Amber Sutherland-Namako is Time Out New York's restaurant critic and a former bartender at The Cornelia Street Cafe, where Lady Gaga famously probably did not work

Sutherland-Namako has been covering NYC hospitality for many years, and she was previously the editor of Thrillist New York. Her writing has also been published by New York magazine and States by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Villa Albertine. Her personal affairs have appeared in Page Six and The New York Times. Sutherland-Namako is the silent captain behind the late arriving but now common practice of adding “-themed,” “-style,” or “fashioned” to the word speakeasy. (Because alcohol is legal.)

Say her name three times to summon Amber Sutherland-Namako to the nearest dive bar

Amber Sutherland-Namako

Amber Sutherland-Namako

Restaurant Critic, Food & Drink Editor

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Articles (113)

Your guide to the food and drink at Time Out Market New York – and how to order

Your guide to the food and drink at Time Out Market New York – and how to order

Time Out Market New York is sandwiched (mmm, sandwiches) between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges with the best waterfront restaurants—and views—this side of the East River. Just as impressive are the eateries that fill the expansive 21,000-square-foot space in the historic Dumbo warehouse Empire Stores (55 Water St, Brooklyn). (We’ve also launched the option to have our food delivered or picked up for takeout from your phone.) Our editors ate countless meals and drank more than a few cocktails to find the best the city has to offer under one roof. Now, your challenge: deciding what to order. Time Out Market New York offers a diverse roster of restaurants and bars, complemented by cultural experiences, so that you can taste classic New York dishes—think hot pastrami sandwiches and incredible pizza—as well as new fixations, including the best Thai seafood dishes in the city. Click on the eateries to learn more about the restaurants and for a preview of the menus. We promise you won’t leave hungry.
The best holiday pop-up bars in NYC

The best holiday pop-up bars in NYC

The holidays seem to start earlier and fly by faster every year. One way to extend all that cheer and good will is to pack these fleeting weeks with all manner of topical activities. In addition to the classics like tree-peeping and light-looking, New York City has plenty of on-the-reindeer’s-nose holiday pop-up bars to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season—with spirits—throughout the most wonderful time of the year. RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Christmas in New York
The 50 best restaurants in NYC right now

The 50 best restaurants in NYC right now

Choosing a favorite restaurant in New York City is a joyful task with myriad possibilities depending on the occasion, mood and even the time of year. Your favorite dive, fine dining destination and neighborhood favorite might all occupy top spots on your personal best list in spite of their disparate qualities.  Our list of NYC’s 50 best restaurants is the same, spanning each of those categories and more to comprise a catalogue of all the places we wish we were at right now. They don’t have to be the newest or the most recently reviewed, just places that we’ve been to and want to return to again and again, and that we think that you will, too.  RECOMMENDED: NYC’s best bars right now Note: Many of the city’s best chefs, restaurants and concepts have been welcomed into the Time Out Market. Because that is the highest honor we can award, establishments related to the market have not been ranked here, but you can see them below.  Updated November 2024: We removed The Freakin Rican and Noreetuh and added Kisa and La Piraña Lechonera.  Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.
The 50 best bars in NYC right now

The 50 best bars in NYC right now

Every drink seems ideal when you're at the perfect bar. Your dive’s beer is frosty, rooftops send you soaring toward the clouds and cocktail destinations shake and stir myriad ingredients into ideally calibrated glassware—leaps above what you try to craft at home. The options are unending, the ice is nicer and you aren’t just drinking, you’re at the spot.  Whether you're dabbling in low-ABV libations, making your way through dedicated martini menus or collecting passwords for pseudo speakeasies, there is an ideal location for every taste, tolerance and occasion. Find them among the 50 best bars in NYC right now. Updated November 2024: We removed Elsa, Cecchi and Night of Joy. We added in Dante, Employees Only and Experimental Cocktail Club. 
The 13 best restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen

