What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Meat Hook x Miss Lily’s (8/20) Jamaican cooking and vibes take over the backyard.

• Ace’s x C Marty’s Jerk (8/22) The jerk pop-up closes out Ace’s summer series.

• Gangjin Pop-Up (8/26 & 27) Chef Daniel Lee (we love his cooking) is popping up at Di An Di serving tuna pan con tomate, ceviche, curry shellfish noodles and more.

• Meat Hook x Win Son (8/27) The East Williamsburg Taiwanese-American favorite closes out the Meat Hook summer series on a high note.

• Chef Serigne Mbaye x Charles Pan Fried Chicken (8/28-30) One of New Orleans top chefs (Dakar Nola) cooks at this popular Harlem spot.

All Things Tomato

I’m that person who could eat an Apollo bagel with cream cheese and tomato every day. I was frequently enjoying this combo before Apollo made it into such a superstar. Just saying!

• Totally Tomatoes Weekend (8/20-21) Hands-on gardening and culinary education activities happening at New York Botanical Garden centered around tomatoes.

• I recently stumbled across Tomato Party, a catering company founded by Brooklyn based chef and comedian Dave Mizzoni, who creates tomato-inspired meals and shared experiences. I cannot think of a better summer dinner theme!

• Try the Un Tomate dish from the recently opened Graciela — an heirloom tomato in yasgua which is pure peak summer.

• And depending on how much time you have on your hands…Radio Bakery is doing an Heirloom Tomato & Feta Sandwich.

  

  ---

Off Menu Intel

Outdoor dining to resume year-round in NYC. The process and costs associated with deconstructing, storing and reconstructing the outdoor set ups were excessive. City Council approved a package of bills loosening some restrictions to allow year round dining structures.

I spy Dua Lipa at Maison Premiere enjoying a marg and some oysters! I’ve literally sat at that same table before.

Daniel Humm Hospitality is hiring a Content & Social Media Manager to join the team.

Trendy Indian restaurant Amabassadors Clubhouse recently had a fire but thankfully there were no injuries.

Cava is on a roll as they outperform fast-casual competitors. CEO and Co-founder Brett Schulman noted success of the Mediterranean Summer Supper Series, a three-part dining experience the chain launched this summer in collaboration with Airbnb. They’ve also recently created their own social series called ‘Bowl Mates’ with its own separate account.

Hellos & Goodbyes

• Rumor has it that Matches from the Greenpoint Fish & Lobster team has officially opened!

• Yardbird closes its original location in Miami after 15 years saying it’s a “short-term goodbye.”

• It’s been so long since I first heard about it, I almost forgot Ugly Baby was reopening. They’ve set the date for August 27th.

• Brooklyn Brewery is saying goodbye to its location of 30 years and moving to a bigger space just blocks away.

What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Bedford Wine Mixer (8/15) A causal backyard affair — $40 for 12+ wines.

• Lido Settepani x Piadi Ferragosto Party (8/15) Bringing Italy to NYC for an afternoon at Settepani Harlem.

• Balera Ferragosto (8/15) Day to night celebration in Williamsburg with bites and dancing.

• NYC Restaurant Week (Now - 8/16) Set menus at some of NYC’s best restaurants. 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners at $30, $45 and $60.

• Meat Hook x Turkey and the Wolf (8/13) The popular New Orleans sandwich shop makes the trip north for a Thursday throw down in Williamsburg.

• Threes Flea (8/15) | Threes Brewing x Fig Shop. Sip and shop with food by Grand Army.

• Harlem Summer Nights (8/13, 20, 27) 50+ rotating Harlem food businesses. Real cooks, real plates, real lines. Doors at 4, food and music until 9.

• Blue BBQ Festival (8/15) Live blues bands and plenty of BBQ at Pier 76!

• Threes Brewing Summer Guest Series (8/17) Shifka takeover Greenpoint, 5–8pm.

• Meat Hook x Miss Lily’s (8/20) Jamaican cooking and vibes take over the backyard.

Off Menu Intel

Chef’s Table Festival is happening in Park City Utah this week. Tickets cost $3,500 which guarantees two lunches, two dinners, two VIP after-hours experiences. That’s almost $600 per experience…

Buca di Beppo filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy after closing 13 units.

Alberto Marcolongo, a long time chef of the legendary Alain Ducasse, is starting to tease his upcoming NYC Italian spot, Forget About It.

Straker’s have also been posting about their opening, which is to be announced very soon.

Infatuation’s Eeeeatscon just released most of their food vendor line up!

Hellos & Goodbyes

• Burmese Bites now has a brick and mortar location in Astoria. They’re currently still operating at soft opening hours.

• Keepers opens in the West Village — A neighborhood pizza tavern going for ‘inventive bar pies, strong drinks, and a room that feels unmistakably New York.’

• Mary’s Fish Camp is back after a 2 years hiatus! The seafood institution moved a few blocks away to 626 Hudson Street.

• Cambodian restaurant Bayon closed after 45 years on the UES.

It’s places we intend to get to, meals we want to feast on and drinks we want to sip on, rather than a please all generic list.

With no Europe trip on the cards this year, we’ll be trying to get outside and enjoy all that’s on offer around us.

Rockaway Day & Tacoway Beach

I grew up by one of the most beautiful beaches in England (yes, we have nice beaches - just google Croyde and you’ll see), so I try and get a beach day in whenever I can.

We’ve already made it out to Long Beach as well as Rockaway; the latter of which is easier since you can just hop on the NYC Ferry.

Tacoway Beach is a must for the fish tacos that are loaded with crispy fried white fish, guacamole and cabbage. Postcard Brewing looks like an ideal spot for sunset and Connolly’s is an Irish pub which has been around since 1962 and known for their frozen piña colada.

The Lemon Ice King of Corona

Always a little easier to get to when we lived in Queens, this legendary spot seriously hits in the summer months.

Open since 1944 in what used to be a predominantly Italian neighborhood, they have over 50 flavors but we mostly keep it simple with lemon or strawberry.

Meat Hook Pop Ups

This one is an easy win for us, seeing as it’s in the neighborhood and every Thursday in July and August.

Each week a different restaurant pops up to collaborate with The Meat Hook for some backyard cooking. This summer includes Peter Luger as well as Turkey and the Wolf from New Orleans.

An Outdoor Concert

This is the first year in a long time that we haven’t had a concert at Forest Hills Stadium in the diary.

