15 Spanking New Restaurants You HAVE to Eat At or We Will Spank You.

Thrillist just came out with a list of 16 new restaurants that popped up this summer in the big apple and we are crushing on a few of these openings. We all know everyone tries to get out of the city and cool off during the summer months, but now that the summer is coming to a close it’s time to start packing on that winter weight. Fall will have a ton of new noteworthy openings, but let’s go out and try the ones that have had a month or two to work out the kinks. Here they are:

ABC Cocina – Flatiron

Holy guacamole WITH spring peas! ABC Cocina is next door to one of our favorites, ABC Kitchen. It’s not one of our favorites just because we had the pleasure of working in that kitchen, but because we have a slight crush on Jean-Georges. This restaurant is another one of his brilliant creations featuring pan-Latin, shared plates. Of course, the menu will be seasonal and done with the freshest possible ingredients available. You have to try this spot.

Bassanova Ramen – Chinatown

Ok, so if it takes you 12 hours to make your pork-boullion soup, it’s worth a try. Also, their signature dish is the Thai-inspired green curry ramen. The rumor here is that the decor is really large. Big chopsticks, big spoons, big bowls, large plants are all part of the oversized theme. We’ve got to check this out.

Estella – Nolita

This little tapas place made the list with their ricotta dumplings, kohlrabi, burrata and other awesome small plates. The menu itself is quite small and rumor has it that the food is very simple, but delicious. They also have a nice cocktail and wine list to help wash down these little bites.

 

Ippudo West Side – Hell’s Kitchen

Here is another noteworthy opening especially if you are into ramen. They have one place in the West Village, and this summer, they’ve opened in Hell’s Kitchen. Ippudo has a variety of ramen to noodle through, and a rare list of sake’s to pair with these Japanese style tapas-like dishes. The space is also impressive with sleek modern lines and brightly colored chairs. You’ll like it. Go.

 

Juni – Flatiron

Juni is a new elegant and monochromatic restaurant. The reason for the simple decor is because they want the beauty and focus to remain on the table. They focus on peak season ingredients when they are at their freshest and ripest. They mostly offer tasting menus here, and the diner can choose two, three, or even a ten course tasting option where all the dishes are chosen by the chef. Either way, this new restaurant is turning heads. The menu changes 6 times a year, so you know you are getting peak season ingredients. Get some.

Luksus – Greenpoint

This place opened in the back of one of the best beer bars in the city, Torst, they only offer a Scandinavian influenced tasting menu brought to you by Fat Duck veteran Daniel Burns. They only have 26 seats, but you should try to score a spot.

Maiden Lane – Alphabet City

This nautical themed restaurant, is serving up fish, fish, fish oh, and some meats and cheeses. With views of the park and a killer chorizo sandwich, we’ve heard this is the spot to be on Ave B. The layout is open and airy with large windows and it’s a great place to grab a snack and do some people watching.

Maison O – Nolita

Sushi and Karoke in one place. This place looks like a Japanese horror flick and it’s pretty cool. You have to try the lamb gyoza or even the blood clam, if you are an edgy eater. You can get all types of Japanese goodness served until 2am. So, grab a mic, sing a song, and order some sushi.

 

Musket Room – Nolita

With a New Zealand influence, this modern American restaurant is making waves. Their menu changes regularly and they focus on seasonal items with thoughtful and composed dishes. Chef Matt Lambert, who’s resume includes the kitchens at PUBLIC and Saxon + Parole is having fun with flavors and textures and is creating quite the buzz among the downtown crowd. If you’re in the area go have dinner. Sick.

Onomea – Williamsburg

Hawaiian food comes to the burg. Go “poke” your head in. Any place that offers a spam musubi, which is pretty much canned spam in a sushi roll, is worth a stop in our book. This place is hoping to change the underrepresented Hawaiian cuisine in New York City and make New Yorkers crave Hawaiian food. They’re off to a good start.

Piora – West Village

This new American restaurant is serving up fun cocktails and a creative small plates menu. Order about 5-6 dishes per two people to share. They have a monkey bread that comes with a seaweed butter that we are told is something you HAVE to try. The food is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. Make a reservation, to make sure you get a seat. It fills up fast.

Shalom Japan – Williamsburg

Jewish and Japanese food! Yup, you heard us right. Chef couple, Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi have opened this new South Williamsburg hot spot. Serving up challah + a lox bowl. Yum. Challah you’ll love this a lox!

Skal – Lower East Side

Long awaited Icelandic cuisine comes to the Lower East Side. The menu is Northern-focused: think seafood heavy/ light dishes that are vegetable-orientated and herbaceous. This charming new spot serves Icelandic fare on mismatched china and in mason jars. You’re going to love it we swear.

 Uncle Boon’s – Nolita

Delicious Thai food created by two former Per Se chefs. It’s a really bad ass eclectic atmosphere with some sick food. You can watch delicious juices drip from rotisserie hens, while you drink a slushed beer. What is a slushed beer you ask? It’s a frozen slushy Thai beer, and the chill helps to wash down all the awesome heat in these spicy dishes. Do it.

 

Zz’s Clam Bar – West Village

This place is super tiny and so is the menu, so make a reservation. You can get foie gras, beef and uni. You will drop a pretty penny here so I’d suggest you factor that in your budget,(but foie gras and cheap are never in the same sentence anyways). The dishes are picturesque and the food is fresh and creative. You won’t be disappointed.