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In a pasta life
After preparing haute French cuisine at Café Boulud for six years, chef Andrew Carmellini has returned to his roots and opened a modern Italian restaurant. Long before he worked at four-star establishments like Lespinasse and Le Cirque, Carmellini spent time at New York’s revered San Domenico and traveled to Italy to hunt truffles, study pasta making and sample some of the country’s top wines, cheeses and meats. At A Voce, near Madison Square Park, he’s putting his experiences to good use in a seasonal rustic menu; there’s a wood-grilled octopus with peperonata and chorizo; rigatoni pugliese with fennel sausage, chickpeas and broccoli rabe (pictured); “eight-hour Tuscan tripe”; and even a side called rustic potatoes. Diners who absolutely must have the latest market-driven option can order from a del mercato section of the menu, which changes daily. 41 Madison Ave, entrance on 26th St between Madison Ave and Park Ave South (212-545-8555).—Leslie Price
Nomad
Algerian expat Mehenni Zebentout likes to reinvent things. He built Nomad, a French-influenced North African taverna, in a former pizzeria and decorated the 35-seat space with various recycled goods—among them, red tables from the now-defunct Bistro Margot in Nolita and ornately carved woodwork made from old floorboards. Executive chef Sami Toujani (Water Club, Hudson Cafeteria) puts his own touch on the food by baking fresh loaves of Moroccan semolina bread daily and seasoning dishes—tagines, couscous, stews (pictured)—with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, saffron and mint. Even the rustic front bar features a twist: In addition to the usual French wines, Zebentout offers bottles from Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon and Israel. 78 Second Ave between 4th and 5th Sts (212-253-5410).—Heather Tierney
El Portal
Lower East Side Mexican institution Tres Aztecas lost its lease last fall, but owner Victor Garcia is opening a similar restaurant just a few blocks away that includes his famously generous margaritas—in a more intimate setting. 95 Allen St between Delancey and Broome Sts (no phone yet).
Jack
A French bistro has taken over the space formerly housing the Lemongrass Grill in Greenwich Village. Chef John Hesse offers breakfast until 5pm daily and dinner until 2am. 80 University Pl at 11th St (212-620-5544).
Jacques
Remember Mix It on Prince Street? The place that became Porcupine? Now it’s just Jacques—from the owner of Jacques Brasserie on the Upper East Side. Downstairs, he’s added a new bar called Gibraltar. 20 Prince St between Elizabeth and Mott Sts (212-966-8886).
Pink Elephant
The club’s moved north to upper Chelsea—it’s now inside Crobar—and doubled its size. Fancy touches include large antique glass chandeliers, suede gray banquettes and a scent machine that can spritz a range of smells: floral notes, freshly cut grass, even pheromones. 527 W 27th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves (212-463-0000).
Bars & lounges
Clandestino Cafe & Bar
Owner Laure Travers has outfitted her new drink spot with well-worn antiques: a mahogany bar and reupholstered vinyl-and-wood stools purchased on Smith Street in Brooklyn. A food menu is in the works. 35 Canal St between Essex and Ludlow Sts (212-475-5505). Subway: F to East Broadway. 7pm–4am. Average drink: $6.
Embassy
Party promoters Alex Martini, David Sherman and Yura Shabetayev have opened their own Chelsea nightspot, decorated by David Graziano (Pink Elephant). Expect a strict velvet rope. 28 W 20th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-741-3470). Subway: F, V, R, W to 23rd St. Thu–Sat 10pm–4am. Average drink: $10.
LuLu’s
The owner of Williamsburg’s the Abbey has unveiled a tri-level bar featuring giant circus sideshow paintings and Skee-Ball machines. 113 Franklin St at Greenpoint Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-383-6000). Subway: G to Greenpoint Ave. Noon–4am. Average drink: $5.
Jadis
This subterranean, grottolike café and wine bar on the Lower East Side serves an abbreviated menu of cheese and charcuterie plates, panini and mini-quiches, and best of all, $5 glasses of wine. 42 Rivington St between Eldridge and Forsyth Sts (212-254-1675). Subway: F, V to Lower East Side–Second Ave. Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am. Average glass of wine: $6.
Restaurants & cafés
Arium
Pastry chef Richard Guier and artist Jamie Titus have teamed up to open this Meatpacking District café/art studio/performance space/tea salon. Patrons can try any of 86 exotic teas or a glass from the boutique-heavy wine list. 31 Little West 12th St between Greenwich and Washington Sts (212-463-8630). Subway: A, C, E to 14th St. Lunch, afternoon tea. Medium-size tea service: $22.