We’ve seen everyone from Fred Again to Zach Bryan to Tom Jones there and always have a great time, even though the drinks are pretty much as expensive as Madison Square Garden!

Bob Dylan and Caamp were two that jumped out to us for this year but we were away those dates so it got us looking at other options.

Central Park SummerStage was fun last year, Chase n Status crushed it at Under the K Bridge and I’ve heard good things about Pacha that’s opened in place of Brooklyn Mirage.

However, the venue I want to get to most is Pier 17. The backdrop looks insane and the limited size of the rooftop makes it seem like my kind of venue, plus Houndmouth are playing and last time I saw them live they were epic, so that’s top of my bucket list!

Theodora Beach Club Pop Up Dinners

As I’m getting around to writing this a little later than planned (blame the World Cup taking up an excessive amount of my time), this one is actually already ticked off the bucket list!

Our dinner here was one of the best meals we’ve had all year. Live fire cooking, bar pop ups, tomahawk steaks and communal tables made for an evening so good that we’re already planning to go back.

That part is a little tricky, seeing as our video there last week went a little crazy and now they’ve sold out for the current listed dates but luckily they’re adding more!

Upstate Trip

Woodstock, Livingston Manor, Rhineback… there’s so many awesome towns upstate to visit.

I’ll be making a couple of trips this summer. One with Lauren and some of our mates staying between Kingston and Woodstock.

On our list in that area is SILVIA restaurant, Ashokan Trail and Kaaterskill Falls.

Urban Cowboy Lodge, Shandaken Inn, Eastwind Olivera, The Henson and The Herwood Inn are some other great places we’ve stayed at Upstate.

Razza Pizza

We usually make an annual pilgrimage over to Razza in Jersey City and hopefully this year will be no different.

I call it a pilgrimage because, for me, it really is a promised land for pizza… but also because crossing two rivers and a state border, even if only a few miles, is a bit of a mission.

The pizza and the bread service is absolutely worth it. It’s a lovely ferry ride over too, and if the timings work out we can ferry from Williamsburg, change at Pier 11 and get another ferry to Jersey City.

William Wall

The Honorable William Wall has been something we’ve said we’ll do for years, but it always seems to escape us.

It was built in 2002 by the Manhattan Yacht Club as a platform to start and finish sailboat races and make it possible for spectators to watch, but it’s now open to the public and looks like such a unique spot to grab a couple drinks with friends. Unobstructed skyline views and you can actually bring your own food too.

US Open

One of the tournament’s organizing team has on multiple occasions described the US Open as “a food and wine festival and we play tennis here at the same time.”

That might annoy some tennis purists but it’s fine by me. The food line up is solid, adds to the overall atmosphere and undoubtedly draws more people to watch the matches.

Grab a grounds pass and bop around a few games, try the food vendors and of course get a Honey Deuce cocktail, which they sell over 700,000 of!

What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Poppy’s Brooklyn Summer Picnic Series (Thursdays) This special fried chicken dinner menu will coincide with Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Movie with a View Series.

• With Others Chef Residency (7/29-8/2) Adam Purcell heads to Brooklyn from Paris for five nights of seasonal cooking inspired by French technique, Nordic sensibility, and his Irish roots.

• Meat Hook x Ha’s Dac Biet (7/30) Vietnamese pop-up turned brick & mortar from Ha Nguyen brings Vietnamese flavors to Brooklyn.

• The Lineup Slice Shop is on (8/8) but tickets are sold out, so you’ll have to hit notify to try and snag a res. It’s all you can eat slices for $41, featuring the creations of 7 cooks from NYC’s best restaurants.

If you’re heading out East…

• Fini Amagansett Sunday Supper (Sundays in August) A family-style evening built around seasonal ingredients, great wine, and good company.

• Sunday in Brooklyn at The Surf Lodge (Weekends) Sunday in Brooklyn has got your brunch plans covered in the Hamptons

• Delilah at Mary Lou’s Montauk (7/30-8/1) A Chase Sapphire Reserve event; Dinner and a show with a special performance by T-Pain on 8/1.

• Marlow East Summer Seafood Boil (Aug 15th) One-night-only vineyard pop-up at Sparkling Pointe.

Off Menu Intel

Earlier in the year Wonder acquired Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken and now they’re acquiring Mighty Quinn's BBQ. I truly wonder how it will affect the quality of both of these establishments. We’ve tried a couple of items from Wonder and were certainly not blown away. Maybe it’s time for a redo? Has anyone ordered from here?

Tony is set to release on August 7th. A biopic of Anthony Bourdain’s summer in Provincetown that helped shape the course of his life. We’re getting a sneak peak tonight!!

JetBlue announces partnership with Kent Hospitality for restaurant quality dining in the sky for their Mint experience. The new menus launching July 31 featuring dishes from Crown Shy and Birdee! (we’re partnering with them to share about this on IG)

Hellos & Goodbyes

• Elder is a contemporary British-Indian chophouse from Sujan Sarkar – opening soon at Henry Hall in Hudson Yards.

• Old Mates, New York unofficial Aussie embassy, opened a Wine Bar & Beer Garden at 87 South St in the Seaport.

• Badshah from Chef Abishek Sharma opens in Park Slope, calling themselves reimagined Indian street food.

• Vegan restaurant LadyBird from Overthrow Hospitality has announced that they won’t be renewing their 10-year lease when it ends later this year.

• Mesiba in Williamsburg closes after just 3 years of service, though is still available for private events.

• Antica Pesa — also in Williamsburg — announced their closing and location change after 15 years in the neighborhood. They didn’t specify where they’re headed, but eluded that it might not even be in NYC.

What we’re eating

Graciela

One of the hottest new openings of the summer. Graciela in the West Village is a partnership between Pablo Rivera of Don Julio in Buenos Aires and Adam and Alex Saper, the brothers behind Eataly.

This Argentine tavern boasts a live fire grill that is certainly not common in NYC. Though the restaurant can seat up to 120 diners (plus the pdr) the space is full of warmth and cozy corners which match the genuine hospitality.

We had an ossobuco empanada, housemade chorizo, an heirloom tomato in a stunning tomato water, the best thick cut fries of our entire lives — fluffy on the inside and incredibly crispy on the outside — Milanese Napolitana and Ojo de Bife. An absolute feast where everything was well executed.

Piscator

Moving from the hottest opening to the hottest pop-up. This one sells out in minutes. I know because I tried 4 times before scoring a slot.

