Between the post-holiday travel and getting back into the swing of things at the office, the start of the New Year can be a hectic time to keep up with . . . well, anything in the world.
But as they say, there’s no rest for the weary, and chefs and restaurateurs in New York are taking 2019 by the horns and opening up new eateries throughout the boroughs. From Isan Thai street fare to nachos galore, here are five new restaurants in the city ripe for the taking.
Rodos
New Orleans celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, along with restaurateurs Yiannis Chatiris and Eleni Vareli, has debuted his first New York City restaurant in the lobby of Hotel Henri in Chelsea. The 112-seat Rodos, named after the Greek island Chatiris is from, boasts a menu celebrating “the culture and flavor of Greece, specifically the island of Rodos, while incorporating some of Lagasse’s signature style and bold flavors,” per the restaurant’s menu. Dishes include octopus beignets, various dips like taramosalata and tzatziki, Louisiana seafood andouille gumbo and a char-grilled bone-in rib eye with charred tomato and red onion compote.Takeshi
Chef Takeshi Sato, who’s resumé includes stints at Hatsuhana, Sushi Dojo and Sushi by Bou, has opened his eponymous restaurant at 28 Grand Street in SoHo. Open for lunch and dinner, guests can choose items off the à la carte menu or choose the omakase tasting menu crafted by Sato himself. Per the restaurant’s website, “Chef Takeshi sources and presents the season’s best offerings through multiple courses—from his hands directly to your plate—with the style and execution that allows for the purity of the ingredients to come forth.”Violet
The Pizza Loves Emily Group has opened their sixth restaurant in Alphabet City. Violet, named after Rhode Island’s state flower, focuses on grilled cuisine—specifically, pizzas inspired by chef Matt Hyland’s favorite stomping ground in Providence, Al Forno. (Fun fact: he and Emily had their first date at the ristorante.) Pies are grilled on both sides and topped with items like grilled winter squash, broccoli and pistachio pesto, or clams and duck prosciutto, and served with scissors for cutting. A selection of pastas including gnudi with smoked squash purée, ricotta and sage brown butter; pork and duck tortellini with dashi brodo and Sichuan oil; and baked fusilli with vodka sauce, ricotta and herbs is also on offer.Empellón Al Pastor
Alex Stupak’s successful taco empire has expanded to the Pod 39 Hotel in Murray Hill. Replacing Salvation Taco from disgraced Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield, the second outpost of Al Pastor is “an evolution” of the first, Stupak says to the Times. Guests can expect much more seating, a lavish bar and new menu creations from chef Robert Viera, including fried chicken sandwiches with cucumbers and toum, lobster rangoon with chamoy sauce and chicken wings with brown butter macha.Krok
Husband-and-wife team Jeerathinan Ranthom and Krit Ploysomboon have brought the flavors of Isan and Thai street fare to the Columbia Street Waterfront with the opening of Krok. Taking over the space that once housed Andy Ricker’s acclaimed Pok Pok, Krok translates to “mortar” in Thai, one of the most important utensils used in the country’s cuisine. Menu items include pad Thai, pad kra prao, tom kah soup and spaghetti lee mao, aka, stir-fried spaghetti with onion, green peppers, corn and spicy Thai basil sauce.Photo by Evan Sung.