The 13 best restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen

November 2024: We added Ariana Afghan Kebob, Sesamo and Yingtao. We removed Bird and Branch, Totto Ramen, Taboon, PRINT. and Gotham West Market. Situated between the chaos of Times Square and the rolling waters of the Hudson River is Hell’s Kitchen. Once a tough part of town, the neighborhood is now packed with restaurants and bars, both fine and hole-in the wall and a stretch of LGBTQ+ bars. Stroll up and down Manhattan’s westernmost avenues and you’ll have your pick of eating and drinking destinations, some of the best in NYC scattered among them. Hit these spots for a little slice of heaven in the ominously monikered neighborhood.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC
NYC's 18 best rooftop bars for cooler weather

NYC's 18 best rooftop bars for cooler weather

Some might assume that sky-high imbibing is relegated to the spring and summer only, but it’s always rooftop season in NYC. Even during rain, wind and lower temperatures, we simply swap the sunshine and frozen drinks for fireplaces and hot cocktails while still soaking up those stunning skyline views. So grab a sweater and set your sights on the stars at the best cooler weather rooftops in NYC this winter.   RECOMMENDED: Find more things to do on NYC rooftops
NYC's 22 best restaurants for group dining

NYC's 22 best restaurants for group dining

Groups! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t try almost everything on the menu in one sitting without 'em! Ok, maybe some can, but many will, at one point, still need to find restaurants perfect for large parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, big promotions, belated or pre-lated holidays and general getting the band back together events.  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island each have options for your next fête, and these are our favorites for those expanded occasions. Most allow you to book space for up to six via conventional platforms, save for noted exceptions that go up to about ten, and all have room for more when you connect via email or phone. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC
The 16 best Mexican restaurants in NYC

The 16 best Mexican restaurants in NYC

The one thing you’ll catch New Yorkers being humble about–self-deprecating, even–is our Mexican food. NYC locals will demure to west coasters before muttering under our breath about the pizza, bagels and inimitable tap water that’s said to make this city’s food so great. But our very own Mexican culinary landscape has gone from good to great and then some over the years, and we, too, have plenty to boast about. Here’s where to find the very best Mexican food in NYC right now. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC
The 20 best speakeasy-inspired bars in NYC

The 20 best speakeasy-inspired bars in NYC

Although we've had quite the resurgence, the last of New York City’s real-deal speakeasies ceased operation in 1933. That’s when prohibition ended, and once that odd bit of wise legislation managed to pass, in spite of hidden entrances, decoys and hooch-obscuring levers and pulleys, wowie-zowie, all those gin joints turned into bars!  Some of those bars, like now-shuttered 21 Club, remained open in various forms for many more years. Any place popping up in the interim is simply speakeasy-inspired. These newcomers aim to approximate Jazz Age style absent its inconvenient trappings. See, just like we wouldn’t take a suborbital flight and call it space travel, we can’t really say we fully comprehend the sights, smells, tastes and heartbeat of erstwhile speakeasies.  But we do go to a lot of bars, and plenty of those are rather convincingly fashioned after speakeasies, but with better booze (fewer errant pest particles), improved air quality (no smoking), and modern conveniences like online reservation platforms, air conditioning and mobile payments to follow up with the moochers in the group. Some have circa (19)20s details for days and others would make a dramaturg’s stomach turn, but their semi-hidden entrances, Old New York decor and appearance of exclusivity are almost enough to make us feel like we’re about to light up a Chesterfield, sip some cold clear liquor and—what?—oh, we’ll Venmo you later.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC
The best Halloween bars in NYC

The best Halloween bars in NYC

When you simply live for frights, every season is spooky season, but it’s amplified right around this time every year for the rest of the scaredy cats. In the weeks before Halloween, when artificial cobwebs, skeletons, luminous jack-o’-lanterns and haunted houses start popping up all over NYC, a little liquid courage can help soothe those decorative frayed nerves. So don your vampire dentures, make a topical public figure “sexy” or simply step out into the full moon and live it up at NYC’s best Halloween bars. RECOMMENDED: All coverage of Halloween in NYC
The 12 best steakhouses in NYC to sink your teeth into

