New York Restaurants - Restaurant News
February 2009 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

Wechsler's is the newest Wurst place in town. The narrow German beer bar and sausage emporium stocks varieties as mundane as the humble brat and as hoity-toity as boar or lamb. A small selection of German braus are also on tap. Wechsler's, 120 First Ave., New York, NY 10009, no phone yet.

Bar Milano is dead and gone, and a new, big branch of ‘Inoteca has opened in its place. Look for an ample selection of wines by the glass as well as some holdovers from the Bar Milano menu, including the tagliatelle alla Bolognese. 'Inoteca, 323 Third Ave., New York, NY 10010, 212-683-3035.

It's a fashion label AND a restaurant! Armani Ristorante is open, serving stylish Italian food on the top floor of the fashion designer's flagship store. Look for traditional, light Italian fare like leek flan and paccheri in fish ragout in this snazzy space. Armani Ristorante, 717 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-207-1902.

Red Hook sandwich emporium Defonte's is opening a branch in Manhattan, their first. Hoagies, like their famed Virginia ham sandwich and the "Valentino Special" with eggplant and peppers, are all available here as well. Defonte's, 261 Third Ave., New York, NY 10010, 212-614-1500.

Though it's located on 71 Clinton street---where Wylie Dufresne got his start---Fat Hippo is a bit more accessible than anything Wylie makes. Expect tweaked homestyle dishes like chili-chocolate glazed spare ribs and turkey meatloaf here. Fat Hippo, 71 Clinton St., New York, NY 10002, 212-228-0994.

Chez Lucienne, a classic French bistro, has arrived in Harlem. While there will be plenty of offal for the hardcore Francophiles, traditional fare like beef bourguignonne is also slated to appear. Chez Lucienne, 308 Malcolm X Blvd., New York, NY 10027, 212-289-5555.

Spunto serves thin-crust pies cooked in a gas-fired oven. Toppings here are as highfalutin' as the West Village location, and include triple mushroom and chipotle chicken with pineapple. Spunto, 65 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014, 212-242-1200.

Mezzaluna is spinning off a pizza parlor from their Upper East Side location called Pizza Mezzaluna. Tucked away on West Houston street, look for (you guessed it!) pies galore here. Pizza Mezzaluna, 146 W. Houston, New York, NY 10012, 212-533-1242.

Casa La Femme goes all the way with its romantic, North Africa décor. Here, the tables are draped in tents made of fine mesh netting and there's belly dancing throughout the 200-seat space. Look for lots of meze platters and grilled whole fish on the mostly Egyptian menu. Casa La Femme, 140 Charles St., New York, NY 10014, 212-505-0005.

The team behind the Hale and Hearty soup chain is returning to Midtown with Schnipper's Quality Kitchen, a self-service restaurant serving high-end diner food. Foods run the gamut from macaroni and cheese to fish tacos. Schnipper's Quality Kitchen, 620 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018, 212-921-2400.

News Bytes

New Old Homestead
The Old Homestead Restaurant has unveiled their new third-floor dining room, a renovated second-floor dining room and a new bar. In addition, the restaurant has a new private dining room designed by none other than Julian Schanbel. All the renovations are a result of the restaurant's lost lease, requiring a move next door. Old Homestead Restaurant, 56 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-242-9040.

Spiked!
Spike Mendelsohn, of Top Chef fame, edged out New York native Bobby Flay, winning the best burger crown at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival's Burger Bash. Though it won't affect the restaurant's popularity much, Shake Shack finished much lower in the rankings. Shake Shack, Madison Square Park, New York, NY 10010, 212-889-6600.

Di Fara Returns
After spending the better part of the new year recovering from a car accident, piazzolo Dom DeMarco is back slinging pies at his reopened pizzeria Di Fara Pizza. Di Fara Pizza, 1424 Ave. J, Brooklyn, NY 11230, 718-258-1367.

Get on the Bus, Gus
Michael Psilakis announced that the old Kefi space will be turned into a comfort food spot named Gus and Gabriel's. The inexpensive gastropub (nothing more than $16 on the menu) is scheduled to open later this spring.

Deli Sliced
Franklin Becker has been brought in as a consulting chef to devise a new menu at Delicatessen. The famed Rueben fritters are gone, but some of the restaurant's fusion dishes will remain through the transition. Delicatessen, 54 Prince St., New York, NY 10012, 212-226-0211.

Half a Steak, Friend
Craftsteak is launching a "Halfsteak" promotion to their menu: half portions of steaks and sandwiches for less than $15 and snacks for just $6. To round it out, you can also order half-pints of beer and cupcakes. Craftsteak, 85 Tenth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-400-6699.

Momofuku Milk Bar Bar?
Word came down this week that Momofuku Bakery & Milk Bar may add actual cocktails to their menu. The Milk Bar even has a liquor license already, so it would not be a difficult transition, though their owners have yet to officially confirm the rumor. Momofuku Bakery & Milk Bar, 207 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-254-3500.

Comings and Ago-ings
The owners of AGO in The Greenwich Hotel announced that Andrew Carmellini, last at A Voce, will be taking over as chef in the cursed space. Ken Friedman, of The Spotted Pig, was also named as a design consultant. AGO, The Greenwich Hotel, 377 Greenwich St., New York, NY 10013, 212-925-3797.

Chef Shuffle

Joël Atunes has left as executive chef of The Oak Room in The Plaza hotel. No replacement has been announced. The Oak Room, The Plaza, 768 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10019, 212-758-7777.

John Doherty has left as chef of The Waldorf=Astoria after 23 years. The Waldorf=Astoria, 301 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-355-3000, 800-WALDORF.

Kyle Bailey has been named chef at Allen & Delancey, replacing Neil Ferguson, who left last fall for the Soho House. Allen & Delancey, 115 Allen St., New York, NY 10002, 212-253-5400.

Closings

It looks like the sluggish economy has brought down another restaurant: Anita Lo's West Village eatery, Bar Q, has shut down.

La Goulue will close, due to an increase in rent. The owners hope to move it to a new space soon. La Goulue, 746 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10021, 212-988-8169.

Fleur de Sel will close so Cyril Renaud can focus on his new project next door, Bar Breton. Fleur de Sel, 5 E. 20th St., New York, NY 10003, 212-460-9100.

The owners of Suba have sold the space and it will close at the end of February. Suba, 109 Ludlow St., New York, NY 10002, 212-982-5714.

The E.U. has closed; the owners plan to turn it into a high-end pizza place. The E.U., 235 E. Fourth St., New York, NY 10009, 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

WINE OF THE WEEK

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HOLIDAY WINES

Best wines to pair with your festive dinner.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

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

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New York Restaurants - Restaurant News February 2009 Archive

New York Restaurants - Restaurant News
February 2009 Archive