So, how does it work? You sign up to notifications so you get an alert about the drop going live on a platform called Hotplate and you give your thumb a good work out until you somehow get the dinner set in your basket. You prepay and show up at your allotted time slot (currently at Test Brewery). When you arrive watch Chef Mason generously season the branzino and grill it to absolute perfection.

There’s a couple of new openings that we’ve been meaning to try. The first is the one everyone is talking about; Graciela.

The new West Village restaurant is from the team behind Argentina’s Don Julio, which has previously been named the best steak house in the world.

Secondly, there’s The Derby Club from Chef Ed Cotton. We’re big fans of his restaurant Jack and Charlie’s No.118, so we’re excited to see what he’s done with this new spot in Midtown East that draws inspiration from places like Minetta Tavern and Monkey Bar.

Food Events on our radar

• Thai SELECT Festival (7/21) A lunch event at Grand Central Terminal with 15 local Thai restaurants showcasing their Thai SELECT approved cuisine.

• Chef Justin Smillie (7/22-23) The guest chef at Marc179 is bringing his portable wood-fried oven to serve pizza, skewers and more.

• Meat Hook x Bong (7/23) The Cambodian sensation heads to the Meat Hook backyard.

• Aces x Win Son (7/25) The East Williamsburg Taiwanese-American favorite heads to the Bushwick location for a summer day party.

• NYC Restaurant Week (Now - 8/16) Set menus at some of NYC’s best restaurants. 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners at $30, $45 and $60.

• Meat Hook x Ha’s Dac Biet (7/30) Vietnamese pop-up turned brick & mortar from Ha Nguyen brings Vietnamese flavors to Brooklyn.

Off Menu Intel

Sooo can I eat lettuce yet? They’re saying you may want to lay off the greens until the fall if you’re in a high-risk category.

In older but ongoing news, Condé Nast is suing those who scooped up the Gourmet name and relaunched it years after Condé Nast let the trademark lapse — I get the name is up for grabs but to claim your bringing the magazine “back from the dead” seems like IP infringement and a risky move against that kind of behemoth group. Maybe the new owners are hoping for an offer to buy the trademark back.

Le Veau d’Or makes the jump to Seven Rooms / DoorDash.

Semma accused of concealing B rating from diners.

The money is flowing for some…

Liberty Mutual Investments Commits $320 Million to Accelerate Restaurant Growth Through inKind. Whenever we ask restaurant owners about the app, the response is mixed - it’s alternative lending and means they don’t have to give up equity but the cost ends up being high in terms of the percentage discount restaurant credits you offer.

Wonder Announces $650 Million Series D Round at a $9 Billion Pre-Money Valuation. Wow.

Hostie Raises $12M in Series A — The platform helps operators manage calls, texts, reservations, takeout inquiries, private events, and guest questions while delivering a seamless guest experience and freeing teams to focus on in-person hospitality. That’s their words obviously haha.

Hellos & Goodbyes

• Lalaon, a huge Korean BBQ restaurant, opens on the Williamsburg waterfront.

• The Derby Club finally opens in the old Neary’s space after a fire caused substantial delays.

• Graciela opens in the West Village, from Pablo Rivero of the famous Don Julio in Argentina.

• The Lambs Club announced its last day of service on July 25th after serving the Theater District for years.

What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Meat Hook x L’Industrie (7/9) The beloved Williamsburg pizza spot takes over the Meat Hook backyard.

• Chinatown Night Market (7/10) Located at Forsyth Plaza, the event features live music, local vendors and food stalls.

• Ace’s x Bordertown (7/10) The Greenpoint flour tortilla cult favorite takes over the pizza shop for a legendary day party.

• Family Style Food Fest (7/11) This year it’s heading to Pier 36. Music, exclusive merch drops and unique food experiences. SEE YOU THERE

• NYC Restaurant Week The line up of restaurants goes live (7/14)

Off Menu Intel

• Massara from Stefano Secchi has returned home to 913 Broadway after a fire caused them to close for a year.

• The ‘same-ification’ of NYC is alarming. Will neighborhoods eventually all look the same with a Blank Street, Pop Up Bagels and a 7th Street Burger? Even though these aren’t as giant as the likes of Starbucks, we still need to make sure to support our true mom & pop shops.

• Two historic ships owned by Crew Hospitality sink in Red hook just days apart. Pilot had recently been replaced by their new vessel, Fireboat, so it could undergo maintenance and ended up sinking on July 2nd.

• World Cup goers in the U.S. are experiencing full Americana and becoming obsessed with ranch dressing, free refills and BBQ.

• A Rolo’s Clam Shack is happening at Brother’s in Rockaway on July 24th. Mark your calendars!

What we’re eating

Theodora Beach Club

This has to be New York’s most unique dining experience. After taking a five minute ferry over to Governors Island, you’ll find this summer only pop up serving insane dishes cooked over live fire by Chef Tomer Blechman. The team at Theodora Beach Club cook alongside various guest chefs each week. This time was Charly Pretet all the way from Terra Firma in Australia and he brought wagyu tomahawks with him.

There’s communal tables, top bartenders and water views that’ll make you feel like you’re in the Med without leaving New York City.

Sailor & Siren

Sailor & Siren just opened their brick and mortar over the weekend and it’s some of the freshest lobster rolls we’ve ever had. We first tasted them last year during their summer pop ups and were seriously impressed.

Owner Natalie, who is a neighborhood local, nabbed a great corner spot in Greenpoint on Manhattan Avenue. One thing’s for sure, she doesn’t skimp on the lobster - there’s an entire lobster worth of meat is in each roll.

I like to go classic but if you want to really treat yourself you can do the caviar or uni add on and they’ve got a few new additions to the menu like the hot dogs and the potato chips with caviar.

What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Burnt Orange Honey Chef Pop-ups | July 2nd & 3rd | Thursday is dedicated to Portugal and Friday is dedicated to Argentina!

• Desi Bakes x Brewr |July 5th| Three limited edition Desi pastries inspired by NYC restaurants, collab with food writer Mehr Singh in Nomad.

• Theodora Beach Club x Govenors Island |Friday & Saturday Nights|
  A sunset party on Fridays and a family style feast of outdoor cooking on Saturdays.

• Nando’s Soho Pop Up |until July 17th| Merch, watch parties, free food & music.

