Fall Preview

I know it's still August but Bar Ferdinando is coming soon.

Friends,

I am not one to rush summer away – believe me I am digging in until the last of these dog days and firefly nights, but there’s already a lot of Fall Preview buzz in the works I wanted to share some highlights: John McDonald will open Seahorse on Park Avenue South in Guardian Life building at W New York – Union Square where Olive’s originated almost two decades ago; PDT’s Jeff Bell (who most recently created all the cocktails for the new Waldorf) is opening Kees, a subterranean cocktail lounge at the iconic West Village corner of One Cornelia Street. Avra will open in the booming Penn District; and abc kitchens will open in DUMBO in the waterfront building next to Cecconi’s and the TimeOut Market.

Speaking of TimeOut Markets, the team will open their first one in Manhattan – Time Out Market New York, Union Square in the fall with a lineup of rising stars and acclaimed chefs, including Chef Kwame Onwuachi with his new concept Patty Palace. Cornerstone, a fine-casual concept driven by local sourcing and its connection to the region’s farming community, is opening this Sept in the Hudson Valley from Chef Harris Mayer of Creamline. And in October, Michelin-starred Chef Sungchul Shim (Kochi, Mari) will debut HWARO – an intimate, high-concept Korean tasting counter tucked within his Theater District steakhouse, Gui.

But one of the most exciting openings for me comes from beloved Carroll Gardens chef and restaurateur Sal Lamboglia who will open Bar Ferdinando, his take on the beloved 120-year-old Ferdinando’s Focacceria which shuttered last year. The restaurant “is not a traditional Sal restaurant, it is a bar with a food menu,” said his publicist. The bar will be buzzing and welcoming, managing Partner Giovanna Cucolo who is the beating heart of the restaurants from Swoony’s, Cafe Spaghetti and Sal Tangs, and an Italian-driven cocktail program led by Bar Manager Ricardo Echeverri (formerly of Swoony’s), serving inventive twists on classics alongside Bar Ferdinando’s own spin on the iconic Manhattan Special.

Sal’s decided on an all-day menu of snacks and bites, according to his press release. “The lunch menu will feature some of Ferdinando’s beloved classics, including Sicilian rice balls, octopus salad, and the original pane e panelle made with the recipe passed down by longtime owner Frank. House-made focaccia sandwiches, eggplant caponata, and a bright insalata di mare will also make an appearance,” according to the release.

Sal is always really deep into design and this project is no different. As an homage to the historic restaurant, Sal is preserving much of the original artwork and fixtures, keeping its this neighborhood gem, which opened in 1904, alive. Looking forward to checking it out!

Bar Ferdinando is located at 151 Union Street.