It's August 3, and Fall Preview Season is Fast Approaching

As school children and back to school advertisers know, fall is quickly approaching. Which in the restaurant world means the big fall opening season is coming on fast. Which in the writing about the restaurant world world means: fall previews! The big PR firms have begun sending out their preview guides, and instead of skimming the one that came in today and reworking it into some post here pretending this is original content, we're just going to paste the press release below. Those who don't care can move right along, those who do care can enjoy the press release speak, and we can go back to the shitshows. Everyone wins.

Bar Basque, Food Parc, Hurricane Club, and more ahead!

The following is from Bullfrog & Baum:
NIKO
Address: 170 Mercer Street (between Houston Street and Prince Street)
Partners: Cobi Levy, Rafael de Cárdenas, Josh DeChellis
Chef: (Dining Room) Raj Dixit, (Sushi) Hiro Sawatari
Designer: Rafael de Cárdenas
Opening: September 2010

NIKO arrives in SoHo on a historic stretch of Mercer Street, reigniting the dining landscape of one of New York City’s chicest neighborhoods. The new 70-seat restaurant is fronted by Cobi Levy, operating partner; Rafael de Cárdenas, designer and architect; and Josh DeChellis, advisor and partner. The restaurant will offer guests a varied, graceful dining experience, showcasing the flavors, ingredients, textures and nuances of traditional Japanese food. The restaurant offers both a daily sushi menu and a full array of cooked dishes, crafted from old world tradition, updated for the western palate. Design elements include travertine, walnut, blond oak, onyx, brass, brick and ivory lacquer and pieces from acclaimed artist Jim Drain.

BAR BASQUE
Address: 851 Avenue of the Americas (between 29th and 30th Streets), 2nd floor, Eventi hotel
Chef: Yuhi Fujinaga
Designer: Syd Mead
Opening: October 2010

China Grill Management’s Director of Product Development Terry Zarikian showcases his affinity for Basque culture and cuisine at Bar Basque, set to open in the Eventi Hotel in North Chelsea. Zarikian’s initial fascination with the Basque Country began over a decade ago, and in 2002, he was appointed Consultant and Culinary Ambassador in the United States by the Regional Government of the Basque Province of Bilbao with the mission of introducing the region’s distinctive cuisine to America.

With this task in mind, Zarikian, along with a talented team of chefs headed by Executive Chef Yuhi Fujinaga (who trained in the Basque region) have created a menu of pintxos, appetizers, composed entrees and unique grill items, complemented by an extensive selection of Spanish wines and whiskeys from around the world. As a special treat for Basque culinary enthusiasts, a visiting chef series will take place every other month, sponsored by the Government of the Basque Country.

Set in an ultramodern space created by visual futurist and conceptual artist Syd Mead, Bar Basque will feature a mix of the dynamic contemporary and classic Basque cuisines that have made this region of Spain one of the world’s culinary epicenters.

THE DARBY
Address: 246 West 14th Street (between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue)
Partners: Richie Akiva and Scott Sartiano
Chef: Alex Guarnaschelli
Designer: Marc Dizon and Steve Lewis of Lewis-Dizon
Opening: September 2010

Veteran restaurateurs Scott Sartiano and Richie Akiva are bringing the glamour, charm and exuberance of a bygone era with their modern cabaret dining concept, The Darby. Reviving the lost culture of authentic entertainment and culinary destinations in New York City, The Darby is an ode to an era of American dining where a veritable cadre of tastemakers, social influencers and luminaries mingled over hand-crafted libations and delectable dishes while delighting in the finest onstage performances.

Within the dramatically adorned walls of The Darby lies a 100-seat restaurant with famed Chef Alex Guarnaschelli at the helm. The Darby menu reflects Guarnaschelli’s extensive culinary expertise and dedication to fresh local product. Guests will be treated to modern continental fare highlighted by creative re-envisioned American classics such as The Darby Carpetbagger (an oyster-stuffed filet of beef) in addition to an impressive raw bar bursting with the freshest offerings from the sea. Accompanying Guarnaschelli’s menu is a choice selection of inventive cocktails.

DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE
Address: 700 West 125th Street
Owner/Chef: John Stage
Opening: September 2010

Since 1988, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has been serving up mouth-watering food and serious suds to thousands of hungry diners craving some of the most authentic Southern barbeque and regional craft brews this side of the Mason Dixon Line. This fall, Dinosaur’s popular Harlem outpost, which has helped pioneer this unique section of the city, is relocating down the street to 125th St. Dinosaur’s new home is a beautifully restored former meatpacking warehouse accented with Dinosaur's signature style of reclaimed wood and unique scrap-yard finds. The 7,200 square-foot space provides ample seating, a lively bar area and large stage for live musical performances. Guests will be pleased to find beloved classics on the menu such as Texas Brisket Plate, Big Ass Pork Plate and Sliced Skirt Steak served with Dinosaur's signature sauces, Honey Hush Cornbread and stellar sides including Bar-B-Que Fried Rice and Creole Potato Salad.

FOODPARC
Address: 851 Avenue of the Americas (between 29th and 30th Streets), main floor, Eventi hotel
Designer: Syd Mead
Opening: September 2010

The diversity of New York’s street food culture will be on display as restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow opens FOODPARC, a 15,000 square foot multilevel bar and food hall in the Eventi hotel. The indoor/outdoor concept will feature multiple food stands featuring everything from an exclusively blended burger from LaFrieda Meats, BLTs, grilled cheeses and artisanal bacons, to Chef Joe Ng's imaginative snacks, dumplings, buns, barbecues and noodles.

GO BURGER
Address: 1450 Second Avenue (between 75th and 76th Streets)
Designer: CCS Architects
Opening: Fall 2010

GO Burger is BLT Restaurant Group’s updated version of the classic American burger joint. The restaurant will serve up a casual attitude, cool milkshakes and a variety of signature burgers on soft, no-frills buns. A variety of signature burgers are cooked to perfection and stacked with toppings, allowing guests to “build-your-own” burger or choose from one of the GO Burger signatures. Traditional American starters and sides will include salads, wings, fries and onion rings. Classic and alcohol-spiked milkshakes will satisfy any sweet tooth. With over 20 beers on tap, enticing cocktails and flat-screen televisions and rock ‘n’ roll music. GO Burger is a fun, energetic spot for lunch, dinner or a late-night bite.

THE HURRICANE CLUB
Address: 360 Park Avenue South (26th Street)
Partners: Fourth Wall Restaurants
Chef: Craig Koketsu
Designer: AvroKO
Opening: September 2010

Get out the Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts: Park Avenue is about to get tropical this fall in the form of The Hurricane Club. Chef Craig Koketsu (Quality Meats, Park Avenue) and partner Michael Stillman have teamed up to create The Hurricane Club, a 250-seat bar, lounge and restaurant designed by the esteemed design firm AvroKO. A slice of paradise in Gramercy, the menu will feature Polynesian-style dishes complete with pu-pu platters, poke and a tiki-inspired cocktail list created by Richard Leach, Director of the Cocktail Program.

JUNOON
Address: 27 West 24th Street (between Broadway and Sixth Avenue)
Owner: Rajesh Bhardwaj
Chef: Vikas Khanna
Designer: Tarik Currimbhoy
Opening: September/October 2010

The modern Indian restaurant Junoon will open its doors this fall with the culinary guidance of celebrated chef and cookbook author Vikas Khanna. Junoon's menu will feature authentic, refined Indian cooking highlighting the five traditional cooking elements: sauces, clay, grill, stone and griddle. Junoon (or “passion”) is designed by acclaimed Indian sculptor and architect Tarik Currimbhoy and will feature an open kitchen, imported carved black stone facade, a reflecting pool and “Tree of Life” sculptures and art.

THE NATIONAL BAR & DINING ROOMS
Address: 557 Lexington Avenue at 50th Street in The Benjamin
Chef: Geoffrey Zakarian
Designer: David Rockwell
Opening: October 2010

Opening this fall at The Benjamin, a New York luxury hotel operated by Denihan Hospitality, The National Bar & Dining Rooms is acclaimed American Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s vision of a New York café. Modeled after the modern European café concept and tailored to Midtown New York’s unique culture and clientele, The National emphasizes all-occasion quality cuisine, stylish comfort and great service in a chic yet timeless atmosphere designed by Rockwell Group. New American selections, bistro style classics and a selection of Zakarian’s signature dishes will be offered for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch.

OSTERIA MORINI
Address: 218 Lafayette Street (between Spring and Broome Streets)
Chef: Michael White
Designer: Franco Rosignolo
Opening: September 2010

Chef Michael White and partner Chris Cannon of the Altamarea Group open their fourth New York City restaurant in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood. At Osteria Morini, Chef White will present the rich cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The 100-seat restaurant will serve simple, rustic Italian fare in a casual setting featuring materials sourced directly from Italy—reclaimed from restaurants, flea markets and farmhouses.
· All Fall Tracking Coverage [~ENY~]