Four New Eateries

continued

But almost! Vellum--inventively showcasing American classics--represents the north. Kuroshio certainly is east. What is more southern than the signature cuisine of the Deep South served at R.U.B. BBQ? Well, Mexico, but let's cheat a little and call that west, as in Southwest: Isalita takes its inspiration from upmarket urban Mexican trends.

---

"We want to take ingredients that are bountiful and plentiful in this area and use traditional and modern techniques," says Peter Roumanis, who owns Vellum with his father, John Roumanis.

Peter grew up in a restaurant world: Roumanis senior owns Mediterrano and the Carlyle Grill. But at twenty-four, Peter also has a degree in hospitality from Cornell, and interned in two very swank restaurants (New York's Del Posto, and Paris's Taillevent). Roumanis senior was so impressed that he bought the building that used to be the pool hall half of the Full Moon (the other half is now the Ravens Club) and let Peter have at it. They discovered that the building once housed a printing press, which suggested the restaurant's name.