The 12 best steakhouses in NYC to sink your teeth into

Few dining daydreams capture a corner New York City’s culinary appeal as keenly as the notion of the classic steakhouse. Bustling dining rooms lined with big, plush booths. Moody lights. Tables topped with frigid martinis martinis, perfectly paired sides and cuts you just can’t quite recreate at home.  The New York City steakhouse can turn any occasion special, significant, or quietly distinguished. And while we have plenty to choose from, some are simply better than the rest. So sharpen those knives for a slice of Gotham at its prime.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC  
7 top-tier seafood towers to feast on in NYC

7 top-tier seafood towers to feast on in NYC

A seafood tower is a culinary expression of celebration. It is the ingestible equivalent of flinging confetti into the air, but instead of bits of glitter, shredded paper or varied plastics, oysters, clams, shrimp and lobster land elegantly arranged on darling tiered trays. The tiers are key; anything else and it is but a platter, a plate or sometimes a basket, though plateau is also acceptable parlance and a fishbowl concept could be interesting. But a seafood tower, per se, promises abundance and signals joy. You’ll seldom be offered a seafood tower while waiting for the subway or at the reading of a will, but you can find them at a smattering of waterside restaurants, nautically inclined bars and even landlocked spots that simply embrace and promote splendor.   They’re also a delight to behold, a soothing glimpse of form and function at their most agreeable. Even just an image is an aesthetic break from the chaos of the day, a window to a daydream. You are sipping Sancerre at a sidewalk cafe. You’ve acquired comfortable wealth. We are on a boat right now. Of course they’d be even better to eat, and these are the top tier of seafood towers for a peek and a treat in NYC. 

Listings and reviews (229)

Bark Barbecue

Bark Barbecue

Barbecue is one of the finest food groups an omnivore can enjoy. Bark Barbecue has been a moveable feast in NYC since pitmaster Ruben Santana first started serving his low-and-slow, white oak-fueled recipes at outdoor markets and pop-ups citywide (and beyond!) in 2020. Now, Bark’s beautiful brisket, ribs and pulled pork by the pound are available right here, every day, at its first permanent outpost. Pile your pick alongside rib tips, sandwiches and sides like mac and cheese. 
Wayla

Wayla

Wayla was already poised for stardom shortly after first opening its doors on the Lower East Side in 2019, when seemingly everyone in NYC was salivating over its noodle-wrapped meatballs, clamoring for tables and snapping selfies. Even now, years later, prime-time reservations for chef Tom Naumsuwan’s homestyle Thai food still aren’t easy to come by. His attention to ingredients, focus on fresh flavors and market-inspired menus have folks filling up Wayla’s tables night after night. Lucky for you, there’s a seat with your name on it right here.
Wayla

Wayla

Wayla was already poised for stardom shortly after first opening its doors on the Lower East Side in 2019, when seemingly everyone in NYC was salivating over its noodle-wrapped meatballs, clamoring for tables and snapping selfies. Even now, years later, prime-time reservations for chef Tom Naumsuwan’s homestyle Thai food still aren’t easy to come by. His attention to ingredients, focus on fresh flavors and market-inspired menus have folks filling up Wayla’s tables night after night. Lucky for you, there’s a seat with your name on it right here.
Sugar Hill Creamery

Sugar Hill Creamery

Sugar Hill Creamery owners Nick Larsen and Petrushka Bazin Larsen’s seasonal ice cream flavors are often inspired by their Midwestern and Caribbean backgrounds as well as their longtime home of Harlem. The husband-and-wife team has been crafting distinct ingredient combinations out of their Central Harlem store since 2017, and devoted fans hungry for frozen treats that you won’t find in the supermarket led the pair to open a second location in Hamilton Heights just a few years later. Stop by often—there’s always an innovative new flavor to try.
Sugar Hill Creamery

Sugar Hill Creamery

Sugar Hill Creamery owners Nick Larsen and Petrushka Bazin Larsen’s seasonal ice cream flavors are often inspired by their Midwestern and Caribbean backgrounds as well as their longtime home of Harlem. The husband-and-wife team has been crafting distinct ingredient combinations out of their Central Harlem store since 2017, and devoted fans hungry for frozen treats that you won’t find in the supermarket led the pair to open a second location in Hamilton Heights just a few years later. Stop by often—there’s always an innovative new flavor to try.
Fornino

