A Chinatown Favorite Since the 1970s Opens in Williamsburg — And More Openings

Pandemic be damned, restaurant openings have been picking up in New York City. Hundreds of new restaurants have opened over the past year — so many in fact, it can feel like whiplash. Consider this your guide to all the new restaurants, bars, and cafes, that have opened recently. This month, that includes an East Village breakfast burrito option, an Upper West Side mariscos spot, and a Clinton Hill modern Cambodian restaurant. Here’s a roundup of the restaurants and bars that opened in February. This list will be updated weekly. If there’s an opening in your neighborhood that we’ve missed, let us know at ny@eater.com.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

February 23

Bed-Stuy: Garnacha Bite is a new spot that, according to its website, is doing Tex Mex in Brooklyn. 361 Halsey Street, at Marcus Garvey Boulevard

Bushwick: Cafe Mez is the latest mezcal bar to debut in the borough. The menu includes expected quesadillas, tacos, and then an unusual Mexican-influenced mac and cheese, according to Brooklyn Paper. 430 Troutman Street, near St. Nicholas Avenue

Bushwick: Frank Pinello’s acclaimed Williamsburg Best Pizza now has a second location in Brooklyn that opened earlier in February. 800 Grand Street, near Bushwick Avenue

Downtown Brooklyn: Okey Sandwiches and Grill is the latest kiosk to join the happenings at the Dekalb Market Hall. Okey’s specialty is camarones al ajillo, a creamy shrimp dish, alongside other Ecuadorian staples like sancocho, according to a spokesperson. 445 Albee Square West, basement level

East Village: Wild Rabbit is a new coffee shop with drinks — coconut milk lattes, and jasmine tea-infused espresso — inspired by Hong Kong cafes. The new spot comes from Jay Liu, an alum of Dashan Restaurant Group (CheLi, Szechuan Mountain House), alongside partners Jason Ying and Junye Chi. 110 E. Seventh Street, between Avenue A and First Avenue

Hell’s Kitchen: Olde City Cheesesteak & Brew, a revival of sorts for the former owner of Shorty’s, keeps the Philadelphia Eagles fanship alive in Midtown, according to W42st. There are currently three locations in NYC. 576 Ninth Avenue, at West 42nd Street

Hudson Yards: New smoothie and juice bar The Juicy Lounge opened this month with a lip-shaped couch. 493 Ninth Avenue, West 38th Street

Midland Beach: Palestinian restaurant Ayat opened in Bay Ridge in 2020, and boasts siblings in Sunset Park and Brooklyn Heights, with offshoot concept, Al Badawi. Now owner Abdul Elenani has crossed into a new borough: Staten Island. 2018 Hylan Boulevard, at Hull Avenue

Midtown West: From the team that brought you Don Angie, Quality Branded’s Bad Roman is the year’s “most unhinged” Italian restaurant yet. Think: Ravioli steak, pepperoni with ranch, and shots in toy car glasses. 10 Columbus Circle, Third Floor

Noho: After more than a decade on Bond Street, the Smile has transitioned into Jac’s on Bond. The same team behind the Smile, also operates Pebble Bar, and Jac’s is fated to be equally sceney. Fittingly, Cousin Greg financially backed the project, and Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra, also partners, designed the menu. 26 Bond Street, Lafayette Street

Nolita: A new cocktail bar, Beyond the Pale, has landed in Manhattan. 53 Spring Street, between Mulberry and Lafayette streets

Nolita: Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie have already been spotted at the Mulberry, a new Manhattan subterranean spot from Justin Sievers, a partner in Bar Primi; along with Leo Jacob, of Bowery Hotel and Chelsea Hotel. 240 Mulberry Street, near Prince Street

Park Slope: Winner Butcher Shop — a sibling to WIN Bar in Crown Heights, Winner Bakery nearby in Park Slope, and a location at the Prospect Park Picnic House — is now open from owner-chef Daniel Eddy. The butcher shop was formerly home to Fleishers Craft Butchery, which closed following an employee walkout. 192 Fifth Avenue, at Sackett Street

Prospect Heights: Detroit-style Jet’s Pizza opened its first Brooklyn location this week, per a spokesperson. It’s located near Barclays Center. 305 Flatbush Avenue, at Prospect Place

