Scarpetta, located at 355 West 14th Street, is now open for business. Scott Conant, one of the city’s top Italian chefs, is the Chef and owner. The place is conceived as seasonal Italian and will feature the kind of elegant, yet elemental and assertive food Conant is known for, such as imported ricotta raviolini with chicken livers and spinach purée, and calamarata pasta with mixed seafood and sea urchin. The room, which is designed by S. Russell Groves, holds 70 seats, and has a long mahogany bar and a twenty-seat café in the front.

Florent’s window now has a different kind of “For Rent” sign in it. Check out this picture I took today. Word is that Ralph Lauren is looking at the space. We will miss you Florent!

I just stopped by Bagatelle’s to have a look inside and guess what I found? Their Saturday brunch is like a dance club. They have a live DJ spinning A-list music and the girls were going wild, dancing on top of the furniture while patrons casually ate their brunch nearby. If you want to have a good time next Saturday, stop by Bagatelle’s at about 1pm and join in on the fun.