2020’s Most Anticipated American Restaurant Openings
The future of dining in America looks bright. Next year, some of the country’s most iconic cooks—alongside legendary chefs from around the world—will unleash fresh new dining engagements, from mod Mexican to casual French, to dry-aged beef-powered Korean. Expect projects from big-time names like chef Enrique Olvera of Mexico City’s Pujol, hometown hero chef Daniel Humm from Eleven Madison Park, and restaurateur Danny Meyer, whose Shake Shack empire needs no introduction. Also of note, London-based cocktail wizard Ryan Chetiyawardana—responsible for the drinks den that was named World’s Best Bar last year—will reveal his first U.S. project. Below, 27 of America’s most anticipated restaurants to open in 2020.
Boston
Bianca Restaurant
Key Players: Tim Cushman, Nancy Cushman
Estimated Debut: Winter 2020
Lauded Boston chef Tim Cushman and restaurateur Nancy Cushman, of the ever-expanding o ya brand, will launch their third Boston eatery in the coming months. Bianca manifests as a casual neighborhood haunt within outdoor shopping center The Street Chestnut Hill, focused on wood-fired cookery. Think: a smoker, wood grills, wood rotisserie, and wood-burning ovens. And while the concept is not Italian, pizza will, indeed, grace the menu.
Unnamed
Key Players: Major Food Group
Estimated Debut: Spring/Summer 2020
Popular New York hospitality outfit Major Food Group (The Grill, ZZ’s Clam Bar, Carbone) will open its first Boston project within the forthcoming Newbury Hotel this spring. The plan is to debut a rooftop Italian restaurant designed by Ken Fulk (New York’s Noda, Legacy Records) and ground-floor bar, The Street Bar, the latter of which will serve creative cocktails in addition to tea service. The tea service will be inspired by the original Ritz, as the property originally opened as one of the first Ritz-Carlton hotels in the U.S.
Cincinnati
Khora
Key Players: Edward Lee, Kevin Ashworth, Vision Hospitality Group
Estimated Debut: Spring 2020
Louisville-based chef Edward Lee (610 Magnolia, MilkWood), plus longtime 610 Magnolia executive chef Kevin Ashworth, will together open Khora within Cincinnati’s forthcoming Kinley Hotel. Ashworth plans to rework local classics, such as house-made pasta dressed with a Cincinnati chili-flavored ragu.
Chicago
Ambria
Key Players: Nick Kokonas, Grant Achatz, Rich Melman, Kevin Brown, R.J. Melman
Estimated Debut: Fall 2020 Chicago’s mega hospitality developer Lettuce Entertain You is teaming up with the crew behind globally-recognized, fine dining boîte Alinea to revive the city’s once iconic French eatery Ambria, which shuttered in 2007 after nearly three decades of service. Moving into Lincoln Park’s Belden Stratford building, which housed the original restaurant, expect an updated take on French fine dining.
Houston
March
Key Players: Felipe Riccio, David Keck, June Rodil, Peter McCarthy, Mark Sayre, Shawn Gawle
Estimated Debut: Early 2020 Lauded Houston chef Felipe Riccio (Rosie Cannonball) and his partners in Goodnight Hospitality Peter McCarthy, and master sommeliers David Keck and June Rodil, will debut 26-seat March early next year. The fine dining Mediterranean eatery will claim the second floor of 1620 Westheimer Rd, where the group’s other concepts Rosie Cannonball and Montrose Cheese and Wine are located. Expect a tasting menu!
Los Angeles
Damian
Key Players: Enrique Olvera, Daniela Soto-Innes, Santiago Perez Estimated Debut: Spring 2020
ATM Group—the hospitality outfit helmed by decorated Mexican chef Enrique Olvera (Pujol), chef Daniela Soto-Innes (Cosme), and partner Santiago Perez—will launch three West Coast projects in 2020, the first of which is Damian. The modern Mexican haunt, equipped with an agave-focused beverage program, is headed to Downtown’s Arts District, and after Damian’s spring launch, they team will follow up with an adjacent taco concept called Ditroit.
Tama
Key Players: Shōwa Hospitality Estimated Debut Late spring 2020
Shōwa Hospitality––the group bringing famed Tokyo chef Yoshiteru Ikegawa of Torishiki (also on this list) to New York––is also working on its first Los Angeles project: Tama. Slated to debut this spring in West Hollywood, Tama will manifest as both an omakase and à la carte sushi experience helmed by chef Hideyuki Yoshimoto.
