Staying on top of the ever-changing New York dining scene can be daunting, even for hip locals. For foodies like us who merely travel to New York every now and again, the challenge can be downright overwhelming, as we certainly don’t want to miss the latest and greatest restaurant openings. Those are the moments when a trusted friend is ever so helpful — and so, in preparation for an upcoming Christmas in New York extravaganza, we turned to our friends over at NewYork.com, where columnist Kathleen Squires was kind enough to share five of her Top 10 recently opened eateries with Love2Fly. Be warned: reading this list will make you hungry. Very hungry.
Barbalu In southeast Manhattan’s historic South Street Seaport district, Barbalu was damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 but has just reopened better than ever with an elegant, accessible Italian and nouvelle American menu focusing on pasta. 225 Front St., 646.918.6565, barbalu.com.
Bubby’s High Line If you haven’t already heard, the High Line is a fantastic newish park/walkway occupying a onetime bit of elevated railway on Manhattan’s lower west side. Right next to it, in the trendy Meatpacking District, this family-friendly spot dishes out tasty, high-quality American comfort food (“bubby” is New York Jewish slang for granny). 73 Gansevoort St., 212.206.6200, bubbys.com.
El Quinto Pino El Comedor Hombre! A Spaniard looking for a taste of home in La Gran Manzana will feel right at home at Alex Raij and Eder Montero’s popular tapas place in Chelsea. What’s new here is a dining room and lunch/brunch service. Many of the classics are on the menu, but you’ve also got to try Alex’s famous uni panino (sea urchin sandwich). 401 W. 24 St., 212.206-6900, elquintopinonyc.com.
Kingside The Viceroy is one of the buzzier New York City hotel openings of recent years, and Marc Murphy of Landmarc and Food Network fame has been brought in to help make its restaurant one of Gotham’s “it” spots. The French-inflected New American menu features both the familiar (roast chicken breast with smoked chickpea purée) and the more adventurous (roasted snails in bone marrow and garlic butter). 124 W. 57 St., 212.707.8000, kingside-restaurant.com.
Villard Michel Richard French-born Michel Richard, known for restaurants elsewhere in the US such as Citronelle, Central and Citrus, is making a gilded splash at the New York Palace Hotel with modern twists on classic French fare – fine dining in the Gallery, more casual fare in the Bistro Room. Meanwhile, off the lobby, Richard’s Pomme Palais bakery café debuted in September. 455 Madison Ave., 212.891.8100, villardmichelrichard.com.
images | barbalu, Bubby’s High Line, Kingside, Villard Michel Richard