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 ten big deal restaurants to watch this season. Stay tuned later in the day for our top ten neighborhood game changers.
1) Pulino's Bar & Pizzeria
Address: 282 Bowery (E. Houston St.), Nolita
The Situation: Keith McNally follows up his Minetta home run with a Bowery pizza place cheffed by buzzed about SF import Nate Appleman. In addition to pizzas, they'll be breaking down whole animals.
Major Players: Keith McNally, Nate Appleman
Projected Opening: Late December
Buzz Factor: 10
Further Reading
2) Momofuku Midtown
Address: 15 W. 56th St. (5th and 6th), Midtown
The Situation: Dave Chang finally leaves the East Village, taking over the shuttered Town space for a Midtown eatery and Milk Bar. Chef Tien Ho will be serving French brasserie classics with a Vietnamese kick. Bonus: they'll be doing room service for the Chambers Hotel.
Major Players: Tien Ho, Dave Chang
Projected Opening: "Late Fall"'
Buzz Factor: 10
Further Reading
3) Maialino
Address: 2 Lexington Ave. (21st St.), Gramercy
The Situation: Danny Meyer takes over the doomed Wakiya space to open his first fine dining restaurant since the Modern. The goal here is to totally recreate an Italian trattoria, with breakfast in the morning, a solid lunch and dinner service, and a bustling wine bar at night.
Major Players: Danny Meyer, Nick Anderer
Projected Opening: November
Buzz Factor: 9
Further Reading
4) The Breslin
Address: 20 W. 29th St.(Broadway and 5th Ave.), Garment District
The Situation: Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield's newest will open on the heels of the shuttering of the John Dory. The menu is said to be very meat centric, but some in the industry have said they would be smart to absorb the Dory into it as well. There will be no reservations, a strong beer program, and family-style whole pigs.
Major Players: Ken Friedman, April Bloomfield
Projected Opening: Mid-October
Buzz Factor: 10
Further Reading
5) SD26
Address: 19 E. 26th St. (Madison Ave.), Gramercy
The Situation: San Domenico finally reopens as SD26 down by Madison Square Park. The restaurant will be more affordable than the Central Park South original and will be divided into a main dining room and a more casual lounge. Chef Odette Fada has been working on new, more authentic Italian recipes over the last year.
Major Players: Tony May, Marissa May
Projected Opening: September 15
Buzz Factor: 5
Further Reading
6) Bill's Bar & Burger
Address: 22 9th Ave (13th), MePa
The Situation: Steve The Full Hanson takes over the old Hog Pit space to open a burger bar.
Major Players: Steve Hanson, the BR Guest Army
Projected Opening: Late October
Buzz Factor: 7
Further Reading
7) Travertine
Address: 19 Kenmare St. (Bowery), LES
The Situation: After years of sitting vacant and contentious community board meetings, the 19 Kenmare space will open as Travertine, a Mediterranean spot cheffed by Top Chef alum Manuel Trevino.
Major Players: Danae Cappelletto, Manuel Trevino
Projected Opening: Late September
Buzz Factor: 7
Further Reading
8) Casa Lever
Address: 390 Park Ave. (53rd St.), Midtown
The Situation: The Sant Ambroeus crew takes over the shuttered power lunch spot Lever House and transforms it into Casa Lever. Now Warhol silk screens cover the walls and fish anchor the menu.
Major Players: Mario Danieli
Projected Opening: Late September
Buzz Factor: 6
Further Reading
9) A Voce
Address: 10 Columbus Circle (59th St.), UWS/Midtown
The Situation: The second branch of Gramercy hit A Voce opens next week in the old Cafe Grey space in the Time Warner Center. It's a bit sleeker than the original, and the menu has a few variations, but it's a sequel pure and simple.
Major Players: Missy Robbins
Projected Opening: Soft opening on Sept. 9
Buzz Factor 3
Further Reading
10) The Standard's 18th and 19th Floors
Address: 848 Washington St. (W. 13 and Little W. 12th Sts.), MePa
The Situation: The Standard Grill and its adjacent beer garden are open, but what about the highly anticipated 18th and 19th floors? All we can say is we hear it's going to be insane up there. There will be a pool, a bar, a cocktail lounge and a rooftop loung
Major Players: Andre Balazs
Projected Opening: By Columbus Day
Buzz Factor: 9
Further Reading
