The Citiblog

Photo: Jeremy Salamon

Pitt's (Red Hook)
Mid-October

This fall in Brooklyn, James Beard Nominated Chef Jeremy Salamon, owner of Agi's Counter in Crown Heights, will open Pitt’s in the old Fort Defiance space in Red Hook. Pitt’s is a reference to Salamon’s nickname growing up and meant to evoke feelings of nostalgia - of one's upbringing and family memories. It also is inspired by various travels, and the “golden era” of New York dining in the early 2000s - from the space’s quirky design to the eclectic yet elevated menu. Upon opening, the Agi’s Counter team will focus on dinner service Wednesday - Sunday evenings, with daytime hours and weekend brunch to follow. During our conversation with Chef Salamon in 2023 he hinted at an expansion and now here it is.

CICCIO Cin Cin (West Village)
Mid September

CICCIO Bar & Alimentari, the beloved Tuscan haven that captured the hearts of Soho for over a decade, is opening a second location, CICCIO Cin Cin (681 Washington St) in the West Village. At the helm of this culinary adventure are Giacomo Romano, a self-taught chef hailing from Florence, and his partner, Sam Leung, whose Chinese heritage from the Pacific Northwest brings a unique perspective to the menu. Look for deceptively simple Florentine dishes inspired by Asian flavors such as Wild Boar Dumplings, Miso Eggplant with Truffles, House-cured Hamachi and Linguine with Five-Spiced Duck Ragu. With 29 dining seats and 10 bar seats, the relaxed and intimate setting will is perfect for intimate gatherings and special occasions.

Santi (Midtown)
October

Michael White, the renowned Chef, restaurateur, and innovator who helped define Manhattan’s modern Italian restaurant scene with destinations like Marea, Ai Fiori, and Osteria Morini, makes his grand return to New York with the October opening of Santi (520 Madison Avenue, NYC), from BBianco Hospitality Group and partner Bruce Bronster. Situated in the heart of Midtown, Santi explores seasonal modern Italian cooking through the lens of White’s many years living there and in the South of France, offering both a culinary retrospective and a modern reimagining of his storied career. Cocktails will include both classics and house specialties, with a deep amaro roster and a French/Italian wine list. The lavishly-appointed contemporary space, designed by Michaelis Boyd with lighting by L’Observatoire International, comprises six immersive, interconnected dining areas.

ACRU (Greenwich Village)
Late August/Early September 2024

ACRU is the first restaurant from Executive Chef/Partner Daniel Garwood (previously the Sous Chef at two Michelin-starred restaurant Atomix). Located in Greenwich Village, ACRU is a neighborhood restaurant that weaves inspiration from Chef Garwood’s Australian roots, as well as global techniques and flavors gleaned from his decade of cooking in kitchens around the world, including Sweden, Italy, Denmark and South Korea. The restaurant is in partnership with NA:EUN Hospitality Group, which is behind some of New York and the world’s most renowned concepts, including Atomix, Atoboy, NARO, and Seoul Salon.

Carta Wine Bar (West Village)
Fall 2024

Carta is the new Mediterranean-inspired wine bar in the West Village. A “third place” for the neighborhood, Carta is from a team of longtime friends. The wine program, helmed by Rebecca Powelson, VP of Fine Wine and International Sales for Riboli Family Wines, is carefully curated and offers an emphasis on sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines from family owned producers. The wine list is complemented by executive Chef George Guzman’s (previously of Google, Hospitality Manager) menu of small tapas-style plates including jamon serrano, oysters, and other dishes inspired by the team’s ties to Greece and Spain. The intimate space will have 24 seats including an L-shaped bar and large banquet-style tables by the window, overlooking Bedford Street.

Bananas (East Village)
September 2024

Bananas is the new Asian-American restaurant opening in the East Village this fall from Managing Partners Chris Ng (previously of Blue Ribbon and Bond St) and Zachary Hoffman, alongside Executive Chef Kyaw Lwin (previously of Michelin-Starred Shmone). The menu will include shareable dishes ranging from Miso Caesar Salad to Shrimp Wonton Etouffee. The beverage program will feature an expansive wine selection, sake flights as well as sake and shochu based cocktails. The warm, welcoming space features minimalist design elements as well as pop of pattern and color.

Photo: Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw (West Village & Upper West Side)
September 2024

This September, one of the country’s most famed ice cream makers Salt & Straw makes its highly anticipated official debut in New York City, opening its first two Manhattan scoop shops, one in the West Village [540 Hudson St] and one in the Upper West Side [360 Amsterdam Ave]. Salt & Straw enters New York having firmly established itself as one of the most beloved ice cream shops in America, led by award-winning chef and co-founder Tyler Malek (a Forbes 30 under 30 and Food & Wine Best New Chef). Salt & Straw will offer its ingredient driven flavors ranging from perfected classics like Double Fold Vanilla and Sea Salt Caramel Ribbons as well as its monthly rotating flavor series.

