380469 Tue Mar 13 07:45:05 -0700 2007 3 18 Manhattan 0 2380383 I'm interested in a report. Thanks Tue Mar 13 07:45:05 -0700 2007 18941 tsiblis 1 2380418 not open yet. when i asked a week ago, they said march 13, but i walked by yesterday and it doesn't look like they'll be ready for a few more days still. can't wait though... Tue Mar 13 07:55:45 -0700 2007 2380383 14736 MBShapiro 1 2380641 I was in the vicinity Sunday before last and was peeking in through the glass and someone was in there. That someone turned out to be one of the chefs and he let us in and showed us around and gave us a sneak preview of the menu. At the time he mentioned an opening date of the 14th but that seemed optimistic. The other chef showed up as well and we chatted with them for 15-20 mins and they were very accomodating. Both have spent time working in Spain and have fine pedigrees in terms of their US/NY restaurant experience, I'm looking forward to trying the place and to perching at the small chef's counter which they are creating at the back of the long, comparatively narrow space. It's a good space and looks like it will be an interesting set up with a centrally positioned "jamon station" in addition to the kitchen at the back. By the way, for those who know the Barcelona dining scene, it's been misreported in some places that a former chef from the restaurant Ot in Gracia will be working at Mercat. That is not the case and the former chef is simply a friend of Jaime Reixach, the owner of Mercat. Tue Mar 13 09:00:11 -0700 2007 2380383 28263 oonth 1 2386036 We're going, but I know they haven't officially opened-- they're in the midst of a super-soft opening now. Nosher NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com Wed Mar 14 15:09:47 -0700 2007 2380383 10751 Nosher