New York Restaurants - Restaurant News
November 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 newest and most-delayed project from the owners of Employees Only, the Macao Trading Co. combines European and Asian cuisines. Expect fusion fare like bacalao fried rice and lamb meatballs stuffed with cheese and paprika. David Waltuck, of Chanterelle, helped create the menu. Macao Trading Co., 311 Church St., New York, NY 10013, 212-431-8750.

Morton's The Steakhouse is opening their first Brooklyn location. Next to the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, it can seat up to 300. Look for traditional steakhouse dishes here from double cut filet mignon to creamed spinach and crab legs. Morton's The Steakhouse, 339 Adams St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718-596-2700.

Apertivo's mission: high-class pizzas and pastas. The pizzas, including a white pie with fig compote and prosciutto, are fired in a wood-burning oven. The restaurant's business-friendly interior, though, is more for a big cheese than a cheese lover. Apertivo, 780 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017, 212-758-9402.

Mo bettah! Momofuku Milk Bar is open. The sweetest entry in the burgeoning David Chang empire, you find everything from soft serve snickerdoodle ice cream to shakes, floats, and even a pork-and-egg bun here. Christina Tosi is the chef. Momofuku Milk Bar, 207 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-228-0031.

Alexandra Raij from Tia Pol and El Quinto Pino is back with Txikito. It's not much larger than her previous locations, though the recovered wood used to decorate the space is a nifty touch. Here you'll find tapas-specifically from the Basque region of Spain-like octopus carpaccio, marinated mussels with piquillo puree, and house-cured salt cod with crispy headcheese. Txikito, 240 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10001, 212-242-4730.

Seamus Mullen is doubling down on his Spanish restaurant Boqueria by opening Boqueria Soho. At 2,300-square-feet, it's larger than the original Flatiron location. Look for nibbles like toast points with quail egg and chorizo, dates wrapped in bacon and lamb skewers marinated in cumin and saffron. Boqueria Soho, 171 Spring St., New York, NY 10012, 212-343-4255.

April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman's English seafood joint, The John Dory, is ready for its debut. On the agenda: dishes like a smoked haddock tart and design filigrees like a 900-gallon fish tank and toilet seat covers shaped like clamshells. The John Dory, 85 10th Ave., New York, NY 10011, no phone yet.

Mañana is a Mexican venture from the team that operates Serafina and Brasserie Cognac. Beyond the 17 different types of margarita, expect updated classics like fundido with white truffle oil and snow crab tostadas with hearts of palm. Mañana, 27 E 61st St., New York, NY 10065, 212-752-8900.

After a misfire last year at a Cuban restaurant in the East Village, infamous New York City chef Jason Neroni is back in the kitchen again at 10 Downing. Here, Neroni is cooking up bistro favorites for Greenwich Villagers. The owners also plan to open a wine bar next door. 10 Downing, 10 Downing St., New York, NY 10014, 212-255-0300.

Veg-heads, rejoice! The East Village now has another option for vegetarians, in the form of a restaurant called Dirt Candy. You'll be able to sample kimchi donuts, jalapeno hush puppies with maple butter and even popcorn pudding. Dirt Candy, 430 E 9th St., New York, NY 10009, 212-228-7732.

The Nicole Farhi store welcomes Rouge Tomate. It's the second location of the Brussels-based restaurant. As in Belgium, the food here is simple fare, meant to replenish after a day of shopping; the menu is even nutritionist-approved. Look for dishes like leek and potato flatbread and baby carrot terrine. Rouge Tomate, 10 E 60th St., New York, NY 10022, 646-237-8977.

West Branch is Tom Valenti's newest venture on the Upper West Side. The restaurant, in the same building as On the Ave hotel, where West Branch provides room service, serves affordable classics from short ribs to foie gras agnolotti. West Branch, 2178 Broadway, New York, NY 10276, 212-777-6764.

