Acanto
Chicago
Opened: August 2014
Casual Italian
Executive chef Chris Gawronski
The suckling pig grabbed our attention at this new Michigan Avenue hot spot because it’s a difficult animal to source. Chef Gawronski prepares the pork three ways: as garlic-infused sausage (cotechino), milk-braised belly and roasted skin-on loin. On top of that, we’re drawn to Acanto’s wine list, which showcases more than 300 wines from Italy’s 20 regions and was curated by g.m. Jon McDaniel, who spent time living in Trento and Piemonte.
Jack’s Oyster Bar & Fish House
Oakland
Opened: August 2014
Sustainable seafood
Chef/Owner Rick Hackett
A rustic seafood joint right on the waterfront in Oakland? Yes, please. We’d like a table outside, we’ll start with the ceviche, and could you tell us about the seasonal fish?
Lazy Bear
San Francisco
Opened: September 2014
American prix-fixe
Chef David Barzelay
The online ticketing system and prix-fixe menu aren’t for everyone, but this place killed it as a pop-up and we’re glad to see it found a permanent home. The 12- to 18-course prix-fixe menus are priced at $120 per person. Two seatings of 40 guests take place each evening.
Piatsa Kalamaki
New York
Opened: September 2014
Mediterranean
Chef Dimitris Nakos
We’re huge fans of Ammos Estiatorio, the upscale Greek restaurant in Midtown, so we’re glad chef/owner Dimitris Nakos is following the fast-casual trend and giving us authentic, healthy lunch options at Piatsa Kalamaki.
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
Los Angeles
Opened: October 2014
American comfort food
Executive chef Ernesto Uchimura
We like to think we’re on the cutting edge, but admit we’re nowhere near executive chef
Ernesto Uchimura. We want to check out Uchimura’s third Plan Check location just to see what he’s got up his sleeve now. The K-BBQ Burger, his take on a Bacon Western Cheeseburger inspired by Koreatown with “kimcheese” (gruyere cheese processed with wine and dried kimchi for seasoning), has our mouths watering. Don’t forget to check-in on Yelp or Foursquare to get your free Beer Nuts.
Stir Market
Los Angeles
November 2014
European food hall
Chef/partner Jet Tila and executive chef Chris Barnett
Stir Market is essentially a marketplace with a great blend of shopping and dining, where you can grab a coffee with friends and explore a variety of culinary stations. Here you’ll find a European rotisserie and expo kitchen, seasonal market salads and sandwiches, a wine and snack bar with charcuterie and cheese and an artisan bakery.
Stripsteak
Miami
Opened: November 2014
Upscale steakhouse
Chef de cuisine Derrick Roberts
Any reason to get back to The Fontainebleau is a good enough reason for us, especially if it’s to try Michael Mina’s new steak joint. The American vs. Australian wagyu option served with parsnip puree, apple and fresh horseradish caught our eye. We’ll be sure to report back which cut won the battle.
Studio
New York
Opened: September 2014
Lounge
Every once in a while we’re drawn to a place not for the food but more for the atmosphere. The best design and aesthetic appeal can momentarily take us away from reality. Studio promises to do just that, featuring Alice in Wonderland-inspired murals by contemporary artist Domingo Zapata. The subterranean lounge features velvet red seating, open ceilings and a create-your-own gin and tonic bar with a variety of house-made tonics.
The Statehouse
Madison, WI
Opened: October 2014
Modern American
Executive Chef Thomas Welther
We can’t wait to see what chef Thomas Welther has up his sleeve in his new home. After 30 years at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, the veteran is putting a twist on his Modern American cooking with Midwestern flair and regional ingredients, which should take it up a notch. Signature menu items include: Beef Heart Tartare with quail egg, sweet peppers, caper berries and Dijon mustard; and Prime Rib Spinalis with salt-roasted potato and aji panca.
Thirteen Pies
Atlanta
Opened: October 2014
Upscale pizzeria
Executive Chef Brandon Wolff
Upscale pizzerias where we can grab a slice straight out of the wood-fired brick oven and a glass of red wine will never seem old. We dig the name, a reference to the 12-pie menu with a rotating 13th pizza on special. Fire up the oven and start us an Iberian Pie, with fennel salami, smoked provolone, soffritto, Castelvetrano olives, yellow tomato and aged Manchego.
Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q
Yulee, FL
Opened: October 2014
BBQ
Because who doesn’t love slow-and-low-cooked BBQ? These two partners—Joe Adeeb and Josh Martino, who also own the full-service Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Jacksonville—are jumping on the fast-casual train as well. This is the third Willie Jewell’s, and promises authentic Southern Hospitality, with the tagline: “If you don’t see a pit, it ain’t legit.”
Simit + Smith
New York
Opened: September 2014
Mediterranean street food
Simit, a popular street food throughout the Mediterranean, could be the next big thing, and we’ve got to try it. The thin twist of artisan bread—crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside, without fat or preservatives—provides the base for a solid breakfast and lunch. Simit + Smith is growing quickly—this is the fourth location in New York. We’re craving the simit sandwich featuring ricotta, fig, honey and black pepper.