Red Hook: A new pasta bar Bar Mario is livening up Red Hook’s dining options with Tuscan and Piedmontese flavors, according to its Instagram. 365 Van Brunt Street, at Dikeman Street

Rockefeller Center: Located on the seventh floor of a DoubleTree hotel, the New York Times reports that Duomo 51 has views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral (hence the name which means cathedral in Italian). 25 W. 51st Street, seventh floor, DoubleTree

Soho: Ketchy Shuby, a 7,000 square-foot, bi-level restaurant that opened this week, comes from Jamie Mulholland, co-founder of Montauk hot spot, the Surf Lodge. The menu is half vegetarian dishes, while the other half “is anchored in modern classics,” per a representative. 406 Broome Street, at Cleveland Place

Sunnyside: Creamline ice cream parlor has expanded from the Chelsea Market with new Queens digs, in partnership with Ronnybrook Farm. It’s located inside the same ghost kitchen, Sunnyside Eats, where Rice Thief is based. 40-05 Skillman Avenue, at 40th Street

Sunset Park: From the team that brought you mariscos at The King of Fish (El Rey Del Pescado), now it's time for meat. New taqueria, the King of Meat opened earlier this month. 4408 Fifth Avenue, at 44th Street

Williamsburg: Big Wong, a decades-old Chinatown stalwart now has a sibling in Williamsburg selling the Cantonese classics it’s known for like congee, barbecue pork, and roast duck. Prices at its second location in Brooklyn remain affordable — as low as $8 for dishes, according to Greenpointers. Big Wong first opened in Chinatown back in 1978. 135B N. Fifth Street, between Berry Street and Bedford Avenue

February 16

Astoria: A Thai-style buffet opened last month, tucked away inside of the Astoria food market, fittingly named Secret Thai Street Food. It’s run by three Queens moms and former restaurant owners. 30-72 Steinway Street, near 31st Avenue

Bayside: Sushi by Boū opens its first Queens location, a Bayside speakeasy omakase. 38-29 Bell Boulevard, near 39th Avenue

Chelsea: Channeling vegan and kosher versions of dishes from Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon, Anixi has opened from City Roots Hospitality, behind the vegan Beyond Sushi, Willow, and Coletta. Look for a menu of breads and pastries, hot and cold mezze, salads, and cured “fish,” “chicken,” “steak,” and kebabs. 290 Eighth Avenue, near 25th Street

Greenpoint: Local dive bar Brooklyn Safehouse now has a nearby sibling, the Mallard Drake, where bakery pop-up Back Alley Bread has been hawking goodies. 43 Franklin Street, near Calyer Street

Greenwich Village: Ueki comes from group behind the Blue Ribbon restaurants, with a sub-$200 omakase at a 12-seat counter. Expect dishes dotted with caviar, gold leaf, and over 80 types of sake, beer, and spirits. The space pays homage to Toshi Ueki, the co-founder of Blue Ribbon Sushi, who passed away. 34 Downing Street, near Bedford Street

Long Island City: East Village southern staple Bobwhite Counter joins the food hall offerings at Queens food hall Jacx & Co. 28-17 Jackson Avenue, near 42nd Road

Tribeca: Goa is a new Indian restaurant that hails from Toronto with tasting menu and a la carte options. A five-course tasting menu is $150, according to Eater Critic Robert Sietsema’s review. 78 Leonard Street, near Church Street

Union Square: Salil Mehta's evergrowing restaurant group now includes Kebaya, a Peranakan restaurant in Union Square. 20 E. 17th Street, near Broadway

Upper West Side: Wallace Lounge opened on Valentine’s Day, two years after the opening of the Wallace hotel, serving cocktails, caviar, and, salads, sandwiches, and light bites. Later in the evening, there’s live music (yes, a piano bar). 242 W. 76th Street, near Broadway

Upper West Side: If a ghost kitchen by the founder of Diaper.com sounds up your alley, Wonder has restaurant partners like Chuko ramen and steaks from Bobby Flay. 2028 Broadway, between 69th and 70th streets

West Village: Chicago brewery Moody Tongue now has a Manhattan sushi spot. 150 W. 10th Street, near Waverly Place

West Village: Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s Stratis Morfogen and chef Todd English, who was accused of sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement, are behind Pappas Taverna, a Greek restaurant that closed in NYC back in 1975. 105 MacDougal Street, near Minetta Lane

