Chefs on the Move: Northeast and Overseas News

In New York City, Jared Ian Stafford-Hill introduced Saint Urban, a wine-focused tasting menu concept in the Flatiron. Blue Peak Villa is a new Chinese concept inspired by the culinary lineage of the Qing Dynasty, led by Jian Wu. Santiago Perez (Cosme) launches a taqueria of his own, Santo Taco, this week in Nolita. Known for its Portuguese egg tarts, the Lisbonata pop-up went permanent in Crown Heights. Bagizza brought pizza bagels to Midtown. Sasha Zabar (Glace) opened Glace Candy on the Upper East Side. Deux Luxe is a new to-go Wagyu burger spot from sisters Charlotte and Carrie Denoyer. The folks behind Dante branch out this summer with Dante Aperitivo in the West Village. 2016 Plate Chef to Watch Erik Ramirez and Juan Correa shutter the Manhattan location of Llama San early June. Vegan restaurant Modern Love closes next month. 

In Rhinebeck, N.Y., Taavo Somer and Erin Winters introduce a bakery, all-day cafe, and Mediterranean restaurant called Little Goat on May 28; Brian Paragas serves as executive chef, along with Brian Arruda as consulting chef.

In New Jersey, Gigi’s Cafe brought Dominican and Venezuelan cuisines to Cedar Grove. 

In Philadelphia, Dan Suro opened La Jefa, an all-day cafe and bar focusing on natural wine and agave cocktails, in the back half of Tequilas. 

In Washington, D.C., Lobby Bar served up classic American fare and specialty martinis on Capitol Hill, with Andre Williams as chef. New York’s longstanding Cafe Fiorello marked its first location outside of Manhattan.

In Boston, Bar Lunette is a new French cocktail spot in Brookline. George Mendes parted ways with Amar, with plans to open a tasting menu restaurant of his own, along with a cafe and bakery. 

In Maine, Josh Sobel (Ramona’s) soon unveils an Italian red sauce joint, Benny’s, in Portland’s Arts District. El Tequila opens in Waterville this summer. 

In Maryland, Baltimore-based Kong Pocha brought its Korean fried chicken to Columbia. 

In Hong Kong, Daniel Boulud plans his first restaurant in Asia, Terrace Boulud, due next January in partnership with Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and LANDMARK.