The Harrison
When The Red Cat chef-owner Jimmy Bradley and his partner, Danny Abrams (pictured, left to right), took over the old Spartina space, little did they know what sort of no-man's restaurant land TriBeCa was about to become. But to their credit -- and per Mayor Giuliani's express orders -- they continued building The Harrison's French doors, installing walnut wainscoting, and hanging local art. And if ricotta cavatelli with braised veal cheeks, quail cassoulet, and homemade bresaola with taleggio fettunta and fig syrup aren't enough to lure diners back downtown, nothing is.
355 Greenwich Street
212-274-9310
· Cuisine: Eclectic American

The Minnow
Aaron Bashy grew up in New England and trained at Le Bernardin -- two fishy life experiences that pervade his menu at The Minnow, the mostly seafood restaurant he and his wife (and pastry chef) Vicki (pictured) are opening this week in Park Slope. There's a bit of Ipswich in his fried-clam-and-halibut basket, a concession to fish-phobes in the odd vegetarian dish, and a grudging recognition of the excruciatingly finicky New York dining public in his willingness to poach, sauté, grill, or fry any of the day's fresh catch, and serve it with a choice of two sides.
442 Ninth Street, Brooklyn
718-832-5500
· Cuisine: Seafood


Also Opening This Week
Commissary, 1033 Third Ave. at 61st St., 212-339-9955
Set-up: Encased in floor-to-ceiling glass with 100 seats and circular bar for optimal people watching.
Cuisine: Modern American
Chef: Sarma Melngailis
Owner: Matthew Kenney (Commune, Canteen)


Notable Closings
Though not a comprehensive listing, here are a few dining spots that have bid adieu...
Bar Odeon (Luckily, its progenitor, The Odeon is still alive and well)
136 W. Broadway
Clementine
1 Fifth Avenue, at 8th Street
Virot
52 E. 41st Street, at The Dylan Hotel
Peacock Alley
301 Park Avenue, at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
Meigas
350 Hudson Street
Q Bar
267 W. 4th Street