Laurent Tourondel Opening L'Amico and The Vine in Midtown

BLT master Laurent Torondel's team has been spending a lot of time at the Eventi Hotel on Sixth Avenue, where it's installing an Italian-influenced American restaurant (originally supposed to be a casual Italian restaurant) adjacent to the Eventi Hotel. That restaurant, which is now called L'Amico, will get started with dinner this spring, and ultimately add brunch and lunch options, as well as start providing the hotel's room service and catering. Menus aren't out yet, but there are promises from Gael Greene of pizza.

Next door, the former pop-over king is installing a cocktail lounge called The Vine. He'll provide the bar snacks, while beverage experts Yana Volfson (of Cosme and Peels), Katie Stipe (of Last Call), and Victor Pinkston (of db bistro Moderne and Boulud Sud) put together a list of beer, wine and cocktails. The lounge is expected to open first, in April, followed by the restaurant.

Update: A representative clarifies that the restaurant will have a separate entrance from the hotel, contrary to previous reports that it would be inside of it.