Remember December, when it was really unseasonably warm and gorgeous out? Yeah, we don’t, either.
Now it’s January, and it’s so freezing, we’re pretty tempted to sit under a heating blanket and go on a three-month soup fast.
Thankfully, these sizzling hot restaurants are making it really easy to leave the house. We’ll take the chicken en flambé.
The folks behind Spigolo and The Gilroy are restaurant pros, so it’s no wonder they’ve nailed it again with this cozy farm-to-table spot on the Upper East Side. We recommend the adorably named Brunchy Flat (aka breakfast pizza).
1471 Second Ave. (at 77th St.); 212-744-1100 or copperkettlekitchen.com
If you haven’t tried omakase-style sushi (where the chef hand-selects everything you eat), drop everything and run to this new 18-seat spot immediately. Jewel Bako alum Yoshihiko Kousaka kiiiinda knows what he’s doing.
220 W. 13th St. (at Seventh Ave.); 212-727-1709 or kosakanyc.com
Delicious wine, a rotating menu and a cozy seat at the bar? Doesn’t get much better than this East Village spot. The chicken liver mousse is what dreams are made of.
125 E. Seventh St. (at Ave. A); 212-777-0855 or ruffiannyc.com
Harlem sure is toasty this time of year--at least inside this new Caribbean restaurant (yep, another one!) featuring West Indian delicacies like fried fish with yucca chips and peppered goat pie.
2331 12th Ave. (at 133rd St.); 212-939-9443 or solomonandkuff.com
That massive line out the door? It must mean another one of David Chang’s wildly popular restaurants is opening. This time it’s a noodle bar, complete with his unique take on cacio e pepe, featuring Hozon (miso made from fermented chickpeas) instead of Pecorino Romano.
232 Eighth Ave. (at 21st St.); 646-518-1919 or nishi.momofuku.com
For years, Philly’s High Street on Market has been making us drool from afar with hearty sandwiches (oh hi, egg, seared oyster mushrooms, braised kale and Swiss on a poppy roll), breads and pastries. Now it’s here. In NYC. We’re so lucky.
637 Hudson St. (at Horatio St.); 917-388-3944 or highstreetonhudson.com
“French cooking” and “healthy” aren’t usually used in the same sentence, but they are at this new French health food restaurant. And yes, the chicken for two actually arrives on fire.
117 Chrystie St. (at Rivington St.); 646-918-7189
The masterminds behind Tao and Lavo have opened a new restaurant and lounge that’s equally as trendy and gigantic as their prior ventures. Nosh on international delights like blackened shrimp arepas by Beauty & Essex chef Chris Santos and gaze at the art designed by global street artists.
199 Bowery (at Spring St.); 212-400-0199 or vandalnewyork.com
Lady food and drink gurus Angie Berry, Gina Goyette and Carolyn Pincus are teaming up to bring new American dishes with excellent wine and beer pairings to Midtown East. Try the beet dumplings or the shellfish and stems, above.
1085 Second Ave. (at 57th St.); 212-888-7405 or bottleandbine.com
Want to take a trip to Trinidad and Tobago? Just venture one stop out of Manhattan on the L to this colorful new Caribbean joint. Munch on caramelized plantains and stuffed crab back all winter long until it’s warm enough to hang out in the awesome backyard.
178 N. Eighth St. (at Bedford Ave.), Brooklyn; 929-352-8194