• Portugal House x Time Out Market Brooklyn |through July 18th| Portuguese food, drink and culture in Dumbo.

• French Restaurant Week |July 4–19| Thirty-two restaurants are participating with exclusive prix-fixe menus: lunch at $30/$45/$60 (2 courses) and dinner at $45/$60/$75 (3 courses).

July 4th happenings

• Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest | The annual free event takes place in Coney Island at the flagship location!

  Bacchanal x Gertie | Iconic wine bar & music venue from New Orleans comes to Brooklyn for the holiday weekend for live Jazz & BBQ! Tickets are $65 and include 3 cocktails or a bottle of wine. MAYBE SEE YOU THERE!

• Cafe Mado's Fourth of July BBQ | Roaming event throughout the restaurant & garden. Tickets are $60 per person and include all food and beverage.

• Cherry On Top Rooftop Party | No reservations, happy until 5pm! Fireworks views.

• AFP x Roberta’s: Anthr Fckng Pizza Party | Noon–10 PM. RSVP on Partiful.

• TV Eye’s 4th of July Patio BBQ | Luther’s is cooking up pulled pork, bbq ribs, frito pie, chili dogs and their regular and all entertainment is produced by their staff!

• Sadie's 4th of July Block Party | Outdoor grilling, DJ, East River fireworks views.

• Manhatta | Sky high holiday bbq with live music and open bar! Tickets are $250pp.

• Grand Banks | If you really want a front row seat to the show this is it! Tickets are a whopping $500 though and don’t include alcohol.

Off Menu Intel

Lure Fishbar to remain open after Prada scraps its plans to open their own spot.

Rising costs in the city are forcing restaurants to close left and right. We heard of a small, causal spot in Flatiron paying over $40,000+ per month. Half a mill a year before any other costs?!

Comings & Goings

• Bark BBQ opened yesterday in Bushwick.

• Gotham Burger opening in Williamsburg soon-ish. The door is regularly open to look in on progress but still looks a while off.

• Grimm Tavern opens in Olmsted’s old space in Prospect Heights.

• Tom Colicchio closes Craft after 25 years.

• Loring Place set to close on July 14th.

• Urban Hawker, the Singaporean food hall, set to close July after just 4 years in business.

What we’re eating

Stretch Pizza

Chef Wylie Dufresne of wd~50 who was a forefront of molecular gastronomy in NYC and Gadi Peleg who opened Breads Bakery came together to open Stretch Pizza. It’s got the chew, it’s got the crunch, it’s pizza that rivals any in New York. Their Domino location is soon to be their flagship restaurant and is made for either full dining or grabbing a slice from their take away window.

Smoke Sweats

Smoke Sweats has previously been crowned king at Brisket King, as well as runner up at Rib King four years in row and he’s not stopping there.

We had Anthony Scerri’s mouth watering ribs with potato salad and home made ranch recently at Test Brewery and we can’t wait to catch him again.

July 8th | Test Brewery | They’ll be popping up for surf & turf with Paradise Cove.

Berimbau

True Brazilian food and vibes in Manhattan as well as NYC’s first caipirinha bar. West village and Midtown locations.

Get a spread of their delicious appetizers for something a little different; the pão de queijo, coxinha, pastel and dadinho are all winners. You can’t go wrong with the picanha experience as the main event!

What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Smoke Sweats BBQ Pop-Up (6/24) Test Brewery is on a pop-up roll with another excellent guest.

• Ace’s x Forsyth Fire Escape (6/25) Day party collab with Forsyth Fire Escape at Ace’s Bushwick location.

• Chinatown Night Market (6/26) Located at Forsyth Plaza, this event features live music, local vendors and food stalls.

• Little Mad Pop-Up (6/27) Chef Sol Han is popping up on Saturday serving a wagyu roast beef sando.

• Summer Fancy Food Show (6/28-30) Bringing together specialty food professionals for the industry’s premier product discovery event at the Javits Center.

• Rolo’s x Bangkok Supper Club (6/29) An 8-course tasting menu featuring Rolo’s wood-fired, seasonal cooking alongside vibrant Thai flavors.

Off Menu Intel

196 year-old Neir’s Tavern opens at JFK Terminal 8 as part of their concessions expansion.

Cafe Spaghetti has moved to Seven Rooms (DoorDash) as reservation wars continue.

Tom Colicchio is closing his flagship restaurant Craft after 25 years. All wines offered at 50% off at the last service on June 27th.

Eater gets acquired by Penske Media along with other leftovers at Vox not purchased by Mr. Murdoch junior last month.

Kiki’s on the LES seized for owing $1.2 million in taxes. A sign in the window reads ‘Kiki’s is open across the street.’

I think we’re in the midst of an English takeover…

We’re getting a Nando’s for 3 weeks at 341 Broome Street.

Two of the hottest tables right now are Ambassadors Clubhouse, showcasing Punjabi music, drinks & dancing and Dean’s, an English pub.

The Dame/Dean’s team is opening a fish and chip shop called Chippy’s.

Dishoom, London’s favorite Bombay cafe, is set to open in Manhattan in 2027.

Thomas Straker is set to open his first NYC restaurant soon but in the meantime he’s popping up at Surf Lodge on June 25th.

In case you missed it…James Beard Award winners 2026 were announced and these are the ones from New York;

• Best New Restaurant: Lei, New York, NY

• Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Lee Campbell, Borgo, New York, NY

• Best Chef: New York State: Hooni Kim, Meju, Queens, NY

• Documentary Visual Media Raoul’s, A New York Story

What we’re eating

Fish Cheeks

You know about our love for Thai food and how we often revisit our old neighborhood of Elmhurst for the restaurants along Woodside Ave that make up NYC’s Little Thailand, so it should be no surprise to you that we’re recommending Fish Cheeks.

Last year they opened in our current neighborhood, Williamsburg, but have been a cult favorite in NoHo for much longer.

They bring the punchy flavors of Thai cuisine into a modern setting. We’re big fans of their design and vibe but mostly importantly, the food hits. Crab fried rice is one of their most popular dishes and for the more adventurous eaters, we definitely recommend the raw marinated crab which was originally exclusive to the new location but is now available at both.

Che Li

A Shanghainese spot in the East Village that can not only hold its own with the eclectic crowd of St. Mark’s Place but has a strong enough offering to have opened a second location in Flushing.

