ES Local: The Top 10 Most Anticipated New NYC Restaurants of 2010

2009, as we all know by now, was more a year for restaurant closings than openings. But with the economy kinda-sorta-maybe turning a corner-ish, here’s hoping that 2010 will be a banner year for eating out once again. With that thought in mind, take a look at the top 10 rumored/confirmed/dreamed up/maybe really happening NYC restaurants we’re crossing our fingers for in 2010.

10. No. 7 Sub

Fort Greene’s inventive No. 7—called one of 2009’s best new restaurants in America by Bon Appetit—is heading to Manhattan, of all places, to debut a more wallet-friendly menu. Rumored to open early this year inside midtown’s Ace Hotel, the take-out-only offshoot will feature a selection of under-$10 sandwiches made on house-baked bread and topped with yummy extras like kimchi pickles and Japanese kewpie mayo.  20 W. 29th St.

9. Three More Shake Shacks!

One day, there will be more Shake Shacks in New York than Starbucks. Until that glorious, heart-stopping moment arrives (we’ll set the over/under at February 2014), those not near existing shacks at Madison Square Park, the UWS, and Shea Stadium can get their burger fix at three new locations: downtown (Prince and Mulberry Streets), midtown (8th Avenue and 44th Street), and UES (86th Street and Lex). In the randomest restaurant news ever, there will also be one in Kuwait.

8. The Sam Talbot Project, Continued

The New York foodie set is certifiably obsessed with this Top Chef reject/pin-up model/chef at Long Island’s seasonal Surf Lodge. But despite being constantly seen all over town and rumored to be making a bid on every space that comes on the market, we’re still waiting for the great Sam Talbot restaurant. Supposedly, and emphasis on supposedly, Sam will be cooking at an as-yet-unnamed over-the-top eatery inside Chinatown’s upcoming Mondrian Hotel. Here’s hoping! 150 Lafayette St.

7. DessertTruck

It’s been a full five months since the truck that started the upscale mobile restaurant trend traded in its wheels and then announced it’s transformation into a permanent LES eatery. Let’s get this thing going, guys! New Yorkers can’t be expected to go without $5 rosemary-caramel goat cheese cheesecake for much longer, can we? 6 Clinton Street.

6. Pies and Thighs

Of course, P&T fans have little sympathy for those waiting on DessertTruck. The Williamsburg hole-in-the-wall that set off the now-a-bit-ridiculous fried chicken craze has been M.I.A. for two years now, as it sets up a larger space. The latest projection we’ve seen is any day now, and god we hope there’s some truth to that. 166 S. 4th Street, Williamsburg.

5. The Lambs Club

Anyone who thought that crazy over-the-top hotel dining died during the Great Recession should think again. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian (of Town) gives the classic hotel restaurant his best shot this year with the opulent 90-seat Lamb’s Club, set to open inside midtown’s new Chatwal hotel, with 20-foot windows looking out at the hoi polloi below. 130 W. 44th St.

4. Eataly

Speaking of over-the-top, the Mario Batali/Lidia and Joe Bastianich juggernaut are set to open their largest Manhattan restaurant yet, a 32,000-square-foot version of their existing Eataly restaurant in Italy, complete with an Italian food market, upscale wine shop, and—keeping with the times—a rooftop beer garden. The Flatiron District mega-complex is scheduled to open this summer. 200 Fifth Avenue.

3. Brush Stroke

One thing we’ve thought New York is surprisingly lacking in is exciting cooking schools. David Bouley looks to remedy that with his long-delayed Tribeca spot, a decade-in-the-making dream that will include a Japanese restaurant, test kitchen, and cooking school operated in coordination with Japan’s Tsuji Culinary Institute. 30 Hudson Street.

2. Fatty ‘Cue

It feels like we read more about this mash-up between Fatty Crab chef Zak Pelaccio and Hill Country pitmaster Robbie Richter than almost any other restaurant in 2009, which is odd, because it never opened. Latest word is that the Asian/Hipster/BBQ/Seafood spot will be opening its gates in March. 91 S. 6th Street, Williamsburg. Update: Fatty ‘Cue makes our list of the top ten things we ate in 2010

1. Colicchio & Sons

We haven’t been shy to make fun of Tom Colicchio for his sell-out Diet Coke ads, but you’ve got to give the Top Chef judge credit—while he could easily have spent the past few years parlaying his TV fame into half-assed eateries all over the world, he’s kept his Craft empire (relatively) small, and his major development of 2009 was TOM: Tuesday Dinner, which has him getting back in the kitchen cooking creative tasting menus in a small setting 2-3 times a month. Now he’s announced plans to close his glitzy Craftsteak and replace it with a more personal restaurant based off the Tuesday Dinner series. 85 10th Ave. Update: Endless Simmer reviews Colicchio & Sons

More: Five New Hotel Restaurants Coming to New York in 2010