Fornino

New York City pizza is the subject of frequent debate. Opinions swirl about how to eat it, what to call it, and whether or not there’s really something special in our water. But even New Yorkers tend to quiet down when presented with a perfect pie like the expertly tossed, beautifully sauced and brilliantly topped varieties chef Michael Ayoub has been making right here in Brooklyn since 2004. Ayoub’s Fornino is known for its riffs on pizza through the ages, so try a traditional pie or sample something new to you.
The Rogue Panda

The Rogue Panda

The Rogue Panda’s menu includes yummy stuff like mapo tofu, noodles and crispy kung pao brussels sprouts. Its Sichuan street noodles with bok choy, crispy shallots and chili oil in a “tingly ragu” are the signature dish, says owner Michael Laverty. In addition to its meat-free ethos, The Rogue Panda also aims to source local ingredients and use eco-friendlier packaging to further its mission of sustainability.
The Rogue Panda

The Rogue Panda

The Rogue Panda’s menu includes yummy stuff like mapo tofu, noodles and crispy kung pao brussels sprouts. Its Sichuan street noodles with bok choy, crispy shallots and chili oil in a “tingly ragu” are the signature dish, says owner Michael Laverty. In addition to its meat-free ethos, The Rogue Panda also aims to source local ingredients and use eco-friendlier packaging to further its mission of sustainability.
The Rogue Boba

The Rogue Boba

The Rogue Boba—from the same team behind Chinese-influenced, plant-based The Rogue Panda on Time Out Market’s fifth-floor rooftop—expounds on its predecessor’s beverages with a new, dedicated, bubble tea menu on the market's ground level. The drinkery sources its loose-leaf tea and boba from Taiwan, and gets its fresh fruit and seasonal ingredients from local purveyors to create flavors like taro coconut, strawberry and cream, peach oolong and mango passionfruit. Bubble waffles are also made à la minute, and available with fun toppings. 
The Rogue Boba

The Rogue Boba

The Rogue Boba—from the same team behind Chinese-influenced, plant-based The Rogue Panda on Time Out Market’s fifth-floor rooftop—expounds on its predecessor’s beverages with a new, dedicated, bubble tea menu on the market's ground level. The drinkery sources its loose-leaf tea and boba from Taiwan, and gets its fresh fruit and seasonal ingredients from local purveyors to create flavors like taro coconut, strawberry and cream, peach oolong and mango passionfruit. Bubble waffles are also made à la minute, and available with fun toppings. 
Settepani Bakery

Settepani Bakery

The Settepani name has been attached to Italian cuisine in New York City since 1992, and in 2024, the family-owned and operated business expanded for the third time in as many decades. Settepani opened an outpost at Time Out Market New York on the first floor of 55 Water Street in Brooklyn. This stop follows its bakery in Williamsburg and restaurant in Harlem, with one famous item only available here—panettone, available by the slice (versus whole loaf). The proprietors elected to make it available in smaller increments to allow visitors to this address a chance to sample their proprietary panettone in advance of committing to a whole party-sized portion.  In addition to the exclusively sized sweet treat, Settepani at the market will offer a full complement of sweet and savory items, including bombolone, sfogliatella, biscotti, baked eggs and frittata—and the viral rainbow cookie croissant. 
Settepani Bakery

Settepani Bakery

The Settepani name has been attached to Italian cuisine in New York City since 1992, and in 2024, the family-owned and operated business expanded for the third time in as many decades. Settepani opened an outpost at Time Out Market New York on the first floor of 55 Water Street in Brooklyn. This stop follows its bakery in Williamsburg and restaurant in Harlem, with one famous item only available here—panettone, available by the slice (versus whole loaf). The proprietors elected to make it available in smaller increments to allow visitors to this address a chance to sample their proprietary panettone in advance of committing to a whole party-sized portion.  In addition to the exclusively sized sweet treat, Settepani at the market will offer a full complement of sweet and savory items, including bombolone, sfogliatella, biscotti, baked eggs and frittata—and the viral rainbow cookie croissant. 

