updated as of December 13 2019

Here’s a shortlist of brand spanking new restaurants and bars opening this Fall that we are excited about that we’ve tracked. I’ve separated it out by borough (and then neighborhood): Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens

MANHATTAN

CHELSEA

Mojo Omakase
177 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Opened: 11/15/2019
This new sushi restaurant offers $65 for 12 course omakase- a pretty great deal, if I must say. You can text 646-255-9050 for a reservation.

The Orchard Townhouse
242 10th avenue, New York, NY
Grand Open Date: 11/12/2019
There’s a new kid on the block coming to Chelsea- occupying the old spot that housed Trestle on Tenth is The Orchard Townhouse, part of the Fat Radish Management Group. From 11/12/19, they’ll only be open for breakfast and lunch/brunch for the time being (M-F: 8-3:30PM; Sa&Su: 9-3:30PM).

CHINATOWN

Da Yu Hot Pot
81 Bowery St, New York, NY, 10002
Opened: September 2019
This new fancy hot pot place just opened. There are some interesting broth flavors like: Pepper Pork Tripe & Chicken Broth, Pork Leg Bone Broth, Tomato Oxtail broth.. I can tell this is going to be perfect for Winter!

EAST VILLAGE

August Laura
94 Avenue A, New York NY
Opened: 10/15/2019
This is a cool new neighborhood café and bar “with a wildside”! They were previously in Brooklyn, and now occupy the spot of the old Sidewalk Café.

Book Club Bar
197 East 3rd street, New York, NY
Opened Date: 11/9/2019
What an awesome idea – a bookstore where you can have coffee and also WINE! Just what this neighborhood needs. At the time of their opening (11/9/2019), wine and beer is not available yet, but you can go for “good books, coffee, and vibes”!

Night Music
111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Opened: 9/5/2019
This new vegan Indian restaurant opened by the DeRossi Global group’s tagline is “Exotic Vegetable Bar”. I don’t normally see Vindaloo Maitake Buns and the Brussle Sprouts Saag on Indian menus.

Nowon
507 East 6th st, New York
Opened: 11/25/2019
Jae S Lee, who is currently popping up as Him at Black Emperor Bar with his one of a kind burger, opened his first restaurant in the East Village. As of 12/7/2019, they do not yet have their liquor license and this is not BYOB.

We made a dinner reservation on 12/7/2019. Tried:
Honey Butter Tater Tots: the tater tots were pretty much as expected, and the labneh & nori seasoning was a pleasant combination
Shin Ramyun Chicken Wings: The Shin Ramyun part was a little lost on me but these were very crispy. The gochujang glaze and the buttermilk worked well together.
Wok Fried Jjajang Clams: The black bean sauce is comforting, and it was reminiscent to the Chinese black bean clams. This was one of the most delicious items I had.
Dry Aged Steak Double Cheeseburger: Note that they only serve this between 5-7PM (the chef doesn’t want to always be known only for burgers, and this is to encourage those to order the other items on the menu). So we actually had a reservation for 8PM. When the chef came by to chat with us, we mentioned that we missed his 6 month pop up and he made us a burger to try! We felt so fortunate because this was a damn good burger. The kimchi mayo went so well with it.
53rd & 6th Beef Rib Ssam: I’m not a perilla fan, so i think i would have preferred to wrap this in lettuce. While the beef rib was beautifully tender, I think it could be bursting with more flavor. I’m not sure about $29 for the dish.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Chikarashi Isso
38 Rector St, New York, NY
Grand Open Date: 11/26/2019
Chikarashi (the poke chain) owner Michael Jong Lim is finally opening a full service restaurant which will have yakitori, noodles, tempura, and chirashi bowls. There is also going to be a tasting menu, reminiscent of Japanese kappo cuisine.

FLATIRON

Summer Salt
30 E23rd street, New York, NY
Opened: 12/5/19
It’s safe to say that we don’t have enough SoCal “Baja Californian” restaurants in NYC. How will their fish taco stack up?

HARLEM

Naughty Crab
1621 Lexington Ave, New York
Opened: 10/31/2019
There are some mouthwatering seafood specialties being served here: Clam fritters, grilled oysters with parmesan cheese. Is this the Cajun seafood restaurant that NYC needs?

HELLS KITCHEN

Kochi
652 10th avenue, New York
Opened: 11/5/2019
This is the first solo project for Sung Shim (formerly of Per Se and Neta), and it will be an exciting high end Korean restaurant menu with a 9 course tasting menu ($75) .

We went on it’s grand open date (11/5/2019) and loved it!! 9 courses, each item on (or including an item on) a skewer. We splurged for the added extras of caviar on the potato soup and uni on the bibimbap. Each item is small, but altogether it was the perfect amount for dinner. Lots of interesting and unique flavor combinations.

KIPS BAY

J. Bespoke
121 East 27th Street, New York, NY
Opened: 12/12/2019
Speakeasy meets sportsbar: why can’t we enjoy sports programming in a classy bar with cocktails? It’ll be in the back of a coffee shop, Devoción Cascara + Coffee Bar.

Tipsy Nomad
37 East 28th Street, New York, NY
Opened: 9/23/2019
A brand new bar/restaurant which will feature thin crust pizzas, burgers, wings and french fries.

