● Silver Lining (Tribeca) - Jazzy Little Branch spinoff in a cast-iron basement. ● Blueprint (Park Slope) - Commonwealth offshoot lays out a plan for posh cocktailing in the Slope. ● High Horse Saloon (Williamsburg) - Salon goes from locks to shots at rustic whiskey bar next door.

An island oasis, poised to become the world’s newest art mecca, aims to bring curatorial VIPs to the UAE.

A boutique hotel with—gasp!— no casino aims to reinvent Atlantic City.

Though still tussling with their landlord over a long-delayed opening, Chinatown's upcoming Red Egg restaurant promises to be a chic little dim sum haven. Created by Openshop|Studio (partners Mark Kroeckel and Adam Hayes), the space is very mod and organic in looks. The designers aim for "subtle and clean with mood shifting from relaxing and quiet to energized and active." See a few pics and plans in our gallery.

Coming soon from Ivan Kane -- the man behind Forty Deuce in Las Vegas, and the recently closed club of the same name in Hollywood -- is Cafe Was, a new Los Angeles bistro-club described somewhat menacingly as "a portal into Kane's soul." Never mind that, the space promises to be a luxurious, glammy version of boho chic, complete with baby grand piano at center stage. Live music will tend toward the classy rather than raucous, one presumes. Otherwise you have multiple dining spaces (round booths, tables, private, and communal) and three bars (ground floor, private, and mezzanine). The look comes courtesy of New York's RKIT Design. As an added bonus, hit the jump for detailed floorplans of the whole enchilada. Cafe Was is (was?) scheduled to open in May.

PROJECT: STRAITS ATLANTA

A sleek building rises on the cleaned-up Bowery. Winos, unite, and put a smock on!

If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. ‘Invisible’ burgers, billiards, and bawdy bulletin boards are wrapped in a blown-glass bow at what just might be New York’s swankiest fast-food joint.