The quality of cooking you’re getting here comparatively to price is probably why this has become such a popular place. Refined dishes, flavor packed bites and a place on The NY Times 100 Best list are even more reasons to visit.

Tomiño

As part of our series where we’re eating with someone from every country, we ended up at Tomiño for one of Spain’s World Cup games.

Although the result wasn’t good (a draw with Cabo Verde), the food certainly was.

They specialize in Galician cuisine with some general Spanish dishes as well and have a lovely bar section at the front which gives that Taberna feel.

The scallops with jamón sofrito and toasted bread crumbs are a particular highlight, especially as they come with the roe on which is so rare in the US compared to in Europe.

What to expect each week: Events on our radar, industry intel & our dining inspo.

Events on our radar

• Sato Fino x Bar Kabawa (6/11) Sato Fino from Puerto Rico brings their Caribbean bites, drinks and vibes to NYC for one night!

• Ace’s x Little Grenjai (6/12) The return of Ace’s day parties. First up, Little Grenjai for their Thai American flavors.

• Asian Seafood Pop-Up (6/13) Pocha89: Haenyeo’s 7 Treasures presents 7 courses of seafood with flavors from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan. RSVP

• The Aussie BBQ (6/13) the biggest festival of Australian music in NYC comes to the Seaport! There will be food by Old Mates Pub, plus Australian coffee.

• Sunset Supper Brooklyn Grange (6/14) An intimate rooftop dining experience. NY Native Chef Julien Castillo presents his multi course menu.

• F&F Pizza Sessions (6/15) Two industry icons, Chris Bianco and Frank Pepe, take over the garden at F&F Pizzeria

Stay in the know

Noma announced they'll be reopening the restaurant in Copenhagen in August. Rene Redzepi’s own announcement looked just a little less cinematic than the one from March.

The famous People’s Beach bathhouse is set to reopen on July 4th weekend as Rockaway Ocean Club, 54 years after it previously closed and courtesy of an $88 million revamp. There will be dining, drinking and even a members only beach club.

Sailor & Siren, a pop up serving what we said was one of the best lobster rolls in NYC is opening a brick & mortar in Greenpoint this summer!

Major Food Group announces they’re taking over the old Tribeca Grill space and opening the concept in 2027.

Popeyes x Surf Lodge collaboration is going on all summer, powering the venue's "Chicken Tender Tower."

Mamdani’s $26 Five Boroughs Winners Specials launch at 100’s of restaurants across the five boroughs the same day as the World Cup. You can search through the deals here.

Comings & Goings

• Limo Bar - a classy but comfortable new cocktail bar in the East Village.

• First Bloom Cornerstore - a boutique grocery store by Alison Roman is open in Brooklyn Heights.

• Tacos Domingo - this Mexico City taqueria opens in the East Village.

What we’re eating

Uncle Ray’s

Raymond Kiang has been making this dish for 45 years, since his dad first taught him. His dad helped shaped chicken rice into the version it is today as Singapore’s national dish.

The classic way to have it is poached but we love getting the combo with roasted chicken as well. It comes with three killer sauces; chili, ginger and dark soy as well as broth cooked rice which The Times called the ‘real luxury here.’

Having been to Singapore multiple times, this place hits like the top spots over there.

It’s $18 for an order so not quite hawker market prices, but this is NYC. It’s excellent value for the quality and a bigger portion than ones I remember in Singapore.

Misipasta

We finally made it to Misipasta to enjoy their gorgeous, relaxing backyard. Mostly shaded and refreshingly un-crammed in terms of table spacing (a rarity in this city). It actually feels like a little escape rather than just another al fresco table squeeze.

The menu is concise as the space doubles as a boutique to sell their house made pastas, mozzarella and sauces. It’s all about simple Italian cooking. The vegetables are always prepared to perfection.

Seasonal Markets & Ongoing Events

• Theodora Beach Club x Govenors Island (Friday & Saturday Nights) A sunset party on Fridays and a family style feast of outdoor cooking on Saturdays.

• Smorgasburg (weekly) All the way through until the end of October at various locations including their new Central Park market.

• Queens Night Market (weekly, Saturday Nights) International food fest with $6 dishes.

• Japan Fes Numerous dates and locations throughout the year.

• Misipasta x Govenors Island (6/15-8/27) An incredible Italian dinner experience with a maximum of 20 guests per night. Transportation from Pier 25 is included.

• Harlem Summer Nights (7/10-8/21 Fridays) Local food vendors rotating weekly Under the Arches.

• Tashca Guest Chefs (ongoing, Thursdays) a Portuguese tavern open to the public on Thursdays (and occasional Fridays), with guest chefs running the kitchen until 1am.

• Sailing with The Mark (dates throughout the summer) Enjoy a curated selection of food and beverage from renowned Chef Jean-Georges on board a luxury sailboat.

June

Double Chicken Please x The Connaught Bar (6/9) Big Apple Grand Prix. Race a miniature car or come as a spectator! Food and drinks included in the ticket.

Share the Mana Block Party (6/10) Six NYC bars and five out of town bars creating cocktails in one place for BCB at Vacations BK. Must be in the bar industry to attend.

Sato Fino x Bar Kabawa (6/11) Sato Fino from Puerto Rico brings their Caribbean bites, drinks and vibes to NYC for one night!

Ace’s x Little Grenjai (6/12) The return of Ace’s day parties. First up, Little Grenjai for their Thai American flavors.

Read more

We were there covering the awards, chatting to a few chefs on the red carpet and even getting a few recs from Emeril!

That was our last trip for a while and we’re firmly locked in to being back out and about in NYC. Some fun videos coming up including Nepali and Korean food as we try to eat with someone from every country!

What to expect each week: Upcoming events, industry intel & dining inspo from old favorites to new openings.

Events this week

• Downtown Dine Around (6/4) Annual lunchtime celebration since 1997. Sample restaurants dishes for $5 to $10 at Fosun Plaza from 11am-2:30pm.

• Elmhurst Day (6/6) Celebrating the World's Most Diverse Neighborhood — One Block at a Time. Open streets on Woodside Avenue between 78th and 79th st.

• Philippine Independence Day Parade & Food Fest (6/7) 267th Street between Madison and Park avenues turns into a celebration of Filipino culture & food.

• Move the Passion Wine Event (6/8) This wine tasting event is across multiple venues. They gave us a code (which we don’t make any money from) for free entry registration. Enter ‘Consuming’ to complete registration and reserve your spot. Attendee’s can enter to Win a Trip to Italy.

