Metromix New York Restaurants

Ago
Robert De Niro is prepping for another hit, and this time he’s signed up a familiar costar: He and chef-partner Agostino Sciandri have opened a New York spin-off of their burgeoning trattoria franchise Ago, which in debuted in West Hollywood 10 years ago and—after successful outposts in South Beach and Las Vegas—now checks in at De Niro’s quasi-opened Greenwich Hotel. Several popular dishes have made the trek east, such as the burrata with mozzarella and the wood-oven-cooked T-bone Angus, alongside new items from executive chef Mirco del Vecchio, like pappardelle in wild-boar stew. (The 650-bottle-deep wine list should give you ample options to wash them down with.) Unlike the verdant L.A. location (complete with hanging vines), the vibe at this 230-seat spot is moody and rustic, with dramatic wood detailing, a stone fireplace and a ceiling splashed with thousands of bottle corks. (377 Greenwich St. at N. Moore St., 212-925-3797)

Pomme de Terre
When it opened in Ditmas Park in 2006, The Farm on Adderley changed the commuting habits of food lovers by bringing seasonal, artisanal ingredients to a Brooklyn dead zone. Now, the folks behind it deliver this Francophilic follow-up, with an equally farm-fresh focus. “The neighborhood is really starving for restaurants,” says co-owner Gary Jonas, who adds that it was “a big shock when we started bringing in people from other areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan.” Also on board is Farm chef Tom Kearney, whose menu includes whole roasted branzino with fennel, and a smoked-duck sandwich with bacon. The yellow-and-blue-tiled spot, accented with murals and wine bottles, is half the size of Farm, which works to its advantage: “It’s small enough that we can do special things like make our butter and age our steaks in-house,” Jonas says. Don’t expect the foodie migration to Ditmas Park to stop any time soon. (1301 Newkirk Ave. at Argyle Road, 718-284-0005)

Park Avenue Spring
Blink and you probably missed the quick-change “poof!” at this seasonal uptown restaurant, whose secret “Hi ho, hi ho” elves worked diligently—over 48 hours—to morph Park Avenue Winter’s white wonderland into a lush greenhouse. Design firm AvroKO was inspired by classic English gardens, and the effect is a stunner, with brass wall panels, deep-green banquettes and a flora centerpiece. Chef Craig Koketsu has touched up the menu accordingly, with springtastic fare like cirtus-fruit tartare and grilled lamb chops with apricots and mint garden salad. (100 E. 63rd St. at Park Ave., 212-644-1900)

Totally Baked
We’ve given shout-outs to PB&J (Peanut Butter & Co.), mac-and-cheese (S’Mac) and empanadas (Empanada Mama). Up next in the food-item-as-cult-fetish: the humble baked potato, thanks to this spud depot in Chelsea. The gourmet goodies here are surefire mouth-waterers, with pimped-out varieties like pulled pork with Mexican slaw; chanterelle and shiitake with Manchego cheese; and “Cape Cod Chowder” with creamed cod and potato. If you really wanna go for gold, tear into their $55 truffle version loaded with everything truffle, from oil to shavings. No small potatoes there. (8 W. 18th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 646-336-6118)


Also open:

Get two for one at Tribeca’s Greenwich Grill: Californian, Italian and French fare on one level; sushi on another. (428 Greenwich St. between Vestry and Laight Sts., 212-274-0428)

Burgers, wings and shakes galore at south–of–Times Square upstart City Burger. (1410 Broadway at 39th St., 212-997-7770)

Babysitting your fidgety niece? Keep her busy at Cobble Hill’s fam-friendly Moxie Spot while you chow on grass-fed steak. (81-83 Atlantic Ave. at Hicks Street, 718-923-9710)

Early word is good on new East Village slice factory Artichoke. (328 E. 14th St. between First and Second Aves., 212-228-2004)

Vietnamese noodle bar Slurp serves up phos and banh mis to the Lower East Side. (84 Stanton St. between Allen and Orchard Sts. 212-982-8895)


Recently closed:

Brooklyn Burger Bar (Park Slope)
Chanto (West Village)
Blue Moon Mexican Café (Chelsea)
La Creperie (Upper West Side)


Photo: Ryan Muir