Here Are Lower Manhattan's Most Anticipated 2022 Eatery Openings

LOWER MANHATTAN, NY — There is a certain excitement when a restaurant with buzz opens in your neighborhood. When will you find the time to go? What will you order?

As restaurants continue battling back from the lows of the pandemic, more eateries are opening up shop throughout the city in the coming year.

Eater NY recently put together a list of New York City's Most Anticipated 2022 Restaurant Openings, and many of the eateries selected by the food review and news site are in Lower Manhattan.

Here are those downtown restaurants that Eater says you should keep an eye out for in 2022.

Mena: 28 Cortland Alley — Tribeca

• Run by the Chilean-born chef Victoria Blamey, the focus will be on South American cuisine that centers around seafood and vegetables. Blamey has previously run two successful New York City restaurants: Chumley's and Gotham Bar and Grill.
• It is expected to open in late January

Mel's: 85 10th Avenue - Chelsea

• Former Del Posto executive chef Melissa Rodriguez, with help from Crown Shy chef James and Kent and other Del Posto alumni, took over the Italian fine-dining spot from disgraced chef Mario Batali last April. They are now reopening the space as two new restaurants and a cocktail bar, with the first of the trio, Mel's, opening as a spot for wood-fired pizza, fish, steak, and other plates.
• It is expected to open in February.

Bar Tulix: 25 West Houston Street — SoHo

• Chef Justin Bazdarich, who has owned multiple successful New York City restaurants, is returning to Manhattan with the Mexican fine-dining spot Bar Tulix. Bazdarich will be teaming up with John McDonald of Mercer Street Hospitality to run the restaurant.
• It is expected to open in late February.

Kitchen Co Ut: 85 Chrystie Street — Chinatown

• The popular Banh Mi Co Ut family fun restaurant spot in Chinatown is expanding with another eatery two blocks away. It will offer grab-and-go sandwiches on the lower level, and run a full-flung dining room on the upper floor.
• It is expected to open in March.

HAGS: 163 First Avenue — East Village

• Camille Lindsley, the co-owner of HAGS, told Eater NY that they're "queering fine dining" with the new East Village spot. The restaurant will offer five-course tasting menu options at an affordable price.
• It is expected to open in late March or early April.

Superiority Burger: 119 Avenue A — East Village

• Superiority Burger is getting a much larger space with a move from around the corner to 119 Avenue A. The popular spot is taking over the decades-old Ukrainian diner Odessa, where it will serve rice and beans, slices of pie, and all types of sandwiches, according to Eater NY.
• It is expected to open in winter 2022.

You can read the full Eater NY article about the most anticipated restaurant openings on its website.