Wylie Dufresne's Alder Will Be Open by the End of February

By James Mulcahy

Fans of Modernist cooking are eagerly awaiting the opening of Alder, the second venture from chef Wylie Dufresne, who played a huge role in popularizing the molecular gastronomy movement at his LES eatery wd-50. The folks behind the venture just announced that it is on track to open at the end of February, while it won't have all the fine-dining bells and whistles that the chef's flagship became famous for, some creative twists are promised. The idea is a modern take on a traditional tavern - the grub will pay homage to NYC's diverse culinary culture with dishes like pigs in a blanket made with Chinese sausage, Japanese mustard and sweet chili sauce.

In the drinks department, guests can expect a healthy by the glass selection that features lesser-known varietals, and cocktails will also include rare ingredients like Iranian berries and pine-infused rum. The best part is that the joint promises to be affordable - no dish will surpass the $25 mark. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the eatery is named after his daughter Ellery, which is the old-English form of Alder. Awwwww. Stay tuned for the opening at 157 Second Avenue.