With the recession officially in full swing, 2009 is shaping up to be a dubious year for NYC restaurants. But with the roster of shiny new bars and restos scheduled to debut in ‘09, you’d never know it: Chefs and restaurateurs are moving full speed ahead to open a bevy of enticing new eateries. Here’s a look at some of next year’s heavy hitters.
Fancy food show
Even in tough times, NYC will always be a destination for fine dining. But what changes can we expect in ’09? According to Govind Armstrong, who is bringing his trendy, California-based Table 8 restaurant to New York’s Cooper Square Hotel, “New Yorkers will still be going out to eat, but they may not be spending the kind of money they were before.” At Table 8, scheduled to open in February, diners can expect affordable small plates, plus a “salt bar” featuring charcuterie and various salts from around the world.
Following the success of Convivio, Michael White will be opening a new Italian seafood restaurant in March called Marea, located in the former San Domenico space in Midtown. And after licking his wounds following the shuttering of BarFry, Josh DeChellis will be executive chef at the reincarnation of ‘60s Spanish restaurant La Fonda del Sol, in the MetLife building, with an opening date hovering around mid-January.
Meanwhile, Douglas Rodriguez is poised to take over the former Sapa space with his new upscale Nuevo Latino eatery, Nuela. The ceviche expert will focus on South American flavors and plans to open in early ’09.
Dress casual
Coincidence or not, next year many big-name chefs will be opening more casual, recession-friendly restaurants. Daniel Boulud’s long-delayed DBGB (yes, it’s actually called that) is scheduled to open in March. Once rumored to be a burger joint, the new eatery is actually more French brasserie–meets–American diner. Expect artisanal sausages, a wide selection of tap beer and house-made gelato.
It’s been a rough ’08 for Zak Pelaccio as two of his projects, Borough Food and Drink and the short-lived Chop Suey, both sputtered, then shuttered. But next spring, with Fatty Crab partner Rick Carnac and former Hill Country pitmaster Robbie Richter, Zak hopes to open the long-delayed Fatty ‘Cue, a Southeast Asian–style barbecue joint in Williamsburg.
Terminal delays
Speaking of delays, there’s a glut of restaurants and bars whose openings continue to get pushed back. SHO Shaun Hergatt is one of the more ambitious ventures: an Asian-tinged modern French spot that’ll occupy a 12,500-square-foot space on the second floor of downtown’s new Setai condos. Look for it in February.
George Mendes’ Iberian-inspired Aldea (originally scheduled to open this fall) and Jim Lahey’s pizzeria Co. (set to open this month in Chelsea) have both been bumped to early January. La Otra, Nightcap and Permanent Brunch—from Tasting Room chef Colin Alevras—seemed to hit a wall when rumors surfaced that he was leaving the projects to join Boulud’s DBGB. But Alevras will indeed be involved in opening La Otra and Permanent Brunch, but may not stay on, uh, permanently. Opening dates for both are still up in the air. Other slowpokes: Biberon, Brooklyn Bowl, and Bovindo.
Restaurants 2.0
Many successful eateries are planning to expand in ‘09. The team behind popular LES spot Little Giant will debut Tipsy Parson in Chelsea this spring, featuring fresh, seasonal takes on classic American comfort foods with a Southern twist.
Carroll Gardens mainstay Frankie’s Spuntino will open a new location a few storefronts down from the beloved original; they’re keeping the details a secret for now. And after expanding to Queens this year, legendary pizzeria Grimaldi’s now has its sights set on Manhattan, planning a new location at 135 John St.
Chefs on the loose
As the New Year approaches, there are plenty of chefs who’ve kept a low profile after ditching their day jobs. Andrew Carmellini departed from A Voce last spring and it’s been confirmed that he is planning to open a new restaurant. A recent interview suggests he’s considering going barbecue or Mexican, but he’s otherwise keeping mum.
Sweet-meister Will Goldfarb has been hiding out in Bali but has reportedly returned briefly to work on some new projects. Rumors are flying that he’s involved in a mass collaboration called The Windsor with Zak Pelaccio and Josh DeChellis. Goldfarb’s lips are sealed for now.
What else?
We can also look forward to Portland transplant StumpTown Coffee opening an outpost in Red Hook, Keith McNally’s new Bowery digs and his takeover of Minetta Tavern with a new French menu, and perhaps we’ll finally get an answer to that nagging question: Will Chumley’s ever reopen?
