Just when you thought you'd fling yourself into the Hudson if another taxidermy-filled boho-luxe lounge opened, Taavo Somer and Ken Friedman (the geniuses behind Freemans and the Spotted Pig, respectively) have teamed up to create the Rusty Knot, a nautical-themed restaurant on Manhattan's West Side Highway. The jury's still out on the food—we only sampled a few spicy shrimp at last night's "friends and family" fete—but if it matches the spot-on execution of drinks, staff, and decor, consider us besotted. The seventies-era Long Island rec room aesthetic includes a jukebox, a boat steering wheel, a pool table, plastic wood-laminate walls, and dropped ceilings—we overheard one guest proclaim, "Nobody purposely drops a ceiling in New York City in 2008," but apparently if you're Taavo Somer, you can, and you do.

But despite the dive vibe, expect humongous tumblers filled with clever cocktails (Milk & Honey's Tobey Maloney helped curate the rum-heavy drink list) and sophisticated, simple food (think pigs-in-blankets and a discriminating selection of oysters). And if you can't get a table—it's bound to be a few hours' wait for the first couple months—just hop into a rickshaw and shuttle back to the Pig. Oh, and the latest word is that they'll open to the public "sometime next week."
The Rusty Knot, 425 West St., NYC, (212) 645-5668