Zagat Survey Discussions

New Restaurants

New Nightspots

Coming Soon

Alain Ducasse

Ducasse has closed his eponymous outpost in the Jumeirah Essex House but plans to open a new, as-yet-unnamed restaurant in the St. Regis later this year, in the storied space that was Lespinasse, which is getting a makeover by David Rockwell. The forthcoming venture will feature cooking by chef Tony Esnault, private tasting rooms and a wine bar.

Lola

After a two-and-half-year hiatus, this raucous Southern stalwart is reopening in early March 2007 in new SoHo digs (15 Watts St.; 212-675-6700), where it will feature a Cajun-Creole menu crafted by Top Chef season one finalist Dave Martin, live jazz and R&B music and the return of its popular Sunday gospel brunch.

Nish

This month, Wayne Nish will transform March, his East Side special-occasion destination (405 E. 58th St.) that shuttered on January 1st, into this more casual New American with a greater emphasis on à la carte dining, though it will continue to offer a four-course dinner option.

Hearth

Chef Marco Canora is cooking up a new project in the Michelangelo Hotel (152 W. 51st St.) in the former Limoncello space, which has been totally gutted. The concept behind the Italian menu is old world meets new world – one section will offer fairly straightforward preparations, the other more experimental dishes merging Italian cooking techniques with seasonal, less traditional ingredients, including some reinterpretations of classics (think saltimbocca made with fish instead of veal). The restaurant will also do a snack menu for the hotel's lobby bar. An opening is planned for February or March.

Also Coming Soon

An East Village "gastrosaloon" from restaurant vets Robert Larcom (Myriad Restaurant Group) and Gregg Nelson (Dylan Prime, Devin Tavern) will debut in the old Detour space (349 E. 13th St.; 212-533-6212) this winter. Though primarily a restaurant, its American bistro fare will occasionally be supplemented by live music.

Good Deals and Other News

Big Apple Burger Binge

Gourmet burger emporiums have sprung up seemingly overnight. At Chelsea's brgr, the patties are made from "Montana Legend all-natural Angus beef" and can be topped with everything from crumbled Roquefort to radish sprouts. BLT Burger and Greenwich Village's hip new Stand further indulge diners with boozy ice-cream milkshakes. Over in Park Slope, Burger Bar recently set up shop at 444 Ninth Street (718-832-5500), where it replaces BarMinnow (look for more information on Burger Bar in next month's ZagatWire). And a Chelsea outpost (265 W. 23rd St.) of Burgers & Cupcakes is poised to open in early January, when the original Garment District location will revert to Mitchell London.

Del Posto Wins Lawsuit

Since NYC's Del Posto opened in December 2005, the Batali-Bastianich newcomer has battled its landlord, who has accused it of illegally installing equipment in the basement of its West Chelsea premises. Now, a year later, a civil suit has been settled in favor of the restaurant, ruling that it is within its rights to use the space for compressors and storage. However, Del Posto's legal woes aren't over yet – a State Supreme Court case is still pending.

NYC Trans-fat Ban

The artery-clogging trans fats found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil will soon be banished from NYC restaurants. On December 5th, the NYC Health Department voted to ban artificial trans fats in city eateries, from fast-food joints to temples of haute cuisine. Restaurants will have until July 1st, 2007, to rid trans fats from its frying oils, with total elimination due by July 1st, 2008.

Atelier

This New French oasis in the Ritz-Carlton Central Park is closing after service on Thursday, January 4th; it will be replaced by Laurent Tourondel's BLT Market in the spring.

Blue Smoke

After closing for some light renovations on New Year's Day, Danny Meyer's Gramercy smokehouse is scheduled to reopen on January 15th. While diners won't notice any changes, downstairs at the Jazz Standard there will be a bigger, more welcoming bar and a vastly increased beer, wine and bourbon selection.

Café d'Alsace

Through January 9th, this Yorkville brasserie is serving the traditional French Galette des Rois or "King's Cake"; the person who finds la fève (good luck charm) in their cake is crowned King or Queen for the day.

Charles' Southern Style Kitchen

A new branch of this Harlem soul food spot has opened at 308 Lenox Avenue (212-722-7727).

Dona

Barely a year old, Donatella Arpaia's Midtown Med is losing its lease and closing after service on Saturday, January 6th; a new location is currently being sought.

Gramercy Tavern

A vintage beer and cider menu is now offered in the dining room and tavern. Since it has a higher alcohol content, a 12-ounce bottle of aged beer can be split among several people and enjoyed as an after dinner drink with a cheese course or as part of a menu pairing. According to Kevin Garry, Gramercy Tavern's assistant beverage director, not all beers are meant to be aged. Brews that benefit from cellaring feature greater alcohol and hops, which act as natural preservatives, and bitterness to let it develop, much like tannins in a wine. The vintage beer menu is divided into North American and European sections, with offerings ranging from $10–$23; aged ciders and pommeau (a blend of Calvados and unfermented apple juice) are also available.

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro

The weekday happy hour (4–7 PM) at this Texas import features a free daily "snack" with the order of a drink; the gratis grub includes garlic sweet fries (Wednesday) and lamb skewers (Friday).

Park Avenue Cafe

This tony Eastsider prematurely announced that it would close in the New Year – last month, it successfully renewed its lease at 100 E. 63rd Street, extending it for another 10 years. The restaurant plans to completely renovate its private events facilities in early 2007.

Sumile

The front-room bar at this French-influenced Village Japanese has been transformed into a sushi counter seating eight. To reflect the new menu additions, its name has been changed to Sumile Sushi.

• Alain Ducasse
• Better Burger (Second Ave. branch only)
• Emack & Bolio's (Seventh Ave. branch only)
• Inside
• La Gorge D'Or
• March
• Markt
• Minnow
• Googie's
• Gramercy 24
• Sadie Mae's Cafe
• Sascha
• Zutto (Greenwich Ave. branch only)