Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Openings Roundup: Corton, Ella, Walter Foods
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 4, 2008
Modified Oct 4, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 4, 2008
Modified Oct 4, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Corton: One of the most anticipated openings of the season, this modern French restaurant, formerly Montrachet, is the love child of big shot restaurateur Drew Nieporent (Nobu) and chef Paul Liebrandt, who dreams of owning a cryogenic freezer "for freezing the cooks when they misbehave." Located in Tribeca, the 65-seat space serves a three-course prix fixe for $76 and a tasting menu for $110. What financial crisis? Appealing options for the not-broke-yet include Ocean Trout Ballotine (White Sturgeon Caviar, Konbu Consommé) and Scallops (Uni Crème, Radish, Marcona Almond). 239 West Broadway, (212) 219-2777
Ella: The interior decorator who did Joan Crawford's homes and the Waldorf Towers has, we're told, "proudly lent his flair and vision" to his nephew Josh Boyd's new venture on Avenue A. Boyd says the bi-level music lounge is his homage to "Hollywood glamour and the roaring 20's," but Grub Street has had fun calling it a "Speakcheesy." Urban Daddy, on the other hand, gushes over the subterranean "circus-style music parlor, complete with a big top domed ceiling, red-curtain wallpaper and a tiny little stage just inches off the ground." Bar snacks and de rigueur old-timey cocktails ($12) abound. 9 Avenue A (between Houston and 2nd St), (212) 777-2230.
Walter Foods: From Balthazar bartender Danny Minch and Barrio Chino owner Dylan Dodd, this cute new Williamsburg restaurant is big on seafood. There's a full raw bar, three daily oyster picks, and lobster in no less than five of the dishes. Brooklyn Based is heartily endorsing the blackened shrimp, warm beet salad, and pork chops with apple and shallot compote. And Minch, not one for false modesty, declares his French dip to be the best in New York City. 253 Grand Street, Williamsburg, (718) 387-8783.
Tagged
bar
best
corton
downtown
east village
ella
french
manhattan
new
nyc
opening
restaurant
review
speakeasy
tribeca
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .