7 NYC Restaurant Openings We’re Excited for This Week
A sleek fine dining Korean concept, Virginia’s grand return, and more at these new restaurants in NYC.
It’s time to get outside. We’re taking full advantage of the fleeting seasonal moment where you can both stroll under gorgeous canopies of cherry blossoms and picnic at our city’s best waterfront parks. The only other thing you need for an idyllic spring day? Fresh culinary inspiration via the city’s newest restaurant debuts. With menus that feature everything from premium cuts of steak and raw bar classics to roasted meat kebabs and robot-made sushi, here are the seven new restaurants opening in NYC this week.
Midtown East
The butcher restaurants surrounding Seoul’s Majang Meat Market and the refined gastronomic experiences found within the Gangnam District are the inspiration behind restaurateur Tony Park’s new fine dining Korean concept, Anto. Here, executive chef Imsub Lee (Shinobi, Zengo) channels the culinary traditions of his home city through an a la carte menu that includes a selection of premium American beef, Spanish pork, and Japanese wagyu (grilled at the table, of course). Also on the menu: chilled seafood dishes and shareable plates like Gunsan Garlic Tteok Galbi (ground wagyu, mushroom) and Rock Shrimp Sundubu Jjigae (silken tofu, white clam broth). A 10-course chef’s tasting menu will debut in the coming months.
East Village
Reed Adelson first introduced this quaint bistro to the East Village in 2015 as a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Virginia. After quickly gaining popularity, and with an avid crew of regulars to appease, the original space proved to be too small for the budding business. Now, about two years later, Virginia’s will come alive again in a nearby, larger space. Previous patrons of the restaurant will recognize bistro-style small plates like Trout Roe Dip and Clams Casino, as well as mains including Steak Frites and Virginia’s Burger. Cocktails lean classic with highlights like the Virginia’s Martini, which is served with blue cheese-stuffed olives.
How to book: Resy
Upper East Side
After temporarily closing its doors at the start of the pandemic, business owner Eli Zabar’s seasonal Upper East Side restaurant ends its extended hiatus this week. Using ingredients and spirits from neighboring sister concepts Eli’s Market and Eli’s List, Eli’s Table’s opening menu includes Early Spring Minestrone, White Asparagus (mustard sauce), and Maine Soft Shell Crab (brown butter). Eli’s is also known for its extensive wine selection, and guests can peruse more than 20,000 varietals from across Europe.
How to book: Resy
Midtown East
The Lekic family knows their steak. Dennis and Ben Lekic follow in their father’s (the owner of Tudor City Steakhouse) footsteps with the debut of Benny John’s Bar & Grill. The menu reads classic American chophouse with a selection of prime meats, starters like Oysters Rockefeller and Shrimp Cocktail, and sides such as Creamed Spinach. What sets this bar and grill apart, though, is its burgers, pasta, and risotto sections. For a budget-friendly night out, two prix fixe menus are available during the week: Monday–Friday from 12 pm–3 pm is $46 per person and Monday–Sunday from 3 pm–5 pm is $56 per person.
How to book: Resy
Midtown
Twin brothers Metodija and Kiril Mihajlov expand their Manhattan portfolio with a second location for the brasserie-style eatery—this time in Midtown. At the new outpost of The Consulate, chef Alan Vargas (Masa, Recette) maintains the same French- and American-influenced culinary style as its predecessor with dishes like Roasted Chicken (sauteed spinach) and Short Rib Cavatelli (herb ricotta) with a few location-exclusive raw bar menu such as a daily selection of oysters, seasonal crudos, and two seafood towers.
How to book: Resy
East Village
Döner Haus is a love letter to owner Nikolaus von Solodkoff’s home country of Germany. The concept is straightforward and fuss-free, from the walk up-style storefront to the three-item menu featuring The Original Döner (chicken or beef), The Döner Box (chicken or beef), and Haus Fries. Döner Haus is also available for delivery through DoorDash.
Hudson Square
When owner Kevin Takarada first opened MakiMaki Sushi in 2017, his mission was to provide Midtown with an affordable and quick sushi experience. To ensure the dining would be as expeditious as possible, MakiMaki famously utilizes Suzumo machines to help measure, wash, form, and cut the rice. Now, Takarada is expanding his small sushi empire to a new neighborhood with the debut of a Hudson Square locale. Of the robot-made sushi, there’s maki rolls and cone-shaped temaki such as Spicy Scallop, Grilled Salmon Toro, and Ikura.