February 9

Bushwick: Silo is a new club in a converted warehouse with a capacity for 500. 90 Scott Avenue, at Randolph Street

East Williamsburg: Okonomi has swapped their seafood market Osakana, into Okonomi Market, with a reservation-only, seven-course tasting room in the back by chef Daniel Lee. 290 Graham Avenue, near Powers Street

Elmhurst: Tibetan Sichuan spot, Nha Sang, has new owners and new name, Nangma. Lobsang Gyatso, who’s also behind Jackson Heights spot, Phayul, took over the storefront in late December. In the three-floor space, he’s built a sushi bar, applied for a full liquor license, and soon, a basement karaoke bar, which is scheduled to open in late February. The celebrated Sichuan and Tibetan menus remain. Gyatso intends for Nangma to be the “biggest and fanciest” Tibetan restaurant in New York. 3-17 Broadway, near Cornish Avenue — Caroline Shin, contributor

Fort Greene: Forma Pasta Factory, known for its affordable, $13 handmade pastas, opened a Fort Greene sibling to its Greenpoint original. 5 Greene Avenue, near Fulton Street

Lower East Side: Outer Heaven is a new nightlife venue and cocktail bar with DJ sets, drinks, and private booking. The club opened in mid-January. 191 Chrystie Street, between Stanton and Rivington streets

Maspeth: MuuMoo Foods is a new fast-causal venture, with a market and a Polish-style buffet in Queens, that debuted last weekend. 60-54 Fresh Pond Road, at 60th Drive

Nomad: A decade in the making, Sir Richard Branson brings the Virgin Hotel to New York with its Everdene restaurant, cocktail bar, and lounge called the Shag Room. 1227 Broadway, at 29th Street

Prospect Heights: Greg Baxtrom has converted his French Japanese skewer spot Maison Yaki into Petite Patate, now a French bistro with classics like steak frites. The business is named after his dog, Spud. 626 Vanderbilt Avenue, near Prospect Place

Prospect Lefferts Gardens: Chef Wesly Jean Simon, behind Haitian restaurant Zanmi, has debuted Market Bar across the street: a pizzeria that will also brew its own beer. There’s a Haitian griot pie on the menu. 1207 Nostrand Avenue, at Hawthorne Street

Prospect Lefferts Gardens: Moe’s is a new halal-friendly pastrami spot with burgers. 569 Flatbush Avenue, near Beekman Place

Soho: Bisou is a new French wine bar with charcuterie boards that opened in late January. There’s a private room in the back. 112 Sixth Avenue, at Watts Street

Woodside: Zhego, a Bhutanese restaurant, landed in Woodside in January. Signature dishes include ema datsi, green peppers, feta, American cheese, and butter, as reported by the social media platform Righteous Eats. 38-4 61st Street, near 38th Avenue

February 2

Astoria: Agenda, a Japanese Latin restaurant and bar in western Queens, is starting things off with cocktails and snacks ahead of a larger opening in the coming weeks. Eventually, the space will be home to a full menu with filet mignon, lobster, and branzino, according to Astoria Post. 28-18 31st Street, near Newton Avenue

Chinatown: Chinatown’s Hotel 50 Bowery has a new Lebanese restaurant inside of its gaming and esports arcade OS NYC, the New York Times reports. The all-day cafe, called Cafe Mish Mosh, serves Lebanese mezze and kebabs, plus a full drinks menu with beer, wine, and cocktails. 50 Bowery, between Canal and Bayard streets

Clinton Hill: Lula Mae is mainly focused on modern Cambodian bites, in a kitchen helmed by Dan San, formerly of restaurants like the Tyger, Nami Nori, and Chinese Tuxedo. The kitchen serves up lort cha, Cambodian rice noodles, the green papaya salad known as bok lahong, oysters with koh kong, a dipping sauce, and fried bread with tom yum butter and chicken pate. San’s partners in the restaurant are David Balk, a real estate broker, and Mark Roof, who was a manager at the Jane Hotel Ballroom, and whose grandmother Lula Mae’s name references. A liquor license should kick in this week, says Balk. There’s also an attached private dining room. 472 Myrtle Avenue, near Washington Avenue

