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East Side Social Club
Apparently, the family that stays together…opens restaurants together! The famed Gilroy clan (Employees Only, Macao Trading Co.) is behind this Midtown Italian spot with a flair for nostalgia and a taste for crowd-pleasing bites. And they take that whole "family thing" seriously: sis Grace (she's the GM) and bro Devon (he's the chef, and has cooked at A Voce) are even roommates, and they live across the street from the restaurant. Family values! Devon has crafted a classic-leaning menu (mushroom ravioli, ricotta gnocchi with Bolognese—all pastas are homemade) that calls out locally sourced ingredients: fish from F. Rozzo & Sons, bread from Brooklyn-based SCRATCHbread. The octopus, though, hails from Spain and is flow in twice a week. For a bit more la familia oomph, red-checked tablecloths scream "Mangia!" with extra gusto. (230 E. 51st St. between Second and Third Aves., 212-355-9442)
La Lucha
Pretty apt that this new East Village taqueria is named for Mexican wrestling: It's gonna have to slug it out against a recent wave of taqueria openings—both highbrow and low—that have swept the city (Dos Toros, El Atazcon, Cantina Latina, Los Feliz). They're banking on authenticity here: The place is Mexican-owned, and it's all about tacos, tacos, tacos—no quesadillas or Tex-Mex froufrou in sight. You'll find the basics—steak, carnitas, etc. (about $3)—although they're also slinging interesting varieties like chicken with bacon, and one stuffed with fried cheese. (147 Avenue A between Ninth and Tenth Sts., 212-260-0235)
Lautrec Bistro
Onetime tapas joint/wine bar Absinthe has morphed into Lautrec Bistro, now under the sole ownership of Rafik Bouzgarrou (Angelina), who parted ways with his old Absinthe partner. Bouzgarrou has ditched the small-plates concept and turned the place into a Mediterranean bistro, serving chicken tagine, lamb merguez sausage and beet salad with crispy goat cheese, among other dishes. There's a shout-out to Italy via various ravioli offerings, and Bouzgarrou has concocted affordable, if sorta gimmicky, daily specials like "Meet Me for Meat Mondays," offering a choice of meat (rib eye, New York strip, etc.) plus a glass of wine for $20. The space hasn't changed much—a mural of artwork by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec still adorns the wall, but now his name's on the signage, too. (111 First Ave. between Sixth and Seventh Sts., 646-429-9243)
Café Gitane at the Jane Hotel
The French-Moroccan bites at popular Café Gitane in Nolita now have a second home, with this spin-off at the Jane Hotel. And if the original's chic clientele is any indication, the sequel should be a hit as well. Expect the same menu, including spicy organic meatballs with tumeric tomato sauce, and couscous with red peppers, raisins and toasted pine nuts. They're only doing breakfast and lunch for now, with plans for din-din next week. (113 Jane St. at West St., 212-255-4113)
Also open:
A Harlem takeout spot specializing in crepes and pizza? Yes and yes. Or rather Oui, Oui—the name of this curious mash-up joint. (2167 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between Lenox and Seventh Aves., 212-866-3020)
The name may sound Mandarin, but Café Mei Mei is actually a seasonal American café (it's named after the owner's Siberian husky) with rotating bites like prime dry-aged New York steak with arugula, potato puree and grilled jumbo asparagus. (231 Court St. between Warren and Baltic Sts., 718-852-8571)
Flatiron burger newcomer Fresh-N-Fast keeps things simple with medium-well burgers (slathered with a combo of Sriracha, mayonnaise, ketchup), plus grilled cheese and fries. (111 E. 23rd St. between Park and Lexington Aves.)
Kestane Kebab, near McCarren Park, highlights the cuisine of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, meaning you'll find traditional Turkish dishes mixed with hummus, falafel and plenty of seafood. (110 Nassau Ave. between Leonard and Eckford Sts., 718-349-8601)
Counter Culture Coffee is the brew of choice at Bluebird Coffee Shop, from the same folks behind Botanica bar. (72 E. First St. between First and Second Aves.)
More coffee shops! Iris Café has opened in Brooklyn Heights, offering breakfast bites, plus sandwiches and salads for lunch. (20 Columbia Place between Joralemon and State Sts.)
Photo by Sam Horine
