West 18th Street Is Where Chelsea's Fall Openings Line Up

Most of what opened in Chelsea this fall sits on or within a block of West 18th Street. La Cabra's new flagship is at the 11th Avenue end. Bar Lento is on Eighth Avenue near the 18th Street corner, and MadDough Bagels is one block north on 19th. Metropolitan Pavilion, at 125 West 18th, hosts the Renegade Craft Fair on the first weekend of December. Chelsea Market's two newest additions and the walk-in bar at 85 10th Avenue sit three blocks south of the same line. A walk from the river to Sixth Avenue now passes most of what's new, with two openings well off the route.

The 11th Avenue End Starts With a Cardamom Bun

The west end of the line is La Cabra, which opened its new flagship on Friday, October 16, at 515 West 18th Street, between 10th and 11th avenues. It sits on the ground floor of Lantern House, the building that wraps around the High Line.

The Danish company started in 2011 and came to the United States with an East Village shop in 2021. It also runs locations in Soho and Bushwick. Eater NY says it is known for its beans and its cardamom buns. Because the shop sits next to the High Line, the interior takes cues from Denmark's IC3 train.

With the High Line entrance close by, this corner now gives a walk starting at the west end of 18th Street a coffee stop with its own bakery.

Three Blocks South, the Market Blocks Added Two Rooms

Before heading east on 18th, the stretch between 15th and 16th streets is worth the short detour. Two of the fall's openings landed there, and they could hardly be more different.

Inside Chelsea Market, Alleva Dairy came back on Sunday, September 13. The deli was founded in Little Italy in 1892. Owner Karen King is reviving the family recipes from the Mulberry Street shop: prosciutto-packed sandwiches, mozzarella made daily, meatballs, eggplant rollatini, lasagna Bolognese with béchamel, and cannoli. A small market sells dried pasta and cured meats. The stall is next to Fat Witch Bakery.

A few doors west, at 85 10th Avenue near West 15th Street, Bar CC opened on Friday, September 25, in the space that used to be Mel's. It is the newest partnership between chef Melissa Rodriguez, restaurateur Jeff Katz and Tao Group Hospitality, and it sits next door to Crane Club, which the same team runs. The bar takes walk-ins only. Harrison Ginsberg, who opened Overstory, is the beverage director. The cocktail list includes the Fruit or Vegetable?, a tequila and mezcal highball with passion fruit, tomato and grapefruit, and the Toasted Almond Sour, made with gin, toasted almond, lemon and Italian meringue. Rodriguez serves six small bar snacks, including a "baby" burger and "fancy" chips with Osetra caviar, egg, chive and chicken skin.

These two blocks now cover the start of the day, with fresh mozzarella and a sandwich at Alleva, and the end of it, with a seat at Bar CC without a booking.

Eighth Avenue, From 18th to 22nd

Back up on 18th Street and walking east past Ninth Avenue, the next group sits on Eighth Avenue, and all three openings are within four blocks of each other.

Bar Lento opened on Thursday, October 1, at 158 Eighth Avenue near West 18th Street. Eater NY calls it "a chic taste of Verona." The name is the Italian word for "slow." The room has a brick-framed backdrop with a secret garden inside. The wine list leans toward whites, bubbles and pét-nats from Sardinia to the Veneto, and the seasonal plates include bruschetta and a fluke ceviche in a citrus tomato vinaigrette.

One block north, on West 19th between Seventh and Eighth avenues, MadDough Bagels opened on Saturday, September 12, at number 261. It is family-run, and Eater NY reported that its pizza bagels were drawing attention and that the shop was selling out by noon. Those noon sellouts set the shop's schedule. On a weekend, this is the stop to make first.

At the corner of West 22nd Street, Cinnaholic opened its first physical location at 228 Eighth Avenue over Labor Day weekend. It sells vegan cinnamon rolls with toppings you choose, such as fresh fruit, cookie dough and chocolate drizzle. Coffee Project New York supplies the coffee.

Between Sixth and Seventh, the Line Ends at a Craft Fair

The eastern end of the route matters most in December. Metropolitan Pavilion, at 125 West 18th Street, hosts the Renegade Craft Fair on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Renegade bills it as a holiday fair with more than 200 curated artists. Entry has a suggested $5 contribution, paid by QR code at the door.

Walking west from the fair, Bar Lento is about a block and a half away and La Cabra is at the far end of the street. That puts the fall's newest wine bar and coffee shop on the same crosstown street as one of Chelsea's biggest December weekends.

Two Openings Off the Line

Guayara sits well off 18th Street. It began on Thursday, October 15, as a months-long residency in Back Bar, the upstairs speakeasy lounge at Kimpton Hotel Eventi, 851 Sixth Avenue at West 30th Street. Andres Soler, whose résumé includes Keens Steakhouse, Bowery Meat Company and Zuma, built the menu around Colombia's five regions. Behind the bar are aguardientes and rums alongside lulo, cacao, panela, chontaduro and coffee. The food includes empanadas, morcilla croquetas, arepa de ceniza and chicharrón de barriga. The room has 35 seats and Colombian-made art and ceramics. Look for the jaguar on the black door. Because it is a residency, it has a limited run.

Farther west, The Mallory opened officially on October 29 inside Terminal Warehouse, on 12th Avenue between West 27th and 28th streets. It is a three-floor private-events venue covering 50,000 square feet and holding up to 550 guests, and Mann Report describes it as taking event inquiries. It is a venue to book for an event, not one to walk into.

Saturday, December 5, From the River to Sixth Avenue

The first Saturday of December puts three events within a few blocks of each other, between the Hudson and Sixth Avenue:

1. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pier 57. Hudson River Park runs a free Guided Gallery at the Discovery Tank, built around that month's hibernation theme, with hands-on STEM activities.
2. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Metropolitan Pavilion. Renegade Craft Fair's first day at 125 West 18th Street.
3. 8 to 11:30 p.m., Chelsea Local. Chelsea Baila Social Club meets at Chelsea Local, inside 75 Ninth Avenue.

Chelsea Baila Social Club also meets on Saturday, November 21, two days after this post goes up, and again on December 19, both from 8 to 11:30 p.m.

The Thursday after the fair, December 10, Chelsea Market hosts Dickson's Holiday Extravaganza from 7 to 11 p.m. It includes a carving station with prime rib, glazed ham and roast lamb, plus lobster, foie gras, caviar and cakes. There is an open bar, a live band, and a Bubbly Bar with eight sparkling wines to taste. Tickets are $115 plus tax, booked through Resy, and guests must be 21 or older.

In short, here is December 5 by address. Start at MadDough on West 19th before the bagels sell out. Spend the afternoon at Metropolitan Pavilion or the Discovery Tank at Pier 57. Have an early dinner and a glass at Bar Lento near Eighth and 18th, then walk to Chelsea Local for the evening dance.

At The Antigua Team, we follow Chelsea's openings block by block, and we're glad to share what's new near any address you're considering, whether you're settling in or hosting guests this season. Request your Global VIP consultation.