New Restaurants On The Radar: Trattoria Cinque, Forty Eight, Berry Park

Trattoria Cinque

Trattoria Cinque: It's all about the number five at this new 250-seat Italian restaurant, which, depending on your numerological stance, could signify the alchemist's five pointed star of quintessence or the Satanist's pentagram. We'll have to wait and see if owner Russell Bellanca's deal with the devil pays off, but it's certainly a good-looking establishment, with two fireplaces, spacious booths, and wooden tables that complement a grand Italian marble bar spanning the lounge area. Chef Mirco Grassini's rustic Italian menu includes just five dishes in each category (five small plates, five pasts, five desserts, etc.) and will change five times a year in tune with the, uh, four seasons. It's all priced under $25, and includes such options as Lasagna Bolognese ($18); Halibut al Guazzetto with roasted filet, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, olives ($24); and Pizza con Gorgonzola e Pere with pears, gorgonzola, white truffle oil ($12). 363 Greenwich Street; (212) 965-0555

Forty Eight: The numerology theme continues! This new midtown cocktail lounge in the McGraw Hill building at Rockefeller Center is putting all its chips on lucky number Forty-Eight. It's serving a rotating menu of bar munchies ranging from an open-face BLT to smoked yellowtail in yuzu. Innovative drinks will join the menu, such as the "French Forty Eight" (Gin, Ginger Liqueur, lemon juice, champagne and rosewater) and a strawberry-muddled "Lojito." All of these are to be enjoyed from the plush U-shaped chairs in this retro-futuristic lounge, and their Swarovski crystal ceiling will probably look cool after a few vanilla vodka concoctions. 1221 Avenue of the Americas; (212) 554-4848 (Jaya Saxena)

Berry Park: Somewhere in Brooklyn there's a new rooftop bar that just opened Monday night. Unfortunately, we can't tell you much about it, because when we dropped by this week the sullen co-owner refused to cough up any details about the establishment, suggesting we try back in a week or two. Most barkeeps and restaurateurs, when told someone wants to give their fledgling new business some media exposure, are helpful and even enthusiastic. At BP, the remarkably unfriendly proprietor acted as if she was doing us a favor even offering to speak with us in a week. So the hell with this place; sure the roof is okay, but come winter the interior's bound to be as drafty as it is dark and dreary. Instead, go play ring toss in the backyard at The Diamond, which is located a stone's throw away at 43 Franklin Street, Greenpoint; (783) 383-5030. Dave, the owner, is super nice.