New York is the city that never sleeps and why should it with so many diverse restaurants all packing flavor punches from the Bronx to Battery Park. That's why we leave it to our famously anonymous Inspectors to discover the culinary gems within the New York selection. But before the full list is revealed next week, we wanted to share the team's latest findings with 11 new Bib Gourmands.
For those who need a quick catch-up, the Bib Gourmand denotes good food coupled with incredible value making them the ideal spot for date night, group dinners, or even family outings. Even better, the 11 brand new Bib Gourmands offer inventive cuisine celebrating rich cultural traditions under the lens of gastronomy.
From Korean-inspired soul food at C as in Charlie, to Superiority Burger's vegetarian offerings that will have you craving more, these wallet-friendly spots in New York City will have you going back over and over again. Bon appétit!
8282
Cuisine: Korean
Are there any rules about showering a scoop of honey-infused vanilla cream with grated Parmesan cheese? Is there a consensus on whether an entire orb of creamy burrata goes well with rice cakes and gochujang-marinated chicken? There’s a first time for everything at this rambunctious little restaurant in the Lower East Side. The team works with a solid foundation of Korean flavors and from there, springboards into uncharted waters. Creative, bold dishes – all of which beg to be shared – run up and down this menu. Those wanting to stick to something more familiar will not leave disappointed. The pan-fried scallion-parsley pancake makes for a superb start, followed by tender medallions of grilled Iberico pork galbi resting in a pool of spicy red chili paste.
Agi's Counter
Cuisine: Creative
You have room for one more dish, right? It’s a question that will come up often at this sweet little diner in Crown Heights. Chef Jeremy Salamon takes inspiration (and the restaurant’s name) from his Hungarian grandmother for a delightfully casual but fine-tuned effort. With walls painted cupcake pink, the kitchen has a real talent for bread. The cheddar-flecked biscuit sandwich with speck is an explosive first bite thanks to an expertly fried egg. It’s a good start to any morning, while the confit tuna melt on a superb Pullman loaf hits the spot come afternoon. Yes, there are crepes — thin, delicate and none too sweet — but there’s also cheesecake, chocolate babka and toast smeared in whipped farmer’s cheese and topped with market tomatoes.
Alta Calidad
Cuisine: Mexican
This stylish Mexican restaurant is bright and modern, with light-flooded windows and comfy banquettes, while the communal table and cozy bar lined with stools are great spaces to socialize and make new friends.
Alta Calidad, means “high quality” and this talented chef certainly puts his money where his mouth is. Crispy tempura shrimp are set atop a tortilla with crunchy cabbage remoulade for an original dish, while paper-thin carne asada sprinkled with Chihuahua cheese and griddled until caramelized and crisp is another standout. Oregano roasted chicken tacos are simply finished with avocado-chipotle aioli and salsa cruda, or order the skewer of octopus, pork belly and potatoes over poblano rice. Churros with acacia honey and chocolate atole sauce are just right.
C as in Charlie
Cuisine: Fusion
Chef Eric JaeHo Choi's spot flies a bit under the radar, but with this wildly creative, cultural collision cooking, it deserves to be top of mind. You may become fast friends with your neighbor at this tiny space, but with a warm welcome from the hospitable staff, it's all part of the vibe. A compact menu keeps things tight with around ten dishes, but it's sprinkled with widely appealing Southern- and Korean-minded tapas-style plates. The cooking is straightforward and earnest with bold flavors. They're having plenty of fun from start to finish with items such as Seoul’sbury steak with galbi jus and gruyere grits, shrimp toast rolls and banana pudding with misugaru and meringue. Baby back ribs with a harissa glaze and plum coulis are slap-your-grandma good.
Café Mars
Cuisine: Contemporary
This trendy Brooklyn spot from co-chefs Paul D’Avino and Jorge Olarte is quirky from start to finish, and that's exactly what makes it shine. The contemporary menu is equal parts modern and nostalgic, with an outlandish creativity to boot. It's all intended for sharing, so come with a gang and kick off the festivities with four squares of negroni Jell-O with Castelvetrano olives suspended inside. Grilled octopus with roasted pepperoni "cups," tangy ranch and pickled celery is a delightful surprise, as are the market cukes, sliced and topped with salty trout roe and whey granita. Pastas get an equal dose of creativity, as seen in the baked potato gnocchi. Finally, marble olive cake may look typical but it's anything but, with a salty-sweet combination that brings it all home.