News (309)

Top Ethiopian restaurant Ras Plant Based will expand to Manhattan this spring

Top Ethiopian restaurant Ras Plant Based will expand to Manhattan this spring

Ras Plant Based is a true NYC pandemic-era hospitality success story. The Ethiopian-influenced vegan restaurant opened in March of 2020, took the briefest pause due to citywide shutdowns and was back up and running with takeout and delivery by May. The popular spot is a Crown Heights staple, and now, married proprietors Romeo and Milka Regalli are set to open a second Ras Plant Based, this time in Manhattan.  "This second location is a milestone for us,” Milka Regalli is quoted as saying in a press release. “We are thrilled to bring the Ras experience to the West Village to make a positive impact on everyone we serve and change our communities one plate at a time. Our mission is to redefine plant-based dining by offering creative, delicious, and sustainable dishes that inspire people to embrace a more conscious way of eating." An early look at the meat-free menu details a wide array of bowls, each with a base of turmeric brown rice, injera crumble and cilantro, starters like cucumber salad and injera nachos, and tibs, kitfo and dulet among the mains. The Regallis also plan to host events and workshops in the new space, which will feature modern Ethiopian-inspired art among its design details.   "We believe that food is more than just sustenance—it's a source of joy, connection, and nourishment for both body and soul," Romeo Regalli is quoted as saying in the release. "Ras reflects our commitment to providing our guests with not only delicious plant-based dishes but also memor
A new Taiwanese wheel cake destination just opened in NYC

A new Taiwanese wheel cake destination just opened in NYC

An auspiciously titled wheel cake spot rolled into New York City this week, with the opening of Money Cake at Tangram food hall in Flushing. It is the first United States location for the Taiwanese brand, which also has a presence in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia and Montreal.  Money Cake's round treats come in sweet or savory selections. They’re made à la minute with waffle batter and fillings like red bean, taro, and custard-chocolate varieties that also incorporate Ferrero Rocher candies and Oreo cookies. Special, only in New York options will include pepperoni pizza and chicken pesto, with new, rotating flavors each month. Offerings will be limited until April 6, when the full menu becomes available. In a belated opening celebration, on April 6 and 7, customers will also be invited to spin a prize wheel for chances to win Money Cake discounts, gift cards and merchandise.  “As a Taiwanese-American entrepreneur, I am drawn to opportunities that weave together my heritage with the innovation and excitement that comes with entering a new market,” Money Cake partner Michael Hsueh is quoted as saying in a statement. “We are excited to bring traditional Taiwanese wheel cakes to New York City’s most diverse borough—but expect some local New York flavor, too!” Money Cake joins a movie theater, beer hall, and plenty of other food and drink vendors on the sprawling Tangram property.  Money Cake is located on the second floor of the Tangram food hall at 133-33 39th Avenue in Q
Zaab Zaab’s Brooklyn location will host a skewer and curry pop-up next month

Zaab Zaab’s Brooklyn location will host a skewer and curry pop-up next month

A Thai-Indonesian pop-up is coming to terrific Zaab Zaab Talay in Brooklyn next month—by way of Queens. Chef Nigel Sielegar of Queens Night Market favorite Moon Man will join Zaab Zaab executive chef Kannika "Moi" Kittipinyovath for a culinary interlude on April 3 that they’re calling Curries and Skewers.  “The idea behind the special dinner is to celebrate satay–the street food skewers that originated in Indonesia, and have journeyed across Southeast Asia and to become firmly entrenched in Thai street food culture–as well as curries,” a press release reads.  The Brooklyn-Queens collaboration’s menu will include a veritable feast of Ponorogo-style chicken satay, Balinese pork satay and Madura-style coconut beef satay, Isan-style pork intestine skewers, jaew-glazed Southern-style beef tongue skewers with red curry and Bangkok-style pork liver skewers with peanut sauce. An Indonesian Padang-style chicken curry and a Northern-style Thai braised beef shank curry noodle will top tables, too.  “There will also be a surprise dessert that draws on Indonesian and Thai culinary culture,” per the release.  Tickets are $136.10 for two people, after tax but before tip. Each guest will also receive one included cocktail, and additional beverages will be available for purchase. Zaab Zaab Talay is located at 208 Grand Street in Brooklyn. 
Family-friendly Park Slope favorite Pasta Louise expands with a beautiful new bar this week

