The biggest problem with the fall previews is that they're so difficult to digest. Reading list upon list of what's opening where and when can make the casual reader tire of the whole enterprise. And so Eater presents an easy to consume list of the top 12 big deal restaurants to watch this season. Stay tuned tomorrow for our top ten neighborhood game changers.
1) Andrew Carmellini's new Soho restaurant
The Address: 131 Sullivan St. (Prince)
The Situation: Andrew Carmellini's highly anticipated American restaurant in the former Cub Room space, designed by Roman & Williams.
Major Players: Andrew Carmellini, Josh Pickard, Luke Ostrom
Projected Opening: November
Buzz Factor: 10
Further Reading
2) Osteria Morini
The Address: 218 Lafayette St. (Kenmare)
The Situation: Michael White's first restaurant downtown since he departed Fiamma. Expect a more affordable and accessible menu than what he's showcasing at Alta, Convivio, and Marea, with a focus on the cooking of Emilia-Romagna.
Major Players: Michael White, Chris Cannon, Eben Freeman
Projected Opening: September, any day now!
Buzz Factor: 10
Further Reading
3) Fedora
The Address: 239 West 4th St. (Charles)
The Situation: Restaurateur Gabe Stulman takes over this West Village old timer Fedora and reopens it with the same name. It will have the same bar as the original, but other than that, will be a completely new restaurant.
Major Players: Gabe Stulman
Projected Opening: Late Fall
Buzz Factor: 8
Further Reading
4) The Hurricane Club
The Address: 360 Park Ave. South (26th St.)
The Situation: The people at Fourth Wall Restaurant Group (Park Avenue Fall, Quality Meats) have taken over the giant Porcao space and transformed it into a Polynesian themed tiki den with food from the talented Craig Koketsu. It's the biggest tiki-themed opening of the fall and has the most to prove.
Major Players: Craig Koketsu
Projected Opening: Next week
Buzz Factor: 7
Further Reading
5) The John Dory Oyster Bar
The Address: 1196 Broadway (29th St.)
The Situation: Ken Friedman tries this whole seafood thing again with the opening of The John Dory Oyster Bar with chef April Bloomfield. This time around, it's more casual, and more of a bar than a proper restaurant. According to recent reports, Bloomfield is considering large format feasts for the private dining room downstairs.
Major Players: Ken Friedman, April Bloomfield
Projected Opening: Mid-October
Buzz Factor: 7
Further Reading
6) Lincoln
The Address: 142 West 65th St. (Lincoln Center)
The Situation: One of the biggest—read, most expensive—openings this fall is Lincoln, the multi-million dollar project from Jonathan Benno and the people behind Patina Group. This is the chef's first Italian effort, but if the preview tastings and investment dollars mean anything, it's going to be quite the impressive debut.
Major Players: Jonathan Benno
Projected Opening: Next week
Buzz Factor: 9.4
Further Reading
7) Ai Fiori
The Address: 400 5th Ave. (37th St.)
The Situation: The second offering from Michael White this year is Ai Fiori his Riviera-inspired attempt in the Setai Fifth Avenue. This puppy is going to be big, and potentially great, but lacks the buzz of White's affordable foray in Soho.
Major Players: Michael White, Chris Cannon
Projected Opening: November
Buzz Factor: 7
Further Reading
8) Red Rooster
The Address: 310 Lenox Avenue (125th St.)
The Situation: Marcus Samuelsson is trying to make it up to New York after what he did with us with Merkato 55. Again though, this is a massive and frenzied undertaking that includes a cafe, a bar, a grocery element, a speakeasy, a dining room, and cooking classes. The menu will be a melting pot of cuisines, all executed by Samuelsson's Merkato chef Andrea Bergquist
Major Players: Marcus Samuelsson
Projected Opening: Mid-October
Buzz Factor: 8.7
Further Reading
9) Riverpark
The Address: 450 East 29th St. (First Ave.)
The Situation: Tom Colicchio partners up with his executive chef from 'wichcraft Sisha Ortuzar to open this large American restaurant in the wasteland that is 1st Avenue in the 20s and 30s. Perfect for the hospital workers and residents of the East side.
Major Players: Tom Colicchio, Sisha Ortuzar
Projected Opening: October
Buzz Factor: 6
Further Reading
The Address: 130 Duane St. (Church St.)
The Situation: Jehangir Mehta, the runner up on the last season of Next Iron Chef and owner of East Village darling Graffiti, is opening Mehtaphor, a large scale restaurant with a dessert-cocktail bar, a regular bar, a loungy dining area, a dining room, and "a time worn wooden communal table fully wired for laptops and internet access." It will be located in the Duane Hotel.
Major Players: Jehangir Mehta
Projected Opening: September
Buzz Factor: 6
Further Reading
11) Ciano
The Address: 45 East 22nd St. (Park Ave. South)
The Situation: this is chef Shea Gallante's return after his departure from Cru and later Bouley last year. Located in the old Beppe space, the new restaurant will focus on simple, seasonal Italian fare. Not the hugest opening of the season, but Gallante's loyal fans should be very pleased.
Major Players: Shea Gallante, Stratis Morfogen
Projected Opening: October
Buzz Factor: 7.2
Further Reading
12) J&S Food Hall
The Address: 151 Elizabeth St. (Kenmare)
The Situation: Restaurateur Jimmy Bradley (The Red Cat, The Harrison) is opening the 50 seat J&S Food Hall in the new Nolitan Hotel. Bill McDaniel, of the Red Cat, will be chef.
Major Players: Jimmy Bradley, Steve Eckler, Bill McDaniel
Projected Opening: November
Buzz Factor: 7.5
Further Reading
Also look out for: Niko, The Darby, Jeffrey Chodorow's Foodparc and Bar Basque, and Neely's Pig Parlor.
Loading comments...