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Good: Pamplona

What we said: "I want a place that is simple and cheap and really fun to visit," says Urena, who is focusing strictly on Basque cuisine, the region he knows best, having worked in Navarre for four years. The menu will feature tapas (white asparagus, olives, San Sebastian chorizo), appetizers (snow crabs, trout dusted with paprika and olive oil) and shareable entrees like paella and whole dorade and hake for two.

Reality: Pamplona's Park Avenue South block may have gotten uglier with a number of gloomy construction projects popping up, but Urena's future looks bright with a dialed-down and accessible menu (braised beef cheeks, octopus with horseradish cream). Bruni's a fan, as are local office workers of the $6 ham-and-Manchego takeout sandwiches.

Pamplona
37 East 28th Street at Park Ave. South
212-213-2328