Our Winter Restaurant Preview – 2016

Currently contending with those post-holiday blahs?  Rest assured that there’s plenty of light on the horizon, in the form of seriously exciting, in-the-works restaurants — from an off-the-wall burger joint from the acclaimed April Bloomfield to a fast-casual spot (believe it or not!) from the distinguished EMP team…

abcV: Although Jean-Georges Vongerichten has been teasing this opening for a while, he should finally be ready to debut his all-vegetable spin-off of ABC Kitchen by March.  Also located inside of the massive ABC Carpet and Home outlet in Union Square, the eatery will be overseen by Pure Food & Wine and Maimonide vet, Neal Harden, who’s deliberately avoiding putting veggie burgers and faux meat products on his menu.

Beekman Hotel Restaurants: Both Keith McNally and Tom Colicchio have projects in the works for the forthcoming Beekman Hotel; built inside of a landmarked, 1880’s-era office building.  Anticipated for late spring, McNally has assembled his Cherche Midi chefs to help oversee Augustine (a classic French restaurant, serving escargot and petite aioli), while Colicchio is playing with the idea of serving a modern spin on old New York food, in his still unnamed space.

Café Altro Paradiso: The owners might be Ignacio Mattos and Thomas Carter, but don’t think of this eatery as Estela Part 2.  Instead, the Spring Street spot is shaping up as a rather classic Italian café, serving rustic Bollito Misto and decadent Lardo Lasagnette.

Dizengoff: The pride of Philly, Michael Solomonov, is making his first foray into NYC with a Chelsea Market outpost of Dizengoff, devoted to Israeli-style hummus. Expect set meals of freshly baked pita, seasonal salads and pickles, accompanied by your choice of flavored chickpea spreads, such as Beef Stew, Pea-Cashew, and Pistachio-Beet.  We’ve been waiting for years to Solomonov to bless us with his cooking. Finally!

Made Nice: Need any further proof that fast-casual dining is having a major moment?  No less than Daniel Humm and Will Guidara (of Eleven Madison Park) are following in the footsteps of Danny Meyer (Shake Shack) and David Chang (Fuku), with this counter service spot, focusing on lean proteins and vegetables.  And believe it or not, none of the 12-some odd dishes (such as salmon with potato salad and grilled cucumbers) will exceed $15; unusual indeed, for a team known for $300 prix fixes and $90 roast chickens.

Salvation Burger: Are you so over veggie burgers?  April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman are bringing back the beef in a big way this winter, with the launch of Salvation Burger in the Pod 51 hotel.  In addition to griddled, fast food-style double patties smeared with housemade mustard, and wood-fired, house-smoked short rib or brisket burgers, the massively anticipated spot will offer on-tap (and even boxed!) wine, as well as deep-fried hand pies, filled with greenmarket fruit.

Pasquale Jones: Get excited for this cheekily named sophomore project from the Charlie Bird crew; an artisan pizza spot (boasting two Stefano Ferraro ovens) appropriately located on a corner of Little Italy.  In addition to the lovingly tended pies, menu options include handmade pastas and plenty of wood-fired vegetables and proteins, such as whole fish, steaks, shanks and game birds, paired with full-bodied burgundy wine.

Claus Meyer Restaurant and Market: Rene Redzepi hasn’t expressed any particular interest in running a New York restaurant, but this upcoming brasserie from Noma co-founder, Claus Meyer, might just be the next best thing.  Located in Grand Central Terminal’s glittering Vanderbilt Hall, this Nordic 100-seater has a seriously stacked staff — think chef Gunnar Gislason (of Reykjavik’s esteemed Dill), as well as baker Rhonda Crosson, a Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller protégé.  And the sit-down spot is just the tip of the iceberg, as a full-fledged Scandinavian food market (also slated for Grand Central) is also in the works.