After a two-year closure, the cafe located at 100 East 63rd St. has reopened in a new location as part of Daniel Boulud’s empire, boasting a luxurious teal velvet decor with wooden tables and a stunning floral centerpiece. The menu is divided into four sections, offering French classics, seasonal specialties, garden-inspired dishes, and world cuisines. Executive chef Romain Paumier oversees the masterful dishes, including foie gras au kumquat, perfectly seared scallops, rich mushroom soup, and pan-roasted dorade. Pastry chef Katalina Diaz’s desserts are the perfect way to end a decadent meal.
At The Fifth Avenue Hotel on 1 West 28th St., celebrity chef Andrew Carmellini’s cafe is housed in a historic Beaux-Arts building with tree-sculptured decor and Art Deco touches. The menu features reinvented classics such as oysters “à la Pomme” with green apple sorbet and fresh horseradish, winter citrus and beet carpaccio, perfectly cooked squab, and fresh rabbit primavera. The chocolate pear délice and flaming aged rum sticky toffee pudding are standout desserts that round out a memorable dining experience.
A second iteration of Hoexter’s Market, located at 174 East 82nd St., is a cozy and buzzy brasserie run by Alexandra Shapiro, daughter of the original owners. The menu features popular classics with modern updates, including a sinful gorgonzola garlic bread that has returned after 40 years. Appetizers like tuna crudo, caviar and potato chips, French onion soup, and spicy calamari arrabbiata are easy favorites, while mains range from a gigantic pork Milanese to the lightest Faroe Island salmon. Desserts are equally delightful, with a winter Caesar salad that is finely chopped and sprinkled with Parmesan.
Located at the Moxy Hotel on 112 East 11th St., this restaurant offers a high-glam dining experience with hanging leather swings, a Skee-Ball machine, and dramatic decor. The Mediterranean-leaning menu features generously portioned offerings like a meaty Hen of the Woods brochette, rotisserie chicken with chanterelles and fondant potatoes, and the grand entrecôte au poivre for $75. The restaurant caters to a younger crowd looking for a wow-factor dining experience with memorable dishes.
In Brooklyn, at 215 Union St., a neighborhood restaurant on the Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill border prides itself on its sure-handed approach to cocktail standards and sensational meat entrees. Guests can request a chef-curated meal for $105, featuring dishes like marjoram-rubbed chicken, pork porterhouse brined in brown sugar, and thyme-inflected hanger steak with a variety of sides. The restaurant’s success has propelled it into all-city contention, proving that neighborhood spots can rival top-tier establishments in quality and innovation.
The Casella brothers, Fabio, and Ciro, have opened a new ristorante at 1716 Second Ave., bringing their award-winning pizzas and Salerno-inspired menu to a new location. Diners can enjoy exquisitely grilled octopus, layered Parmigiana di melanzane, stuffed arancini rice balls, and a variety of pasta dishes. Main courses include rolled grilled skirt steak, chicken in a lemony sauce, and hearty grilled salmon. The meal ends on a sweet note with a plate of cannoli and a steaming espresso, showcasing the brothers’ culinary talents and dedication to authentic Italian cuisine.
