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Above, a look at the eagerly anticipated re-do of Robert De Niro's failed Ago space, Locanda Verde, opening in mere moments. As you maaaaybe could have heard by now, A Voce's Andrew Carmellini is the master at the stoves, while Ken Friedman gets credit for the shiny (literally shiny), new design. The menu focus here: affordable (the obligatory buzz word), rustic Italian with items like lamb meatball sliders, gigantoni with shrimp meatballs, gabagool with broccoli rabe bread, and fire-roasted garlic chicken for two.

So far, the early word from friends and family tweets and a few Eater spies has skewed incredibly positive. But you can never trust preview diners (a free meal is almost always a win), so we await the reports from the 'Hounders, Yelpers, and pro reviewers that are sure to swarm the place over the holiday weekend. More reading here, here, and here.