Le Bernardin’s Eric Ripert continues his Colonial expansion with 10 Arts, a polished New American that takes advantage of the soaring lobby in Philly's Ritz-Carlton – a wine case dramatically fills the space beneath the 140-ft. skylit rotunda; the pricey menu focuses on local ingredients, with all-day options that cover everything from breakfast through late-night dining.

10 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; 215-523-8273

The first West Coast opening by Gordon Ramsay is a budget-busting modern Continental set in the hyperelegant London West Hollywood hotel; in contrast to Ramsay’s Sweeney Todd–like persona on TV’s Hell’s Kitchen, his new eatery – Gordon Ramsay – is a raw-ther sedate place adorned with gold filigree and brocade, off-white marble and an impressive view from the picture windows; perhaps for a few extra dollars, Gordo will come to your table and call you a ‘bleeping yob.’

1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood; 310-358-7788

After nearly a decade as the corporate executive chef of the wildly successful Tao restaurants in New York City and Las Vegas, toque Sam Hazen has said goodbye to the giant Buddha. While at Tao, chef Hazen helped bring the restaurant to its current position as one of the highest grossing venues in the nation – Tao Las Vegas had more than $66 million in sales in 2007, according to the trade mag Restaurants & Institutions. Hazen is leaving Tao to focus on his consulting business, and his position has been filled internally by chef Ralph Scamardella, who was previously the executive chef at Tao New York.