 10019, 212-753-1200.
 
Another location of chef Ilan Hall's hot LA restaurant The Gorbals has opened in Williamsburg. This outpost is just above the menswear section of Space Ninety 8, an Urban Outfitters spin-off store. Hall also runs the rooftop bar. The Gorbals, 98 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249, 718-387-0195.
 
From China Grill Management comes East & West, a new restaurant inside Yotel New York on W. 42nd St. Chef Bradley Day cooks up his takes on both Eastern and Western dishes, as the name suggests. East & West, 570 Tenth Ave., New York City, NY, 1 877-909-6835.
 
Le Bernardin is expanding with Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, overseen by personable and knowledgeable sommelier Aldo Sohm. On the menu: 200+ bottles, light foods, plus beer and spirits. Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, The AXA Equitable Building, 155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019, no phone.
 
Newly opened TESSA, located on the Upper West Side, serves elevated Mediterranean fare like duck lasagna and grilled rouget. The chef is Cedric Tovar. TESSA, 349 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10024, 212-390-1974.
 
The legendary Tavern on the Green restaurant finally re-fired up its burners on April 24, 2014. Its renovation was partly inspired by photographs from the 1940s. Tavern on the Green, W. 67th St. & Central Park West, New York, NY 10023, 212-877-8684.
 


News Bytes
Dominique Ansel's Newest Creation
Dominique Ansel, the mad pastry genius and creator of the Cronut, has recently unveiled his latest invention at Dominique Ansel Bakery: the Waffogato, a puck of ice cream that is spiked with waffle pieces and tapioca balls. Maple syrup espresso is then poured over it just before being consumed. Dominique Ansel Bakery, 189 Spring St., New York, NY 10012, 212-219-2773.
 
Alinea to Pop Up in the Big Apple
Alinea, that august eatery in Chicago, is coming to the Big Apple, at least for a short time. Details are scant but it appears the restaurant will open up for a month in October 2014 somewhere in Midtown. Stay tuned.
 
Vietnam and Italy Collide with Tasty Results
Sara Jenkins, the culinary mastermind behind Porchetta in the East Village, has come up with a new sandwich at her diminutive shop: the porchetta banh mi. The sandwich will be available Thursday to Sunday and costs $10. Porchetta, 110 E. 7th St., New York, NY 10009, 212-777-2151.
 
Sweet Empellon
Alex Stupak has begun serving a dessert tasting menu at his elevated East Village Mexican eatery Empellon Cocina. The five-course menu can be ordered after 9:30 p.m. and costs $45. Dishes include pistachio ice cream and toasted coffee cake, among others. Empellon Cocina, 105 First Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-780-0999.
 
Downtown Eataly?
Rumors are swirling that Eataly, the mega-supermarket and restaurant center that is like a Disneyland for Italian food lovers, will be opening up an outpost in lower Manhattan. The first North American Eataly, located on Madison Square Park in New York City, has been a huge hit since the day it debuted in August 2010. It's being reported the possible location for the Big Apple's second Eataly will be 4 World Trade Center. Eataly, Eataly, 200 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010, 646-398-5100.
 
Lunch with Emily
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, darling Emily is now open for lunch. The daytime menu includes kale salad, sandwiches and, of course, wood-fired brick-oven pizzas. Lunchtime service is Wednesday to Friday. Emily, 919 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11238, 347-844-9588.
 
Green Lunch
Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria has just launched a new fixed-price lunch option: three courses of regularly changing, greenmarket-inspired Italian fare for $35. Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, 53 Great Jones St., New York, NY 10012, 212-837-2622.
 
New Jacques City
French gastropub Jacques 1534 has unveiled a new cocktail and food menu. Now diners can feast on classics like steak frites and even such British pub grub as Chatham cod and chips. The signature drink is a Blackberry Collins. Jacques 1534, 20 Prince St., New York, NY 10012, 212-966-8886.
 
Empire Lunch
Amanda Freitag's Chelsea restaurant, Empire Diner, is now open for lunch, with a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches and salads, like the popular Tuscan kale Caesar salad. Empire Diner, 210 Tenth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-596-7523.
 
Le Colonial Turns 20
Le Colonial, the elegant French-Vietnamese restaurant in Midtown, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Between April 9 and May 31, diners will have the option to choose a six-course tasting menu for the occasion (in addition to the normal à la carte options). The menu features new dishes and classic Le Colonial delights. The prix-fixe dinner costs $80 or $125 with wine. Le Colonial, 149 E. 57th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-752-0808.
 
Piggy Tuesdays at Benoit
Alain Ducasse's Benoit is bringing back its cochon Tuesdays for the month of April. Every Tuesday this month diners have the option to choose a portion of one of two slow-roasted suckling pigs. The meal, with beer or wine, is $30 per person. Reservations in advance are necessary. Benoit, 60 W. 55th St., New York, NY 10019, 646-943-7373.
 

Chef Shuffle
Jason Hall, who had logged time in the kitchen at Gotham Bar & Grill, is now wearing a toque at The Fourth. He'll cook alongside owner/chef Marco A. Moreira. The Fourth, Hyatt Union Square, 132 Fourth Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-432-1324.
 
NoLIta New Zealand-accented eatery The Musket Room has a new pastry chef: Becca Punch, who has maybe the best name in pastry and recently logged time in the kitchen at Eleven Madison Park. The Musket Room, 265 Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10012, 212-219-0764.
 
Ron Wingwee Hsu, who logged eight years in the kitchen at Le Bernardin, is now the new chef at Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial. Le Colonial, 149 E. 57th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-752-0808.
 


Closings

Calliope, the promising French restaurant in the East Village, has shut down. The place will soon become Contrada. Calliope, 84 E. 4th St., New York, NY 10003, no phone.
 
The East Village outpost of South Brooklyn Pizza, selling one of the best slices of pizza in the city, has shut down. Owners claim the pie spot will find a new location and reopen sometime this year. South Brooklyn Pizza, 122 First Ave., New York, NY 10009, no phone.
 
Aska, the acclaimed Scandinavian restaurant in Williamsburg, has closed and will reopen in the near future in a bigger space. There's no word yet as to where it will relocate. Aska, Kinfolk Studios, 90 Wythe St., Brooklyn, NY 11249, no phone.
 
BLT Burger, the eight-year-old restaurant in Greenwich Village, has shut down. The restaurant group behind it, ESquared, plans to open Horchata, a Mexican restaurant, in late spring. BLT Burger, 470 Sixth Ave., New York, NY 10011, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to
learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in New York

 

View archived news: October 2023 | August 2023 | July 2023 | February 2023 | October 2022 | September 2022 | July 2022 | June 2022 | March 2022 | January 2022 | December 2021 | November 2021 | October 2021 | June 2021 | May 2021 | February 2021 | September 2020 | August 2020 | June 2020 | April 2020 | March 2020 | February 2020 | January 2020 | December 2019 | November 2019 | October 2019 | September 2019 | July 2019 | June 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | March 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | November 2018 | October 2018 | September 2018 | August 2018 | July 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | February 2018 | January 2018 | December 2017 | November 2017 | October 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | February 2017 | January 2017 | December 2016 | November 2016 | October 2016 | September 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008



VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.