Your Favorite New Restaurants in New York City
It's easy to fall into a New York City food rut and become a creature of culinary habit.
You've eaten the same burger at your local hole in the wall three nights this week and even though you love it dearly, you're ready for something new. Trade the sticky bar top for something fun and fresh tonight at one of NYC's latest offerings.
407 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
What is “authentic" Thai food? Well, it’s certainly not that pile of limp drunken noodles you’re eating. Experience the real deal at Chef Sirichai Sreparplan’s new Carroll Gardens venture, Ugly Baby. The wait for a table might be long...but it’s certainly worth it. Don’t miss the Tue Ka Ko, or fried coconut cakes with black beans and taro. If pork belly is your thing, you’ll want to try the Moo Pad Kapi. Topped with a supposedly “infamous” shrimp paste, the pork belly is perfectly salty and melts in your mouth. The dishes are made to share so bring your friends and get a little bit of everything. Or just commit to eating seven plates of delicious, spicy Northern Thai cuisine all by yourself, if that’s your style.
Photo via Instagram
30 Kenmare Street
New York, NY 10012
Next time you’re in Little Italy, skip the red sauce and try The Usual. Think comfort food with a twist from Alvin Cailan, the chef behind Eggslut (the best name for a restaurant, ever). The fried chicken is cajun spiced and crispy with a house made ranch dressing that even the pickiest condiment snobs will appreciate. And if you’re having fried chicken, you might as well go all out and get the cheddar and chive biscuits on the side...kind of like those beautiful biscuits from a certain seafood chain but 4000% better. Save room for the banana sundae topped with Nilla Wafer, which is reminiscent of your southern grandma's banana pudding.
Photo via Nightingale's official site
89 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10014
Nightingale is one of those rare New York City spots where every dish is incredible -- so you have to go back several times to try everything. And then go back several more times to eat everything all over again. We’re talking fried squash blossoms filled with cod stuffing, smoked duck salad with dates and harissa yogurt, a burger stuffed with foie gras and topped with violet mustard, and snow crab mac n’ cheese. SNOW CRAB MAC N’ CHEESE. AND THEN IT’S TOPPED WITH CRAB SALAD. There are even spicy “meatballs,” made with the impossible vegan substitute that’s taking fine dining by storm.
photo via Instagram
80-02 Northern Boulevard
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Jackson Heights’ latest gastropub might seem like your typical “rustic industrial” eatery but The Queensboro backs up its trendy decor with solid food. The garlic clam bread is everything you could ever want from garlic bread: cheese, garlic butter, and bivalves. The scallops are done masterfully, with a yuzu vinaigrette and greek yogurt from local favorites, Kesso. The pizzas are all worth a try and could easily be personal pies if you work hard and believe in yourself. Don’t forget to try the seasonal cocktails during the final throes of summer. We’re certainly going to miss the watermelon gimlet when things get a bit chillier.
photo via instagram
329 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Like her sister restaurant Lilia, Misi is generating a ton of buzz and even more reservations. In fact, by the time you've finished reading this blurb, every table will probably be booked for the next month. Chef Missy Robbins' latest offering to the culinary world highlights the two best parts of any Italian meal: vegetable antipasti and fresh pasta. Don't miss the sun-roasted tomatoes drizzled with hot honey (heart eyes emoji) or the chickpea pappardelle. Bring ten friends so you can each order a different antipasti and pasta dish and no one has miss out on anything. Sharing is caring.
photo via instagram
266 Malcolm X Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11233
If you’re in Bed-Stuy, come to Trad Room for the oyster happy hour (5:30-7pm EVERYDAY) but stay for everything else. Most of the dishes are Japanese-inspired, so think gyoza stuffed with lamb, Japanese fried chicken, and green tea tiramisu. The fried pork cutlet comes highly recommended, with a beautiful drizzle of sesame sauce and wild rice on the side. Once they get their liquor license, Trad Room will be a go-to spot for unique eats.
photo via Avant Garden's official site
188 Havemeyer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Avant Garden has long been a vegetarian/vegan favorite in the East Village. Her brand new little sister in Williamsburg maintains that plant-based panache with chic decor, tasty cocktails, and veggie dishes that even the crankiest carnivore will enjoy. The scorched cauliflower with fried capers and toasted garlic is a fan favorite, as is their unique take on paella with royal trumpet mushrooms instead of seafood. My only qualm with Avant Garden is that they were not playing “Avant Gardener” by Courtney Barnett on a loop. I mean, at least play it once a day.
photo via Randall's official site
359 Grand Street
New York, NY 10002
Even though the jury is still out on barbecue in the five boroughs, it's always interesting to see restaurants who can put a New York spin on a classically Southern cuisine. That's where Randall's comes in. It's a counter-service spot with a full bar and decor reminiscent of a mid-century luncheonette on the LES. Indulge in some fried ribs or get a brisket sandwich served "Randall's Style," with chopped smoked liver on a bialy from Kossar's next door.
written by: alexis priester
instagram: alexispriester
twitter: @PriesterAlexis
