1) Midtown: TONY and Midtown Lunch both report on the opening of AQ Kafe, a spin-off of the Scandinavia House eatery. The former claims it will open this week and writes: “The revamped menu draws on traditional fare from Central, Northern and Eastern Europe. Smorgasbord platters, goulash and Swedish meatballs are among the savories; the sweet-inclined can lean on house-made strudels, linzer tortes and cinnamon buns. Marcus Samuelsson devotees, take note: Though the chef is a shareholder, he’s not in the kitchen.” As of yesterday, Midtown Lunch had it that it would be opening on Monday. Status: Unknown. No answer to calls. 1800 Broadway; 718-784-7364. [TONY; Midtown Lunch]
2) Midtown East: Flo Fab had the scoop yesterday on Inside Park, the new eatery opening in St. Bart’s cathedral. Meanwhile, the folks at Metromix scored an interview with chef Matt Weingarden. They write: “The former Savoy chef de cuisine preaches the glories of Euro-tinted American fare at this new restaurant located inside Midtown's St. Bartholomew's Church. He's serving up what he calls "heritage comfort food" with deep culinary roots—"Somebody's grandmother somewhere cooked this food," he tells us. Artisanal is the overriding philosophy here: Weingarten, who counts Peter Hoffman and Larry Forgione as mentors, makes his own terrine, pate, ham, jam and even sauerkraut, showcasing them in dishes like pork chop with mushroom fricassee, and pappardelle with rabbit ragu.” Status: Certified Open. 109 E. 50th Street; 212-593-3333. [NYT; Metromix]
3) Carroll Gardens: More of a reopening report than an opening report, but we'll take it. From Lost City: "The House of Pizza and Calzone, legendary pie place on Union Street in Brooklyn, is back open for business, after a month-long renovation...Inside, it doesn't look anything like it did before. The joint boasts yards and yards of elbow room you never imagined was there before...I'm guessing seating will top 200 when all is said and done. And the pizza. Still good, still the same." Status: Certified Re-Opened. 132 Union St.; 718-624-9107. [LC]
4) Greenwich Village: New downtown venue Le Poisson Rouge opened over the summer but they just launched their full menu on Monday. It's mostly a strange collection of snacks and small plates—truffled mac 'n' cheese, tater tots, PB&J, ahi tuna ceviche—but everything Eater correspondents sampled at a recent event passed muster. Good easy food to accompany a show. Status: Certified Open. 158 Bleecker St., 212-796-0741 [~E~]For more stories from Eater, go to eater.com.
