228864 Mon Dec 05 19:50:51 -0800 2005 10 18 Manhattan 0 1215751 Justin Timberlake is set to open an Italian place in the former Wylie's space on First Avenue, Destino, featuring a former Rao's chef. Teamed with the owner of the nightclub Suede. Somehow I cannot imagine how this will lift the area's poor eating profile. Hope I am proved wrong! Mon Dec 05 19:50:51 -0800 2005 0 erica 1 1215753 A little far East. Maybe a good place to eat before or after drinks at the Beekman. Just about the only thing close is Meltemi. Maybe he will have better luck then his former girlfriend with a place in NYC, he does have one in LA. Mon Dec 05 20:01:35 -0800 2005 1215751 0 RICKO 2 1215761 isn't the food at Rao's supposed to be mediocre at best? somehow, that, coupled with timberlake owning it, fails to inspire... Mon Dec 05 20:39:21 -0800 2005 1215753 0 Nehna 3 1215774 Totally... More: "It's going to be a real deal...a tablecloth place," says Sugarman (who opened Suede nightclub in 2002.) Of his soon-to-be-closed nightclub, he says, "it's time to put the little doggy to sleep." Mon Dec 05 21:43:11 -0800 2005 1215761 0 erica 3 1215844 "isn't the food at Rao's supposed to be mediocre at best?" So is Justin Timberlake. It's a match made in hell. Tue Dec 06 12:06:27 -0800 2005 1215761 0 Bob Martinez 4 1215979 Then again, Justin could hold his costs down by buying the NYLA furniture from Britney. Tue Dec 06 17:49:37 -0800 2005 1215844 0 Bob Martinez 1 1215788 6-months tops Tue Dec 06 08:19:07 -0800 2005 1215751 0 Maya Epernay 1 1215888 Where on First is it going to be? Just curious as I live nearby and am hoping I won't have to walk home through plumes of cigarette smoke. Tue Dec 06 14:05:30 -0800 2005 1215751 0 thelambchop 2 1215925 You can see the space undergoing renovations now on the NE corner of 50th and First. When I first moved here it was Wylie's, then a Chinese bar/lounge place. I hope those bars on Second don't migrate further east. Tue Dec 06 15:13:06 -0800 2005 1215888 0 erica 1 1215991 Hey, if the Rao's chef is Matre d' and Mr Timberlake does the cooking, it is doomed. If it works the other way, it will pack 'em in. Tue Dec 06 18:59:05 -0800 2005 1215751 0 Brian S 1 1216706 if ever there was a reason to say "there goes the neighborhood!" feh if his current is the M'd I might go for a glass of water. How bad could that be done? Sat Dec 10 11:26:21 -0800 2005 1215751 0 Fritz