Thursday, August 19, 2010

So Fresh . . . So New . . .

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The main dining room at new Asian-focused eatery Arami, in Ukrainian Village. (Photo: Urban Daddy/stevenjohnsonphotography.com)


It's been a tremendously busy summer for bar and restaurant openings with no signs of slowing down.

This weekend's a big one for the team behind The Gage, who are finally opening the long-awaited Henri (it was originally supposed to open fall 2009) in a historically landmark building next door.

Dirk Flanigan, who is also exec chef at The Gage, oversees the seasonal menu that'll offer his spin on classic dishes like Maine lobster, peas and Porcini mushrooms over house-made Pappardelle; slow-roasted Illinois lamb for two and a 16 oz. veal chop cooked in the stone oven.

This is spectacular news for downtown crowds, who complain that there's not a lot of options in the area when it comes to chef-driven restaurants. And we have a feeling Flanigan won't let them down.

Henri opens for dinner Saturday.

More new spots to put on your radar this weekend and beyond . . .