Don Chido Team Planning Adjacent Rooftop Restaurant, Rustic Root

After their successful launch of Don Chido in June, the team behind the downtown restaurant - the RMD Group and Ken Lovi of The Knotty Barrel - are turning their attention towards a new project that just started construction last week in the former Marble Room at 535 5th Avenue.

Opening next door by Spring 2015 is Rustic Root, which plans to serve "rustic American cuisine" with a focus on local ingredients. The menu is in the hands of executive chef Antonio Friscia, whose kitchen in Don Chido will also power this new restaurant; the multi-talented Friscia's hinted that we can definitely count on homemade pasta making the cut.

Davis Ink., who recently completed the just-opened downtown restaurant/nightclub Parq, has a design plan that includes a life-sized sudoku wall and lighting that'll be modeled after the Gaslamp's signature street lamps.

Rustic Root will also have downtown's only rooftop dedicated to dining; the restaurant intends to be open for brunch and dinner, plus offer a late night menu.