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Corsino
In a biz built on hype, Jason and Joe Denton win our award for the year's most understated and classiest opening. The brothers behind the burgeoning 'inoteca empire have quietly taken over the old Frederick's Downtown space on Hudson Street and turned it into this "humble Italian-inspired snack bar," Jason tells us. Crostini take center stage here, clocking in at $2.50 a pop. Nope, not a typo: that's $2.50 per! They include taleggio with sautéed mushrooms, butternut squash with roasted garlic, and goat cheese with braised radicchio. Pastas (tagliatelle with braised-lamb ragu) and larger plates (beer-braised pork osso bucco) are also on the menu. And since this is part of the 'inoteca brood, the wine program gets ample attention: It's 300-bottles deep, all-Italian and split up into Northern, Central and Southern wines, available by the carafino ($9–$20). Wood paneling gives the place a warm vibe, but the Dentons like to keep things quirky: They've spray-painted table numbers on the actual tables. Just in case you get lost. (637 Hudson St. at Horatio St., 212-242-9093)
The Vanderbilt
It's been a rockin' year for Saul Bolton: The Brooklyn restaurant pioneer celebrated the 10th anniversary of his landmark Saul Restaurant in August, and two months later the Times followed up with a glowing two-star review. Now, Bolton has teamed up with Num Pang's Ben Daitz to open The Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights. The pub-grub spot features savory bites like boudin blanc, duck rillette and grilled octopus, which can be washed down with growlers of beer and chased with homemade jelly donuts. "Contemporary small plates, but with larger portions," is how Bolton describes the menu, which tops out at $16, and adds that for him "it's a change of scenery. It's much more casual and it's cheaper. I'm psyched." We are, too. (570 Vanderbilt Ave. near Bergen St., Prospect Heights; 718-623-0570)
The Breslin
After much fanfare, more fanfare and—for good measure—an extra heaping of fanfare, The Spotted Pig's Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield are ready to unveil their mega-gastropub at the Ace Hotel. The eye-popping, two-story space will officially open for breakfast and lunch on Oct. 28, but the restaurant is now serving a smaller snack menu in the lobby, including terrine with grilled toast, and grilled three-cheese sandwich with country ham and pickles. Dinner service to follow shortly after the 28th. As befits an April Bloomfield joint, expect a meat-centric lineup loaded with rich, roasted and salty flavors: rib eye for two, various terrines and a delectable pork sandwich. Just don't expect to see the Spotted Pig's legendary burger: At the recent Burger Bash, Bloomfield told us it'll remain exclusive to that restaurant. "This is a Spotted Pig burger. Nobody [else] creatin' that." (20 W. 29th St. between Broadway and Fifth Ave., 212-679-2222)
Brinkley's
After shuttering Bar Martignetti earlier this year, brothers Tom and Anthony are finally reopening the space as this chill pub with a menu from former Kingswood chef Ben Towill. The focus is on local, local, local: "Ben is a massive advocate of local food," says Tom, who adds that "we've struck direct deals with local farmers" not more than two hours away from Manhattan, in northern Jersey and upstate New York. The menu itself has a decidedly homey feel: Short ribs and baked sweet potato can be found alongside grilled striped bass with pumpkin puree. There's also a snacks section, with bites like duck liver pate, roasted prawns and pickles. They'll be available late night—Brinkley's will be serving until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends—and a brunch menu is set to debut in about three weeks. Brinkley's opens on Sunday, Oct. 25. (406 Broome St. near Centre St., 212-680-5600)
Also open:
After a car crashed through the window of beloved Harlem soul-food spot Country Panfried Chicken earlier this year and forced it to close, owner/fry daddy Charles Gabriel is back with his beloved trademark cluckers: crispy skin, moist meat, all soul. (2841 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 151st and 152nd Sts., 212-281-1800)
New NYC chain Rockwells Express takes over the old Rickshaw space near NYU, with a focus on USDA Prime burgers and sustainable food-waste reuse. (53 E. Eighth St. at Mercer St., 212-677-4400)
A-list London eatery Le Caprice opens its first overseas location at the new Pierre Hotel, with a menu of contemporary Euro dishes from the original (Dorset crab with celeriac rémoulade) plus new dishes for Stateside palates. (795 Fifth Ave. between 60th and 61st Sts.., 212-940-8195)
Located right off the lobby of the recently renovated Surry Hotel, Daniel Boulud's Bar Pleiades is pouring creative and classic cocktails in a snazzy, Art Deco-esque space with optimal people-watching windows. (20 E. 76 St. between Fifth and Madison Aves., 212-772-2600)
French baker Hervé Poussot has opened a second location of his successful Dumbo bake shop Almondine Bakery in Park Slope, with fresh-baked croissants, cookies, baguettes and pastries. (442 Ninth St. at Seventh Ave., 718-797-5026)
Meals, deals, specials:
Martha Stewart book signing: The Domestic Diva celebrates the release of her new book, "Martha Stewart’s Dinner at Home: 52 Quick Meals to Cook for Family & Friends," with a book signing at Michael's on the UWS on Monday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. If you're feeling particularly crafty, she'll also be signing copies of "Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts." (808 Columbus Ave. near 98th St.)
$5 cocktails at Alloro: The UES spot now has a liquor license, and on Monday, Oct. 26, it'll be offering $5 cocktails and free hors d'oeuvres starting at 5 p.m. Cash only. (307 E. 77th St. at Second Ave., 212-535-2866)
Bark Hot Dogs happy-hour and dinner deals: On weekdays, the rave-worthy wiener house is offering two hot dogs for $8 from 4 to 7 p.m. After that, it's just $9 for a combo of hot dog, fries and draft beer. (474 Bergen St. at Flatbush Ave., 718-789-1939)
Dirt Candy one-year anniversary: On Thursday, Oct. 29, Amanda Cohen's vegetarian-friendly eatery will celebrate the Big 1 by offering all apps for $5.30 and entrées for $10.29. Why, you might ask? Apparently, last year Dirt Candy first opened its doors at 5:30 p.m. on 10/29/08. Gets? (430 E. Ninth St. between First Ave. and Avenue A., 212-228-7732)
Five-course tasting menu at Scarpetta: Are five courses really enough for Scott Conant's terrific food? The chef is now offering a five-course tasting menu that changes daily. Sample dishes include braised short rib, turbot with kuri squash and, of course, a sampling of pastas. (355 W. 14th St. between Hudson St. and Eighth Ave., 212-691-0555)
Photo by Sam Horine