Buddakan
Executive chef Michael Schulson has teamed with Angelo Sosa (Yumcha, Spice Market) to prepare modern Chinese food at Stephen Starr’s second warehouse-size eatery in the Meat-packing District. 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts (212-989-6699). Subway: A, C, E to 14th St; L to Eighth Ave. Dinner. Average main course: $20.
Chic-n-Bones Sports and Rhythm Café
Sate your inner fratboy with plasma-screen TVs and a menu featuring 12 types of chicken wings. 2178 Forest Ave between Amity Pl and South Ave, Staten Island (718-442-6790). Travel: From the Staten Island Ferry, take the S48 bus to Mariners Harbor—Forest Ave. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $8. (Opening delayed)
El Dar Restaurant & Café
You can sit on barstools fashioned from tree stumps or on the floor of a gauzy tent at this East Village Mediterranean restaurant. The menu features hummus, falafel, French onion soup and lamb couscous. BYOB for now. 171 Ave A at 11th St (212-353-5327). Subway: L to First Ave. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $12.
Je’Bon Noodle House
Yes, it’s another noodle-focused spot in the East Village, but this one also stocks dumplings and other budget-priced Chinese treats. 15 St. Marks Pl between Second and Third Aves (212-388-1313). Subway: 6 to Astor Pl. Dinner. Average main course: $9.
Kellari
Costas Tsingas—executive chef at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens—is now cooking for wine-crazed New Yorkers at his 200-seat Greek restaurant. In addition to the usual meze and whole fish, Tsingas serves some unusual meats. 19 W 44th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-221-0144). Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; 7 to Fifth Ave. Dinner. Average main course: $19.
Le Miu
Yasuhiro Shoji (Nobu 57), Takaho Mori (Megu), Motonari Matsunaga (Moto) and Miku Suzuki (Onigashima) have opened this 70-seat East Village sushi parlor. 107 Ave A between 6th and 7th Sts (212-473-3100). Subway: F, V to Lower East Side–Second Ave; 6 to Astor Pl. Dinner (closed Monday). Average roll: $10.
Maracas Mexican Bar & Grill
The owners of Lips, a West Village drag-queen–hosted dining spot, have reopened their splashy burrito-and-frozen-margarita haven (previously in midtown) in a more gay-friendly neighborhood (the West Village). 33 Greenwich Ave between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-593-6600). Subway: A, C, E, B, D, F, V to W 4th St. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $12.
Moksha
Chef Peter Beck has unveiled his own modern Indian restaurant in Tribeca, and he makes creative use of a tandoor, roasting meats such as quail, Cornish hen and duck breast, as well as chicken and lamb. 18 Murray St between Broadway and Church St (212-608-0707). Subway: A, C to Chambers St; E to World Trade Center; R, W to City Hall. Dinner. Average main course: $18.
Novo
Chef Alex Garcia (Patria, Calle Ocho) has resurfaced downtown, preparing refined Latin American small plates and à la plancha (panfried) entrées like pork loin, duck breast and sirloin steak. 290 Hudson St between Dominick and Spring Sts (212-989-6410). Subway: C, E to Spring St. Lunch (Mon–Fri), dinner (closed Sun). Average main course: $12.
Petrarca
Tribeca’s Arqua now has a more casual sibling across the street. The Italian eatery and wine bar offers wine by the quartino. 34 White St at Church St (212-625-2800). Subway: A, C, E to Canal St; 1 to Franklin St. Average main course: $17. Cash only.
Pre:Post
West Chelsea clubgoers can fuel up at this creative American restaurant, which serves food until 8am. VIPs have access to five sunken cabanas. 547 W 27th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves (212-695-7270). Subway: C, E to 23rd St. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $19.
Tigerland
This casual restaurant serves homestyle Thai and Vietnamese cuisines with a focus on organic ingredients. The owners also make their own soda drinks. 85 Ave A between 5th and 6th Sts (212-477-9887). Subway: F, V to Lower East Side–Second Ave. Dinner. Average main course: $12. Cash only.
Tocqueville
It took a whole year, but Marco Moreira’s French-American restaurant in Union Square has finally reopened in a bigger, better location (just a few doors down from the original) with a beefed-up wine list. 1 E 15th St between Fifth Ave and Union Sq West (212-647-1515). Subway: L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St–Union Sq. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $23.
