HotelChatter

UPDATE, 10:50pm: The Out NYC alerted us to the fact that while it's exciting that Ktchn will have a gay mixologist, he's probably not the only gay mixologist in NYC, and subsequently shouldn't be advertised as such. Fair enough.

Meanwhile, over at Gansevoort Meatpacking, the hotel has scrapped the questionable Tanuki Tavern (which, in fact, made our list of hotel restaurants to avoid during Restaurant Week in 2010). In its place, the NY Times reports, comes a new concept titled simply Toy. The Times states:

"Derek and Daniel Koch, who are twins and specialize in dining and nightlife ventures, have teamed up with Jeffrey Chodorow’s China Grill Management to create this project. It includes an oyster bar, an outdoor terrace and a duplex restaurant indoors, all designed by Jeffrey Beers. Doron Wong, the executive chef, will serve lobster dumplings, shrimp toast “cigars” and mahogany chicken."

Yum, lobster dumplings! We don't make it down to that part of the city too much—unless we plan on catching the sunset from the High Line, or occasionally to check out the scene at The Standard—but a new oyster bar is certainly reason enough for us.

How this place will manage to compete with The Standard's brand new "seasonal fare" outdoor restaurant, The Standard Plaza, remains to be seen. But, judging from our initial impressions, it sounds like they will be two very different restaurants.

So, now we've told you about six total new hotel restaurants in NYC (three plus one plus two). Which one will you be dining at? Let us know in the comments below!

[Photo: The Out NYC]