NYC Culinary Scene: Romero’s New Ventures, Giulietta, Willet’s & Wagyu Room Openings

Richie Romero launches new eateries like The Eighth after his nightlife exit. NYC's dynamic dining scene also welcomes Mark Barak's Italian Giulietta, the Halbergs' Willet's Corner, and The Wagyu Room, promising diverse culinary experiences.

Romero– who formerly voiced reservations about growing his business connections to New York City following Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s political election– is releasing The Eighth in collaboration with interior developers Julien Legeard and Valmira Gashi of Legeard Studio. Romero is The Eighth’s marketing and brand name advising partner.

Richie Romero’s New Culinary Chapter

Nightlife expert Richie Romero is opening up three brand-new eateries as he continues to put the “dark energy” globe of sex, beverage and drugs that bordered him throughout his club-running days behind him, he informed Side Recipe.

“The medications, the alcohol, and infidelity” that bordered Romero at some point “became excessive,” he informed The Blog post, adding that he himself has never ever done drugs and has had “maybe two” alcohols in the previous two decades.

Introducing Giulietta: A Splashy Italian Spot

We hear … that Mark Barak– owner of the La Pecora Bianca Group, which has six prominent La Pecora Bianca places in Manhattan, in addition to Mama Mezze– is opening a splashy Italian restaurant. Giuletta is set to open up Monday at the MetLife Building on Park Method.

Romero’s partnership with Akiva ended in 2020, with Romero stating there was never ever any kind of bad blood between them and his own nightlife exit was gradual. Every partnership was like that– the self-interests of so numerous various individuals,” Romero stated. Giulietta states it will be open for every little thing from “morning coffee and fresh breads to crudi, neapolitan-style pizzas and house-made pastas,” all led by culinary director Ed Scarpone. In April, the Giardino at Giulietta will certainly open up as a standalone, seasonal outdoor aperitivo bar and garden for even more than 150 individuals. Romero’s partnership with Akiva finished in 2020, with Romero claiming there was never any kind of negative blood between them and his own nightlife leave was gradual.

Richie Akiva taken into custody in 2014. Romero’s partnership with Akiva finished in 2020, with Romero stating there was never ever any type of bad blood between them and his own night life departure was steady. BrosNYC/ BACKGRID

Giulietta’s Mediterranean Flair & Ambiance

It is influenced by the Mediterranean cuisine of the Riviera and the Amalfi Coastline, as well as its New York City architectural surroundings. The 11,000-square-foot space features 275 seats; there’s an extra 6,000 square feet of exterior room with 100 seats.

The area is where dining establishment Motel Morris once stood at 17th Road and Seventh Avenue. It will certainly have 40 restaurant seats plus 20 places at the bar, headed by mixologist Evelyn Atheris, of Thyme and Zou Zou

The Eighth: Immersive Cocktail Experiences

The restaurant will feature 3 every night “alcoholic drink and bite ceremonies” at 8 pm (to “awaken”), 10 pm (to “indulge”), and twelve o’clock at night (for the “unknown”)– with the bar developed as a church. Each event will provide curated cocktail tastings and paired attacks.

Reflections on Nightlife & Past Collaborations

“Each time my phone called, I would certainly cringe. There would certainly always be someone’s demand or a drama. Every collaboration resembled that– the self-involvements of many various individuals,” Romero recounted. “I couldn’t take care of it any longer.

Giulietta states it will certainly be open for every little thing from “morning espresso and fresh pastries to crudi, house-made pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas,” all led by culinary director Ed Scarpone. In April, the Giardino at Giulietta will certainly open as a standalone, seasonal outdoor aperitivo bar and garden for more than 150 individuals.

Willet’s Corner: New Mediterranean Lunch Spot

We listen to … that Willet’s Corner at 420 Amsterdam Ave. is now open for lunch. The eatery– from Ken and Jill Halberg, of the now-shuttered Harding’s in Flatiron– is helmed by executive cook Joel Zaragoza, formerly of Harding’s. The Mediterranean-style menu highlights include fig toast covered with whipped ricotta; baked Za’atar cauliflower, seared Ahi tuna and French Dip sandwiches, as well as pastas and salads like the Umami, with shredded cabbage, toasted cashews and pickled wonderful peppers in a hoisin vinaigrette and the Harvest, with farro, sliced green apple, cheddar, walnuts and an apple cider vinaigrette.

His newest tasks come as his ex-partner in the Butter Team, Richie Akiva, was recently jailed on attack costs– accusations that stunned the club scene the duo once dominated with 1OAK and Up & Down in New York City, together with outposts in Los Angeles and Las Vega.

Richie Akiva collared in 2015. Romero’s collaboration with Akiva ended in 2020, with Romero saying there was never any kind of negative blood in between them and his own nightlife exit was gradual. BrosNYC/ BACKGRID

The Wagyu Room’s Gourmet Debut

The Wagyu Room opens this Saturday in collaboration with Hand Coastline Meats, a combo premium market-retailer-restaurant from Eric and Meghan San Pedro that got a 2025 Michelin Bib Connoisseur award. Hassan Mokaddam

The Wagyu Room opens this Saturday in collaboration with Palm Beach Meats, a combo gourmet market-retailer-restaurant from Eric and Meghan San Pedro that got a 2025 Michelin Bib Gastronomist honor. Hassan Mokaddam

Exploring The Eighth’s Secret Spaces

“It looks as if you are walking right into a second hand store, yet it’s just a front in order to get in the restaurant,” Romero claims, including that the 500-square-foot area includes a “secret” karaoke room and a secret “Wayne’s World”- themedroom for private dining.