Haven’t made it to BLT Fish yet? Before the bloom is even off that rose, Laurent Tourondel is working on his third already, BLT Prime, a steak house.
Late Spring

Speaking of the bloom, it's not faded on Lotus Brazil yet and the long awaited Manhattan opening of their 14th Street spot - across the way from the original - is happening.
March

As for things Brazilian themed, in Singapore, all the rage is Whitebait & Kale, the martini spot next to one of Richard Meier’s buildings.

In Paris, with fans in Bjork and Sofia Coppola, Le Baron has been taken over by graffiti artist Andre and his partner Lionel.

Back in NYC, private club Fizz has popped open its doors in uptown Manhattan, just as Plaid closed its door.

Also from Fizz owner Jean DeNoyer is Da Giacomo on East 64th Street – same name as the restaurant constantly popular during Milan Fashion Week. (See our note on the bottom for our Financial Times pieces, one of which came out in Milan.)

The old Sound Factory on 48th in Manhattan is becoming yet another super-club.
This Spring

For those looking for more relaxed spots, Telly Hatzigeorgeou opens Plus with 6 VIP pool tables.

From Michael Dorrian and crew is restaurant Barna at the Hotel Giraffe.
March 30th

Pure in Las Vegas, which has its grand opening on New Year’s with celebrity owners Shaq, Celine Dion, and Stefi Graf, is the destination club.

Also opened last year, Seattle club Element is said to still be drawing them in.

Out in San Francisco, Dolce, which threw open their doors early this year, is the rage.

In Seoul, the Blue Note (of Manhattan) has opened a jazz outpost and is packing them in.

Lastly back to the Apple, this week, PS450 opened its lounge doors.

In restaurant news, the creators of the popular Thai Highline and Peep have opened Pukk in NYC, a vegetarian spot with no fish sauce in anything.

Also in Manhattan, Jean-Georges Vongerichten protégé Angelo Sosa plans to open Yumcha. There’s at least one real Chinese expert on the staff of his new upscale 55-seat space: tea consultant Jin R from Beijing.
Late March

In Chelsea, Amy Sacco’s Bette restaurant has caused many problems with her building’s gas lines, she will surely be appeasing residents Annie Leibovitz, Debbie Harry and Teri Hatcher with tasty meals when the space finally opens.

Speaking of tasty, with the chef from Sushi Samba, new spot Sugarcane has drinks categorised Cachacas, Sakes, Shochus and meals divided into Small, Grilled, Sizzling and Drunken.

Dirk from B.E.D. has brought a new chef to Salon, where we had our fashion week party. The restaurant is expected next.
End April

Over in Nevada, Mix Las Vegas (from Alain Ducasse and China Grill Management) in the Mandalay Bay is the reservation to have.

In Madrid, El Bulli's Ferran Adrià has opened a Spanish burger spot (burgers with olive tapenade, fries in olive oil…) called Fast Good.

In restaurant slash hotel news, hot L.A. sushi bar Koi is coming to the Bryant Park Hotel in NYC. In time for Fall Fashion Week perhaps.

Ian Schrager continues to remake Gramercy Park Hotel and has brought on John McDonald (Lure Fishbar, Lever House) to do a posh 140-seat brasserie.

In Florida, Evan Pravda, Chris and Tim Spuches have a new bar restaurant in the Marlin Hotel.
Next week. During Winter Music

Out in Portland, the place to play - and sleep - is the Doug Fir Lounge and Jupiter Hotel.

Down under in Hobart, Australia all the rage is the Henry Jones Art Hotel at 25 Hunter Street.

Wynn Las Vegas is expected from Steve Wynn.
Late April

In Italy the Terme di Merano, the classic spa hotel, will reopen with makeover courtesy of Matteo Thun.
This year

Giorgio Armani and Dubai-based Emaar Properties are said to be opening a hotel together in Milan.
Before 2008

In shopping, wife of Le Baron owner Andre, Chloe is making her own news with Madame Andre, her boutique on rue du Mont-Thabor.

The other new thing in Paris is private shopping courtesy of venteprivee.com for which you have to have a sponsor to become a member and to receive the major discounts on designer wear.

Also in the City of Lights, Dessanges had done a private boutique called Private Access which changed stock, from luxury travel to fine jewelry, where members could only get in with a ticket that changed every week. Only Dessange clients were allowed in. We’ll see if they bring it back due to popularity.

London shopping is about shop/gallery Best which does fashion, art, and nightlife with DJs spinning and shoppers drinking

…and Dover Street Market, a 6 story shop from Comme Des Garcons designer Rei Kawabuko featuring Boudicca and Hedi Slimane creations.

Back in NY, Cantaloup Destination Denim is where Patti Hansen, Theodora and Alexandra Richards can be found bellying up to the denim bar.

In a shopping – food hybrid, Sam Firer and his team have opened Plate NYC in the old M & R Bar space – now a fashion shop by day and restaurant by night.

Beauty-wise, Orlando Pita has opened Orlando in NYC.

Nick Jones (Soho House London and New York) is doing the Cowshed Relax spa at Edinburgh’s hottest hotel, the Scotsman Hotel.