Executive Chef Xavier Boyer has left L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and returned to Paris for personal reasons. Sandro Michelli is now the pastry chef at Daniel after leaving Adour, while Caviar Russe announced the appointment of two Adour alums: Executive Chef Christopher Agnew and Executive Sous Chef Alex Dilling.

There were a bevy of openings in the post-Thanksgiving week: Little Brother BBQ fired up, Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar West Village poured its first glasses of vino, modern Mexican eatery Tepito said “Hola,” Butcher Bar started slicing, Kos Kaffe Roasting House began brewing, PizzaGaga (no relation to the Lady) heated up the ovens, the French-meets-Latin small plates concept Barrio 47 began service, and the Vietnamese eatery Sao Mai opened in the former Quantum Leap space. Alex Stratta (Alex) opened the Italian-focused Bigoli in the former Gonzo space. Cochinita reopened after a fire forced it to shut down for repairs. Single concept eatery Puddin’ has started dishing out dessert. An overload of offshoots opened, including those from STK, Valbella, Pecan, Vanessa’s Dumplings, and Pera, which features Ryan Skeen (Resto) putting his spin on Turkish cuisine. This weekend, Stephen Starr opens Italian eatery Caffè Storico in the New York Historical Society with Jim Burke (James) in the kitchen. Dining-in-the-dark concept Dans Le Noir? is hoping to turn off the lights and open its doors this weekend as well. L’Orange Bleue has shuttered for renovations that will see it closed until the spring.

In mid-January, the seasonal American eatery Carlton Park will open in the old M. Helen Kitchen space and Steak and Shake will open its first area location. Top Chef’s Stephen Asprinio will open the smart-casual Pizza Vinoteca this spring. Gabriel Stulman (Fedora) has signed a lease for the old Bellavitae space; he plans to open a new Italian restaurant called Scopa.

Sam Bahri steakhouse has shuttered, as has Spanish Taverna and LES Sushi. Christie’s Jamaican Patties will shutter at the end of the month after 40 years in business. Abistro closed down its original location, but its second location remains open.

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Photo courtesy of Stephen Asprinio.

Craig Hopson is hopping away from Le Cirque to join the team at The Brewster; Oliver Reginensi will leave The Americano to take Hopson’s place on Jan. 9. Greg Baxtron (Blue Hill at Stone Barns) has found a temporary home at North End Grill for the next six months; he hopes to open his own concept after that stint.

This week’s crop of openings includes the seasonally inspired Basik, Williamsburg fave Walter Foods’ second location, German-Italian-inspired Buschenschank, hummus ‘n’ falafel loving Pitopia, and modern Jewish eatery Kutsher’s. Laura Maniec (B.R. Guest) opened the wine bar and vino education center Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Sadie’s Kitchen is now serving all different kinds of mac and cheese, including one with smoked duck. Parm expands from lunch service to dinner service as well, and 63-year-old luncheonette Hinsch’s has reopened under new ownership.

Former Momofuku Noodle Bar Chef de Cuisine Kevin Pemoulie plans to open Thirty Acres in Jersey City in February.

And we are sad to report that Russell Ciolli, one of the owners of Grimaldi’s Pizza, has died.

Finish reading this week’s Chef’s Shuffles on Plate’s website now.

Photo of Laura Maniec courtesy of Corkbuzz Wine Studio.

In New York City…

To the victor go the spoils, or so the saying goes. The newly opened Viktor & Spoils in the Hotel on Rivington, offers tacos and tequila – what the eatery calls “culinarias guerrilla.” The team behind Franklin Park and Southpaw opens The Crown Inn in Crown Heights today, where tipplers will have access to 40 types of bourbon, a dozen craft brews, and a broad selection of comfort food. Meanwhile, a trio of sisters has opened Tre Sorelle, a reasonably priced Italian restaurant that focuses on the classics. Nearby, sports fans cheer the opening of AOA Bar & Grill, which features Chef Nadav Cohen’s upscale take on bar food classics, including truffle mac ‘n’ cheese. The long-loved Veselka gets a sister restaurant with the opening of Veselka Bowery, which now serves dinner and will soon be open 24-7. The Meatball Shop opened its fourth location with 50 seats and a small bar. The crew behind Mary Queen of Scots and Highlands has opened Whitehall in the old Sweetiepie space, where diners nosh on modern British cuisine while perching on green park benches. Farm-to-table restaurant Goat Town quietly welcomed a new chef: Julie Farias (General Greene), who will debut her new menu by the end of the month.

Man-about-town Ryan Skeen—who has had a series of much-discussed gigs at Allen & Delancey, Irving Mill, 5 & Diamond and Fish Tag—will helm the kitchen at Pera Soho when it opens next month. After months of speculation, Michael White has confirmed that he is, in fact, working on a pizzeria; Nicoletta is aiming for a spring opening.

Executive Chef Sam Talbot has resigned from Imperial No. Nine after eight months; Chef de Cuisine Yousef Ghalaini has stepped up to be interim Executive Chef.

Polish-American favorite S&B Restaurant has said “do widzenia” (goodbye), while 5-year-old Moroccan eatery Babouche has shuttered in Park Slope. Vynl closed and Eton on Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights has also shut down, though its Gowanus location is still running.

We are sad to report that 91-year-old Fedora Dorato, who owned Fedora for decades before selling it last year, has passed away.

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Photo of Nicoletta’s Michael White courtesy of Evan Sung.