New Restaurants
New Nightspots
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Common Ground |
206 Ave. A |
Manhattan |
212-228-6231 |
| Gilt |
455 Madison Ave. |
Manhattan |
212-891-8100 |
| Luv 24-7 |
247 Eldridge St. |
Manhattan |
212-505-7600 |
| Marion's Marquee Lounge |
356 Bowery |
Manhattan |
212-475-7621 |
| Pacha |
618 W. 46th St. |
Manhattan |
212-209-7500 |
| Porky's |
55 W. 21st St. |
Manhattan |
212-675-8007 |
Coming Soon
American Masala
Now that they've had a go with haute Indian, chefs Suvir Saran and Hemant Mathur (dévi) are taking their culinary prowess to the fast-food realm – specifically this American-influenced Indian offering fare to take out or eat in. The Financial District space (60 Pearl St.), which should be open by early spring, will serve a compact menu of burgers and curries, each available in five versions: vegetarian, beef, lamb, chicken or fish. Just don't expect fluorescent lighting – the contemporary decor is to feature furniture handcrafted in Italy.
Buddakan
The latest big-budget restaurant set to make a splash in the Meatpacking District (75 Ninth Ave.) is this Asian fusion import from Philly scheduled to open in February. In a bid for downtown cachet, the building's purposely gritty exterior will yield to an opulent dining space.
Cafe d'Alsace
Simon Oren (Marseille, Nice Matin) turns to Alsace for his latest French foray, this Upper East Side brasserie (1695 Second Ave.) with a zinc bar and, to help patrons navigate the extensive roster of Geman brews, a "beer sommelier." A late winter opening is planned.
The famed French chef is bringing a version of his Parisian hot spot – which marries Haute Cuisine and casual, countertop environs – to the Four Seasons Hotel (57 E. 57th St.) in March. As in Paris, the counter will be the restaurant's focal point, with an exposed kitchen that will be viewed through a see-through glass wall. But unlike the original's intimate, clubby setting, the NYC outpost will occupy a far grander space beneath I.M. Pei's soaring ceiling.
Good Deals and Other News
Cool Hunters
The latest design trend to take hold of bars and eateries is to emulate the look of a rustic lodge. First, hip Downtown restaurants like Freemans on the Lower East Side took to displaying odd assortments of taxidermied animals and hangouts like Floyd NY in Brooklyn Heights dressed themselves up with mounted deer heads and wood paneling. Others soon followed, with the opening of Camp (more deer heads, a fireplace), Lodge (taking its cue from the Adirondacks) and Northeast Kingdom (inspired by the wilds of Vermont). The look has also climbed north: Chesea's Gstaad mimics a Swiss après-ski chalet and at newcomer Aspen, trendies tipple top-shelf hot toddies amid slick Lucite deer heads.
A new branch of the Astoria taverna has opened in Bay Ridge (7802 Fifth Ave., 718-833-7033).
Atelier
Eric Branger, former executive chef of the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, has replaced Alain Allegretti at this plush New French in the Ritz-Carlton Central Park. While Branger has added a few signature touches (crawfish soup, for example), the menu (à la carte or $125 for five courses) has not significantly changed. However, a reconcepting of the restaurant is in the works.
Caviar Bar at Emperor's Roe
The Caviar Bar at this new Harlem purveyor of gourmet goods (200 Lenox Ave., 212-866-3700) is opening later this month. Think samplers of imported caviar ($310 for 1 ounce each of Beluga, Osetra and Sevruga) and $160 bottles of Dom Perignon '96, not to mention $10 glasses of bubbly and a more modest American caviar sampler. Let the good times roll, indeed.
This Greek steakhouse is poised to reopen after extensive renovations by new owners. The warm earth-toned room will feature a larger bar area and a steakhouse menu that's now mainly American (some Hellenic influences will be felt on the appetizer list). A butcher shop will continue to operate out of the premises.
Daniel Humm, former executive chef of San Francisco's Campton Place, has been named as the replacement for chef Kerry Heffernan. He is expected to implement a new menu by late spring.
This creative Lower East Side Italian has opened a small full-service cafe and bakery down the block dubbed Falai Panetteria; it's open every day from 7 AM–11 PM, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights (79 Clinton St., 212-777-8956).
Fifty Seven Fifty Seven
Now that this New American in the Four Seasons has shuttered to make way for L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (for more details, see the "Coming Soon" section above), regulars and hotel guests are heading instead to the recently opened Lobby Restaurant (57 E. 57th St.; 212-829-3859). The hushed, sophisticated space overlooking the hotel's grand lobby serves classic American cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a signature Kobe beef burger.
Giorgio DeLuca (of Dean & DeLuca fame) has opened Giorgione 508, a new West SoHo branch of his Italian eatery (508 Greenwich St., 212-219-2444). The ambitious offerings include a retail area, nearly nonstop hours (6–3 AM) and American/British breakfast service.
This East Village comfort-food shop has opened Jah Mama, specializing in Jamaican cuisine, across the street (199 E. 3rd St., 212-228-2663). It will replace the sandwich shop Step Mama's.
Manhattan Ocean Club
While this midtown seafooder has closed, its owners are planning a new project for the space (57 W. 58th St.) that's slated to open in the spring.
The menu at Cesare Casella's latest now features less "spaghetti western" cooking and more straight-ahead Tuscan fare.
The Japanese powerhouse is branching out: Megu Midtown will open at the Trump World Tower (845 United Nations Plaza) in February, while a third American location is scheduled to open at the end of 2007 in Las Vegas' forthcoming Trump International Hotel.
Big spender alert: This Meatpacking District steakhouse is serving a whopping 32-ounce American Kobe beef bone-in filet for $125.
This quintessential East Village kosher deli has closed, reportedly due to a lease dispute. If a deal can't be brokered, its owners hope to revive it in a new location.
Shelly's New York
Shelly Fireman's retro steak and seafooder is moving a block east to the old Wolf's Delicatessen space at 41 West 57th Street. The slightly smaller venue will feature a new look, though the mountainous raw bar and some of the original artwork are expected to make the move. A spring opening is anticipated.
- Casa Mia
- Fifty Seven Fifty Seven
- Manhattan Ocean Club
- Miracle Grill (1st Ave. branch only)
- Sal Anthony's (Irving Pl. branch only)
- V Steakhouse