By nearly any account, this year’s freshman restaurant class is undeniably strong. We’ve seen such bangers enter the scene as Fonda Fina Hospitality Group’s first tasting menu concept Milpero, Heretik’s French/Basque small plates from Marigold chef Theo Adley, the live-fire simplicity of Justin Freeman’s Monarch, and the elegant seasonal fare of Madeline in the former Fruition space.
And we’re only halfway through the year. There are many other interesting restaurants on the near horizon that we’re eagerly anticipating opening up before the summer ends (and likely a few more we’re not even aware of yet that might make for some pleasant surprises). Here are some of those we’re most looking forward to now:
1336 27th Street
From the team that brought us Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club, this Parisian champagne and cocktail bar named after the classic Edith Piaf song (and made famous by Louis Armstrong) promises a “little sip of Paris” in the former home of natural wine bar Noble Riot. We first learned of the project last October, and are still awaiting more details on the food fare (as well as timeline). Last we heard, it was still in rough-in construction, so a summer opening may be a stretch. But the plan is for a French art nouveau design focused on wines from classic French regions like Burgundy, Beaujolais and, of course, Champagne, and with “champagne-friendly” finger foods to match…