Kitchen Dish

By BRET THORN | October 24, 2007

RIVIERA-ON-HUDSON

Nizza (630 Ninth Ave., between 44th and 45th streets, 212-956-1800) is slated to open today. Its name is the Italian word for the French Riviera city of Nice. The restaurant will feature the food of chef Andy D'Amico (formerly of Nice Matin and Marseille), including fried ravioli pumpkin and leek soup, and salt cod stew with potatoes, olives, and pine nuts.

BACON BEIGNETS, ETC.

Savoy chef Peter Hoffman's new restaurant, Back Forty (190 Ave. B at 12th Street., 212-388-1990), is open, with chef de cuisine Shanna Pacifico, formerly of Town dishing up items such as whole rotisserie chicken for two, grass-fed beef burgers, red Maine shrimp and bacon beignets, and other items that fit Mr. Hoffman's philosophy of seasonal, sustainable food.

LUNCH CROWD

Grayz (13-15 W. 54th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-262-4600), chef Gray Kunz's lounge and event space, is now serving lunch.

EAST END MEETS ASPEN

Robert Betanzos, formerly sous chef at the Amagansett restaurant Pacific East, is the new chef at Aspen (30 W. 22nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-645-5040). He replaces Gaby Hackman. The food remains straightforward and somewhat Colorado-themed, with pan-fried brook trout tacos, black Angus flatiron steak, and four-alarm buffalo chili.

THIRD HELPINGS

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse is planning to open its third location this weekend (44 W. 56th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-245-1550). Chef-owner Willie Jack Degel also recently launched a $150 tasting menu that includes a jumbo shrimp, a lamb chop, a crab cake, three baked littleneck clams, a tomato-mozzarella salad, an Australian lobster tail, a choice of steaks, a dessert plate, and all you can drink for two and a half hours.

Mr. Thorn is food editor of Nation's Restaurant News. He maintains nrnfoodwriter.blogspot.com.