The 33 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings, Winter 2015

From coast to coast, America's restaurateurs are ready to welcome 2015 with a whole crop of new restaurants. The first few months of the year promise to pack a lot of new dining action.

The empire builders of America are keeping busy this winter. Chef Jonathan Waxman has two major projects in the works, one in Nashville and one in New York City (Bajo Sexto, Jams). Atlanta's Ford Fry and Ron Eyester both have new restaurants in the pipe line (Superica, Diner), while Los Angeles chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo are finally opening the doors to their latest project (Jon and Vinny's). The ever-expanding Torrisi gang is poised to unleash a coastal Italian seafood restaurant on New York City's High Line (Santina), while in DC José Andrés is dangerously close to letting diners into his first foray into fast-casual (Beefsteak).

Partnerships are also the name of the game. In San Francisco, Daniel Patterson has tapped chef Brett Cooper for his group's next restaurant (Aster), and in DC Toki Underground chef Erik Bruner-Yang has a whole stable of fellow food folk helping him open a combination marketplace and restaurant (Maketto). Below, the joy and insanity that will be the winter restaurant opening season:

Atlanta

Superica

Location: 99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Chefs: Ford Fry, Kevin Maxey
Projected Opening: Early-Mid February 2015
Empire builder Ford Fry is bringing a Tex-Mex concept to the recently opened Krog Street Market development. Eater Atlanta reports that chef Kevin Maxey will lead the Superica kitchen and that the menu might be similar to Fry's other Tex-Mex restaurant El Felix. Fry's a busy guy, he is also working on opening a sister restaurant to his hit The Optimist in Inman Park (but that one's still a ways off).
· All Superica Coverage [EATL]

Photo: Facebook

Diner

Location: 261 19th Street NW, Atlanta, GA
Chef: Ron Eyester
Projected Opening: Winter 2015
At long last, this much-delayed project from Top Chef competitor and local empire builder Ron Eyester is close to opening. For his first restaurant outside of Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood (where he has helped shape the dining scene with Rosebud, Timone's, and The Family Dog), Eyester has set his sights on Atlantic Station. Reps for Diner previously told Eater that the concept is inspired by Eyester's "childhood years spent in New York" and that the look will be "classic dinner with a spin."
· All Diner Coverage [EATL]

Rendering: Courtesy of Diner

Also Tracking in Atlanta

· Staplehouse

Austin

Launderette

Location: 2115 Holly St Austin, TX
Chefs: Rene Ortiz, Laura Sawicki
Projected Opening: Early 2015
Not only are chefs Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki transforming an Austin laundromat into a new neighborhood restaurant, they're also teasing the city with the promise of Angry Bear, a Szechuan takeout operation. Plus there will be a grocery. Needless to say, the restaurant has been one of the city's most anticipated for months. 
· All Launderette Coverage [EATX]

Photo: Laura Carroll

Also Tracking in Austin

· Italic
· Apis

Boston

Townsman

Location: 120 Kingston St, Boston, MA
Chef: Matt Jennings
Projected Opening: Early February
Chefs Matt and Kate Jennings left Providence, RI for Boston after 10 years at the helm of a beloved restaurant. A rep for Townsman says the restaurant will serve "locally driven, New England brasserie-inspired fare." The opening has been one of the city's most eagerly awaited for months now, but they're aiming to open the first week of February (though a rep says this might get pushed back a bit).
· All Townsman Coverage [EBOS]

Photo: Official

Also Tracking in Boston

· Hojoko
· Coppersmith 1894
· Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca
· Pepe's Pizza

Charleston

492

Location: 492 King St, Charleston, SC
Chef: Nate Whiting
Projected Opening: February 2015
After fine dining standby Tristan shuttered this past spring, chef Nate Whiting turned his attentions to 492. The chef has said that 492 will be more casual than Tristan with descriptors like "progressive American," "contemporary American," and a "fluid menu." Eater Charleston reports there will be an open kitchen, a rooftop garden, as well as an outdoor courtyard.
· All 492 Coverage [ECHS]