So and So’s (Midtown)
September

Romer Hell’s Kitchen (302 West 52nd St, NYC) is now home to So & So’s, a piano-bar-meets-supper-club that will welcome guests for the ultimate celebration of high-low. Luxurious red banquettes, upholstered walls and custom lighting take cues from vintage New York City nightlife, and the entertainment will feature everyone from local acts to Broadway stars and A-list talent, with special guest pop-ups possible on any given night. Michelin-starred Chef Brad Farmerie has created dishes such as Foie Gras Crème Brulee with Grilled Grapes, Steak Tartare with Bone Marrow Mayo, his take on the classic Oyster Rockefeller, and ‘Disco Inferno’ Fries. Cocktails include specialty tipples like the Bodega Cat (reposado tequila, coconut milk, cherry, lime, vanilla and cinnamon), classics from martinis to margs, and dedicated sections for “50/50” mixes, and “So & So” combos, which are a variety of creative boilermakers (beer + shot).

The Corner Store (SoHo)
September 2024

Opening this September, The Corner Store is the nostalgic, 80’s and 90’s New York-inspired restaurant from the team behind Catch Hospitality Group: Tillman Fertitta, Mark Birnbaum and Eugene Remm. Executive Chef Michael Vignola (formerly of BR Guest Hospitality and the current culinary director of Catch and Catch Steak) will offer a menu of playful, American classics. The Corner Store, designed by Rockwell Group, will be located in the former Dos Camino space on the corner of W. Houston and West Broadway. The Catch Hospitality team is excited to pay homage to classic New York joints with the opening of The Corner Store.

Monkey Thief (Hell’s Kitchen)
September 2024

Monkey Thief is an Asian-inspired cocktail bar from the team behind Sama Street. Located in Hell’s Kitchen, Monkey Thief will serve cocktails and a robust food menu influenced by various Asian cultures and flavors, from China to Vietnam, Thailand, India and beyond, inspired by co-owners Rishi Rajpal, Avi Singh, and David Muhs’ upbringing and travels across the region. The welcoming bar will feature lush greenery and neon lighting, evoking the nightlife scene in places like Hanoi, Bangkok and Delhi.

Smør Clinton Hill (Clinton Hill)
September

Smør Clinton Hill (1826 Putnam Ave, Brooklyn) is the newest venture from Sebastian Perez and Sebastian Bangsgaard set to open its doors this fall. Both originally from Denmark, Perez and Bangsgaard opened Smør in 2019 and expanded with a bakery in 2022, where Rowan Gill was brought on as head baker. Smør, meaning “butter” in Danish, will bring its signature Scandinavian cuisine to Clinton Hill, offering a sophisticated hybrid of their East Village restaurant and bakery. Situated in a converted warehouse, Smør Clinton Hill boasts a minimalist Nordic design with light wood, concrete, stainless steel accents, and a large skylight. During breakfast and lunch, diners can enjoy items like cardamom buns, crispy shrimp sandwiches, and alternating smørrebrød. Dinner offerings will include seasonal crudos, trout toast with trout roe, and the Danish street dog.

Photo: Kellogg's Diner/Chef Jackie Carnesi

Kellogg’s Diner (Williamsburg)
Early Fall 2024

Kellogg's Diner, Williamsburg's beloved landmark destination with a 95-year old history, is re-opening its doors in 2024 with restaurateur Louis Skibar and chef Jackie Carnesi. Kellogg's Diner will be open 24/7 with a diner menu that leans towards Tex-Mex and Southern cuisine, as well as classic diner favorites. Jackie worked for chefs like Alex Stupak at Empellon Cocina and spent six years at Roberta's in Bushwick where she was an integral part of creating and developing their menu. Most recently, she is known for her work as executive chef at Nura in Greenpoint, where she garnered rave reviews and was named one of Starchefs' Rising Stars. Partnering with Jackie on the project is long time successful restaurateur Louis Skibar, owner of restaurants such as Coppelia, Toloache, El Fish Marisqueria, and Old John's Diner.

Yamada (Chinatown)
September/October 2024

Kooth Hospitality is proud to welcome Yamada (16 Elizabeth St, NYC) to its esteemed collection of restaurants this winter. Yamada is a chef's counter kaiseki restaurant helmed by Chef Isao Yamada, a trailblazer of New York City's earliest kaiseki dining experiences. Yamada will join the group's other establishments, Nakaji and Kono, in Chinatown's Canal Arcade – a passageway that connects Elizabeth and Bowery and is home to some of the most authentically Japanese gastronomic experiences in the city. Chef Yamada will host two nightly seatings at his intimate 12-seat counter, serving a seasonally-driven tasting menu that is rooted in traditional kaiseki customs, while incorporating some European touches – a unique style shaped by his decade-long tenure at Brushstroke in Manhattan, and his formative years cooking at renowned kaiseki restaurants across Japan.