Flora
Cuisine: Italian
If it seems difficult to find good food at a good price in Brooklyn's South Slope, then you haven't been to Flora. Emiliano Cammardella and Rossella Episcopo are behind this welcoming, light-filled spot that retains many of the rustic touches of its former incarnation (think exposed brick walls and wood-framed doors and windows) interspersed with industrial touches. The food is as winning as the ambience. Bell-shaped ravioli filled with imported ricotta di bufala, dressed with shaved and sprinkled bottarga di muggine, fragrant lemon rind and crunchy breadcrumbs is simple, but delicious. Then for dessert, delizia al limone, imported directly from the Amalfi Coast’s famed pastry chef, Sal De Riso, is a bite of sunshine.
KRU
Cuisine: Thai
Husband-and-wife Chefs Ohm Suansilphong and Kiki Supap are behind KRU, which is Thai for "guru." Indeed, you will get a lesson in traditional Thai dishes albeit ones that have been spruced up in a decidedly contemporary way. Sleek and airy, the interior is equally of-the-moment with exposed brick walls and ductwork along with cement tiled floors. First up? An invigorating salad of multi-colored cauliflower "pla" dressed in chiles, lime and fish sauce. Khai phra arthit, or a rice omelette that is equal parts fluffy and dense, is further proof that the simplest ingredients often are best. Thai dip is a smoked whitefish relish with anchovy, shrimp paste and coconut cream, but for a mind-blowing modern (and vegan) spread, order the olive lon.
Peppercorn Station
Cuisine: Chinese
This particular stretch that runs along the southern edge of Bryant Park sports an unusual number of Sichuan restaurants. Among them, Peppercorn Station is easy to spot, standing out with its cheery, brightly lit interior. The menu runs a decent length and offers a comfortable collection of favorites designed for sharing. Fish fillet with pickled cabbage is a must-order with its golden, numbing broth, as is the mapo tofu that’s been turbo-charged with fermented black beans. Sliced pork belly with garlic-chili sauce is a classic starter. Far from aggressive, this efficient kitchen is fairly even keeled when it comes to chilis and spice levels, and seasons just enough to nudge the sinuses. The restaurant has a second location in Jersey City.
Potluck Club
Cuisine: Chinese
Chrystie Street wins big with this high-energy Chinese restaurant that is always down to have a good time. The stylish room leans on a Hong Kong cinema motif with posters and stills from famous flicks. Further down, a movie marquee hangs above the chef’s counter. Looks aside, the cooking offers a fresh take on Cantonese favorites using top-rate products. Pan-seared pot stickers get their boost from a Berkshire pork and chive filling. Fried tiger shrimp slicked in mayonnaise has never been more appealing. Also worth an order is the salt and pepper fried chicken. The platter comes with fluffy scallion biscuits and a chili-plum jam that should be bottled and sold commercially.
Pranakhon
Cuisine: Thai
The name may reference Bangkok's original name, Phra Nakhon, but this busy spot is all about the now and just might convince you that you're dining in an alley in the capital city. It's precisely the point, as this restaurant from Intira and Norapol Youngphitak celebrates Bangkok's street eats scene. Dishes are well-executed, especially the hor mok hoy mang phu, a vibrant dish of tender mussels stuffed with curry paste custard and sweet coconut milk sauce. Namtok kor moo yang plates grilled marinated pork jowl tossed with spices and a Thai chili-lime dressing, but khao yum is a knockout dish with its flurry of ingredients. It tastes even better while sipping an inventive cocktail named for characters in Thai soap operas.
Superiority Burger
Cuisine: Vegetarian
What began with a handful of seats and vegetarian burgers has evolved with a new location and new menu. Brooks Headley's first-come, first-served spot, with vintage diner vibes, is squarely in the middle of the East Village and the new menu is equal parts quirky and contemporary, and fully vegetarian (even sometimes vegan). It's very creative, as in sweet and sour beets over jalapeño cream cheese and pretzels. Yes, it sounds weird, but it works. Cabbage filled with sticky rice and oyster mushrooms has plenty of character, and the burger crafted from quinoa, chickpeas, carrots and walnuts is how they made their name. All of the desserts are worth trying, especially the peanut butter pie and the seared malt cake with house-made cream cheese gelato that punches way above its weight.
Hero image: Dan Ahn/8282
