Scott Conant Opening Italian Bistro Impero Caffè in New Nomad Hotel

Ex-Scarpetta New York chef and TV personality Scott Conant is planning to open an Italian restaurant in a new hotel development in Nomad. The Meliá hotel's INNSIDE, a 20-story building at 132 West 27th St., opened for business on Monday, according to an employee of the hotel, but Conant's new Italian bistro-style restaurant Impero Caffè is still awaiting final inspections.

According to the hotel website's restaurant description, Conant's new project will offer "an all-day Italian menu" with housemade pasta, risotto, and seafood. It will also feature an outdoor garden terrace and an Italian coffee house, with pastries and an espresso program. Conant will be managing the lobby bar as well, which will offer an extensive cocktail menu. A spokeswoman with Conant did not immediately have further details on a menu or anticipated opening date.

Conant hasn't had a new restaurant in New York since he split with the Scarpetta partners a couple years ago. Shortly after the separation, Conant planned a Nomad restaurant called Conant, but the project has yet to come to fruition. Scarpetta, which has locations across the country, eventually expanded to Montauk without Conant. Meanwhile, the chef has been posting pictures from his Soho private loft and event space, SC Culinary Suite. Check out renderings of the hotel's lobby and restaurant space below, and stay tuned as more information becomes available about Impero Caffè.

Melia Hotel

Melia Hotel