Isola Trattoria & Crudo Bar
This coastal-Italian restaurant housed in the Mondrian Soho boasts a menu of Italian Riviera-inspired cuisine. Check out the new-style crudo section (raw fish), where you’ll find dishes like fresh tuna with watermelon, jalapeno, and pine nuts. Oh, and they serve a Burrata Pizza. Genius. Don’t miss the zinc-top bar and its selection of 100+ bottles of rare Italian vino.
Isola Trattoria & Crudo Bar, 9 Crosby Street (between Grand and Howard streets); 212-389-0000.

Beatrice Inn
Boy, it’s good to be Graydon Carter. The editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and restaurateur (think: Waverly Inn, Monkey Bar) is adding the reincarnation of celeb hangout The Beatrice Inn to his ever-expanding portfolio. Mr. Carter is turning the once impossible-to-get-into lounge that was shutdown in 2009 into a…drum roll…chophouse. When we first heard this, our dreams of stumbling into this hotspot and having a late-night make-out sesh with former Beatrice Inn regular Josh Hartnett were crushed forever. But, Carter is a whiz with restos, and we’re excited to try Chef Brian Nasworthy’s (former sous chef at Per Se) classic chophouse dishes like lamb chops, or a wedge salad with smoky Oregon blue cheese. And who knows, maybe a celeb make-out sesh is in store too. Opening Mid-September.
Beatrice Inn, 285 West 12th Street (between West 4th street and 8th avenue); 646-896-1804.

L’Apacio
The masterminds behind some of our fave Italian spots in the city (L'Artusi, dell'anima) are opening their first east side venture. Chef Gabe Thompson’s modern Italian menu will include dishes like Polenta alla Spianatora (neato translation: a soft polenta flatbread topped with pork ragu served family style). In addition to the main and private dining rooms, there will be outside seating and a bar area. Opening Mid-September.
L’Apacio, 13 East 1st Street (at Bowery); 212-533-7400.


Photo: Courtesy of Isola Trattoria & Crudo Bar