Six Exciting Restaurant Openings to Watch This Fall Chris Lehoux, September 4, 2025 Fall is recognized as a peak season for restaurant openings, providing chefs the opportunity to unleash their creativity after a summer filled with research and renovations. As the season approaches in 2025, Wine Spectator has spotlighted six highly anticipated restaurants nationwide, highlighting not only their unique concepts but also their promising wine selections. An Old Hand Brings New Life to Babbo Stephen Starr’s recent acquisition of Babbo, a restaurant once linked with Mario Batali, has generated considerable excitement. With chef Mark Ladner, who was part of Babbo’s opening team in 1998, on board, the restaurant aims to re-emerge stronger than before. The reopening is slated for November 1, as confirmed by Yelp. Kwame Onwuachi Raises the Stakes in Las Vegas Chef Kwame Onwuachi, known for his acclaimed restaurant Tatiana, is making a significant move to Las Vegas with his new Afro-Caribbean steak house, Maroon, located at the Sahara Las Vegas. This establishment pays homage to the Maroon people of Jamaica, connecting the culinary experience with rich cultural history. Maroon will take over the previous location of José Andrés’ Bazaar Meat. Eleven Madison Park Alums Expand with a Second Restaurant In the West Village, Eleven Madison Park graduates Cedric Nicaise and chef Andy Quinn are set to launch Oriana, a wood-fire grilling restaurant in Nolita. Nicaise, previously the wine director at Eleven Madison Park, plans a robust wine cellar for Oriana, accommodating 7,000 bottles—more than double the capacity of their first successful venture, the Noortwyck. A Swedish Chef Roots Himself in Los Angeles Marcus Jernmark, established as a chef in the U.S. at Aquavit, is finally launching Lialle, a Nordic-leaning tasting menu restaurant, in Los Angeles. This venture, preceded by extensive engagement with California’s agricultural and winemaking innovators, signifies Jernmark’s aspiration for more wine-focused offerings in his second project, planned for the space above Lialle. Crying Tiger to Debut in the Windy City Crying Tiger, a new restaurant concept spearheaded by chef Thai Dang, is headed to Chicago’s River North area. Focused on Thai cuisine, particularly the highlighted dish of the same name, this establishment aims to convey Southeast Asian culinary traditions while benefiting from Dang’s extensive experience at top Vietnamese spots. A Bona Fide Wine Bar from Fine-Dining Virtuosos New York City’s East Village will soon welcome Stars, a wine bar introduced by the successful team behind Claud and Penny. Unlike their prior full-service restaurants, Stars will emphasize light snacks alongside an impressive wine list that starts with over 1,000 selections. Below are the highlighted links related to the upcoming restaurant openings: Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi Eleven Madison Park The Noortwyck Aquavit Claud Penny Stay updated with the latest happenings in the restaurant world by subscribing to the Private Guide to Dining newsletter. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine