OPENINGS
Canvas, the upscale home decor and vintage furnishings store, has opened up a new location in Chelsea, at 123 W. 17th St. The store sells largely handcrafted, green, fair-trade products from artisans and craftsmen from around the world. The new space will allow the retailer to show off some of their larger pieces that just won't fit in their admittedly cramped SoHo location.
Part cafe, part restaurant, Brasilina is bringing contemporary Brazilian food to 836 Ninth Ave. in Hell's Kitchen. The space will act as a coffee shop during the day, and turn into a full-service restaurant serving Brazilian specialties, such as yucca gnocchi and lamb chops, at night and for weekend brunch. The family-run restaurant is the brainchild of Silvanei Silveira, along with her children, Daniel and Mariana. Though the grand opening isn't until Dec. 4, the place is up and running and you can stop in for dinner starting at 4 p.m.
If you like the combination of tapas and salsa, check out Ventanas, a Spanish restaurant with live music at 100 10th Ave. The restaurant will offer more than 40 tapas, as well as desserts, and it's run by the experienced owners of Flor de Sol in TriBeCa and Son Cubano in the Meatpacking District.
ON THE HORIZON
Gay nightlife pioneers John Blair and Beto Sutter announced that their massive XL Nightclub, the biggest seven-night-a-week gay club in the city, will open at some point in January at 512 W. 42nd St. In addition to a sprawling 650-person dance floor, the 14,000-square-foot club will have a 100-seat cabaret area, and a lounge. The club will also offer membership cards to regulars, which will include drink and admission specials.