Pig & Khao (Upper West Side)
October 2024

Pig & Khao, the beloved Lower East Side staple, is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it expands to New York City's Upper West Side this Fall. Helmed by Chef Leah Cohen and her husband and partner, Ben Byruch, this second location promises to bring the vibrant flavors and dynamic energy of Southeast Asia – along with some fun new twists – to a new neighborhood. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, Pig & Khao's Upper West Side outpost will offer expanded seating, a bar, and a menu that features longtime favorites from the original location, as well as a handful of exclusive new dishes. Chef Leah’s Filipino heritage and her extensive travels across Asia continue to infuse the menu with authentic and bold flavors that have garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following over the last 12 years.

Sarabeth’s (Greenwich Village)
September 2024

This September, one of New York’s favorite neighborhood restaurants will be opening a new location in Greenwich Village. Sarabeth's, named after Sarabeth Levine who opened her first location in a tiny bakery-kitchen in 1981, has three locations in New York City, and will be opening a fourth on West Houston Street. Sarabeth's, known for its weekend brunch and quintessential NYC vibe, will continue to offer their famous lemon ricotta pancakes and grilled cheese alongside hearty salads and housemade muffins, as well as new dinner menu items with this location’s exclusive rotisserie. The restaurant is in partnership with RBM Restaurant Group, who is also behind Docks Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill.

Photo: Rafael

Rafael (Upper East Side)
Early September

Rafael (973 Lexington Ave, NYC) is the latest culinary venture from Chef Rafael (Rafi) Hasid, owner of Miriam in Park Slope. Rafael is locates in an historic Upper East Side townhouse offering the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean coast. Highlights include a house-made frittata, served Middle Eastern style with creamy labneh cheese, earthy za'atar and fiery harissa; Savory Shakshuka featuring eggs simmered in a spicy tomato-eggplant sauce; A Lamb Burger on a challah bun topped with house-made pickles, tangy feta cheese and crispy fries; and for dinner, the Lamb Terracotta, featuring tender lamb loin cooked in its own authentic terracotta pot. Custom murals and arched windows add to the Mediterranean experience.

Pasta Night (Prospect Heights)
September 2024

James Beard Award-nominated restaurateur, pastry chef and cookbook author Renato Poliafito (who also owns Brooklyn’s beloved daytime café and neighborhood bakery Ciao, Gloria) will unveil an elevated sister restaurant this fall in Prospect Heights. Featuring a “fine casual” pasta concept, the menu will feature a selection of classic pastas with a twist, small plates and a few mains, and a variety of Italian pastries and desserts, as well a true Italian aperitivo hour with specials. Pasta Night will also have an alimentari at the front of the restaurant with imported Italian goods, oils, pasta and more available for purchase. Designed by Studio Parallel, the restaurant is inspired by both the charming, rustic Sicilian countryside and the artwork and energy of 1980s Italy.

Gus and Marty’s (Williamsburg)
September 2024

Gus and Marty’s is a new Greek-American restaurant from veteran NYC restaurateurs, and husband and wife team, Sarah Schneider and Demetri Makoulis of New York favorite Egg Shop (Nolita and Williamsburg), located in Williamsburg. Named after Sarah and Demetri’s fathers, Gus and Marty’s will serve traditional Greek food from the perspective of a Brooklyn born and raised Greek-American, including a bar program with classic cocktails and a focus on natural wines from Greece and the Mediterranean. Designed by Sarah Carpenter Studio, the dining room channels 1970's taverns dotting the Greek mountainside, bringing together old world and new world aesthetics, including custom bust ceramics from Beau Rush, and overall branding by Zan Inc.

Confidant (Industry City)
October 2024

Confidant opens this October in Industry City, from chef/owners Brendan Kelley and Daniel Grossman. Two best friends (and former roommates) who met during their tenure as Chef de Cuisine and Executive Sous Chef at Roberta’s, Daniel and Brendan have cooked at some of the city’s most renowned restaurants, including Gage & Tollner, Foul Witch, Per Se, and Aska. Industry City’s first full-service restaurant, Confidant is an all-day concept with two unique identities - serving sandwiches on housemade bread and seasonal plates and bowls with greenmarket vegetables for lunch, and for dinner, the restaurant will transform and offer a seasonally-rotating tasting and a la carte menu in the dining room and chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen.

Laziza (Bed-Stuy)
Fall 2024

Laziza is the forthcoming Middle Eastern-inspired bar and restaurant in Bed-Stuy from chef-founder Jilbert El-Zmetr (previously of the viral Williamsburg ice cream spot Republic of Booza). Meaning "good thing" in Arabic, Laziza is an intimate neighborhood space serving craft cocktails and charcoal-grilled mezze inspired by cherished flavors from Lebanon, Turkey and the broader Middle East. Following successful pop-ups across Brooklyn, Laziza is opening a full-service space this fall that aims to become a go-to community gem. Guests can enjoy a dynamic atmosphere, unique food and cocktails, all underscored by an incredible soundtrack curated from Jilbert’s personal vinyl collection of global funk, soul and boogie.

Check back for more fall openings!