News Bytes

El Bruncho
Mercadito Cantina has just instituted a spicy, taco-crammed weekend brunch. Hangover-curing pozoles, creative salsa-drenched egg dishes, and, of course, their acclaimed fish tacos are all on the menu---and awaiting to be washed down by cocktails. Mercadito Cantina, 172 Ave. B, New York, NY 10009, 212-388-1750.

Agoing...going...gone?
AGO, the expensive, if not especially well-liked, Italian spot in Robert DeNiro's Greenwich Hotel, may not be long for this world. Rumors are swirling that Jean-Georges Vongerichten may swoop in and take over the space. AGO, The Greenwich Hotel, 377 Greenwich St., New York, NY 10013, 212-925-3797.

Brooklyn Bound
Soho's Cendrillon is on the move. The restaurant plans to ditch its current digs in February and head to Brooklyn after a big rent increase. Cendrillion, 45 Mercer St., New York, NY 10013, 212-343-9012.

Commerce Commences Brunch
The art deco-bedecked West Village eatery, Commerce, has commenced Sunday brunch. Hearty shakshuka, biscuits and gravy, doughnuts, German pancakes, a creamy smoked salmon croque madame, and the recently ubiquitous spaghetti carbonara are all on the menu. The brunch lasts until 4 p.m. Commerce, 50 Commerce St., New York, NY 10014, 212-524-2301.

Lunching Lebanese
Naya, the new Lebanese-Mediterranean eatery on the Upper East Side, is already serving lunch. Highlights include several sandwiches and a $17 fixed-price meal. Naya, 1057 Second Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-319-7777.

Chanterelle's Resident Samurai
Chanterelle's sommelier, Roger Dagorn, has just put a new notch in his belt, In Japan, he was recently named an official saké samurai. Now you can get expert advice on saké when ordering your meal. Just watch out for that sword. Chanterelle, 2 Harrison St., New York, NY 10013, 212-966-6960.

Not So Hospitable
A former busboy at Justin Timberlake's Southern Hospitality, is suing the restaurant, claiming they stiffed him out of tips. No word yet on whether a judge has found the suit "Justified." Southern Hospitality, 1460 Second Ave., New York, NY 10075, 212-249-1001.

Dang, Shang!
Susur Lee's Shang, in the Thompson LES Hotel, will delay opening officially until December. There' no exact date yet, but it looks like the delays plaguing the hotel have caught up with the restaurant as well. Shang, 190 Allen St, New York, NY 10002, no phone yet.

Oak Room Opens
The Plaza hotel's Oak Room has reopened. It's clad in---wait for it---oak, and Joël Antunes mans the stoves, serving up hearty classics like rack of lamb. Oak Room, 768 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10019, 212-759-3000, 800-257-7544.

At the Table with Ed Witt
Chef Ed Witt, the man working the stoves at Bloomingdale Road, has a new chef's table. Snuggled up in the kitchen, the table gives diners a chance to taste Witt at his best. The menu, which changes based on Witt's whims and the season, is heavy on the pork (think: pork neck, cheeks and tongue). The six-course meal is $55 per person ($40 with wine pairing). Bloomingdale Road, 2398 Broadway, New York, NY 10024, 212-874-7400.

Recession Election Special
Gray's Papaya is selling "Obama Dogs" for a limited time to celebrate the election. Yes, you can get a hot dog for 99-cents, as long as the hot dog establishment offers the special. Gray's Papaya, 402 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10011, 212-260-3532.

Courtin' Customers
Belcourt is launching a special menu for the fall, with a $16 beer and burger special on Sunday nights and discounted wine on Tuesdays. Belcourt, 84 E. Fourth St., New York, NY 10003, 212-979-2034.

Milky Momofuku
David Chang is expanding. Set to open soon is the Momofuku Milk Bar, an East Village bakery that will serve varieties of flavored milk.

