What’s Cookin’ March

Elmo (156 Seventh Ave, 212-337-8000, ElmoRestaurant.com) has reopened after a full renovation. Owner Bob Pontarelli tells us the restaurant will still be the same great design—but with an unexpected twist or two. Word has it that Sunday brunch is a killer and check out the launch party Saturday, March 30 at 10pm.

In other highly energized news, Chelsea Coffee (220 Eighth Ave, 212-929-0990) just opened in Chelsea. Could this be the next Big Cup?

Slide (174 Bleecker St, 212-777-9077, SlideRestaurant.com) cruises into Greenwich Village with London native Madison Cowan and New Yorker Eric Rubin at the helm. The cannolis come courtesy of Anthony Fontana. Sliders include bulgogi cheesesteak, buttermilk fried chicken and cheddar waffle, and beef with Manchego cheese and caramelized onions. Homemade green ketchup and extras like fried anchovies top it all off (well, maybe not the cannolis).

While dallying with your daal, browsing through your biryanis or mulling over the signature Murgh Makhani at Moti Mahal Delux (1149 First Ave, 212-371-3535, MotiMahalDelux.us), ponder a potable—they recently received their wine and beer license and now feature a carefully curated list.

Former John Brown Smokehouse chef de cuisine John Zervoulakos has been named the executive chef of The Strand Smokehouse (25-27 Broadway, 718-440-3231) in Astoria. Stop by and check out what he’s got on the burner!