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New York Restaurants - Restaurant News
May 2008 Archive

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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

The name says is all: Vino is an Upper East Side wine bar owned by a team of Florentine partners. At this rustic spot that offers over 60 different bottles, the kitchen turns out small plates like anchovies with bread and butter and baby octopus stew. Vino, 1268 Second Ave., New York, NY 10065, 212-744-5270.
 
Sheridan Square marks the return of Gary Robbins after an unceremonious exit from the Russian Tea Room last year. He's focused on more eclectic fare at this West Village boite, like fluke sashimi with braised hearts of palm. Sheridan Square, 138 Seventh Ave. S., New York, NY 10014, 212-353-2237.
 
Kafana is the first Serbian restaurant in New York City. Look for the panoply of grilled meats that define Balkan cuisine, including cevapici, a sausage made with beef, pork and lamb, and Americanized versions of the always-popular burek (meat pastry). Kafana, 116 Ave. C, New York, NY 10009, 212-353-8000.
 
The Pen-Top bar at The Peninsula New York is no more; in its place is Salon de Ning, on the property's 23rd floor. With a "1930s Shanghai" theme incorporating plenty of Chinoiserie decorations, cocktails and small bites (potstickers and spring rolls) this rooftop spot is ready for the summer season. Salon de Ning, 700 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10019, 212-956 2888, 800-262-9467.
 
Park Room The Helmsley Park Lane's recently recopened eatery is the Park Room. Chef Michael Hill overhauled the menu to include more seasonal Amiercan fare; the interior was also refreshed to highlight the dining room's Central Park views. Park Room, 36 Central Park S., New York, NY 10019, 212-521-6640, 800-221-4982.
 
Curry-Ya is the latest in a succession of restaurants from New York City ramen specialist O.G. Bon Yagi (Rai Rai Ken). Here, the theme is mix-and-match curry, with customers choosing their own spices and toppings while sitting at a 14-seat bar. Curry-Ya, 214 E. 10th St., New York, NY 10009, 866-602-8779.
 
Scarpetta is adding a touch of class to the Meatpacking District (it needs it!). Scott Conant's rustic Italian spot will issue forth classics like spaghetti with roasted capretto or cavatelli with kale, chickpeas, and crispy pancetta. Scarpetta, 355 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10014, 212-691-0555.
 
The space that held Provence for so many years has quickly returned as Hundred Acres. Expect similar fare to Cookshop and Five Points, Marc Meyer and Vicki Freeman's other restaurants, including dishes like fried clam sandwiches and tongue pastrami. Hundred Acres, 28 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012, 212-475-7500.
 
Abagail Abagail Café is named after chef Abigail Hitchcock, expanding from her own CamaJe Bistro in the West Village. She'll serve similarly classic fare here, including a blue cheese, pear and leek panini and special sodas made on the premises. Abagail Abagail CafĂ©, 807 Classon Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238, 718-399-3200.
 
The recently closed Barfry has quickly morphed into a new eatery. Cabrito, a Mexican spot helmed by chef David Schuttenberg (formerly of Fatty Crab), will serve haute Mex cuisine and plenty of tequila-laced drinks. Cabrito, 50 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014, 212-929-5050.
 
In what might be the quickest restaurant turnaround ever, the space that very recently housed the opened-closed-opened-and-then-closed-again American Grill has already opened as Song 7.2, a pan-Asian eatery. Song 7.2, 117 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-777-1286.
 
Agostino Sciandri's Italian ristorante AGO, which launched in West Hollywood and attracts a celebrity clientele, has made its New York debut in TriBeCa. The menu features Tuscan-style fare and handmade pastas such as the garganelli with sausage ragout and Swiss chard. A custom-made wood-burning brick oven produces pizzas and meat dishes like Sciandri's signature Fiorentina, a 28 oz. certified Angus T-bone steak. AGO, 377 Greenwich St., New York, NY 10013, 212-925-3797.
 
Fish Market Fish Market is a tribute to the late, great Fulton Fish Market (without the mob influence, presumably). Look for piscatorial plates like a whole grilled branzino or small bites like mixed pesce crudo. Eddie Montalvo---last seen in a kitchen with Jean-Georges Vongerichten---is manning the stoves here. Fish Market, 111 South St., New York, NY 10038, 212-233-3301.
 
Uptown pizza place Campo is from the same team behind Firehouse and Nonna. In addition to a serious selection of grilled pizzas, chef David Rotter has opted to serve hefty Italian classics like arancini and pork braciole with polenta. Campo, 2888 Broadway, New York, NY 10025, 212-864-1143.
 