• Hav & Mar x Kono (6/9) Swedish, Ethiopian, and Japanese flavors meet over the grill at Hav & Mar.

Pebble Bar is turning into Fora Football Club (by Fora Travel) June 11 through July 19. The limited-time takeover will turn their 4 floors into an elevated sports bar with limited-edition merchandise, giveaways, and tournament programming throughout the month. Sounds like the best of both worlds, Lauren will be happy with the cocktails while I focus on the match!

Union Square Hospitality plans to open a restaurant in a historic hotel in Brooklyn! Though it won’t be debuting until 2028…

Frog Wine Bar got shut down by DOH …unfortunately this means Smoke Sweats had to cancel their pop up scheduled there for tomorrow.

A new bill proposed by a state assembly member from Manhattan would allow people to drink outdoors during the World Cup this summer in designated ‘entertainment zones.’ This is on top of the already announced fan zones.

Buddie’s Coffee who sparked a social media frenzy when they were forced to leave their Williamsburg location after an unbearable rent increase, reopened in the East Village.

This week’s eats

Corima

A regular conversation in NYC these days is about how many restaurant menus have become homogenized. Corima is a place that bucks that trend with what they call “progressive Northern Mexican” cuisine.

I love how Sofia and Fidel created a ‘choose your own adventure’ type restaurant with a la carte and tasting menu options and bar seating, front and back dining spaces as well as a chef’s counter. All the more impressive considering the was previously a bus depot.

They’re shopping at the market four days per week and rotating the menu every couple of weeks but keeping on some old favorites, including that tortilla; a dish so good they created a whole new restaurant, Vato, off the back of it.

Torrisi

To be fair, it’s been a little while since we’ve been here but the visit was that good I still recommend it to people. It’s a quintessential New York restaurant, it has that buzz, good service, beautiful design and importantly, solid food.

It’s a hard to get reservation for sure but they save the bar for walk ins!

Le Bernardin

If we talk about legendary chefs in this city, I don’t think they come more revered than Eric Ripert.

Having taken over as Executive Chef of Le Bernardin in 1994, he has been cooking seafood a highest level ever since and maintained three Michelin stars since the guide came to NYC in 2005.

It’s a place to go all out and have the tasting menu with the wine pairing if you can, after all the wine director, Aldo Sohm, just won best sommelier in North America. The pre-fixe lunch is also a great introduction at a more affordable price.

Will Travel For Food…

• Recap Coming Soon: A taste of Puerto Rico

• Recap Coming Soon: A taste of Finland

  ---

What to expect each week: Upcoming events, industry intel & dining inspo from old favorites to new openings.

Events this week

• Chef Daisuke Watanabe Residency (until 6/13) Teaming up with Chef Hiroki Odo at The Gallery by Odo.

• Pop & Shuck: The Oyster Experience (5/28) Head to Grand Banks for an oyster and champagne tasting experience.

• With Others x Chef Katerina Liakos (5/27-31) A taste of Greece in Brooklyn.

• Smoke Sweats BBQ (5/30) Popping up at Test Brewery with St. Louis style pork ribs, 15-hour smoked brisket & sides.

• 15th Annual Bushwick Collective Block Party (5/30) Check @thebushwickcollective for exact lineup and vendor list.

• Bondi Sushi Block Party (5/31) Japanese BBQ & $5 hand rolls on the patio!

Mille-Feuille was named best croissant in NYC by the French Morning and Brothers Barbecue was crowned ‘King’ at Rib King.

The James Beard Awards 2026 nominees have been shared ahead of winners being announced in June. On the list for Best Chef New York includes Fidel Caballero of Corima, Giovanni Cervantes of Carnitas Ramirez, Hooni Kim of Meju, Ayesha Nurdjaja of Shukette and Joshua Pinsky of Claud.

Red Hook Winery has rebranded as Red Hook Barrel Yard and will encompass a winery, cidery as well as a distillery.

Jack McGarry of the Dead Rabbit started a new series of responding to negative online comments which very much resembles reading mean tweets - it made me giggle.

Flushing’s famous Golden Mall has arrived in FiDi.

Mamdani fought for $50 World Cup tickets for New Yorker’s and now they’ve announced programs to help small businesses during the run including a Five Boroughs Winner Special. $26 meals and drinks from participating establishments - not sure how this low price helps businesses that much to be honest other than driving a few customers at low spend per head.

Openings

• Malavita is a new sandwich shop in Greenpoint from a local who also owns a natural wine bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

• Cocktail Omakase from Superbueno, Katana Kitten, plus Tokyo’s Bar Libre. They opened this new concept with 60-minute seatings for four mini cocktails and bites for $55. If that’s not your thing, there’s also a regular bar area.

• Peek Inn opened from The Meat Hook and Cozy Royale team. A neighborhood bar with hot dogs and a pretty decent happy hour; 2 dogs: $10, martinis: $10, beer AND shot: $5!

This week’s eats

Frankel’s Deli

A turkey sandwich is one of my kryptonites. It’s one of those things I could eat every day and be completely content. The obvious key components are quality turkey, ample mayo (or adjacent condiment) and an excellent roll or bread. Frankel’s Deli gets this trifecta and all of its proportions right.

Echo Lake

As prices creep up it’s becoming more and more rare to find a solid cocktail under the $17-$20 range. Echo Lake does a daily daiquiri for $12, with their rum of the day, lime and cane sugar, that is pretty darn delicious. They’ve got a range of other daiquiris, as well as classic and tropical rum based cocktails.

We’ve been a few times and the staff has been very informative about what they have going on on the menu, so ask away!

Razza

When Pete Wells famously wrote in The NY Times that the best pizza in New York was actually in New Jersey, he solidified Razza as a constant in the upper echelons of the pizza world.

What Dan Richer is doing over there is truly special. Cooked in a wood fired oven, the pizza is his own style and somewhere between Neapolitan and NY style.

Take the ferry over to Jersey City from Manhattan and make the day of it, it’s well worth the journey.

Will Travel For Food…

• Recap Coming Soon: A taste of Puerto Rico

• Recap Coming Soon: A taste of Finland

• Currently in: New Orleans - 50 Best Restaurants North America Awards

  ---

8 winners will be selected to go on an unforgettable 4-night group trip. One on the Coast & Archipelago and one in Lapland. Sponsored by Visit Finland.