Unnamed
Key Players: Curtis Stone, Luke Stone
Estimated Debut: Late 2020
TV chef turned restaurateur Curtis Stone, who has earned accolades for his Los Angeles eateries Maude and Gwen, is teaming up with his brother Luke and Cultivate Hospitality Group to launch an unnamed concept in Downtown L.A. While the team is keeping culinary details under wraps, they confirm that the eatery will claim 4,000 square feet, landing on the first floor of the area’s historic The Trust Bldg. at West 4th and Spring Street.
Unnamed
Key Players: Wolfgang Puck
Estimated Debut: Spring 2020
Los Angeles’ original celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, is back, and he’s returning to the Sunset Strip (home to the original Spago he opened in 1982) via a partnership with forthcoming residential and hotel development, Pendry West Hollywood. Puck will helm multiple food and beverage concepts within, and his to-be-named crown jewel will be a seasonal eatery claiming the building rooftop.
Memphis
Bishop
Key Players: Andy Ticer, Michael Hudman, Nick Talarico, Josh Hint, Emily Stamper, Ryan Radish, Ryan Jenniges
Estimated Debut: January 2020 Five-time James Beard Award finalists chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman will open Bishop, a French brassiere in The Central Station Memphis hotel this January. Expect casual French fare, from oysters and terrines to escargot and coq au vin. Interior designer Natalie Lieberman of Collect + Curate is helming aesthetics, and her aim is to preserve the historic venue’s original train station details, like glazed brick tile and iron embellishments.
Miami
Cote
Key Players: Simon Kim
Estimated Debut: Fall 2020 New York’s perennially-packed, Michelin-starred Korean barbecue haunt Cote is headed south. Owner Simon Kim will unveil his second outlet within Miami’s Design District neighborhood toward the end of 2020. Fans can anticipate Cote’s tried and true barbecue set menus, in addition to dry-aged beef options, with the meats aged on-site just like in New York.
Nashville
Locust
Key Players: Strategic Hospitality, Trevor Moran
Estimated Debut: March 2020 Locust is the long-awaited project from Noma (Copenhagen) and The Catbird Seat (Nashville) alum, chef Trevor Moran. Inspired by Moran’s past kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) pop-ups, Locust will be devoted to the chilly dessert in addition to dumplings. Moran also plans to offer a number of regularly-rotating savory options to round out the menu. Locust will offer 40 seats, five of which will peer directly into the open kitchen.
New York
Casa Cruz New York
Key Players: Juan Santa Cruz
Estimated Debut: Fall 2020 Chilean restaurateur Juan Santa Cruz is launching a second location of his scene-y London-based restaurant Casa Cruz. The South American-leaning eatery will take over a townhouse at 36 East 61st, claiming five floors and encompassing two bar/lounge areas and two dining rooms. Expect design details that include copper, mahogany, and deep greens. Casa Cruz will function as an all-day eatery, serving breakfast through dinner.
Dhamaka
Key Players: Chintan Pandya, Roni Mazumdar
Estimated Debut: February 2020
Chef Chintan Pandya of New York’s lauded Indian restaurant Adda Indian Canteen will head up a new Indian concept within the redesigned Essex Street Market on the Lower East Side. Dhamaka will center on regional Indian home cooking, served within a modern, industrial-designed, 60-seat space that includes a 10-seat bar.
Le Veau d’Or
Key Players: Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr
Estimated Debut: April 2020 Chef Lee Hanson and partner Riad Nasr of New York’s James Beard Award-winning bistro Frenchette will next focus their efforts on the Upper East Side’s once iconic, though now shuttered, French haunt Le Veau d’Or. They’ll relaunch the place this coming spring with an updated classic French menu, and natural wines organized by celebrated wine director Jorge Riera.
Torien
Key Players: Yoshiteru Ikegawa, Shōwa Hospitality
Estimated Debut: January 2020 Japan’s most famous yakitori chef, who commands one of the most respected restaurants in all of the country, is coming to New York. Yoshiteru Ikegawa of Tokyo’s impossible-to-book Torishiki will open his first restaurant outside of Japan with Edo Lopez and his Shōwa Hospitality group. The Soho eatery will offer 24 seats, 16 of which will be around a central counter. Guests will embark on a roughly 13-course tasting menu priced at $150 focused on all cuts of the bird, or tori.
Unnamed
Key Players: Daniel Humm
Estimated Debut: Fall 2020 Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm will open his first solo New York restaurant sans longtime partner Will Guidara next fall. Details are still under wraps, but reps say that the eatery will land at 425 Park Avenue, claiming the lobby plus one level above.
Unnamed
Key Players: Dustin Wilson, Austin Johnson
Estimated Debut: Spring 2020
Former Eleven Madison Park master sommelier Dustin Wilson is partnering with chef Austin Johnson (previously of Frenchie in Paris) to launch a progressive American eatery in Downtown New York. Other details are scarce at this time.
Orlando
Knife & Spoon
Key Players: John Tesar
Estimated Debut: Spring 2020
Four-time James Beard Award semi-finalist John Tesar of Dallas’s Knife is teaming up with The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes to introduce Knife & Spoon. The chef will continue his signature New American steak and seafood-forward cookery within a 235-seat dining room encompassing 8,000 square feet.
Philadelphia
Laser Wolf
Key Players: Mike Solomonov, Steve Cook, Andrew Henshaw Estimated Debut: February 2020 Beloved James Beard Award-winning chef Mike Solomonov of Philly’s Zahav and Dizengoff is prepping for his next Israeli engagement. Laser Wolf, opening in the city’s Kensington neighborhood, will manifest as an Israeli shipuday, or skewer house, plating grilled meats, fish, and veggies, alongside salads, hummus, and pita.
Portland, Oregon
Cicoria
Key Players: Submarine Hospitality
Estimated Debut: Spring 2020
Joshua McFadden, the chef behind some of Portland’s buzziest restaurants, has a new trick up his sleeve. For his next venture, Cicoria, the chef will dive into the world of pizza. Snagging a space adjacent to—and sharing a kitchen with—his Italian haunt Ava Gene’s on Division Street, Cicoria embraces seasonal, ingredient-driven pizzas whose extra thin crust he describes as “Rome-meets-Wisconsin tavern-style.” And for those familiar with the famous clam pie once on offer at now-defunct Franny’s in Brooklyn, New York, McFadden—who created that dish while working there—will resurrect it at Cicoria. Expect seating for 75 and a standing bar space.
Holler
Key Players: Doug Adams, Jen Quist
Estimated Debut: Early 2020
Top Chef alum Doug Adams and partner Jen Quist––both of Portland’s decorated Bullard restaurant––are preparing to launch Holler, a casual fried chicken joint. Adams is going for a simple buttermilk-brined and breaded bird, served in a space decked out with arcade games.
San Francisco
Automat
Key Players: Matthew Kirk, David Barzelay (Lazy Bear, True Laurel)
Estimated Debut: Fall-Winter 2020
Two Michelin-starred chef David Barzelay of San Francisco’s Lazy Bear is teaming up with his former sous chef, Matthew Kirk, to launch Automat at 1801 McAllister Street. Inspired by a previous pop-up of the same name, the all-day restaurant and bakehouse will serve a fusion-y New American menu, with dishes like dill pickle-spiced bagels and a hoy fried chicken sandwich with seaweed green goddess dressing.
Washington, D.C.
Gatsby
Key Players: Umber Ahmad, KNEAD Hospitality + Design
Projected Opening: Early 2020 Celebrated New York baker Umber Ahmad of Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery has joined forces with D.C.’s KNEAD Hospitality + Design group to debut an all-day contemporary American diner concept in the Capital Riverfront neighborhood. Expect favorites from the New York bakery to grace the menu, such as Ahmad’s brioche doughnuts.
Maialino Mare
Key Players: Danny Meyer, Rose Noel
Estimated Debut: January 2020
Next month, iconic New York restaurateur Danny Meyer will launch a seafood-focused iteration of his popular Roman-style trattoria Maialino in Washington, D.C.’s new Thompson Hotel. Executive chef Rose Noel will oversee Maialino Mare’s seasonal, whole-grilled fish and seafood-imbued pasta menu. The team will also debut a classic Italian cocktail bar named Anchovy Social on the hotel’s rooftop.
Philotimo
Key Players: Nicholas Stefanelli
Estimated Opening: Winter-Spring 2020
Nicholas Stefanelli, chef and owner of Michelin-starred Masseria and Officina in Washington, D.C., is scheming his next culinary engagement. Greek-flavored Philotimo is underway to launch in the District’s shiny Midtown Center mixed-use development, and will explore the islands’ varied cuisine.
Silver Lyan
Key Players: Ryan Chetiyawardana
Estimated Debut: Early 2020 Globally-acclaimed, London-based barman Ryan Chetiyawardana—whose bar Dandelyan was, last year, crowned best bar in the world by World’s 50 Best Bars—is opening his first U.S. drinking den. Silver Lyan will debut within Washington, D.C.’s forthcoming Riggs Washington DC hotel. In addition to bar snacks, the venue will pay liquid tribute to the history of cultural exchange in America via Chetiyawardana’s signature whimsical, forward-thinking tipples.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
