Importance Score: 12 / 100 🟠
New Culinary Hotspots
Darjeeling Kitchen & Café: Authentic Himalayan Flavors in Long Island City
Discover a new dining destination in Long Island City, Queens: Darjeeling Kitchen & Café, a family-owned eatery specializing in Tibetan and Himalayan cuisine. Owned by Tsering Dolkar Sherpa and her aunt, chef Pupu Chhangi, hailing from the renowned Indian tea region of Darjeeling, this establishment offers a genuine taste of the Himalayas. The gold-toned, simply adorned space features a halal menu showcasing a variety of momos. Guests can savor these dumplings steamed, immersed in a flavorful jhol broth crafted from sesame seed, cashew, and tomato, or pan-fried as kothey. Aloo dum, a comforting curried potato dish, is available throughout the day. Explore further into the menu with shaptak, a savory stir-fried beef creation, and a unique Sherpa stew enriched with a spicy tomato and blue cheese-infused broth. For a comprehensive culinary journey, the Nepali thali provides an excellent sampling experience.
Address: 31-12 36th Avenue (32nd Street), Long Island City, Queens | Phone: 718-304-5050 | Website: instagram.com/darjeelingnyc
Le Vin Coeur: A Taste of France Below Street Level
Step down into Le Vin Coeur, an intimate, brick-lined French wine bar presenting a curated selection of red, white, rosé, orange, and sparkling wines. Priced between $15 and $30 per glass (subject to change), the wine list highlights the Trimbach pinot noir reserve ($18) as a particularly noteworthy option. Complementing the wine, a menu of plates suitable for a full meal includes olives, delicate gougères, charcuterie, classic onion soup, rich foie gras, and diverse salads, such as one featuring duck magret. Other culinary offerings range from croque monsieur to steak tartare and decadent chocolate cake. Le Vin Coeur is owned by Jérome Mathieu and Massire Sissoko.
Address: 108 West 81st Street, New York, NY | Phone: 646-682-9868 | Website: le-vin-coeur.com
12 Matcha: Matcha-Infused Delights in a Duplex Cafe
Experience the vibrant green hue of matcha in a surprising form at 12 Matcha – their signature Basque cheesecake. This airy, two-level cafe features desserts crafted with guidance from Francisco Migoya, pastry chef of Noma. The matcha, sencha, and hojicha are sourced from Hotta Katsutaro Shoten, a Kyoto-based company with 180 years of history, imported by a group led by Alan Jiang, a 25-year-old Hong Kong native educated in the U.S. Enjoy verdant matcha lattes (available hot or iced) and sweets from Wednesday to Saturday. Expanded hours and days are anticipated during the summer, with tastings available by appointment. Retail sales of teas and related items are planned for the future.
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Address: 54 Bond Street (Bowery), New York, NY | Website: 12matcha.com
Leonessa: Rooftop Cocktails and Italian Flair
Ariel Arce, a prominent figure in the New York City dining scene known for her ventures such as Air’s Champagne Parlor and Tokyo Record Bar, introduces Leonessa, a new rooftop bar in Lower Manhattan. This addition to her portfolio offers expansive views, Italian-inspired cocktails, and complimentary snacks such as olives, Parmesan twists, and carta di musica.
Address: Conrad New York Downtown, 102 North End Avenue (Vesey Street), New York, NY | Phone: Not available | Website: leonessarooftop.com
Provisions Market: Gourmet Groceries in Oyster Bay
Chef and restaurateur Jesse Schenker expands his culinary presence beyond Manhattan with Provisions Market in Oyster Bay, Nassau County. In partnership with Claudia Taglich, this market offers a curated selection of gourmet prepared foods, ready-to-cook items, and fresh produce sourced from local farms and fishermen. Artisan breads from their bakery and select small goods curated by Ms. Taglich, including tableware featured in their restaurants, are also available for purchase. “Dinner Table at Provisions,” a private dining experience for up to 10 guests, can be reserved for Saturday evenings after closing time (for $1,000).
Address: 108 South Street (West Main Street), Oyster Bay, N.Y. | Phone: 516-922-3332
Expansion and New Locations
Toastique: Manhattan Welcomes Toasts and Bowls
Toastique, a national chain with locations across 20 states known for its creative toasts, bowls, coffee, and juices, has launched its first Manhattan franchise. Conveniently located near the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.
Address: 445 Fifth Avenue (39th Street), New York, NY | Website: toastique.com
Upcoming Culinary Events
Nina Compton & Osayi Endolyn: Creole Cookbook at Pier 57
Food enthusiasts should anticipate “Kwéyòl/Creole: Recipes, Stories, and Tings from a St. Lucian Chef’s Journey,” a vibrant new cookbook by acclaimed chef Nina Compton with Osayi Endolyn. Ms. Compton, chef-owner of three New Orleans restaurants, presents recipes that reflect her culinary journey from St. Lucia through Jamaica, Miami, and New Orleans, blending African, Caribbean, and American culinary traditions. Dishes like coconut rice with peas and chicken, fried flying fish (or whiting), and shrimp ceviche are both enticing and approachable. The authors will present their cookbook at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform program. Sample her ackee fritters, coconut-braised collard greens, and passion fruit rum punch at the event.
“Books and Bites: Kwéyòl/Creole: A Book Talk and Tasting”
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Date: April 24
- Price: $45 (or $83 with a book copy)
- Location: Pier 57, 25 11th Avenue (15th Street), New York, NY
- Tickets: jamesbeard.org/platform
Time Out Market New York, Union Square: New Manhattan Location
Time Out Market New York, known for its Dumbo flagship location launched in 2019, is expanding with a new Manhattan venue. This forthcoming food hall and cultural space will replace the former Urbanspace market, slated to open in the fall.
Address: 124 East 14th Street, New York, NY
Michelin Guide Expands to the American South
The prestigious Michelin Guide is broadening its scope to include the American South. The new guide will encompass Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee, building upon the existing Atlanta guide. Restaurant selections for this expanded guide will be revealed later in the year.