Photo: Eater Charleston / Facebook

Also Tracking in Charleston

· Hominy Grill's Chicken Project

Chicago

Intro

Location: 2300 North Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL
Chef: Various
Projected Opening: February 2015
After announcing the Michelin-starred restaurant L20 would close on New Year's Eve, restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You revealed bold new plans for the space. Eater Chicago reports that Intro will be a "multi-prong concept that will introduce Chicago food enthusiasts to new chefs, be a mentorship program, and may be a preview of sorts of future restaurants." Visiting "chefs-in-residence" will lead the restaurant for two-three months, in charge of both cuisine and concept for their time. First up is LA-based chef and Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson in February.
·All Intro Coverage [ECHI]

Photo: Barry Brecheisen

Also Tracking in Chicago

· The Northman
· David Burke at Hotel Indigo
· TBA Stephanie Izard Project

Dallas

Ten Ramen

Location: 1818 Sylvan Avenue, Dallas, TX
Chef: Teiichi Sakurai
Projected Opening: Late January 2015
A series of setbacks at the future development Sylvan Thirty including a fire in March has postponed the opening of this 13-seat ramen-ya. On the radar as one of fall's most anticipated openings, chef Teiichi Sakurai's Ten Ramen is now aiming for a late January opening that might push into early February.
·All Ten Ramen Coverage [EDFW]

Photo: Facebook

Also Tracking in Dallas

· Uchi
· Mudhen

Denver

Osaka Ramen

Location: 2611 Walnut Street, Denver, CO
Chef: Jeff Osaka
Projected Opening: March 2015
Delays have not dulled the city's enthusiasm for this upcoming ramen shop. Chef/owner of the now-shuttered Twelve Jeff Osaka will serve up ramen made with the lauded Sun Noodles, plus "izakaya-style items ranging from small pickle plates to fried fish, yakitori skewers, gyoza, and more" reports Eater Denver. Osaka also has plans to bring conveyor belt sushi to Denver in 2015.
· All Osaka Ramen Coverage [EDEN]

Photo: Osaka Ramen / Facebook

Also Tracking in Denver

· Cho77

Detroit

Republic and Parks and Rec

Location: 1942 Grand River, Detroit, MI
Chef: Kate Williams
Projected Opening: January - February 2015
Chef Kate Williams' ambitious plan to bring two new restaurants to Detroit's Grand Army of the Republic Building is a bit behind schedule but she's moving ahead with full steam. Williams recently told Eater Detroit that Republic will open first in January followed by Parks and Rec a month or so later. Republic will be more upscale with a "meat-centric" and "rustic" menu, while Parks and Rec will be more like a diner.
· All Republic Coverage [EDET]

Photo: Michelle and Chris Gerard

Also Tracking in Detroit

· Guns + Butter
· Katoi
· Chartreuse Kitchen and Cocktails

Houston

Treadsack Projects

Locations: 1801 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX; 4721 N Main St Houston, TX
Chefs: Graham Laborde, Richard Knight, PJ Stoops
Projected Opening: March 2015
The Houston-based Treadsack restaurant group is bringing three new restaurants "by March 2015" a rep confirms. First up is Hunky Dory, a neighborhood tavern with a kitchen led by Richard Knight. Sharing a building (but not a kitchen) with Hunky Dory is the just-announced Bernadine's, a Gulf Coast-inspired seafood destination headed up by chef Graham Laborde. And then there's Foreign Correspondents, a farm-to-table Thai operation with chef PJ Stoops at the helm.
· All Treadsack Coverage [EHOUS]

Rendering: Courtesy of Treadsack

Also Tracking in Houston

· Bramble
· Mein Restaurant

Las Vegas

Tapas by Alex Stratta

Location: 302 S Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
Chef: Alex Stratta
Projected Opening Date: Imminent
Big name Vegas chef Alex Stratta has finally returned to his city, and he is coming back with guns blazing and several restaurants in the works. Opening any day now (the original open date was actually in December), Tapas by Alex Stratta will focus on small, Spanish-style plates. The location at Tivoli Village is perhaps the most noteworthy aspect, however, since it's still rare for prominent chefs like Stratta — who earned two Michelin stars for Alex at Wynn Las Vegas —  to go off-Strip.
· All Alex Stratta Coverage [ELV]