East Village: Manhattan has a new bar open from noon to 4 a.m. Bobby’s Night Out recently opened on Avenue C, serving breakfast burritos and chilaquiles until 5 p.m. daily with a variety of tacos available around the clock, EV Grieve reports. The bar comes from owner Bobby Gonzales, who previously ran the New Mexican restaurant La Flaca on the Lower East Side. 145 Avenue C, at East Ninth Street

Flatiron: Oiji Mi, a modern Korean restaurant that touched down in Flatiron last year, has opened a separate tasting counter, called Bom, at the back of the restaurant. A tasting menu priced at $325 per person, before tax and tip, will offer “a modern perspective on Korean traditional cuisine,” per a post from the team, some of which will be prepared using tabletop grills. 17 W. 19th Street, near Sixth Avenue

Hell’s Kitchen: Chalong is the latest Thai restaurant to open in Hell’s Kitchen, joining LumLum and as many as 40 other Thai restaurants along Ninth Avenue some years back. 749 Ninth Avenue, near West 51st Street

Jackson Heights: A modern Nepali restaurant has landed in Woodside, expanding the area’s already brimming momo offerings. Kasthamandap is meant for sharing, offering big platters of fried chicken with chicken momos, sausages, “volcano momos” served in a spicy broth, fish fry, stir-fried goat intestine; wings marinated in Nepali-style spices, and thukpa noodle soup. Cocktails are available at the restaurant that stays open until 2 a.m. 6514 Roosevelt Avenue, between 65th Place and 67th Street

Jersey City: Kọ Cafe opened this week, paying homage to the founders’ Nigerian and Ghanaian roots through its bean sourcing: “We’re invested in working directly with African farmers in the near term,” the team wrote on Instagram. There are also Sudanese pastries from the caterer Sambuxa. 722 Grand Street, near Prescott Street

Long Island City: Korean fusion is the focus of Long Island City newcomer Hunny, per the Infatuation. In addition to more traditional short rib stews, the delivery-only restaurant serves bowls of rice and french fries (mixed together) that are loaded with pork belly, chicken thighs, and other meats, then drenched in colorful sauces. 40-05 Skillman Avenue, between 40th and 41st street

Nomad: Olle, a sister restaurant for PyeongAnDong in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is now open in Nomad. The Korean restaurant serves galbi jjim, braised short ribs in small ($70) and large ($80) portions; mool naengmyeon, a cold noodle soup with Korean pear; and an array of pork bone soups and hotpots. 11 E. 30th Street, between Madison and Fifth avenues

Park Slope: Stella’s, a Caribbean restaurant in Park Slope, has reopened at this new location. The restaurant’s menu still lists guava barbecue wings, jerk chicken, and oxtail stews. 321 Ninth Street, near Fifth Avenue

Sunset Park: As the name of Hainan Chicken House suggests, Hainanese chicken is the name of the game here. Sticky rice is presented in balls, a Malaysian interpretation, complementing the Malaysian curry noodle soup laksa mee, per Hell Gate. 4807 Eighth Avenue, near 48th Street

Upper East Side: The fifth location of the ever-expanding Serafina Restaurant Group’s Italian all-day Café Serafina opened on January 31. 1492 Third Avenue, between 84th and 85th streets

Upper East Side: The focus is on rotisserie chickens at Polletto Chicken and Sangria, a new restaurant from Fabio Casella, an owner of Upper East Side pizzeria San Matteo. In addition to chicken, the menu lists creamed corn, mac and cheese, truffle fries, and other side dishes. 1631 Second Avenue, near East 85th Street

Upper West Side: The restaurateurs Julian Medina and Louis Skibar, behind Old John’s Luncheonette, Coppelia, and other restaurants, will open El Fish Marisqueria this evening. The upscale mariscos spot serves ceviches, seafood tostadas, tacos, and swordfish schnitzel, according to the Times. 155 Amsterdam Avenue, at West 67th Street

Williamsburg: From the team behind Greenpoint hangout Temkin’s comes H&H Reserve, a bar that falls somewhere between a tavern and dive. The space is open from noon until 4 a.m. every day, with Chicago dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and other foods available until 2 a.m. The kitchen is run by Dog Day Afternoon, a Windsor Terrace restaurant known for importing regional dishes from Chicago. 519 Metropolitan Avenue, at Union Avenue