Dozens of new restaurants are opening up (and have opened up) this fall; besides the obvious standouts (Lincoln, Bill’s Burger Bar, amongst others), here is a list of the restaurants opening in the next coming weeks that I cannot wait to check out!
Osteria Morini:
Ya, I know it just opened this week but with reservations booked solid and no opening in sight, this is going to take a while for me to try. Chef Michael White (he of Marea, Convivio, and Alta fame) has come downtown to showcase his love of rustic Italian food from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy which means we can expect hearty stews, various grilled meats, and lots of pasta! Apparently it’s the “cheaper” Convivio, which means I can afford it and don’t have to schlep uptown for a taste of Chef White’s talent! Word has it that the breakfast menu is out of this world, which will surely give local favorites like Balthazar, Café Gitane, and Pulino's a serious run for their money.
Osteria Morini is located at 218 Lafayette (between Kenmare and Spring) NoLita/SoHo
John Dory:
I can’t say enough good things about the outstanding dining duo of Ken Freidman and Chef April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig, The Breslin), almost everything they touch turns to gold… well sort of. This is the John Dory (2.0), their second attempt at a seafood/oyster bar now housed in the uber hip (nee hipster) Ace Hotel. The first JD suffered from a few issues; one it was sandwiched between Del Posto and Craftsteak (now Colicchio and Sons), secondly it opened at the beginning of the recession, and finally their storefront was a little too small to standout amongst their neighbors. Anyways, I am pretty stoked for the reincarnation of the John Dory as it gives me yet another chance to devour Chef April’s outstanding creations.
John Dory is located at 1196 Broadway (at 29th Street in the Ace Hotel) NoMad
'A little bit old school, a little bit O.G., and a little bit Damon Runyonesque,' are the words Chef Andrew Carmellini used to describe the name/feeling of his new SoHo spot; The Dutch. Billed as a neighborhood American restaurant that wants to be the go-to spot for a chill night on the town, had me when I heard Chef Carmellini (also the Chef/Owner of Locanda Verde in TriBeCa) was taking over the old Cub Room space. If his skills and food at Locanda are any indication of what is to come…. then I am waiting with bated breath for this opening. And with The Dutch just a short bike ride from my office, I can get my Carmellini on anytime I want!
The Dutch is located at 131 Sullivan Street (at Prince Street) Soho
The Kin:
Top Chef Season 1 Winner Harold Dieterle is at it again, a few years after opening Perilla, Chef Dieterle is opening a casual Thai restaurant for us to enjoy! With expertise in Asian flavors, it’s kind of a natural progression for Chef Dieterle to go towards and I for one am super excited! For those who haven’t been to Perilla (his first restaurant), I suggest getting there asap…the spicy duck meatballs (his signature dish) are fantastic and the restaurant is the perfect date spot!
The Kin is located at 469 6th Avenue (between West 11th and West 12th) West Village
Lyon Bouchon Moderne:
Veteran French Restaurateur Francois Latapie (of La Goulue) is taking over the old Café Bruxelles and opening a classic bouchon, a traditional French restaurant that serves up cuisine from Lyon- think sausages and pates, basically an abundance of fatty, meaty dishes! With my friend Chef Chris Leahy (formerly of BLT Prime) at the helm, I can’t wait to see what creations he comes up with. You know I love me some offal and sausage!
Lyon Bouchon Moderne is located at 118 Greenwich Avenue (at Jane) West Village
Chef Sara Jenkins is a porcine Queen and as soon as I heard that she was opening a restaurant focusing on pastas, salads and vegetables, I started salivating. Porchetta, the sister restaurant, is a favorite of mine and if one of my drivers is anywhere near that place it is not unheard of for me to call and request a sandwich be brought back to the office! My stomach is all ready to demolish flavorful salads, rich pork ragus, and perfectly cooked al dente pastas! Just a few steps away from McSorley’s, this place is sure to be a hit with foodies, students, and drunks.
Porsena is located at 21-23 E 7th Street (between 2ND and 3rd Avenue) East Village