Waffle fans are salivating for the arrival of Le Petit Belge in Union Square. Gooey Liege waffles are made on site along with bubble tea, mini-pancakes to-go and Belgian chocolates. Le Petit Belge, 22 E. 14th St., New York, NY 10003, 212-807-7027.
 
Set in the space that housed the short-lived Barça18, Wildwood Barbeque is helmed by pitmaster Big Lou Elrose. Wildwood Barbeque, 225 Park Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-255-5300.
 
Eurotrip is no longer the name of a bad movie. This eatery, set in Park Slope, focuses on the cuisine of central and Eastern Europe, serving up hearty goulash, pirogi and flatbread. Eurotrip, 667 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 10015, 718-285-9425.
 
Steven Duong, who was last seen in the East Village at the crowd-pleasing Vietnamese spot Cyclo, is back with Tet, a sleek Vietnamese spot on Avenue A. Look for high-concept dishes like green papaya salad with shrimp and head cheese along with more standard fare like five-spice beef with vermicelli. Tet, 83 Ave. A, New York, NY 10009, 212-253-0800.
 
Alain Ducasse's re-invasion of New York is complete. At least for now. Benoit, his second eatery to open this year, has swung open its doors on W. 55th Street. It's the third Benoit location worldwide, after Paris and Tokyo. Look for bistro dishes like cassoulet, lamb chops, and grilled salmon at this more accessible venture (for Alain Ducasse, anyway). Benoit, 60 W. 55th St., New York, NY 10019, 646-943-7373.
 


News Bytes
Everything Must Go!
Oenephiles, take note: Alain Ducasse wants to make you happy. Benoit and Adour Alain Ducasse have introduced bottles left over from Lespinasse and Essex House to their wine lists. The purchase of these wines predates the introduction of the euro, allowing Ducasse to pass the savings on to you, as the saying goes.
 
Braeburn Coming
Brian Bistrong (last seen at The Harrison) will be the chef/owner of Braeburn, on Perry Street in the West Village. Set to open later this summer, look for local, new American cuisine on the menu.
 
Burger Burglary
The stakes have been raised for the city's most expensive hamburger. And the winner is: the Wall Street Burger Shoppe, which offers a burger topped with gold flakes (yum!) and 25 grams of black truffles. All for just $175.
 
Food Buzz
Talk is sweet on the Apiary, a new project from Neil Manacle (a partner at Mesa Grill and Bolo). Set to open in June, look for American eats at this new spot on lower Third Avenue's burgeoning restaurant row.
 
Lord & Taylor Revamp
Sarabeth's will replace An American Place and Larry Forgione's Signature Café in Lord & Taylor stores here in New York; it's part of a city-wide rollout that's set to take place over the next two years.
 
A hot Hot Dog
What happens when East Village bar PDT, hot dogs, and chef Wylie Dufresne collide? The Wylie Dog. A $5 deep-fried, hot dog bun-crumb-encrusted wiener topped with ketchup molasses, freeze-dried onions, and shredded romaine lettuce. PDT, 113 St. Marks Pl., New York, NY 10009, 212-614-0386.
 
Swedish Meatballs
AQ Kafe will open as the expanded version of the cafeteria in the Scandinavian House in August. Don't worry---there's no lutefisk on the menu (for now).
 
Plethora of Pelaccio
Zak Pelaccio, Ric Camac, and pitmaster Robert Richter have partnered to open a barbecue joint focused on the flavors of Southeast Asia called Fatty ‘Cue. It's set to open in Williamsburg this summer.
 
Samba al Fresco
As the weather warms up, so do the city's restaurant rooftops. SUSHISAMBA 7, located in the West Village, just opened its rooftop for al fresco dining. SUSHISAMBA 7, 87 Seventh Ave. S., New York, NY 10014, 212-691-7885.
 
The Cat Drags in Lunch
After nine years of serving just dinner, the popular Chelsea eater, The Red Cat, is finally serving lunch (Tuesday to Saturday). The Red Cat, 227 Tenth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-242-1122.
 
Bouchon Empire TK?
It appears Thomas Keller's Time Warner Center restaurant-bakery, Bouchon Bakery, is going to be expanding. And in a serious way. The famed chef plans to open a number of Bouchons around the city---though the outlets will be more bakery than eatery. Bouchon Bakery, 10 Columbus Cir., Third Floor, New York, NY 10019, 212-823-9366.
 
