Wouldn't it be great if, when you left a job, someone reached out to offer you another? That's what happened to Nick Licata, a chef who left a restaurant job and immediately landed another when fans of his career at Degustation and Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar—first time restaurant owners Catherine Manning and Andy Amer—asked if he'd head up their new spot Villanelle, which opens tonight on East 12th Street.

In the time-honored tradition of restaurants located near the Union Square Greenmarket, Licata will pillage the supplies there for things like veggies and fish. "I'm familiar with the purveyors," Licata confided to the Times. (Just once I hope to see two chefs fighting each other in the streets for the last morsel of radiccio. I'm looking at you, Carmen Quagliata.)

Check out the opening menu below, which offers dishes like Portobello Mushroom Duxelles, a buttery mushroom and shallot mashup; Icelandic Char with dill, sorrel and caramelized cream; and sliced Beef served with polenta and mustard greens. There are even Butter-Braised Parsnips with white chocolate and sea salt for dessert. What have you wrought, Licata?

Drink lists haven't dropped yet, but the general manager and beverage guy is James Shields from Betony (RIP).

15 East 12th Street, 212-989-2474; villanellenyc.com

Villanelle Opening Dinner Menu by Nell Casey on Scribd