Russian Tea Room
Star chef Gary Robins is no longer in the kitchen of this Russian revivalist. Photo: Lauren Krohn
Boathouse: The outdoor patio of this Central Park oasis is reopening for the warm-weather season on April 15th; new additions include an outdoor grill and live music in the evenings.
Bouley: In the fall, David Bouley will move his flagship restaurant across the street to 161 Duane Street. At that time, the 120 W. Broadway space will become Bouley Bakery and, over at the current Bouley Bakery & Market space at 130 W. Broadway, his Upstairs eatery will expand to include the ground floor.
Cité & Cité Grill: Both of these Midtown eateries will permanently close on April 2nd.
15 East: Marco Moreira's Japanese restaurant in the old Tocqueville space debuted in December with just a sushi bar; now, a cooked menu is also available, including the likes of prawn tempura ($18), wild salmon three ways ($26) and sirloin of Colorado Kobe beef ($45).
Gramercy Tavern: Chef Mike Anthony's new menu includes signature dishes such as suckling pig and flat-iron steak with short-rib ravioli ($76 for three courses).
Kobe Club: In protest of his recent zero-star New York Times review, restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow took out a full-page Times ad on February 21st lambasting critic Frank Bruni; Chodorow has since launched a blog to swipe back at Gotham restaurant critics.
London Bar: A prix fixe menu is now available at Gordon Ramsay's small-plates eatery; the two- and three-course menus ($25 and $31, respectively) include choices such as chicken liver and foie gras parfait and risotto of sweet corn and basil, served from 11 AM–6:30 PM daily.
Miriam: A new Cobble Hill branch of this Park Slope Israeli-Med has opened at 229 Court Street, where it boasts a full liquor license and bar, as well as weekday breakfast and weekend brunch hours.
Patina Restaurant Group: Through March 11th, purchase any bottle of red wine and receive 25 percent off and a "Pocket Guide to Wine" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine; the "Savor the Reds" offer is available at all Patina Restaurant Group restaurants, including Brasserie 8 1/2 and Sea Grill.
Russian Tea Room: Star chef Gary Robins is no longer in the kitchen of this Russian revivalist, which recently began serving weekday breakfast and lunch, as well as weekend brunch.
Shorty's: The Philly cheese steak specialist formerly known as Tony Luke's now goes by this new name.
Smith & Wollensky: Smith & Wollensky Group Inc. will merge with Patina Restaurant Group (Patina, Sea Grill, etc.) as part of a $79.5 million deal that will leave the steakhouse chain's six NYC restaurants – including Park Avenue Cafe and Quality Meats – in the hands of founder Alan Stillman. Patina says it will expand the Smith & Wollensky brand outside of NYC. Earlier this year, the Texas-based Landry's Restaurants Inc. (owner of the Chart House and Rainforest Cafe chains, among others) had launched a hostile takeover bid of the steakhouse chain.
Strip House: Speaking of steakhouses – on Sundays, this voluptuous West Villager takes 20 percent off roughly a dozen bottles on its wine list.