Afternoon tea is back as the Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel returns, June 3.
Gotham Guide is a weekly list of new restaurants, special menus and pop-ups throughout New York City. Support local businesses and head out on a culinary adventure with our suggestions below.
Now that we've seen the back of Memorial Day Weekend, it's officially summertime in the city. Local chefs are ready to welcome you with fresh menus and new culinary concepts to satisfy every craving. Looking for a griddle burger with ice cream in the sea breeze? Mister Dips' first brick-and-mortar has your back. In the mood for high-end plant-based delights? The new Planta Queen in NoMad is the ultimate destination.
This week's list also offers traditional Italian, a Parisian import, tea time and more, so don't wait—dig into these must-try menus and fresh flavors today.
See also: 20 of the Best Outdoor Dining Spots Across America
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202 8 Ave. at 20 St. / Website
Executive Chef David DiSalvo brings a taste of Sicily to Chelsea, and your whole family is invited. Puttanesca’s menu centers around Italian traditions with rich dishes including Wagyu beef carpaccio, polpette Wagyu alla Nonna, fritto misto, gnocchi Toscani al tartufo, bisteca di manzo and so much more. All the ingredients are fresh and the techniques are exquisite. Chef DiSalvo trained at the French Culinary Institute, so you can be sure of that.
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15 W 27 St. / Website
Planta Restaurants have brought high-grade plant-based menus to Miami, West Palm Beach, Toronto and more, but now it’s NYC’s turn. Planta Queen boasts a bountiful selection in an upscale setting without any stuffy attitude. Delight in ahi watermelon nigiri, pad Thai slaw, crispy gyoza and bang bang broccoli. Pair your spicy Seoul noodles with one of Planta Queen’s signature cocktails, such as the Herb Your Enthusiasm or Mez-Cal Me Maybe. Planta also offers non-alcoholic cocktails and beverages, including cold-press juices.
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88 West Houston St. / Website
New Yorkers already know Morgenstern’s for its famous ice cream parlor, but after two years of development, the Bowery favorite is proud to announce an innovative burger menu. Try the pork teriyaki or buffalo burger made from in-house ground meats and freshly-baked buns. Each four-ounce patty is smashed on a Keating Miraclean griddle, and you can pair them with tater tots in gravy, flaming hot french friends, garlic fries and more. Don’t forget Morgenstern’s homemade seasonal fruit pies and vegan-optional soft-serve for dessert.
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132 Franklin St. / Website
Five years ago in Paris, Fulgurances opened its doors with an innovative concept to invite up-and-coming chefs for three to six-month residencies, bringing fresh tasting menus to life with the support of Fulgurances’ staff and wine program. Now, Fulgurances brings that concept to Greenpoint with it’s first-ever off-shoot in a space that used to be a neighborhood laundromat. Three-star Chilean-born Chef Victoria Blamey is the first resident, offering guests a rotating five to six-course prix fixe menu of seasonal dishes that tap into her multicultural flavor profile. Perhaps you tried her food at Gotham Bar & Grill or Chumley’s, but never like this. Dinner is $80 with a $50 optional wine pairing.
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Pier 17, 89 South St. / Website
Have you yet enjoyed a griddle burger or delectable Dipsy Doozy shake from Mister Dip’s silver airstream? If you haven’t, now’s the time. Summer pairs perfectly with a BBQ Bacon Dip or Impossible Dip burger and an ice-cold beer or soda float, and now that Mister Dips opened its first brick-and-mortar location at Pier 17, you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze at no extra cost.
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28 W 53rd St. / Website
Welcome back to one of New York City’s most charming getaways. The Baccarat Hotel’s Grand Salon is a posh corner of heaven, decked out with crystal chandeliers and shimmering accents. Come for the opulent atmosphere, but stay for the lunch, brunch and dinner menus from two-time Michelin star-rated Culinary Director Gabriel Kreuther. The Grand Salon is back from COVID-19 closure on Thursday, June 3, and the classic afternoon tea services offer a great way to get your foot in the door.
Photography by: Courtesy Baccarat Hotel