Who would you bring along on an epic culinary journey in the world’s happiest country?

We were amongst the first to experience the Coast & Archipelago Adventure and it’s hard to put into worlds how incredible this experience was. Not only will you discover Finnish cuisine, you’ll also get to immerse yourself in local traditions like sauna which is deeply rooted in the Finnish culture. I guarantee, you will leave loving Finland.

Meet the Chef: Erik Mansikka. His restaurant, Kaskis, was the first in the country to attain a Michelin star outside of the capital city, Helsinki. He was also awarded a Michelin Green star for his efforts in sustainability.

Using Finnish ingredients and refined techniques, he takes each plate to a new level with his creativity, becoming known for his ‘fish circles’ and delicate presentation.

How to Enter

1. Complete the social media video challenge on IG or TikTok

Take part in the social media challenge on Instagram or TikTok by posting a video where you introduce yourself and answer the question:

Why do you want to ‘Have some Finnish’?

Use the hashtag #HaveSomeFinnish and tag @ourfinland on Instagram or visitfinland.com on TikTok.

2. Fill in the Coast and Archipelago application form

Fill in the Coast and Archipelago application form or Lapland application form after posting your social media challenge. Link your challenge video to your application form, so they can easily connect the two. Both you and your potential travel companion, if you choose to apply together with one, need to be at least 18 years old.

#HaveSomeFinnish

The rest of the week was a whirlwind, chatting on FaceTime with Chef about his new book and what to eat at Mercado Little Spain, catching up with some friends over Guinness and oysters at Banshee in the East Village (which is quickly becoming one of my favorite bars), getting a last minute reservation at one of NYC’s hardest to get tables and trying a Korean-Southern pop up at Test Brewery in Williamsburg.

We also managed to get tickets to the Action Bronson event at Katz’s Deli but it was a bit of a let down. The event was listed as 11pm-2am, we arrived at 11:30pm and didn’t get in until 12am due a pause on letting people in, apparently too many guest list attendees showed up so the paying customers had to wait. The music then ended at 1am. We could’ve got last minute Bruce Springsteen tickets at MSG this week instead for the $220 we paid.

What to expect each week: Upcoming events, industry intel & dining inspo from old favorites to new openings.

Events this week

• NYC’s Best Croissant Competition (5/19) Judges and attendees will cast their votes to decide on which is the best!

• Book Launch Party (5/19) Celebrate the launch of his newest cookbook, Spain My Way, at Mercado Little Spain - Tickets here.

• The Lineup (5/21) Kevin Jordan, a line cook from Borgo, features his multi course menu.

• Rib King (5/23) 20+ chefs and restaurants from New York City and beyond compete for the crown! All food and drinks are included in the ticket price.

• Quarts & Pints Pop-Up (5/23) Korean x Southern comfort food at Test Brewery in Williamsburg.

• Smorgasburg Festival of Tea (5/24) Highlighting tea traditions, culture, and creativity from across Asia and the Pacific Islands at the Williamsburg location.

PEI oysters have been almost 100% wiped out by disease which is absolutely devastating for the industry and means we won’t be seeing them on menus for quite some time, we’re talking years according to a post shared on their IG.

There’s a ban looming for bromated flour which could affect your favorite pizza spot. Though some like King Umbeto’s phased out this product ages ago, some have stuck to old recipes.

Two seafood focused spots open in Williamsburg; Zoli from Chef Ned Baldwin and Bar Susanne from Chef Jackie Carnesi.

The old Llama Inn space reopens as a South American Tavern - Cafe Bar J.F. At first glance, the menu certainly looks more elevated than what I picture for a tavern. Interested to check it out.

Culinary Book Releases

• Hillary Sterling’s debut cookbook Ammazza! just released on May 12th.

• José Andrés newest book and love letter to his homeland Spain My Way released today!

• Greg Baxtrom’s cookbook Nothing Matters but Delicious releases May 26th.

• Melissa King’s memoir The Girl Who Became King will be released October 6th.

This week’s eats

Quarts & Pints

When we got tagged in a story this week by the guys at Quarts and Pints about their Korean fish and chips, it had me intrigued!

Luckily, they were popping up in our neighborhood at Test Brewery in Williamsburg, so we swung by on Saturday.

The main thing people tend to struggle with over here is getting the batter for the fish right but Quarts and Pints absolutely nailed it. Even more impressive is the fact that they’re cooking it on little table top fryers.

Interestingly they used skate over cod, haddock or hake, so it was less flakey and more meaty in texture than what you might expect but perfectly cooked.

Having been really impressed by the fish, the chips were the only let down and not chips at all but just basic skinny fries. That didn’t take much away from the excellent meal though with the black bean ribs being wonderfully tender with a nice subtle smokiness. They went very well with the peach sour beer.

Exact timing to be announced but they said they’re likely starting at 1pm this Saturday 23rd May.

Rib King

Having cooked with one of the vendors one year and been judges for the competition another, it’s safe it say we’re fans of Rib King.

The annual one day bbq festival returns to Industry City on Saturday May 23rd, with some of NY’s best pitmasters competing for the crown.

$55 tickets get you ribs from over 20 vendors as well as drinks tasters throughout the event.

Don Angie

The amount of times we’ve tried and failed to get a reservation had me almost giving up on dining at this West Village favorite but last Friday lunchtime we managed to book a table for that same evening.

We had a chef friend who said they would’ve been able to get us a reservation but, as we always try to do, we go in announced the first time and pay for our meal. We do the same for the $350 tasting menus and same for the hard to get in places.

That means we can give a genuine rec on whether or not to go somewhere. So would we recommend here or, as most people on DM asked, did it live up to the hype?

Yes, would be the answer to that. Every who knows the restaurant knows their lasagna, where the pasta is rolled into pinwheels with Italian sausage Bolognese and whipped robiolina. It’s their most popular dish for a reason and well worth ordering.

Our fried veal chop didn’t come out particularly hot and would have been so much better if it came out nice and crispy but a major hit for us was the amberjack crudo. The sauce, with coconut and pesto, was something we weren’t expecting from an Italian-American spot and it blew us away!

Bar seats are saved for walk ins and they have extra capacity on warmer days with outdoor dining.

Will Travel For Food…

• Recap Coming Soon: A taste of Puerto Rico

• Currently in Finland!

