The city's best restaurants and bars

Time Out New York / Issue 529: November 17–23, 2005

Just opened: Too new to review

All juiced up
Raw-foods enthusiast Matthew Kenney, formerly of Pure Food and Wine, has a new mission: to make sure there's a good organic juice bar in every neighborhood. This week, he's opening three juice joints around the city, all called Blue/Green. Each outpost offers vegan dishes like mango-vegetable wraps with green papaya, young coconut, Thai basil and mint (pictured), as well as raw, live organic smoothies and juices. Look for the shops to sprout up on the Upper East Side, downtown in Nolita and in Dumbo. All those greens must be working: Kenney plans to open an upscale vegetarian restaurant, called Heirloom, on the Lower East Side later this month.—Amy Sirot

203 E 74th St between Second and Third Aves (212-744-0940); 248 Mott St between Houston and Prince Sts (212-334-0805); 25 Jay St between John and Plymouth Sts, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-722-7541).

Freshly minted
To differentiate itself from other upscale Indian restaurants, Mint—the spacious new dining room inside the San Carlos Hotel—is serving obscure specialties from Goa and Sikkim. Owner Gary Sikka has hired chef Wilson Tushar Gomes, previously of Devi, to lead a team of tandoor and curry experts. Together, they're preparing unusual seafood dishes like lobster masala (pictured), as well as meatier options such as lamb and apricots in a sweet-and-sour sauce, and shredded beef and peppers over a bed of crispy rice noodles. The decor is equally ambitious: Colorful drum lights and chartreuse walls frame a small stone waterfall. Traditionalists will be happy to hear that, yes, they're also serving veggie samosas and chicken tikka masala.—Alia Akkam

150 E 50th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-644-8888).

Pressing on
After cementing a reputation three years ago as Park Slope's primary panino purveyors, the owners of Press 195 are ready to conquer a new borough. This week, they're opening a second location in Bayside, Queens. In addition to the original sandwiches made famous at the Brooklyn shop—like pork loin with roasted garlic, jalapeño and cilantro (pictured)—chef Brian Karp will prepare a rotating selection of small plates driven by Hudson Valley ingredients. Serious beer drinkers can ask for a growler (a four-pint jug) of Keegan Ale—also brewed upstate.—Heather Tierney

40-11 Bell Blvd between 40th and 41st Aves, Bayside, Queens (718-281-1950).

Market place
The owners of Agata & Valentina, the Upper East Side gourmet market, have seized upon the popularity of their prepared dishes and opened the Agata & Valentina Food Bar—a two-story Italian eatery—in a soaring space across the street from the flagship store. Executive chef Steve Koutsoumbaris (formerly at March) traveled around Sicily last spring gathering ideas for entrées such as made-to-order frittatas for brunch; timballo with orzo, prosciutto and dried figs; and pistachio-crusted cod. He'll also make use of a brick pizza-oven and a wall-sized rotisserie to prepare made-to-order soups, salads, entrées and desserts. The bar serves cappuccino by day and wine at night.—Rachel Vessey

1513 First Ave at 79th St (212-452-0690).

Bake someone happy
Former Barneys buyer Dawn Casale launched her own cookie company in her West Village apartment in 2000. She hired a man named David Crofton, fell in love with the guy and married him last spring. This week, the couple welcome their first offspring: One Girl Cookies, a Boerum Hill–based bakeshop and café with wooden barstools, blue walls, and a menu that lists all kinds of sweet treats, artisanal coffees and teas. Among their little creations: the Lucia, a shortbread, caramel and chocolate layer bar that manages to be both crispy and chewy at once; and the Susanna, a sweetly spicy oat-and-crystallized-ginger concoction.—Linda Barth

68 Dean St between Smith St and Boerum Pl, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (212-675-4996).

Pheasantville
The East Village didn't exactly need another Italian restaurant, but Divertimento has one thing no other place can claim: owner Vinny Parrillo's grandma's recipes. The eatery showcases old-fashioned Southern Italian cuisine in dishes like minestra soup with escarole, veal saltimbocca, and homemade pastas. Bird-themed artwork surrounds the dining room, paying homage to the menu's highlight, pheasant with truffles—available now and for as long as they can find the ingredients.—Diana Kuan

432 E 13th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-477-1606).

Bars &lounges

NEW Blue Donkey Bar
The owners of Homer's World Famous Malt Shop now have an adjoining bar where locals can sip beer, wine and cocktails, play pool and nosh on bar food.
489 Amsterdam Ave between 83rd and 84th Sts (212-496-0777). Subway: 1 to 86th St. Sun–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu–Sat 5pm–3am. Average drink: $5.

Club 49
A lounge-club has opened on the 49th floor of the Marriott Marquis Times Square hotel—above the touristy rotating restaurant the View. The space is a work in progress, but it has killer views and bottle service.
1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Sts (212-589-1349). Subway: N, Q, R, W, 42nd St S, 1, 2, 3, 7 to 42nd St–Times Sq. Thu–Sat 10pm–3am. Average drink: $10.

Fat Baby
The creator of rocker bar Dark Room has given birth to another Lower East Side drink spot, carved out of a former Chinese catering warehouse. Bands play in the basement lounge.
112 Rivington St between Essex and Ludlow Sts (212-533-1888). Subway: F to Delancey St; J, M, Z to Delancey–Essex Sts. 7pm–4am. Average drink: $5.

Vig 27
The owners of Lower East Side wine boîte Punch & Judy serve upscale drinks and finger food here. The menu includes sliders and chorizo-stuffed mushrooms.
119 E 27th St between Park Ave South and Lexington Ave (212-686-5500). Subway: 6 to 28th St. 5pm–4am. Average drink: $8.

