Nicoletta Attacks Gotham City Friday

Ed Levine and Adam Kuban are the culinary version of Batman and Robin.  The difference is, crime doesn't motivate them, pizza does.  Ed Levine wrote a book called Pizza: A Slice of Heaven.  His pal Adam Kuban writes a colum for Seriouseats called Slice, a NYC based weblog that's dedicated to pizza.  Their extensive knowledge of all things pizza is why they're able to bring us this detailed, first-look at Nicoletta, Michael White's new pizzeria opening in the East Village this Friday, June 15th.

Nicoletta is a break from Michael White's refined, attention-to-detail driven Italian cooking made famous at Marea, Osteria Morini and Ai Fiori.  The East Village haunt is inspired by a place called Domenico's in White's hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin.  It will serve 12 and 16-inch pizzas, a traditional lasagna, and one flavor of gelato to guests dining indoors or out, in any of the 38 sidewalk seats.

A whole milk mozzarella from Wisconsin will top certain pizzas and beers from the same state are available to wash them down.  According to a Times article, "every table is fitted with metal sockets in which the stems of cantilevered pizza stands are placed."  This is done to free up table space.  Eater has some awesome pictures of an empty dining room, probably your last chance to see it that way.

Jean-Georges To Open ABC Cocina

Jean-Georges opened ABC Kitchen in March of 2010. When the restaurant opened, he refered to it as his "new, farm-to-table restaurant," with a "market-driven menu." Shortly after opening, Sam Sifton gave the restaurant two stars. 

In lieu of the restaurant's continuing success, Jean-Georges will take over the Pipa space at ABC Carpet & Home. Pipa, known "for its innovative take on traditional Spanish tapas," will close this winter and reopen early next year, after Paulette Cole, CEO and Creative Director of ABC Home, redoes the space. She is responsible for the farmhouse effect and recycled materials that adorn ABC Kitchen's interior. The new project will be called ABC Cocina and look to Spanish speaking countries for inspiration for its small plates menu.

Starting Tomorrow, You Can Lounge Hillside in Brooklyn

The owners of Vinegar Hill House are opening Hillside tomorrow on 70 Hudson Ave, right nextdoor to VHH in Brooklyn's quaint Vinegar Hill neighborhood.  The 30-seat venue will act as a cafe/wine bar/breakfast/lunch/dinner space and provide diners a place to lounge while they wait for a table at Vinegar Hill House, Hudson Avenue's perennially packed food haven.

Grubstreet tells us Hillside will have a rotating wine list that features 20 to 30 wines by the glass.  The list focuses on "Island Wines" that come from Ischia, Corsica, and the Canaries.  There is also a section dedicated to Beaujolais Crus.  These wines come from north of the Rhone Valley in eastern France and are comprised of the thin skinned Gamay grape.  Their subtle tannic structure and bright acidity make them exceptional summer reds.

Pastries and sandwiches will be available for breakfast and lunch.  The dinner menu will offer cheese, cured meats, and small plates, including oysters and bone marrow.

Let the Countdown Begin; Back Forty, Back Thirty-Nine, Back Thirty-Eight...

Peter Hoffman's Back Forty West is going to open next thursday, March 1st.

Back Forty West will first be open for breakfast and lunch.  As Grubstreet points out, a new bar and a smoker have been added to the former Savoy space and dinner will come later in the month with a focus on one pot dishes. 

Minetta Lane is in Michael Toscano's Ear and in Gabe Stulman's Eye

When Eataly opened at the end of August in 2010, Michael Toscano made the move from Babbo to head the stoves at Manzo, Eataly's flagship resto.  After a year and a half he will pack up and take his knives to Perla, the new venture from West Village powerhouse Gabe Stulman.

Perla will open in the old Bellavitae space at 24 Minetta Lane.  Chef Toscano's Italian cooking will fit into a traditional antipasti, primi, secondi Italian menu format.  The space boasts a wood burning, brick oven that will lend itself nicely to various roasts for two.

Along with Mr. Toscano comes a pretty all-star staff.

Fonda Crosses the Border: Opening New Location in the East Village

Fonda is a 3-year-old Mexican restaurant serving some of the better cuisine of its type to Park Slope residence.  Roberto Santibañez will now take that template to the East Village.  Set to open February 21st at 40 Avenue B (btwn 3rd and 4th),  the menu will be geared more towards a late night crowd; heavy on the bar food and Mezcal options. 

The East Village is becoming quite the Mexican food mecca.

Smith Street Sustainability with Joe Isidori

Joe Isidori is chef and co-owner of Southfork Kitchen in Bridgehampton.  On March 19th, country life turns city life when he opens Arthur on Smith in the old Po space, 276 Smith Street.  The restaurant will have a heavy focus on sustainability and local products.

Check out the pronoun heavy menu here.

Portland is Getting in on the Brooklyn Boom

Terroir is opening an outpost in Park Slope.  So is Dinosaur BBQ.  Al Di La offshoot Bar Corvo just opened in Prospect Heights.

Now, Portland chef and James Beard award winner, Andy Ricker wants in.  He is planning to open a version of his Portland based restaurants Pok Pok on Columbia Street in Cobble Hill.  The Pok Pok menus are inspired by the street food of Thailand.