Restaurant openings and chef moves

Openings
The National: Geoffrey Zakarian’s newest, The National, is a grand café housed in a historic 1927 Emery Roth building, that’s modeled after traditional European grand cafes. Zakarian’s menu is classic bistro-style with a Modern American twist — expect The menu at The National offers classic bistro dishes with Zakarian's signature Modern American touch, like a caviatelli with duck confit, currants, porcini, and kale and Half Roasted Chicken with heirloom lemon potatoes, chanterelle, salsify and natural jus The Benjamin, 557 Lexington Ave. at 50th St., 212-715-2400.

Lotus of Siam: Today, upscale Vegas Thai transplant Lotus of Siam soft opens in the former Cru space. For now, instead of serving their regular menu, they're offering a seven-course tasting menu, for $65 a head. The official opening, and the launch of the regular menu, is set for next Thursday. 24 Fifth Ave., at Ninth St., 212-529-1700. (Eater)

Chef move
Chef Nate Appleman is leaving Pulino’s. Appleman’s move from San Francisco to New York to serve as founding chef at Keith McNally’s Bowery pizza spot was surrounded by plenty of buzz. Tony Liu, formerly of Morandi, is taking Appleman’s place. (Eater)