Family-friendly Park Slope favorite Pasta Louise expands with a beautiful new bar this week

Kid-approved Pasta Louise has been delighting folks in famously family-friendly Park Slope since it first opened in 2020. Its success led to a cafe expansion not too far away in 2022, and on Wednesday, March 20, a decidedly grown-up destination will follow with the debut of Bar Louise.  Appealing to wee ones and their minders just makes sense in the area, but owner Allison Arevalo also operates her spots with an ethos of excellence, something her youngest guests might not even notice. That standard will extend to Bar Louise, where the older folks sure will. “We put tremendous effort into hospitality, at both our locations,” Arevalo says via email. “We spend many hours training our staff on the difference between service and hospitality, and what it means to give truly great service. We plan on doing the same at Bar Louise. “Yes, Pasta Louise is a family restaurant, but we excel at giving fine dining service. We also often surprise people with just how fantastic our cocktails and wine list are, and of course, our incredible food,” she adds. “In terms of hospitality, Bar Louise is not a big jump for us. Our guests will still receive the warm, welcoming service they expect from us. The biggest difference, aside from the lack of pasta, will be the lack of kids! I can't tell you how many neighbors have said to me that they were waiting for me to open a grown-up Pasta Louise!” Photograph: Courtesy of Max Flatow This grown-up Louise is cocktail forward, with wine as well, in elega
Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm is bringing a one-night-only vegan menu to Crown Shy

Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm is bringing a one-night-only vegan menu to Crown Shy

Chef James Kent is on a culinary marathon at Michelin-starred Crown Shy. One of NYC’s 50 Best restaurants, the lovely, sprawling spot first opened in 2019—the best premiere of that year. For the last few months, Kent, who rose to renown in his earlier role as chef de cuisine at Eleven Madison Park, has been hosting guest chefs some nights at Crown Shy.  Dubbed “Carbo-Load at Crown Shy,” industry pros bring their own menus to Kent’s acclaimed kitchen, followed by a morning sprint with the “Crown High Run Club,” with the visiting chef, the Crown Shy team, and any of the previous evening’s guests who are up for a trot. The title’s cheeky: carbs may or may not be in abundance. And, although Kent’s a marathoner, the run’s just meant to be fun.  “Over the last 20 years, I've had the pleasure to travel the world, cooking in kitchens in Mexico City and Bangkok and Mumbai,” Kent says via email. “I’m grateful to be able to host a handful of my friends for this series. And even more grateful that I've convinced them to run with us. Some required more convincing than others.” On Monday, March 25, Kent will reunite with EMP’s own acclaimed chef-owner Daniel Humm. Kent and Humm, who made waves when he made that fine dining destination plant-based in 2021, will author Crown Shy’s very first fully vegan menu for the occasion. “We’ve slowly but surely introduced more plant-based items to the menu at Crown Shy, but . . . as supportive as I am of Daniel's plant evangelism, I had not planned to
A cherry blossom dinner party pop-up will bloom in Brooklyn this weekend

A cherry blossom dinner party pop-up will bloom in Brooklyn this weekend

For the last few months, Bessou owner Maiko Kyogoku and chef Elena Yamamoto have been hosting a series of events called The Counter, an intimate pop-up that “honors the homestyle cooking found in obanzaiya, and the women who run these small counter restaurants,” per its booking page. Previous editions have included a feast of the seven fishes and a Japanese American holiday brunch.  The next iteration is in anticipation of the coming spring: A pair of cherry blossom dinner parties taking place at 7pm this Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, at Brooklyn Kura’s sake brewery taproom, with room for just six guests per seating.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bessou 別荘 (@bessounyc) Tickets are $88. Menu items will include a rainbow crudo with shrimp, scallop, salmon and ikura, paired with shiso rice, nori and lettuce wraps, duck tsukune, bamboo shoot salad, pickle varieties and black sesame choco tacos. A few “homestyle Japanese small bites” will also be available à la carte, per a press release. Brooklyn Kura’s brews, sake and shochu cocktails, will also be sold separately.  Brooklyn Kura is located at 34 34th Street in Brooklyn. 
This downtown sushi spot now serves a ‘lunch rush’ special for $60