LOWER EAST SIDE

Otaku Katsu
137 Rivington Street, New York NY 10002
Opened: 9/24/2019
Taking over Tongkatsu’s old spot in the LES, Otaku Katsu will serve up modern Japanese Tonkatsu. The B.E.C. Katsu (Duck egg, bechamel, smoked bacon, cheese) sounds amazing.

Canary Club
303 Broome Street, New York, NY
Opened: October 2019
The owners of LES’s Grey Lady is opening up a “modern take on Southern creole” cuisine. It’ll be exciting to have a proper Creole restaurant in New York.

We scored reservations on Resy on 10/25/2019. Dave and I go to NOLA almost every year, so we had to see how this place stacked up! While the wood fired oysters are just nowhere near the ones in New Orleans, Canary Club is a fun lounge spot, perfect to catch a live show while having a cocktail. Thomas Hutchings and the Anomaly performed that night.

The Dough Club
119 Baxter St. Store A
Opened: 11/22/2019
The Dough Club is the 2nd venture opened by the same masterminds behind Taiyaki NYC. They’re serving Pon De Ring Mochi donuts similar to the Mister Donut ones from Japan.

MIDTOWN WEST

Joju
555 5th ave, New York, NY 10017
Opened: 10/11/2019
Joju has served up delicious banh mi sandwiches in Elmhurst, Queens- and now they’re doing that in Midtown West!

We were able to go there for their soft opening and tried a beef bulgogi sandwich which was so delicious. The only thing we would hope for is more pickled daikon but really, I’d come here again and again!

SOHO

Flipper’s Pancakes US
337 West Broadway, New York, NY
Opened: 9/27/2019
The Japanese super fluffy souffle pancake trend continues – well known Japanese souffle pancake stalwart Flipper’s is coming to Soho! They’ll be occupying the space right next to the recently closed Sanctuary T. I cannot wait to try their “Kiseki (奇跡) Pancake” (aka Miracle Pancake). Flipper’s is known for not using a mold, so their edges are softer and more delicate than typical souffle pancakes.

TRIBECA

Lekka Burger
81 WARREN ST NEW YORK, NY 10007
Opened: 11/19/2019
Famous Dirt Candy chef Amanda Cohen opens a vegan burger joint with South African vegan Andrea Kerzner. They aim to serve tasty vegetable plant based ‘burgers’ that do not aim to mimic meat.

UPPER EAST SIDE

Ivy Lane
116 E60 street, New York, NY
Opened: 10/16/19
A new American bar & restaurant from Merchants Hospitality has opened!

UPPER WEST SIDE

Asset Restaurant & Bar
329 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY
Opened: 10/3/2019
The restaurateurs who opened Tessa (Mediterranean restaurant also in the UWS), Larry Bellone and Will Tracy, are set to open a new modern American restaurant this month.

We scored a reservation on 10/4/2019 and had a pleasant meal – the star of experience was the Mouillard Duck (cooked medium rare) with creamy farro with vegetables. The appetizers were okay; it might be good to skip the wagyu pig in blanket (tasted nice but didnt seem to fit the restaurant’s beautiful classy decor; belongs more in a pub). The roasted bone marrow was also not the best that I’ve had. I also tried a cocktail – Pillow Talk, which was not too sweet nor too tart. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and service was excellent (smooth even for the second day of opening).

WEST VILLAGE

Rosecrans
7 Greenwich Ave New York NY 10014
Opened: 10/17/2019
Florist+Cafe+beer/wine. Just the idea of this makes me happy.

BROOKLYN

GREENPOINT

Pierozek Brooklyn
592 Manhattan Ave Brooklyn, NY 11222
Opened: 11/6/2019
Pierozek aims to bring Polish culture back to Greenpoint with their delicious sounding pierogies.

WILLIAMSBURG

COSMICO
80 N6th street, Brooklyn NY
Opened: 10/23/2019
There is a new and exciting wine bar coming to Williamsburg- It looks to be associated with Colonia Verde (Latin American restaurant in Fort Greene).

Long Haul Brewery
52 Harrison Place, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Opened: 11/4/2019
After Braven Brewing Company shuttered after 6 months of operation, a new brewery will be taking its place. On 11/4/2019 they won’t have their liquor license yet but, they will be serving coffee in the meantime!

Xi’an Town
165 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Opened: 9/20/2019
There’s going to be a new Xi’an restaurant in town; namely in Williamsburg! Founded by three Xi’anese women: Jenny Zheng, Jay Zheng, and Helen Zhao, they’ll be serving up healthy street food like a Chinese hamburger, and hand ripped noodles- yum!

QUEENS

ASTORIA

Rosatoro
35-02 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
Opened: 11/01/2019
A new Peruvian restaurant will open in Astoria- from their instagram @rosatoronyc, the cocktails and arroz con pato seem interesting!

FOREST HILLS

Mi Tea
107-22 Continental Ave, Forest Hills, NY
Opened: September 2019
This Hangzhou, China based bubble tea shop opened up in the heart of Forest Hills earlier in September 2019. They’re known for their “cheese foam” (cheese mixed with dairy, to be like whipped cream).