Where To Eat Now in NYC: May 28, 2015
Start making your reservations for some of the best restaurants in the city. We’ll see you there!
1. Grand Army
Noah Bernamoff (Mile End), Julian Brizzi (Rucola) and Damon Boelte (Prime Meats) opened this neighborhood spot earlier this month, bringing hand-crafted cocktails and seafood-focused small plates to Boerum Hill. Rather than muscadet, pair West and East coast oysters with The Granville, a zippy mix of Gin, Calvados, Dolin vermouth, fresh mint leaves and orange bitters. Then, round out your meal with smoked octopus, ricotta toast and asparagus with egg yolk, pecorino and bonito. 336 State Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217; (718) 422-7867
2. Ed’s Chowder House
Nothing says summer on the East Coast like lobster, which brings us to this Empire Hotel standby. Here, chef Ed Brown (who wrote “The Modern Seafood Cook” and updated the fish portion of the new “Joy of Cooking”) serves up everything from fish dishes and lobster rolls to signature chowders, all prepared according to simple, regional recipes. Don’t miss the seafood linguine with clams, shrimp, pancetta and cipollini onions. 44 West 63rd Street, New York, NY; (212) 956-1288
3. Rebelle
From the owners of next-door Pearl & Ash comes this new spot, inspired by Paris’ “bistronomy” culture (wherein young chefs serve serious food in casual settings). Expect French classics prepared in a modern way, like lamb tartare with green chickpeas, olives, yogurt and espelette peppers, and “beet” bourguignon with carrot, pearl onion and mushroom. You’ll also have your choice of 15,000 French and American wines to pair with dinner. 218 Bowery, New York, NY; (917) 639-3880
4. Vendy Plaza
While Vendy Plaza isn’t technically a restaurant, it’s got some of the best food in town right now. The outdoor food market features both Vendy Award finalists and local food trucks, meaning you can enjoy vendors like Luke’s Lobster, Solber Pupusas and Walking Dog BBQ all in one place. Our recommendation would be to head up to Harlem next weekend and spend your Sunday feasting on pizza, samosas, beignets and more. Park Avenue between 115th and 116 streets, under the Metro North tracks
5. Virgina’s
All of a sudden, the East Village is a hotbed for restaurants run by Per Se alums. There’s Fung Tu, Uncle Boons, Noreetuh and, now, Virginia’s, owned by former Per Se sous-chef Christian Ramos. While the look is French bistro, the menu is more new American, ranging from Atlantic striped bass with razor clams and new crop potatoes to stuffed suckling pig with green tomato relish and charred eggplant. We’re going for the chocolate beet cake, though. 647 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10009; (212) 658-0182
—Natalie Brewster