Standard Chef
Dan Silverman, who recently left his post at Lever House Restaurant, has been named as the top toque at Andre Balazs' forthcoming catwalk/hotel in the Meatpacking District, The Standard.
 
Local Finalists in Cocktail Competition
After hours of reviewing and deliberating top Averna cocktails over a three-week period, judges named mixologists Damon Dyer of Death & Co. and Don Lee of PDT as finalists in the 'HAVE Averna Cocktail Competition.' A total of five finalists were selected from three regional competitions and will travel to Sicily to compete in the finals at the Averna distillery this fall.
 
Sushi Sleep Tight
After his Greenwich Hotel swung open its pearly doors recently, Robert De Niro has announced plans to open the world's first sushi-themed hotel: the Nobu Hotel will be located in Manhattan's Financial District and will contain, of course, an outpost of the famed sushi restaurant.
 
A Voce A Voce Expands
A Voce will expand, opening a second location. The new outpost will replace Café Gray in the Time Warner Center, which has closed. In related news, chef Andrew Carmellini has officially stuffed his last ravioli at A Voce. No word yet on what he'll do next. A Voce, 41 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010, 212-545-8555.
 
Rhum Cocktail Challenge Winner
Daniel Eun of PDT won the third annual Rhum Clement cocktail challenge at the Astor Center with his cocktail of white and dark rum named "Bitches' Brew." Cheers to Daniel!
 
Little Owl Lunch
The Little Owl has woken up for lunch. Yes, that's right. The popular West Village eatery is now open for lunch. The Little Owl, 90 Bedford St., New York, NY 10014, 212-741-4695.
 
Maccioni on the Move
The Maccioni family---of Le Cirque fame, of course---has plans to open a new restaurant. Details are scant at the moment, but word on the street is that the new restaurant will focus on either the cuisine of Tuscany or seafood.
 
Tortilla Flip
BarFry may be well and gone, but from its ashes comes Cabrito: David Schuttenberg will man the stoves, serving up Mexican grub, with, on the basis of the last occupant, an emphasis on deep-fried things. Cabrito, 50 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014, no phone available yet.
 
Twice the Spice
Spice is expanding their downtown mini-empire by opening a new location on Second Avenue and Fifth Street. Expect more of the same pan-Asian grub geared for students and budget eaters.
 

Chef Shuffle
Michael Huynh, "Top Chef"-er, has taken a position at the Upper East Side eatery, Rain, which will be completely renovated and re-named late this summer. Rain, 100 W. 82nd St., New York, NY 10024, 212-501-0776.
 
Fran Derby, the co-chef at Tailor (along with media darling Sam Mason), has reportedly left the restaurant. Derby hopes to open his own eatery soon. Tailor, 525 Broome St., New York, NY 10013, 212-334-5182.
 
Bradford Thompson has been named chef at the Lever House Restaurant. Lever House Restaurant, Lever House, 390 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-888-2700.
 
Heather Bertinetti is the new pastry chef at Alto, replacing Deborah Snyder, who left to open her own restaurant in Brooklyn. Alto, 520 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-308-1099.
 
Karen Demasco will leave her post as pastry chef at Craft in mid-May.
 


Closings

Le Deux Gamins in the West Village has closed after receiving a bevy of violations from the Department of Health. Le Deux Gamins, 234 W. Fourth St., New York, NY 10014, 212-206-8393.
 
Luca Lounge, located on Avenue B in the East Village, has shut down for good.
 
Giggles, a popular after-work bar in Midtown, has closed.
 
Marion's Continental, the self-consciously kitschy East Village diner, has shut down for a two-month renovation.
 
In Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, neighborhood favorite Chicory has closed.
 
Food Bar, located in Chelsea, has shut down due to lease problems.
 
West Village falafel and shwarma eatery, Yummy Shawarmy, has shut down for good.
 
Another French eatery down the drain. Midtown's Jour et Nuit is closed. Au revoir.
 
American Grill, the East Village diner that opened and then closed and then opened again all last summer, has closed again. This time, however, it's for good.
 
A sign on the door of Chinatown eatery, Mei Lai Wah, proclaims the restaurant to be officially closed.
 
Jessie's Brooklyn Kitchen, located in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, has closed.
 
The West Village French-inflected sandwich and salad eatery, Massif Central, has shut down.
 
Kirara, the West Village sushi spot, has closed.
 

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.


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