New York Hotels Serve Up Hot New Restaurants. Here's a Baker's Dozen

September 9, 2010 at 1:19 PM | by MsRebecca | Comments (0)

Imperial 9, coming to the Mondrian New York.

Yes, fall is really here. You might have noticed by the sudden onslaught of Fall Preview Lists. To get into the spirit of cheering ourselves up over summer's end by thinking about all the food we'll eat as the leaves turn, here's our handy list of Hot New NYC Hotel Restaurants: A Baker's Dozen. Because, frankly, 10 is never enough.

Now, we all know that restaurants can be as slow-moving as hotels when it comes to opening their doors, so take these dates, with a (heh) grain of salt. (Kosher sea salt, we expect these chefs would suggest...)

SEPTEMBER
� Mehtaphor at the Duane Street Hotel: We know work is well underway on this one, because we saw the construction during our stay just a couple of weeks back. No jokes about the name, please: it's a riff on the chef's name. That would be Jehangir Mehta, from last season of Next Iron Chef. We like the sound of this restaurant's different areas, namely the dessert-cocktail bar and WiFi-equipped communal table.

OCTOBER
� Bar Basque and FoodParc at the Eventi Hotel: Bring on the pintxos! Bar Basque will have a greenhouse terrace on the hotel's second floor. Meanwhile, FoodParc is inspired by street-cart snacks from around the world. Hmmm, dumplings...

The original John Dory, on Tenth Ave, before it closed last summer.

� John Dory at the Ace Hotel: What can they possibly cram into the lower floors of The Ace next? Fish! While Ken Friedman will bring some of the fixtures from the old John Dory restaurant in the Village with him, this incarnation won't be so fancy. The menu will mostly be raw bar. Slurp!

� New York Central at The Grand Hyatt: Chef Christian Ragano (a Queens lad, known for his work at NoMI in Chicago) moves into the space that was the Manhattan Sky Restaurant and Lounge. His new spot replaces The Commodore Grill as the main restaurant for the hotel (and Commodore Grill will become a private banquette space). We're told to expect a European focus, with house-made pastas, local produce and homemade charcuterie.

� National Bar & Dining Rooms at The Benjamin: Now that Geoffrey Zakarian has The Lambs Club wowing power players over at The Chatwal, he can concentrate on what the Times says will be a "grand cafe" at The Benjamin, serving "everything from omelets to steaks."

� Millesime at The Carlton Hotel: After some ups and downs and downs again, The Carlton has SF-chef Laurent Manrique working his magic in the old Country kitchen. Apparently, the second-floor brasserie will have a seafood focus.

Rendering of Asellina, at the Gansevoort Park.

� Asellina at the Gansevoort Park: Think STK with Italian food. That's the female-friendly vibe this "modern day tribute to the owner of an ancient Pompeii tavern" will be going for. Also: Would you like some tunes with your tagliatelle? The restaurant will have its own DJ.

NOVEMBER
� The Restaurant (probably from David Burke) at The James New York: It's still not confirmed, but we did see his name on some hotel literature so it's a safe bet. Grub Street says the space will be industrial-meets-organic.

� Ai Fiori at the Setai Fifth Avenue: Michael White's big splashy restaurant at the ritzy new Setai will offer a menu inspired by the Italian Mediterranean coast and the French Riviera.

� Restaurant 1945 at Cassa Hotel & Residences: Jesse Keyes of Hotel Griffou, La Esquina and Goldbar is bringing a healthy, organic menu to a "voluminous sculptural setting." Scheduled to open late November.

� J&S Food Hall at The Nolitan: Jimmy Bradley and Steven Eckler bring chef Bill McDaniel over from The Red Cat to head up this 50-seat 'cozy yet sexy' spot along Kenmare Street. Expect a Mediterranean flair.

YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS OURS
� Imperial 9 at the Mondrian New York: We've been talking about Top Chef alum Sam Talbot's restaurant here for eons, but the hotel has been beset by delays. The latest word is that it will open in February. Here's hoping the restaurant does too. (At least the sneak peek of the space isn't as scary looking as the first rendering we saw!)

� Oliver Todd at The Great Jones Hotel: Now he's got �a Va up and running, celbu-chef Todd English is no doubt hard at work on the tapas bar and neighborhoody restaurant at this strange little hotel in NoHo.

Right--time for lunch!

[Photo: Morgans Hotel Group via New York Times; Rebecca McAlpin / The New York Times; Courtesy Gansevoort Park; IC Times Square on Facebook ]