Broadway East, open this week, way in time for spring

Setting the clocks forward an hour on Saturday got me thinking about spring. More specifically, my God, why isn't it here already!? So it seemed like the right time to think about where we'll be eating come the new season. Here are five restaurants opening soon (or rumored to be opening) that have us atingle:

1) Momofuku Ko. When David Chang opened the sequel to his hit noodle bar, most people thought he was going for too much, too soon. But soon "ssam" was rolling off everyone's tongue like they'd been eating Korean burritos for years. His new 14-seater, located in the original noodle bar space, features a set menu and is reservation-only, with an online system that's going bonkers as I type this. Meaning, it probably won't be well into spring until you're able to nab a rezzie.

2) Sheridan Square. Chef Gary Robins was the best thing to happen to the most recent Russian Tea Room relaunch. So, naturally, he was fired. His landing at this rustic-leaning restaurant in the West Village just means we get to enjoy his cooking without having to go anywhere close to midtown.

3) John Dory. Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield of the Spotted Pig are heading out to sea for their latest restaurant, which is rumored to include a giant fish tank. Its far west location may be a tough sell, but, then again, Jay-Z won't be walking over from the A train.

4) Ago. Robert De Niro is one of the few celebrities who can open a restaurant without everyone snickering about it. And not because people are scared he'll go all Travis Bickle on them. His new brick-oven pizza restaurant has already won over folks in L.A., and with a prime location in his swanky new Greenwich Hotel, it sounds like a sure bet.

5) Bar Q. New York's barbecue offerings have improved greatly over the past decade, but that doesn't make us any less excited about this Asian 'cue spot from chef Anita Lo (Annisa). Bonus points for spring: Rumor has it there's a back garden in the works.

More Openings:
Scarpetta
Bouley (new location)
Broadway East
Black Iron Burger Shop
Zorzi
Inside Park at St. Bart's
Creston's Bar and Grill
Rayuela's Takeout Spot
Mercadito Cantina
Ippudo
Kurve
Houndstooth