The only appropriate way to shut down the old year is by looking ahead to the next. We had some highly anticipated restaurants in 2007, and by the looks of this Mega Plywood Report, 2008 will not disappoint. Here, then, a recap of what's to come in the world of trendsters, celebrity chefs and the New York invasion. If you know of something about to sprout in your part of town, do throw it in our tip jar.
BondSt at the Thompson Beverly Hills
The New York Invasion Continues
Although last we heard it would open by the end of 2007, Jonathon Morr's BondSt should open in the Thompson Hotel in early '08 . Laurent Tourondel's BLT Steak should hit by early to mid February. November came and went, but the One Group's STK will debut in the former Bridge spot on La Cienega, we suspect, sometime early in the year. By spring, Michael Bao's Bao 323 is expected in West Hollywood. And the private membership Soho House is slated to open by fall.
The Celebrity Chefs Still Cometh
Now that Mario and Tom are comfortable in their new LA digs, the Todd English Hollywood spot, Beso, should be open in January (starring Eva Longoria). Replacing L'Orangerie, Nobu should debut by February. Come spring, Gordon Ramsay will finally show LA will step out of our TVs to open his eponymous spot at the London Hotel.
The Trendsters
2007 was the year of Shereen Arazm (Parc, Terroni, Central), but next year it will be all SBE, all the time. Sushi Roku's Innovative Dining Group brings conveyor-belt sushi at Luckyfish in January. And Adolfo Suaya continues buying up real estate and turning it into something, anything in Hollywood.
