Sorella: Chef Emma Hearst (pictured), formerly of Union Square Café, opened her first restaurant over a week ago, but it didn't really catch our eye until the Feedbag's mouth-watering photo essay on Sorella's "ultimate english muffin," which is house-made with duck fat and served with chicken liver mousse, fried egg, and bacon. According to Strongbuzz, Sorella's cuisine is "an ode to [Hearst's] travels throughout Northern Italy." The Allen Street location, formally occupied by the Mexican joint El Portal, has been transformed into a candlelit den of romantic dining, with a bar serving small plates and a second room for dinner. Soon, there will be brunch. 95 Allen Street, between Delancey and Broome; (212) 274-9595
La Cave des Fondus: The big gimmick here is the baby bottle. As in, the wine is literally served in a baby bottle, and patrons are expected to suck it through the rubber nipple. Yep, the diaper fetish crowd is surely having a major B.M. as they read this. Located in the basement of French-Moroccan bistro Jacques, La Cave is an homage to the Montmartre restaurant Le Refuge des Fondus, where Parisians suckle from baby bottles as a trick to skirt a tax on wine glasses, according to Urban Daddy. The Times, in an article titled "Cry Once for Red, Twice for White," informs readers that "if you want to act like an infant and get drunk at the same time, City Hall is giving you a big green light." We've never needed City Hall's permission for that, but for those of you too mature for wining (yes!) there's fondue in classic cheese, beef broth, and molten chocolate varieties. 20 Prince Street, (212) 966-5073
Brookvin: Aaron Hans, the oenophile who took over Park Slope wine shop Big Nose Full Body, is fed up with life as a mere retailer and has opened his own wine bar in the 'hood. NY Mag got the scoop: "The selections are as eclectic as his store’s inventory and range from $6 to $14 a glass, including an $8 proprietary house red custom-blended by Sonoma’s Jake Hawkes. Chef Dave Townsend, a Savoy alum, makes his own sausage, cures salumi on premises, and offers a selection of seasonal small plates like pickled vegetables, roasted cauliflower with capers and anchovies, and a tartine of lardo, parsley salad, and truffle oil. In addition to an emphasis on half-bottles, there’s draft beer and a full bar." 381 Seventh Avenue, near 12th Street, Park Slope; (718) 768-9463
Also, don't miss our photo spread on Kefi's new location on the Upper West Side.
