Travertine is the name of the stone that built the Roman Coliseum, and is known both for its quality and its beauty. The new restaurant Travertine, which opened September 29th, hopes to make good on that reputation. Owner Danae Cappelletto, an Australian with 15 years in the business, had the good sense to pick a Bowery location and juxtapose vintage finds with modern design, as well as the good sense to pair up with Executive Chef Manuel Trevino, who conceived an Italian-inspired, modern Mediterranean menu that focuses on local and seasonal ingredients. Dishes include beef carpaccio with salt roasted beets, shaved celery hearts, and bone marrow aioli, black spaghetti alla Chitarra with radicchio, jalapeno, and blue crab sugo, and grilled rack of lamb with crushed olive oil potatoes, cauliflower and red pepper mustard. (Trevino has the chops to make it in this Italian-food-centered town: he spent two years as sous chef at Babbo before becoming the executive chef for B.R. Guest.) The prior occupant of the Kenmare address was Little Charlie's Clam Bar, which lasted for almost a century. Here's hoping that Travertine fulfills the legacy of both its predecessor and its namesake stone in terms of longevity.

Travertine is located at 19 Kenmare Street (212- 966-1810).

Susan Kane Walkush