Founded by Dieuveny “DJ” Jean Louis and David Garretson of UMG Hospitality Group, this Mediterranean-themed, contemporary restaurant focuses on tapas and wine, then evolves into a sexy lounge atmosphere. The restaurant features Mediterranean fare, seafood dishes, flatbreads made in a brick oven, signature dishes and an impressive drink menu, plus musical performances, special celebrity DJ appearances (both in person and virtually with robots), video walls, and hookah.

Roman Grandinetti and his mother, Regina, opened their first neighborhood sub shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. They’ve reproduced it in the lobby of Urbanica The Meridian Hotel, one of those chic, unpretentious hotels springing up lately in residential neighborhoods, in this case South of Fifth. All their sandwiches are named after family members, like Uncle Jimmy, Grandma Lucy and Big Anthony. Regina’s Grocery is not much of a grocery, but a sandwich bar where you can pull up a stool, watch your sandwich being assembled and chat with the person making it.

For nearly three years, Naomi Harris has been baking craft breads and pastries at her bakery and cafe. Since then, she’s built a strong community following and appreciation for her rustic loaves using heirloom wheat milled on site, and use of seasonal produce like mangos from her family’s groves.