Charles NOT in Charge
Though the soon-to-be ultra scenester spot on the corner of W. 10th and W. 4th Streets hasn't opened, Charles already has its first casualty: chef John McAllister is out. The number-two chef will take his place.

Izakaya Ten? More Like Izakaya 'til the Wee Hours
Izakaya Ten, the Japanese tavern in Chelsea, is now open late. Craving pork belly at 2 a.m. on Saturday? Get it here. It's now open Thursday through Saturday until 3 a.m. The restaurant has also expanded its saké list. Izakaya Ten, 207 Tenth Ave., New York, NY 10011, 212-627-7777.

Freemans' Fancy New Food
Freemans, the hard-to-find hipster hangout, has been expanding its new menu, thanks to new-ish chef Michael Citarella: maple-glazed quail, lamb stew, and slow-cooked Heritage pork are a few of the hearty new items. Freemans, 2 Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002, 212-420-0012.

Jean-Georges Goes Green
The Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant empire is expanding. And it's going to be green. The acclaimed chef has announced he'll open a new restaurant in New York's ABC Carpet & Home, tentatively called ABC Simple. The project will use renewable and recyclable materials in its construction, and offer a menu featuring locally sourced, organic ingredients.

Pizza Plus
Grimaldi's is expanding! The popular Brooklyn pizza spot is adding a new restaurant to their portfolio, just across the East River on Water and John streets in the Financial District. Look for it towards the beginning of 2009. Grimaldi's, 19 Old Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718-858-4300.

Red Rover
Vermillion, a Chicago-based restaurant, will open a Midtown location in the space last occupied by Django. It's scheduled to be ready by the end of November; expect Indian-Latin fusion cuisine. At Vermillion, 480 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10167, 212-871-6600.

Chef Shuffle

Craig Hopson has been named the new chef at Le Cirque. He was last the chef at One If By Land, Two If By Sea. He replaces Christophe Bellanca. Le Cirque, One Beacon Court, 151 E. 58th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-644-0202.

Willis Loughhead will be the executive chef at Table 8 in the Cooper Square Hotel when it opens. He was last the chef de cuisine at Country.

It had been rumored weeks ago that Adour Alain Ducasse chef and Alain Ducasse right-hand man, Tony Esnault, was out. Well, his replacement has fired up the stoves at Adour. Meet Joel Dennis, who has worked with Ducasse in the past as well as at Blue Water Grill in Chicago. Adour Alain Ducasse, The St. Regis Hotel, New York, 2 E. 55th St., New York, NY 10022, 212-710-2277.

Local foodies were dismayed when Alexandra Raij split from El Quinto Pino and Tía Pol. But they're cheering that she's back with Txikito (pronounced chee-kee-toe), a Basque-style tapas bar in Chelsea. Txikito, 240 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10001, 212-242-4730.

Christopher Lee, the chef who brought much acclaim to Gilt over the last two years, is taking over the kitchen at Aureole, which is moving to Bryant Park next year. Justin Bogle has been named as Lee's replacement at Gilt. Gilt, New York Palace, 455 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022, 212-891-8100.

Jason Franey has left his position as executive sous chef at Eleven Madison Park. He will be replaced by Fabien Beaufour, also a sous chef at Eleven Madison Park. Eleven Madison Park, 11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010, 212-889-0905.

Closings

West Village sushi spot, Monster Sushi, has lost its lease and shut down. The Chelsea outpost, however, remains open.

Trout, a popular Brooklyn fish shack, has closed. Trout, 269 Pacific St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, no phone.

Sushi Sakae's conveyer belt has been shut off for good. The Midtown outpost of the conveyer belt sushi spot has closed. The West Village location is still open. For now.

Paloma is closed after a fire gutted the restaurant on election night. No word yet on when the rebuilding process will begin. Paloma, 60 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222, 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

A brut non-vintage Champagne from one of the five oldest Champagne houses.

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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 November 2008 Archive

New York Restaurants - Restaurant News
November 2008 Archive