This downtown sushi spot now serves a ‘lunch rush’ special for $60

If you’ve got just one hour to spare you can still sit down for an omakase experience at this Soho spot.  Kintsugi Omakase on Grand Street started serving its new “lunch rush” special last month after ongoing interest due to Restaurant Week deals, reps say. While its most expensive dinner lineup typically spans two hours across 16 courses for $195, this truncated version includes 12 courses for $60, and takes only an hour. The petite, 10–seat restaurant also offers a boozy, seasonal beverage pairing (three drinks) for an additional $35 throughout the condensed time slots.  Lunch rush menu items will change seasonally, but they might include Arctic char, toro and uni. This spring’s latest updates also feature hotaru ika and buri. Executive chef Victor Chen is somewhat uniquely situated in his focus on local fish, reps say.  “Chef Victor prepares his sushi in the traditional Edomae style, but unlike many other sushi chefs, he does not solely use Japanese ingredients,” a press release reads. “A longstanding relationship with fishmongers allows Kintsugi Omakase to offer locally sourced fish, enabling for a broader selection.” Kintsugi’s lunch rush is available Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3pm. Kintsugi is located at 28 Grand Street. Reservations are available here.
Here’s where you can get this over-the-top rainbow cookie croissant in NYC

Here’s where you can get this over-the-top rainbow cookie croissant in NYC

Last week, a colorful new creation started catching eyes and camera lenses at Settepani Bakery’s location at Time Out Market New York: A croissant topped with surprising, delighting additional confections, and even more sweet secrets hidden inside.  “The Settepani rainbow cookie croissant is the perfect combo of an Italian rainbow cookie and a delicious flakey and buttery croissant,” says pastry chef Bilena Settepani via email.  It’s made similarly to Settepani’s almond croissants, she says, but with additional rainbow cookie batter, even more almond almond paste and raspberry jam at its center. The top of the treat is then dunked in chocolate and crowned with a rainbow cookie.  “It is a sweet and tart explosion,” Settepani says. “It has layers of flavor.” “I stumbled upon videos of the viral le crookie croissant during my commute to work and was inspired to try my hand at creating something similar,” she adds. Given the popularity of our rainbow cookies, especially during March when we feature our special rainbottone [a rainbow panettone], I thought, why not incorporate them into a croissant, like the crookie trend.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Market New York (@timeoutmarketnewyork) The creation follows a pattern of innovation for Settepani.  “Our bakery has a tradition of bringing a fresh twist to traditional treats,” she says. “In 2020 during the pandemic we did a series called Flavor Friday, where we experimented with unique flav
Williamsburg wine bar Sauced opens a new location in Manhattan this week

Williamsburg wine bar Sauced opens a new location in Manhattan this week

Four years after Sauced opened in Williamsburg, the low-key, menu-free wine bar will open a second location across the river in the East Village tomorrow.  Like the original, Sauced East Village will also operate without a formal wine list but will serve “a personal lineup based on guests’ preferences for a less intimidating, less conventional, and more exploratory wine experience,” per a press release. A frequently updated reserve roster only available at this location will feature rare vintages.    Photograph: Courtesy of Sabrina Palko Visitors can expect to sip red, white and orange varieties, bubbles and “super-natural” selections. There is a more formal bill of fare by executive chef Quentin Peron, crafted to to accompany those bespoke bottles and pours, with opening items like lobster toast bao, American Wagyu tartare and pomme duchesse with labneh.    Up front, guests can gather around the L-shaped bar where glasses are suspended overhead like practical chandeliers. Like at Sauced 1.0, the area farther back is fitted with a disco ball and all that the iconic indicator of a good time implies: late nights, DJ sets and maybe the opportunity to kick back and get a little . . . you know.  Sauced East Village will open at 47 2nd Street on Tuesday, March 12. It will be open on Fridays from 4pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm.
Eataly Soho is offering its first-ever brunch service this weekend

