Otto Hosts "Friends of Frank" Tonight

Otto Enoteca is hosting a benefit tonight for Babbo executive chef Frank Langello, who lost his Staten Island home in Hurricane Sandy three weeks ago. The event runs from 5:30pm - 8:00pm and includes antipasti, pizza, pasta, wine, and beer. There is a $95 general admission and a $195 admission that includes the restaurant's two egg pizzas: Pane Frattau and White Truffle Pizza. Employees in the Batali & Bastianich Restaurant Group are invited to attend for $25. Tickets are available here.

Lunch Launches at Babbo

Babbo began serving dinner at 110 Waverly Place in June of 1998.  For 14 years it has remained the most lauded dining location in Mario Batali's empire and one of the most sought after reservations in the city.  Today, starting at 1130am, the restaurant will be open for lunch.

Eater has pictures of the menu, which gives the option of a 4-course, $49, tasting menu.

Minetta Lane is in Michael Toscano's Ear and in Gabe Stulman's Eye

When Eataly opened at the end of August in 2010, Michael Toscano made the move from Babbo to head the stoves at Manzo, Eataly's flagship resto.  After a year and a half he will pack up and take his knives to Perla, the new venture from West Village powerhouse Gabe Stulman.

Perla will open in the old Bellavitae space at 24 Minetta Lane.  Chef Toscano's Italian cooking will fit into a traditional antipasti, primi, secondi Italian menu format.  The space boasts a wood burning, brick oven that will lend itself nicely to various roasts for two.

Along with Mr. Toscano comes a pretty all-star staff.