Are you wondering what’s new around town? Indulge in exciting menus that have been recently curated to please. Check out the restaurants and eateries that have just opened their doors to guests and some that have recently expanded their offerings. Be among the first to give them the buzz they deserve.
New to the city!
Il Gradino Ristorante is now on the Upper East Side to the delight of New Yorkers and many more. Diego Argudo recently opened the Italian gem at 808 Lexington Avenue between 62nd and 63rd Streets. At ll Gradino, there’s a menu of time-honored Italian classics for lunch and dinner, including “a piacere,” meaning prepared according to your preference, for risotto, calamari, veal medallions, Dover sole, lobster and chicken. This sophisticated, fine dining Italian restaurant welcomes guests for delicious cuisine and an outstanding beverage program.
Pavé, located in midtown on West 46th Street is a European-style cafe/bakery from Chef Jonghun Won and Jin Ahn. The goal of Pavé is to rekindle the art of baking bread fresh throughout the day employing timeless artisanal simplicity. Chef Won and his team meticulously prepare fresh bread by the petit baguette or full loaf for purchase, as well as sandwiches reminiscent of those found at small shops in Paris. Chef Won believes the most beautiful sandwich begins with freshly baked bread filled with simple, sustainable, and organic ingredients. He and Jin have enlisted Executive Chef Peter Hong to create their menu, which will include sandwiches and a signature pastry line that are baked in-house daily. Pavé offers specialty coffee drinks from Counter Culture Coffee. Other beverages include high-quality loose-leaf teas and non-alcoholic beverages.
Chef Guo located in Midtown East is the Manhattan debut of Chinese Master Chef Guo Wenjun, who began his culinary training at the tender age of 14 under the mentorship of Chinese Master Chef Ding Guangzhou, a seventh-generation disciple in the line of royal chefs, in the discipline of Chinese Imperial Cuisine. In his forty-year career, Chef Guo has held posts as Executive Chef at the Platinum Seven-Star Beijing Palace International Hotel, the Diaoyutai Garden Villa International Club, been recognized by China as an Elite Master of the Chinese Culinary Arts and won the Gold Medal at the Asia Cuisine Competition. The dishes are made with healthy, organic, and green ingredients, emphasizing a nutritional value and a balanced meal. The food is prepared simply to allow the flavors of the high-quality ingredients to speak for themselves. His cuisine is served in the form of a 19-course tasting menu, that includes 15 savory courses, three tea courses, and a dessert.
Ramerino Italian Prime, one of the newest additions to midtown Manhattan’s dining scene located steps away from the New York Public Library and Bryant Park, is owned by Sammy V. Gashi, an industry veteran with a career spanning 25 years. Ramerino’s menu, brought to life with the enlistment of Tuscan native, Executive Chef Vilfredo Hodai, celebrates the culinary offerings from the region of Tuscany prepared simply, using olive oil rather than butter, clean natural ingredients, prime meats and fish, vegetables, and house made pastas. The restaurant’s interior features a large dining room with smart, elegant accents of millennial blue and venetian plaster, wine displays, and large mosaicked columns. The tranquil outdoor patio is lined with greenery to provide an oasis in the center of the city.
The Porch in Harlem’s Sugar Hill features an American Smokehouse Menu with Cajun influences. Operated by musicians and restaurant industry veterans, The Porch is a destination for BBQ, drinks and live music, and a gathering place for the community as there are very few dining spots in the underserved area. The music program will pay homage to Harlem’s rich musical heritage and feature local musicians in residency. Owner Mark Miller, who lives in the neighborhood, has been a touring musician himself and was a founding partner of Hex & Company, two popular uptown board game cafés. COO Paul Schermerhorn oversees the beverage program and operations and Executive Chef Matt Fisher oversees the kitchen.
Rang NYC in Long Island City is a restaurant and cocktail bar from Executive Chef/Owner Abishek Sharma. For his new concept, Chef Abishek has designed a creative menu featuring small plates full of punch and flavor meant to be shared. Rang NYC’s menu has been influenced by Chef Abishek’s catering business; providing for large weddings and special events over the past few years has allowed him to create a variety of small plates so that diners can enjoy a sampling of regional Indian flavors. He has brought that over to Rang NYC along with his signature larger dishes he has created throughout his career. The restaurant also recently launched their weekend brunch which is available Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
T BAR, the Upper East Side staple returns to 116 East 60th Street. After an expensive renovation, the restaurant space has three floors which include gorgeous chandeliers, luxurious velvet booths, a sleek bar area and more. The revamped T BAR now has an ultra-chic lounge with music and specialty cocktails. This soon-to-be new hot spot also has an exclusive private dining room as well as a separate entrance for VIPs. The restaurant will serve their beloved dishes including Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, raw bar classics, crispy sushi, Chicken Milanese, steak options, and more, along with new caviar additions to the menu. T BAR NYC is open daily and has dinner service, with lunch to kick-off in October.
The Lost Draft, the film-inspired coffee shop and creative space, just opened in Soho at 398 Broome Street. Guests can enjoy high quality coffee offerings and light bites while getting inspiration from the community gathering space, which features a dedicated Table Read Room designed for guests to work on their projects. The Lost Draft will be using a HardTank, one of the first machines of its kind in the United States, which creates cold brew within minutes, and also provides seasonal coffee, teas and signature beverages on tap. The minimalist space incorporates neutral tones and paper textures inspired by the writing process accented by vintage decor. The Lost Draft is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Breakfast and brunch additions are available!
The Lambs Club, the iconic New York restaurant in the theatre district, reopened in April with Chef Michael White. They have now launched their Sunday Jazz Brunch. The brunch will be hosted every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in which guests can enjoy brunch accompanied by a jazz trio and live vocalist. The Lambs Club brunch menu features house made baked goods including an Almond Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, and Cheese Danish, brunch classics such as Eggs Benedict and an Avocado Tartine, and Lambs Club signature dishes like the Stanford White Burger. The brunch is ideal for a pre-Sunday matinee meal, or a classic New York brunch to take guests from out of town.
KYU, the Asian-inspired, wood-fired hotspot took New York City by storm when it opened earlier this year in NoHo, is launching what is set to be the hottest new brunch in town. KYU offers a rich exploration of interpretive Asian cooking, and the brunch menu will feature classic brunch eats with an Asian twist, including Brisket Sandwich with kimchi slaw, fried egg; Short Rib + Sweet Potato Hash with Umami Herbs; Black Sugar Cinnamon Roll with cream cheese frosting; Waffles with chai spiced whipped cream, berries and coffee maple syrup and Thai tea shaved ice, brown sugar boba, Nutella whipped ganache.
Benjamin Steakhouse, located at 52 E 41st Street in Midtown East, invites you to plan a breakfast, an early business meeting or catch up with an old friend with their new morning menu. The popular midtown spot makes waking up early worth it with their new breakfast menu that is being served Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Standout dishes include Buttermilk Pancakes, Steak and Eggs, Belgian Waffle, Candian Eggs Benedict, Eggs Norwegian, Florentine Omelette, Canadian Bacon, Home Fries, and of course Mimosas, Bellinis, and Bloody Marys. Benjamin Steakhouse’s breakfast is complete with attentive service and impressive décor.
Top photo: Bigstock