Eataly Soho is offering its first-ever brunch service this weekend

The ever-growing Eataly empire, which now boasts 50 outposts all over the globe including three in Manhattan, opened its 20,000-square-foot Soho superstore this past November. And on Saturday, March 16, it will serve Eataly's its first-ever NYC brunch.  What will the first brunch menu at any NYC Eataly include? The menu lists an uova benedettine, which stacks a housemade croissant with Italian ham, spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, a steak and egg dish and tiramisu pancakes. Mimosas, espresso martinis and bloody Marys will number among the drinks.  Eataly Soho’s on-site restaurant (there is also a cafeteria, and of course, a marketplace) is “the anchor experience at Eataly Soho and will be a place of conviviality, with a focus on the icons of Italian gastronomy,” according to a press release issued ahead of the Soho address’s opening last fall. The world’s first Eataly debuted in Italy in 2007. It landed in NYC’s Flatiron District three years later with tons of media attention and public interest in the sprawling space. In addition to the original and its Soho Latest, Eataly also opened a Financial District spot in 2016. Those other dozens of Eatalys operate in 15 countries. Further expansion is planned for the coming years, per the press release.  Eataly Soho is located at 200 Lafayette Street. Brunch service begins on Saturday, March 16. 
This new restaurant in Tribeca is only open three days a month

This new restaurant in Tribeca is only open three days a month

New York City restaurant-goers love a little exclusivity. Is a place a pseudo-speakeasy under the S train track bed at Beach 90th Street? Packed. Unspeakably expensive? Overbooked. In any other way enough of a challenge to deliver the one-two punch of a dopamine rush and and a happy hour anecdote once it's achieved? Long may it do business.  Newly opened MARC179’s riff is limiting its operations. Previously Landmarc restaurant for 13 years, chef Marc Murphy spun the location into MM Kitchen Studio, a private event space in 2022. And now Murphy, who also appears as a judge on the Food Network cooking competition show Chopped, has slotted in the limited-time restaurant at the same location, too.  Photograph: Courtesy of MARC179 “It's not necessarily an advantage,” Murphy says via email about the truncated hours, “but a model that I can operate alongside. I'm currently filming the latest season of Chopped, as well as continuing my philanthropy efforts, so being able to open as a restaurant for three days a month allows me to be fully present in the space and kitchen, as well as being able to mingle with guests. Most importantly, it allows me and my team to be really creative and bring new experiences to our guests each month.”  Billed as “a lively neighborhood bistro with a vibrant bar,” MARC179’s menu is Italian and French-influenced. The opening, four-course, $75 prix fixe includes an arugula salad, bucatini cacio e pepe, roasted chicken breast and chocolate mousse. A burnt
NYC gets another new listening bar this weekend, this one underground

NYC gets another new listening bar this weekend, this one underground

After edging toward trend in 2019, listening bars seem to be gaining popularity in New York City once more, and the latest is scheduled to open in Chelsea this weekend. Music For a While unfurls beneath the Selina Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan on Saturday, March 9.  “The concept is a listening experience for those seeking a night out for their senses, something that will provide unparalleled sounds, sights, tastes, and more, with premiere music programming and a carefully crafted cocktail program,” a press release reads.  That experience is bisected into two conceits. The Vinyl Room is Music For a While’s “acoustically optimized” listening area proper, fixed with audio equipment befitting such a conceit, like a custom Hi-Fi sound system.  Photograph: Courtesy of Molly Tavoletti “A wide variety of records, from original 80’s Chicago house vibes to the cutting-edge sounds of Ibiza” are all poised for rotation, a representative said via email. Visitors can also expect “Afrobeats, house, techno, and nostalgic 80s/disco tunes.” The separate Lounge space is Music For a While’s live performance-oriented area, with room for DJs to spin and guests to dance. The whole footprint spans 1,750 square-feet, and each area can accommodate 125 people.  The opening drink menu includes wine, beer, hard seltzer, non-alcoholic options and cocktails like the One Hit Wonder, made with a rum duo, apricot liqueur and cream of coconut. Pop-ins will be accepted in these early days, and the venue plans to