NYC Restaurant Gossip....

The rumor mill is abuzz, and it looks like Andrew Carmellini and Josh Pickard (Locanda Verde) might be working on a new restaurant in the old Cub Room space. We'll keep you posted. In the interim, prepare to lace up some rented shoes: David Burke will be in charge of food operations at The Gray Lady restaurant, offering lane service or takeout at Bowlmor Lanes Times Square when it opens. Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortuzar of 'Wichcraft are planning to open Riverpark in October, with Ortuzar running the kitchen. Crustacean lovers, don your bibs: Luke's Lobster has opened in a larger space with a slightly expanded menu. Chef Bamba Seydou (Lola, Le Petit Bassam) and Patrice Bihina-Parade (Boucarou) are opening Lina Frey, with a simple French menu and a sidewalk crêpe window. Alex McCrery (Commander's Palace) will start dishing out American classics from the Goods trailer in Williamsburg on the 9th, and the day after that, 75-year-old Eddie's Pizza will start selling whole pies from a truck. French dark dining chain Dans le Noir? will open a New York location in September, so you might want to start practicing eating with your eyes closed now. Also, Top Chef alumna Nikki Cascone has closed 24 Prince.