Fall is traditionally the best season for restaurant openings in New York City, and this year’s crop is coming from established, favorite local chefs. Whether the brisk autumn air has you craving classic Italian cuisine or modern Israeli fare, there’s a new eatery to check out. Here’s our list of five notable openings that make us want to dig in right now.
Brooklyn Fare Manhattan
The acclaimed Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare is opening a Manhattan branch, with a slightly different format. In Brooklyn, this intimate 18-seat space is known for its tasting menu with more than 20 courses of small plates. The Hell’s Kitchen location will include a 60-seat restaurant with à la carte options, and a 10-seat chef’s table in the wine cellar. Similar to the original establishment, the new Brooklyn Fare will also have a grocery portion. While no specific opening date has been set, it’s expected to be ready in the coming months.
Bar Bolonat
Chef Einat Admony has earned a loyal following for Balaboosta, her comfortable and elegant Mediterranean restaurant in Nolita, and for Taim, home to one of New York City’s best falafels. She will debut her third restaurant, Bar Bolonat, in the West Village in November. Admony, originally from Israel, will serve a menu that takes a modern, fresh approach to Israeli food with signature dishes such as tomatoes Provençal, a Tunisian roll and mint-tea gelato.
In November, Michael White — of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Marea — is opening an upscale version of his casual downtown restaurant Osteria Morini on Madison Avenue. This Upper East Side outpost in the former Centolire space will feature a café downstairs and a more formal dining room upstairs. Expect White’s divine pastas in an elegant atmosphere and a wine program helmed by sommelier Richard Anderson of Marea.
The Writing Room
New Yorkers were sad when the iconic Elaine’s closed its doors in 2011. The Second Avenue eatery was famous as a destination for writers and actors such as Woody Allen, a tradition that will hopefully continue at the new restaurant taking over the space in mid-October. The Writing Room replicates an artistic dwelling with a library, fireplace and photos of famous writers. You just might spot Allen while noshing on classic American fare, such as lobster boil or smoked baby-back ribs.
Marco’s
When the husband-and-wife team behind Franny’s moved the Brooklyn pizza institution to a larger location, the old space wasn’t abandoned. In September, the pair opened Marco’s, a charming Italian eatery boasting a marble bar, exposed brick and wood furniture. The menu goes beyond pizza, though; you’ll find authentic Italian food with an emphasis on fresh pastas, such as bucatini with clams and mussels, as well as other dishes, including baked swordfish and chicken cacciatore. A wood-burning grill and spit rotisserie have replaced the pizza oven that churned out Franny’s signature pies, too.
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