Photo: Christopher DeVargas/Eater Vegas

Also Tracking in Las Vegas

· Mr. Chow
· White Castle

Los Angeles

Jon and Vinny's

Location: 412 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Chefs: Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo
Projected Opening: Late February 2015
Earlier this summer, chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo first told Eater that their plans for the Damiano space, located across the street from their hit restaurant Animal, included a "more approachable" restaurant to be called Jon and Vinny's. Fast forward several months and the chefs are getting ready to open the doors. Details about the restaurant are still scarce, but expect a more family-friendly environment than their other restaurants.
· All Jon and Vinny's Coverage [ELA]

Photo: Eater / Instagram

Cassia

Location: 1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA
Chef: Bryant Ng
Projected Opening: Winter 2015
Chef Bryant Ng has been keeping quiet about the plans for his upcoming Santa Monica restaurant, but here's what Eater LA does know: Ng and wife Kim are opening a 5,500 square feet space in an Art Deco building. They were invited to do so by the Rustic Canyon team, who will also open a wine bar and shop there. Ng's restaurant will have "a full bar, large patio, and a wood-fired grill" and Eater LA reports that while the menu will "have some similarities to the one at the Spice Table, the concept itself won't be like the Little Tokyo eatery. Ng will have a larger kitchen and more gadgets to play with, and an expanded menu that stretches across the flavors of Southeast Asia." 
· All Bryant Ng Coverage [ELA]

Photo: Eater LA

Madcapra Falafel

Location: 317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
Chefs: Sara Kramer, Sarah Hymanson
Projected Opening: March 2015
Madcapra Falafel is the first of two Los Angeles restaurants from chef and NYC expat Sara Kramer and her former sous chef Sarah Hymanson. The falafel shop is poised to open in the bustling Grand Central Market. A press release promises "a fresh take on the falafel shop" with a menu focused on vegetables in both sandwich and salad form. And everything will be homemade, from the bread to the hot sauce. This opening has already been a bit delayed, and press materials say the opening could happen in March or could push into April. 
· All Madcapra Falafel Coverage [ELA]

Photo: Elizabeth Daniels

Also Tracking in Los Angeles

· Big Gay Ice Cream
· Sidecar Doughnuts

Miami

El Cielo

Location: 41 SE 5th St, Miami, FL
Chef: Juan Manuel
Projected Opening: Imminent
On the radar for over a year, chef Juan Manuel Barrientos is finally ready to throw open the doors to his first restaurant outside of Colombia. Eater Miami reports that El Cielo will serve "modernist Colombian cuisine" in the form of set menus. The vibe will be "rustic-meets-modern Miami" with long wood tables, white leather seating, an open kitchen, and a salon that doubles as a private dining room.
· All El Cielo Coverage [EMIA]

Photo: Official

Also Tracking in Miami

· Quality Meats
· Tom Colicchio Hotel Restaurants
· Michael Scwartz Paraiso Bay Project

Minneapolis

Nighthawks and Birdie

Location: 3753 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Chef: Landon Schoenefeld
Projected Opening: Winter 2015
This is an ambitious two-part project from HauteDish chef Landon Schoenefeld. Eater Minneapolis reports that Nighthawks — named for the famous Edward Hopper painting — will serve Schoenefeld's take on upscale diner fare. Within Nighthawks will be Birdie, a "a revolving pop-up restaurant" that will serve a tasting menu.
· All Nighthawks Coverage [EMPLS]

Photo: Stephanie A. Meyer

Also Tracking in Minneapolis

· Saint Dinette
· Brut
· The Lexington

Nashville

5th and Taylor

Location: 1515 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN
Chef: Daniel Lindley
Projected Opening: February/March 2015
Once a highly anticipated fall opening, this restaurant from Chattanooga chef Daniel Lindley is now aiming for a February or March opening now that construction on the interior of the space has finally gotten under way. Lindley — a five-time semifinalist for the James Beard Best Chef: Southaest award — is planning to serve a "regional and seasonally focused American menu" in a truly massive space.
· All 5th and Taylor Coverage [ENASH]

