The holiday season is a challenging time to open a restaurant, but that isn’t stopping the parade of independent concepts from making their debut in December.
Coming in Miami is a $4 billion mixed-use complex called Worldcenter that will feature a number of notable new concepts. One of the first is Michael Beltran’s Brasserie Laurel, and the chef has more coming at the complex in 2023.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles chef Chad Huff is opening the new Marisi in San Diego’s La Jolla. The Argentinian Negroni bar chain is creating an outpost in LA. Portland, Maine welcomes the new Bar Futo. And The Quinte brings fresh seafood to Charleston, S.C.
And there’s a lot of activity in New York City, where Rockefeller Center has become the place to dine. This month, Brooklyn chef Greg Baxtrom opened the new Five Acres there.
Sadly, New York also will see the closure of The Mercer Kitchen, an acclaimed concept from Jean-Georges Vongerichten that was among the first to launch the communal table trend.
Here’s what’s new and notable among independent restaurants this month, as well as some of the more noteworthy permanent closures.
Have news of a new opening or closure? Send us a note at LJennings@winsightmedia.com.
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