Restaurants &cafés

NEW Ammos
After opening restaurants in Astoria, the owners of this Greek spot have finally sailed into Manhattan. Chef Christos Christou serves mezedes like koupes (crabmeat and lobster in a bulgur wheat crust).
52 Vanderbilt Ave at 45th St (212-922-9999). Subway: 42nd St S, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42nd St–Grand Central. Mon–Sun noon–11pm. Average main course: $26.

Askew
Chef Chris Lim (Town, Daniel and Upstairs at '21') prepares jazzed-up finger food at this stylish global tapas lounge. Designer Karim Rashid made the place look pretty.
504 La Guardia Pl between Bleecker and Houston Sts (212-529-3560). Subway: R, W to Prince St; C, E to Spring St. Dinner (closed Mon). Average small plate: $10.

Aspen
This Flatiron restaurant-club looks like a 1970s ski lodge with mounted Lucite deer heads, antler-shaped chandeliers and hearty dishes like bison steak skewers and pan-fried brook trout tacos.
30 W 22nd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-645-5040). Subway: F, V, R, W to 23rd St. Dinner. Average small plate: $13.

Beet
Pat Rodsomarng, who owns Mango nearby, is behind this modern Thai eatery, which features both traditional dishes and French-inspired inventions like cognac ginger beef and red snapper with champagne-vanilla butter sauce. Note: BYOB.
344 Seventh Ave between 9th and 10th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-832-2338). Subway: F to Seventh Ave. Lunch, dinner (closed Sun). Average main course: $14.

Blossom Restaurant & Cafe
Vegan, organic and seasonal fare convene at this Chelsea restaurant, outfitted with a retro bar, working stone fireplace and an extensive selection of organic wines and beers.
187 Ninth Ave between 21st and 22nd Sts (212-627-1144). Subway: C, E to 23rd St. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $16.

NEW Chicory Brooklyn
After honing his skills at Union Pacific and Park Avenue Café, chef Gavin McAleer has opened this gourmet take-out shop on a pretty residential street.
243 DeGraw St between Clinton and Court Sts, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-797-2121). Subway: F, G to Carroll St. Mon–Fri 7am–10pm; Sat 8am–8pm; Sun 8am–4pm. Average main course: $12.

NEW Chocolat Michel Cluizel
The French fine-chocolate producer has finally opened a shop in New York—inside Union Square's ABC Carpet & Home. In addition to the sweets, guests can sip "choctails."
888 Broadway at 19th St or, after hours, 35 E 18th St at Broadway (212-477-7355). Subway: R, W to 23rd St. Mon–Wed 10am–8pm; Thu–Sat 10am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–6:30pm. Average drink: $11.

NEW Dash Dogs
This sleek, late-night snack spot is serving Empire National kosher frankfurters and custom-made veggie dogs with a range of toppings daily until 4am.
127 Rivington St between Essex and Norfolk Sts (212-254-8885). Subway: F to Delancey St; J, M, Z to Delancey–Essex Sts. Sun–Wed 11am–midnight; Thu–Sun noon–4am. Average hot dog: $2.

Earl Monroe's Restaurant
Knicks legend Earl "the Pearl" Monroe opened this 275-seat restaurant and jazz club. Chef Christopher Faulkner (Town, Patroon) blends American, Latin, African and Caribbean cuisines.
750 W 145th St in Riverbank State Park (212-491-1500). Subway: A, C, B, D, 1 to 145th St. Dinner. Average main course: $18.

NEW MamaGoo's
This Upper West Side Chinese restaurant serves casseroles, noodles, dim sum plates, and the usual meat and seafood entrées.
311 Amsterdam Ave at 75th St (212-362-8828). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. Sun–Thu 11:30am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11:30am–1am. Average main course: $12.

Pair of 8's
A former general manager at Café des Artistes has opened this restaurant with chef Bill Peet (Café des Artistes, Lutèce), who is preparing New American dishes.
568 Amsterdam Ave between 87th and 88th Sts (212-874-2742). Subway: 1 to 86th St. Brunch (Sat, Sun), dinner. Average main course: $25.

NEW Peacock Alley
Executive chef Cedric Tovar is serving fancy, neo-modern French cuisine at the legendary dining room inside the Waldorf-Astoria—newly opened after a $5.5 milion renovation.
301 Park Ave between 49th and 50th Sts (212-872-4896). Subway: E, V to Lexington Ave–53rd St; 6 to 51st St. Mon 7–10:30am, 11:30am–2:30pm, 7:30–11pm; Tue–Sat 7–10:30am, 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30–7pm, 7:30–11pm; Sun 7:30–11pm. Average main course: $30.

NEW Sawa
The squeaky-clean decor doesn't scream barbecue, but owner Takashi Sawa is serving serious dishes—chicken, ribs, stews—with his own top-secret seasoning blend of more than 20 spices.
617 Ninth Ave between 43rd and 44th Sts (212-757-0305). Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St–Port Authority. Mon–Sun 11am–10pm. Average main course: $11.

The Shoreham
Inside a hotel of the same name, Boulud-trained chef Tim Reardon prepares American creative cuisine.
33 W 55th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-247-6700). Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Subway: E, V to Fifth Ave–53rd St; F to 57th St. Average main course: $24.

Slice
Imagine pizza as a healthy snack. At this Upper East Side pizza parlor, the crusts come in whole wheat, herb and gluten-free varieties; cheese lovers can choose between soy and rice versions and organic mozzarellas.
1413 Second Ave between 73rd and 74th Sts (212-249-4353). Subway: 6 to 77th St. Lunch, dinner. Average slice: $4.

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