Drawing: Facebook

Bajo Sexto

Location: 222 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN
Chef: Jonathan Waxman
Projected Opening: Early Spring
Jonathan Waxman is rapidly building up an empire and he recently announced that he will be bringing a second restaurant to Nashville. Bajo Sexto will be a casual taqueria located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame. Per the initial press announcement, the menu will be brief: "tacos and flautas, hand-made tortillas, wine on tap, beer and margaritas." Eater Nashville hears construction on the space is already far along, so this opening might sneak up on the city pretty quickly.
· All Bajo Sexto Coverage [ENASH]

Photos: Facebook / Krieger

Also Tracking in Nashville

· Butchertown Hall
· Flip Burger
· Germantown Market

New Orleans

Balise

Location: 640 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA
Chef: Justin Devillier
Projected Opening: January 2015
Delayed from its projected fall opening, Balise is New Orleans chef and Top Chef contestant Justin Devillier's second restaurant. He recently told Eater NOLA that Balise will be "more casual" than his hit restaurant La Petite Grocery. The kitchen will focus on its garde manger cold station, serving up things like escabeche, oysters, brandade, pate, rillettes, and crudite. Last Eater NOLA heard, Devillier was aiming to open the doors in early January but don't be surprised if it gets pushed further back, as PR reps are saying "early 2015."
· All Balise Coverage [ENOLA]

Photo: Josh Brasted

Shaya

Location: 4213 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
Partners: Alon Shaya, John Besh
Projected Opening: Winter 2015
Two of New Orleans' major restaurateurs are partnering on a new restaurant together. John Besh is teaming up with chef Alon Shaya, the namesake of the restaurant, who will be taking the lead in the kitchen. The cuisine will be "modern Israeli" inspired by Shaya's Israeli heritage. Per a press release, the cooking will also "reflect the ongoing evolution of Israeli food, while celebrating the abundance of Louisiana." Reps can't give a specific opening date, but say to expect Shaya in 2015's "first quarter."
· All Shaya Coverage [ENOLA]

Photos: Josh Brasted / Facebook

Also Tracking in New Orleans

· Roux Carre

New York City

Santina

Location: 820 Washington St, New York, NY
Chefs: Rich Torrisi, Mario Carbone
Projected Opening: January 15, 2015
Eater NY has christened Santina "the hottest unopened restaurant of New York 2015." This is a seafood-focused project from the ever-expanding empire of chefs Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and partner Jeff Zalaznick. The glass cube of a restaurant is located under the entrance to the High Line, an elevated park. The cuisine can best be described at this point as coastal Italian. After Santina opens, expect the gang to re-open the temporarily-shuttered Torrisi Italian Specialties as a new 15-seat fine dining destination.
· All Santina Coverage [ENOLA]

Photos: ENY / Krieger

Unnamed George Mendes Restaurant

Location: 835 6th Ave, New York, NY
Chef: George Mendes
Projected Opening: February 2015
Still without a name, chef George Mendes' is aiming to open his second NYC restaurant in February, reps say. Reps also note that the restaurant will be "a rustic place inspired by the cervejarias (beer halls) of Lisbon." Eater NY explains that the hotly anticipated Portuguese restaurant can be thought of as "the casual sibling to [Mendes'] Michelin-starred Aldea" and recently learned there will be a raw bar, coffee bar, and a take-out window.
· All George Mendes Coverage [ENY]

Photo: Krieger

Jams

Location: 1414 6th Ave, New York, NY
Chef: Jonathan Waxman
Projected Opening: Winter 2015
For his next New York City restaurant, Barbuto chef Jonathan Waxman has surprised the city by naming his upcoming hotel restaurant project Jams after his famed 1980s smash hit. A spokesperson told Eater recently that this new Jams will be a "a modern interpretation of Jams" with updated versions of Waxman's simple, Italian-inflected seasonal fare. 
· All Jams Coverage [ENY]

Photo: Krieger

Also Tracking in New York City

· Dirt Candy
· Brooklyn Fare Manhattan
· ABC Home Grown
· Conant

Portland, OR

Tastebud

Location: 7783 SW Capitol Hwy Portland, OR
Chef: Jason Barwikowski
Projected Opening: March 2015
Normally re-openings wouldn't make it onto this list, but in the case of wood-fired pizzeria Tastebud in Portland, the rules needed breaking. The reason why is that Tastebud founder Mark Doxtader recently announced who would be leading the kitchen at Tastebud 2.0: chef Jason Barwikowski, the opening chef at both of Olympic Provisions Southeast and The Woodsman Tavern. To get a feel for what kind of pizza Barwikowski might be making when he takes control of the ovens at the new location, check out the pie he made for Eater Pizza Week.
· All Tastebud Coverage [EPDX]

Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX

Also Tracking in Portland

· Renata
· Moon Pizza
· Pream

San Diego

Bracero

Location: 1490 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA
Chef: Javier Plascencia
Projected Opening: March 2015
Beloved Baja chef Javier Plascencia is going big with his next San Diego restaurant: as in 4,800 square-feet big. According to a press release, Bracero: Cocina Mexicana de Raiz will serve "modern Mexican [food] with both small and large plates, as well family-style shareable platters" while the beverages will focus on "Mexican spirits and Baja wine." The massive restaurant will have two floors: the first floor and bar will be more casual and walk-in only, while the second floor will be home to an additional bar and a reservations-only dining room.
· All Bracero Coverage [ESD]

Photo: Official / Facebook

Tracking

· The Heart & Trotter
· Catania
· Market Hall

San Francisco

Aster

Location: 1001 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA
Chef: Brett Cooper
Projected Opening: February 2015
Delayed from its initially-projected fall opening, Aster is the Daniel Patterson restaurant group's next project with chef Brett Cooper. The restaurant will boast 45 seats, a chef's counter, and a living garden. Reps for DPG describe the food as "creative Californian;" "familiar favorites, elevated through carefully sourced and housemade ingredients" and "impeccable technique." There's more to it: "This is the first of what DPG hopes to become an incubator program of sorts - providing the infrastructure for chefs to focus on the creative aspects of opening their own restaurants." Another interesting feature at Aster: no tipping.
· All Aster Coverage [ESF]

Photo: Robert Birnbach

Tracking

· Fat Noodle
· The Lusty Lady
· Tartine Mission Project
· American Masala
· Liholiho Yacht Club

Seattle

Shaker + Spear

Location: 2000 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA
Chef: Walter Pisano
Projected Opening: January 2015
With the arrival of Kimpton's Palladian Hotel to the Belltown neighborhood comes Shaker + Spear, a seafood-focused restaurant from veteran local chef Walter Pisano and his chef de cuisine Chris Lobkovich (pictured together above). Reps for the restaurant promise a "curated menu of seafood paired simply with fresh, regional ingredients," a robust cocktail selection, plus a 12-seat counter along the open kitchen. Do keep an eye out for sister bar project Pennyroyal to also debut in January. 
· All Shaker + Spear Coverage [ESEA]

Photos: Facebook

Tracking

· 7 Beef
· Max's
· Girin
· Chophouse Row Projects

Washington, DC

Beefsteak

Location: George Washington University, Washington, DC
Chef: José Andrés
Projected Opening: February 2015
At long last — and after securing funding — José Andrés' vegetable-focused foray into fast-casual dining is on its way. A press release from the group notes that Beefsteak is a "brand" and that this location on the George Washington University campus is simply the first location (and yes, it's for the public not just students). "This is not a vegetarian restaurant," say reps, "but rather a place where fresh, market-driven vegetables take center stage and thrive as the main component of a dish." Diners will be able to customize meal bowls chock full of grains, sauces, toppings, optional proteins, and, of course, vegetables.
· All Beefsteak Coverage [EDC]

Photo: Eater

Maketto

Location: 1351 H St NE, Washington, DC
Chef: Erik Bruner-Yang
Projected Opening: February 2015
Well over a year after Eater put Maketto on its most anticipated national openings list, reps say the doors are finally going to open this February. Leading the charge is Toki Underground chef Erik Bruner-Yang who is partnering with Will Sharp and chef de cuisine James Wozniuk on an Asian nightmarket-inspired retail space, a restaurant, and a cafe. Vigilante Coffee will also have a home in Maketto, as will the growing bakery Frenchie's. Take a look back at the 2013 Maketto residency at DC's Hanoi House to learn more about the group's culinary point of view for its "communal marketplace and lifestyle brand."
· All Maketto Coverage [EDC]

Photo: Instagram

Tracking

· Pepita
· Peter Chang Maryland Project
· Bad Saint