Opening February 12th, Tre Dici Steak will be an upstairs appendage to Chelsea Italian restaurant, Tre Dici (pictured). Chef Giuseppe Fanelli's menu includes dishes like kobe beef ravioli with caramelized onion and Parmigiano ($21) and a 12-oz. Black Angus hangar steak ($26). The look of the place is described in the press notes as capturing the "essence of bawdy New Orleans and the roaring 1920s." So, suffice it to say, it should look a whole lot different than the downstairs space.

(Photo courtesy of Tre Dici)

The final retail space in the New York Times building has been leased. Joining restaurants Montenapo, Dean & DeLuca and Inakaya will be a new burgers-and-salads spot from the folks behind Hale and Hearty. The 3,200-square-foot space, no name yet, is promised to include a massive outdoor patio, the better to play "dodge the falling windows."

Anyone who has visited the three incarnations of Shopsin's, or seen the documentary "I Like Killing Flies," knows that lovably eccentric restaurateur Kenny Shopsin serves up a side of hilarious, often insightful wisdom along with specialties like "slutty pancakes." Yesterday was no exception.

Kenny: "Celebrity Rehab? What's that?"
Patron: "It's a reality TV show about washed-up addict 'celebrities' trying to get clean."
Kenny: "So they're all junkies?"
Patron: "And alcoholics."
Kenny: "What people like you and I had the good sense not to become."
Patron: "Exactly."
Kenny: "You know, I went through my drug phase, but I was able to live life, hold a job, and get through it like a normal person. Then I moved on. But it was a lot of fun. I'm seriously considering getting back on drugs someday."

(Click menu to see larger version)

Third Avenue in the East Village has always been a tough sell. Once the porn theaters and crackheads were driven out, it never really seemed to find its identity beyond pizza chains and frat bars. Ironically, it's a former Pizzeria Uno space that plays host to what looks like the strip's biggest hit in ages--the Smith. Owners Glenn Harris and Jeffrey Lefcourt have already proven their populist savvy at Jane, and the Smith seems to follow the same something-for-everyone template. But does quality get overlooked in the desire to feed the masses? Read our critic's review, and also our takes on Lebanese newcomer Illili in the Flatiron, upscale Park Slope Mexican restaurant Piramide and seven more new and notable restaurants.

While I admit that I'm no expert on kosher food, as far as I can tell, there's nothing about kosher requirements that should keep the food from tasting good. Last night I went to a press shindig at Clubhouse Cafe, a kosher restaurant in Times Square from chef/owner Jose Mereilles (who also runs steakhouse Le Marais nearby). With mentions in the invite of duck empanadas and Spanish-style tortillas, I was excited to check out Mereilles' attempt to spice up kosher fare. Sadly, most of the food being passed around on platters was of the caliber you'd get at a sports bar. The chili (pictured above) was timid, the tortilla flavorless, and the empanadas had a crust similar to something Mom would take out of the freezer for slumber party snacks. Only the simple beef sliders and potent caprihanas passed muster. Maybe the entrees fare better than the appetizers, but really, how often does that happen?

As if I needed another reason to linger at Mojo, a neighborhood coffee hang that offers a great cuppa, affable owners, free Wi-Fi, cool tunes and a cozy, wood-hewn interior that feels like an urban ski lodge. Slowly but surely, they have been adding food to the blend, starting with pastries homemade by "a small family bakery we keep secret"; then nice salads, sandwiches and soups like a comforting chicken vegetable with barley and toasted almonds. Now I think I might get up a little earlier for the new breakfast items, especially the burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs and a fresh, kicky black bean pico de gallo, and egg sandwiches on bagels from another secret source who makes them the old-fashioned way, in small batches. Judging from the loyal clientele that camps out here, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more Mojos risin' around town.

Romantic, rustic Bellavitae made a name for itself through its excellent sourcing; the owners, after all, are top importers of quality olive oil, vinegar, salumi, pasta, cheese--anything yummy and Italian. Their latest import: Raffaele Ronca, an extraordinarily talented chef adding homespun amore to the menu.

Some past favorites--like the "fried little meatballs"--are still available. But Ronca's wowing additions include grilled Calabrian Colavolpe figs (pre-ordered a year in advance) wrapped in pancetta, and roasted cauliflower with pignoli nuts and black currants. And go on Wednesday (when cheese delivery comes in) to enjoy the quick-to-sell-out ricotta balls, delicately flash-fried until "dorato"--just golden.

Born in Naples, and bred as a butcher from boyhood, Ronca is exceptionally adept at deboning an entire Cornish hen. The roasted bird emerges juicy, aromatic and extremely knife-friendly. "I'm constantly on the phone with my mother in Italy," he says, crediting her with helping him tweak recipes like a soulful paccheri pasta with beef ragu, and fresh puntarelle with green olive oil and a touch of anchovy.

Written on the menu at Bellavitae: "The secret to great Italian cooking is a well-stocked pantry." It doesn't hurt to have a chef with a direct line to the old country, too.

Next Wednesday, Jan. 30, Suba will be offering a $110 dinner that's a celebration of Spanish wine and ham. Wine director Roger Kugler will pair different wines with five ham-focused courses. Apparently, the restaurant scored some Ossabaw Island hogs, the "long lost cousin of the Pata Negra" from a farmer in Virginia. With dishes like baked Bomba rice with hog’s ear, tail, and trotter, and a cocktail and tapas reception starting at 7pm, it sounds like a tasty to way to pre-spend some of your $600 tax rebate.

For Here
A call to restaurants around town: Don't burst my bubble (water)!
Gordon Ramsay associate to open shiny new Turkish restaurant in March
The halibut on Gotham Bar and Grill's Restaurant Week menu rocks, though you may need to sit at the bar to eat it

To Go
Yet another reason to feel horrible for eating sushi (NYTimes)--maybe we shouldn't have so jokey about this fish
Worst Restaurant of the Year honoree Inn LW12 looks to be reopening as a bar--or a canoe rental service, we're not sure which (Eater)
"Top Chef: Chicago" starts March 12th--who needs writers when we have Padma's improv skills? (Bravo)

This lovely, buttery, crispy-skinned haddock is on the Restaurant Week menu at Gotham Bar and Grill . Served with smooth potato puree, moist leeks and crunchy Brussels sprouts, the portions were ample, wine pours generous and service not rushed. Three courses all-told with tax, tip and tipple = $48. That's $7 less, or rather 25 percent more bang for the buckage for the same meal on the year-round prix-fixe. The bad news: Though the special runs again next week, rezzies are booked. The good news: There was ample room for walk-ins at the bar.

Beet, orange and feta salad
Pan roasted haddock
Trio of sorbet
$24.07
Glass of Sauvingnon Blanc, $11