The East Village Is Getting a John McDonald Steakhouse

The rumors were true: Restaurateur John McDonald is indeed planning to open a steakhouse/oyster bar in the East First Street space that briefly housed Veselka Bowery. McDonald — who also owns and operates Lure Fishbar, El Toro Blanco, and B & B Winepub — will open this new project with some of the partners from his other restaurants. Chef Josh Capon is a part of the team, but the group is looking for another person helm the kitchen. McDonald tells Grub Street:

I'm talking to a short list of chefs to spearhead and run the show...We've had a seafood restaurant that happens to also be home to an award-winning burger — an off-menu item — and also an awesome steak. This will be the opposite: Major red-meat selection, which we'll partner with a big oyster bar and a few other twists.