Restaurant News: RM Salon Gets Permission To Open, Sarah's Pastries To Close

By Anthony Todd in Food on Jun 26, 2012 3:30PM

- After a permit nightmare of epic proportions (which included sitting for months on a mostly-finished restaurant that wasn't allowed to open) RM Champagne Salon is good to go. RM is the back part of the same space as Nellcote, and is run out of the same kitchen. The menu will feature champagne (surprise) small plates and desserts. The plan was to open RM shortly after Nellcote, and when we took a peek inside about a month ago, the place could have started service that very night. Alas, bureaucracy got in the way. Yesterday, a representative of RM told us that they finally got permission to begin building their sure-to-be-epic patio, right across the alley from the brand new g.e.b. patio, and they are aiming for a late July opening. We'll definitely have more info about RM as it comes closer to opening.

- Sarah's Pastries and Candies, the Oak Street pastry shop run by chef and author Sarah Levy, is going to close on July 31. According to 312 Dining Diva, the building that the shop is currently housed in is being taken down, and plans for a new spot fell through. That story doesn't quite explain why the Macy's location will also be closing on July 28th, but nevertheless, both outposts of Sarah's will be gone at the end of next month. Keep an eye out for Levy, though - after seven years of sweetness, we doubt we've seen the last of her.

- A rumor came out last week that Chris Jones, Top Chef contestant and chef de cuisine at moto, was leaving the restaurant. Moto Chef/Owner Homaro Cantu vociferously (if somewhat obscurely) denied the rumor, but it turns out to be true - Grubstreet reported yesterday that Jones will be leaving moto for a "sabbatical." Fellow Top Chef Contestant Richie Farina will be taking over his post. No word yet on any changes this will bring to the restaurant or menu.