There are a number of restaurants opening in 2008 that we've been eagerly awaiting and we thought we'd highlight some that particularly piqued our interest and have us drooling in anticipation. John Dory -- this new meatpacking seafood spot comes from Spotted Pig owner Ken Friedman and Partner/Executive Chef April Bloomfield. Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich are also partners, not to mention neighbors. Sara Ochs will serve as the Chef de Cuisine. It is designed......

October 11: Restaurant Reviewing in New York City In light of Michelin's release this week, this panel discussion at Borders in the Time Warner Center, which happens to be the home of three-star Per Se, two-star Masa and one-star Cafe Gray, focuses on the reviewing scene in one of the best food cities in the world. Panelists include Jean-Luc Naret, director of the Michelin Guide; Jay Cheshes, former restaurant critic at Gourmet; and food-blogger/restaurant critic......

We recently encountered this sign while walking down 8th Street in the West Village. Titillating, no? We had been seduced by Gray's Papaya, yet again. If you haven't stopped in for one of their juicy, delicious, and dirt cheap hot dogs, you should, and at the very least, you should walk by, if only to check out their signs. They've often got a political bent, and are changed based on news, events, and NYC happenings.......

New critic Frank Bruni's premiere Dining & Wine > Restaurants: Arias From the Kitchen" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/dining/09REST.html?8hpib">Times restaurant review is of Babbo, the crown jewel in chef Mario Batali and partner Joe Bastianich's restaurant empire. Bruni gives three stars, the same rating Ruth Reichl gave it that heady summer of 98 when it first opened (if SLNY were around then, they would have noted that the line was busy busy busy, and then when someone would pick......

After conquering the West Village (with Po, Lupa, Otto, and Babbo) and Midtown West (Esca), Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich set their sights on Irving Place by taking over the former Irving on Irving space with Casa Mono, a variation on Spanish tapas bar. Gothamist checked out Casa Mono one evening to see that the Batali-Bastianich touch and name bring the foodies comin'.......

The New York restaurant scene is flush with nominations from the James Beard Foundation, the top award in the food world. Mario Batali (Babbo, pictured left), Tom Colicchio (Gramercy Tavern), and Alfred Portale (Gotham Bar & Grill) were all nominated for Outstanding Chef (a national award); Nobu Matsuhisa (Matsuhisa, LA) and Judy Rodgers (Zuni Cafe, San Francisco) are the other two. Chanterelle, Felidia, and La Caravelle were nominated for Outstanding Restaurant (national). New York made......

Tania and I went to Otto Enoteca Tuesday night and had a fine time. Otto is the latest in the growing empire of Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and friends. The meal itself was good, not tremendous, but whenever you can linger over snacky foods and some wine (a Lambrusco in this case) and chat for over two hours with one of your best friends, it's a fine evening. William Grimes was right in recommending the......