Now that the Carmellinis, Whites, Bradleys, et al., have been dispensed with, it's time to take a closer look at the neighborhood spots that will be opening up around town this fall. These are the places that don't get as much attention as, say, a new Friedman/Bloomfield venture, but deserve some serious consideration. Some will experience heavy traffic and buzz right off the bat, while others will drift into obscurity pretty darn quickly. More than the destination restaurants, these are the places that the residents are looking forward to.
Central/Greenwich Village
1) Kin Shop, 469 Avenue of the Americas
The Situation: Perilla owner and Top Chef alum Harold Dieterle, who has been looking to open a new restaurant, finally found his spot in the former Philippe Chow Express space. Kin Shop will be a casual Thai place with an open kitchen and chef's counter so Dieterle "can smile at people while I cook."
Projected Opening: October
Further Reading
East Village
2) Porsena, 21-23 East 7th St.
The Situation: Porchetta owner Sara Jenkins, having conquered making roast-pig sandwiches, now turns her attention to pasta. The 50-seat restaurant will feature recipes from her childhood as well as some favorites from 50 Carmine.
Projected Opening: October
Further Reading
Nolita
3) Socarrat, 284 Mulberry St.
The Situation: The popular Chelsea paella restaurant will be opening up a second location with features that are expected to be similar to the original.
Projected Opening: October
Further Reading
Flatiron
4) Hill Country Chicken, 1123 Broadway
The Situation: Announced in the midst of a fried chicken craze nearly a year ago, the barbecue joint's entry in the fried chicken game is finally set to open. The 2,700-square-foot, bi-level space with sidewalk seating will be serving recipes from Hill Country founder Marc Glosserman’s mother and grandmother. The chef is Elizabeth Karmel.
Projected Opening: Mid-September
Further Reading
Chelsea
5) Brats: Dogs & Wieners, 362 West 23rd St.
The Situation: One of two restaurants Klee Brasserie owner Daniel Angerer is opening this fall, the 30-seat Brats pays homage to his Austrian roots, serving a dozen hand-crafted sausages, both of the traditional and not so traditional variety.
Projected Opening: September
Further Reading
6) Artichoke, 114 10th Ave.
The Situation: The folks that brought you the long lines for pizza in the East Village take their act to the west side, opening an 80-seat restaurant serving pastas, pies, heroes, meatballs. For those who miss waiting in line outside for their pizza, fear not, plans include a take-out window for slices.
Projected Opening: September
Further Reading
Gramercy
7) Bistro Lamazou, 344 3rd Ave.
The Situation: Kips Bay cheesemongers Nancy and Aziz Lamazou are taking it up a notch, opening a cheese-centric restaurant not too far away from their cheese shop's location.
Projected Opening: November
Further Reading
Soho
8) B&B, 25 West Houston St.,
The Situation: From Lure owner John McDonald and chef Josh Capon comes a pub and burger joint in the old Centovini space. The 70-seater will feature an upscale pub-style menu which will include a few burgers and a dozen other items.
Projected Opening: September
Further Reading
Lower East Side:
9) Mary Queen of Scots, 115 Allen St.
The Situation: The owners of West Village Scottish bar and pub Highlands are opening this restaurant in the former Allen & Delancy space. They're hoping it will have a traditional Scottish feel while incorporating some of the LES influence.
Projected Opening: October
Further Reading
Queens:
10) MexiQ
The Address: 37-11 30th Ave.
The Situation: Owner Dino Philippo describes this Astoria restaurant as "American barbecue with a Mexican twist." If the tentative menu is any indication, that description is on the mark, featuring pork carnitas, cowboy-style beans and panko-crusted truffle mac ‘n' cheese. And if the similarly named but unrelated truck were any indication, it could be a hit.
Projected Opening: December
Also to watch: Donatella (Chelsea), Lani Kai (Soho), Jeffrey's, The Brooklyn Star (Williamsburg), and Ditch Plains (Upper West Side).
—With help from Gary Wong
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