Allen & Delancey's strip loin with panzanella (Photo: Lizz Kuehl)

Jay Cheshes gives Allen & Delancey four out of five stars, anointing its newest chef, Ryan Skeen, a “rapidly maturing talent—his food here is far and away his most impressive to date—[it] might soon put him in the ranks of the best cooks in New York.” [TONY]

“Chef Scott Bridi…has a masterful command of [meat],” but Lot 2 would be even better if it paid “more consistent attention” to its veggies. [TONY]

The Standard Grill “is not the place I would send friends who want to study the latest contortions of the yoga masters of haute cuisine. But it is exactly where I would direct anybody who needs to recharge by plugging straight into the abundant, renewable energy source that is downtown Manhattan,” writes Pete Wells in his one-star review. [NYT] Read more »

Water Taxi Beach Governors Island (Photo: Jeff Gurwin)

The following restaurants and bars are expected to open by July 15. Opening dates can change, so call ahead before heading out.

Lot 2 Chef Scott Bridi brings the expertise he developed as the onetime head of Gramercy Tavern’s charcuterie program to this modest Brooklyn spot. In addition to an extensive cured-meat–and-sausage menu (neck three ways comes with house-made pork and lamb coppa, as well as rillettes), Bridi will prepare a market-driven American menu with dishes featuring secondary cuts of meat, like an entrée of slow-cooked brisket, pork jowl, and lamb rib with carrots and potatoes. 687 Sixth Ave between 19th and 20th Sts, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (718-499-5623)

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