Viñas by Femia, 11/01/2007
1) Viñas: The owner of Williamsburg's new gym has just opened a beautifully-appointed Latin restaurant and bar right next door. Viñas offers refined-sounding dishes like Andalusian meatballs in garlic-saffron sauce and adobo-rubbed heritage pork chops served with truffled yuca pirao. Fancy. The chef here is Henry Lopez Jr., formerly of Clinton Hill's Luz. 109 South 6th St between Bedford Ave and Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; (718) 782-2333 [NY Mag]
2) Le Lupanar: Part of a swell of new restaurants and bars that have opened recently on Essex Street is French eatery Le Lupanar. It's popped up on the decidedly uncharming stretch of Essex near the McDonald's, car garage and dirty video store. Some info on the decor, per UrbanDaddy: "The orchid-covered walls are lined with cozy tables for Parisian romance, and there's a communal table in the middle for when you show up plus an entourage or minus a reservation." It's BYOB for now. 103 Essex St between Delancey and Rivington Sts; (212) 260-2036 [Eater Inbox; UrbanDaddy; NY Mag]
3) ChikaLicious Puddin’: Though Room4Dessert is no more, sweets spot ChikaLicious is still going strong. They've just opened an tiny offshoot which offers three prepared desserts to go: brioche bread pudding, apple pudding and, of course, chocolate pudding. 204 E 10th St between First and Second Aves; (212) 475-0929 [Eater Inbox; Zagat]
4) Steak Frites: Plywood vet Steak Frites has opened in the space that was (very) briefly Charolais. It's the second coming for this steakhouse, which was previously located in Union Square. 225 Varick St at Clarkson St; (212) 463-7101 [TONY; Flo Fab]