EaterWire: A New Space for El Chod, Persimmon to Open for Lunch, Pacifico to Change Owners, and More

CHELSEA-ISH— El Chod is at it again. Curbed reports that the Kimpton Hotel group is opening a 54-story hotel/condo on 6th between 29th and 30th. It will have a ballroom, a spa, 8,000 square feet of terrace, and this: "Acclaimed restaurant operator, China Grill Management, will operate the restaurant and two bars in a multi-level, 20,000 square foot venue." [Curbed]

WASHINGTON DC— All that hullabaloo about getting a new White House chef may have been for naught. A rumor from the tipline: "I hear now Obamas are keeping the current woman white house chef [Eds: Cristeta Comerford] and New York Times is running that tomorrow." [EaterWire]

EAST VILLAGE— Neighborhood Korean Persimmon will open for Saturday lunch starting this weekend (see above). [EaterWire]

COBBLE HILL— More news from empire builder Alan Harding: "We received a tip that Pacifico will soon take on a new owner and name. The manager of the past two years, Richard Kraus, will take ownership from Alan Harding, but the menu and atmosphere will remain the same..." [CHB via GS]

FLATIRON— Bartenders from Half King and Swift have reopened the Grand Saloon as The Globe: "in the next month, there will be old-fashioned cocktails, additional beers (there are currently six on tap), plus lunch, brunch, and dinner menus featuring 'good pub food.' Baruch students and workers of the Flatiron district, rejoice." [GS]