• Next Week: New Orleans - 50 Best Restaurants North America Awards

  ---

A stranger in Saigon told us to order the half-cooked, half-raw beef pho. "The raw meat cooks in the broth," he said. "You'll love it." He was right. It turned out to be the best pho either of us had ever eaten and we'd found the restaurant completely by accident when the Bourdain-recommended Lunch Lady was closed. That moment turned out to be one of the trips core memories.

The journey started in Hong Kong and ended in Singapore, with 14 nights aboard Seabourn Encore making its way along the coasts of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Unpacking once while visiting four countries? A eureka moment for me.

Subscribe now

Where we ate in Hong Kong

With just 48 hours in Hong Kong, we focused on the casual classics like dim sum and pineapple buns while making time for a couple of great cocktail bars along the way. We stayed in Soho, so most of the stops on our dining itinerary were walkable.

The 48 Hour Rundown

• Lin Heung Lau — Old school cafe serving egg tarts + pineapple buns. I ordered the ham & eggs and added it to the pineapple bun for a sweet & savory start to the day.

• Kwan Kee Claypot Rice — Charcoal-grilled claypot rice is what draws the crowds. Nothing better than the crispy rice at the bottom!

• Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop — 60 year old no-frills noodle shop. Located near-ish to the cruise port.

• Cheung Hing Coffee Shop — 100-year old teahouse. Classic dim sum dishes.

• Bar Leone — Just named #1 in the world. You must order their filthy martini.

• Kinsman — A stylish cocktail bar with a funky design and a menu inspired by Chinatowns around the world.

14 Day Southeast Asia Cruise on Seabourn Encore

300 suites. Five dining concepts. A rotating menu every single night in the main restaurant. Sushi made with fish from Japan. 24/7 room service. And a chef who took us to Ben Thanh Market in Saigon to shop for ingredients that actually ended up on the dinner table that evening.

This is not a standard cruise. It's closer to a floating luxury hotel with a serious food program.

The highlights on board

Solis (fine dining) — We went twice. The bouillabaisse, lobster ravioli, and gambas on the first visit. Salt-baked branzino and rib eye for two on the second. Both times were exceptional.

The sushi counter — Made to order by Kai, their long-standing sushi chef. We loved watching him work his craft.

The caviar moments — The ship broke out the caviar more than once. The best was on Ko Kood: served in the surf, with grilled lobster on the shore and a full bar steps from the water. It was as absurd and wonderful as it sounds.

Shopping with the Chef — One of Seabourn's signature excursions. We went to Ben Thanh Market in Saigon with Chef Mahesh. Watched him load the bus with bags of jackfruit, custard apples, dragonfruit, coffee and nuts — and then actually saw those ingredients on the dinner menu that night.

Cruise Diary

Day 1. Day at Sea

The first day at sea felt freeing, the horizon endless. We had an a la carte breakfast in the main dining room, The Restaurant, complete with my favorite, smoked salmon and cream cheese.

The sea day was perfect for catching up with emails and relaxing, though there’s plenty else going on aboard the ship if you want to keep occupied. Enjoy some live music, which happens daily, relax at the spa or look at to the ocean at one of the observation decks.

For dinner, we went to Solis, their fine dining Mediterranean concept. We went seafood heavy with the bouillabaisse, lobster ravioli and gambas so big, tender and slightly sweet that they could pass for a lobster tail!

Day 2. Halong Bay, Vietnam: Junk Boat & Kayaking

This was one of the days we were most excited for. Kayaking in Ha Long Bay was the only non food focused activity we had our hearts set on and it was absolutely worth it. Having the different perspectives of the scenery was incredible — by ship, by junk boat and by kayak.

Day 3. Day at Sea

By this time in the trip we came to realize just how excited we were to read The Herald — the rundown of the next days activities and dining guide — each night. We had also received an invitation to a cocktail reception for first time Seabourn cruisers which was such a nice touch! They broke out the caviar for the first time and paired it with some bubbles and canapés for a fun, social evening.

Day 4. Da Nang, Vietnam: Hoi An Tour & Cooking Class

The next big excursion day for us included a stop at a vegetable and herb garden, a cooking class and a wander around Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful Old Towns I’ve ever seen, with it’s French influenced yellow buildings and lanterns dotted around the streets.

We learned to cook a selection of Vietnamese dishes at Ms. Vy's Morning Glory Cooking School. Each dish we made was carefully conveyed by the instructor and everything was bursting with texture and flavor.

Mango salad with herbs, fish sauce and roasted garlic. Banh xeo filled with dried shrimp, raw veggies and herbs. Dumplings with pickled veggie and a vinegar dressing.

This tour was most of the day and to my surprise I came back to a bubble bath all set up! A great example of the attention to detail we saw throughout the trip from the room attendants (and the rest of the staff).

Day 5. Day at Sea

A bottle of champagne had been left in our room upon check in and now was the time to pop it open; brunch on the balcony and a moment to pause and reflect on the epic trip so far.

Day 6. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

The food scene in Saigon was what drew me in the most. I’d heard so much about the overwhelming amounts of street food and couldn’t wait to try some of the spots Bourdain had featured on his shows.

A banh mi was our first course of action. Banh Mi Hong Hoa packs their sandwiches with sliced meats and pate on bread that was seemingly just coming out of the oven. A solid start.

As we made our way to the Bourdain-recommended Lunch Lady, we discovered it was closed. For a minute we wavered between chasing another spot on our list or leaning into spontaneity by trying the neighboring restaurant, Pho Be Thanh Da. We went for the latter. Taking a fellow diner’s advice, we ordered the half-cooked, half-raw beef pho—“the raw meat cooks in the broth,” he said. “You’ll love it.” He was right. It turned out to be the best pho I’ve ever had, and easily one of my favorite moments of the trip.

Our eating escapades concluded for the day with a sit down meal at Bep Me In for some banh xeo and other local dishes while soaking in the buzzing atmosphere.

Day 7. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

‘Shopping with the Chef’ is one of Seabourn’s signature events and another excursion we were very excited for. We left the ship with Chef Mahesh and headed to the famous Ben Thanh Market to select things like coffee, nuts and tropical fruit to be served on board. We tried a number of fruits for the first time like jack fruit, custard apples and different varieties of dragonfruit and lychee that we’d never had back home.

I went in expecting somewhat of a pseudo-shopping experience, but instead watched them load the bus with countless bags of goods—and, even better, saw many of those items actually being used the ship which I thought was fantastic.

Since we had some time left before all aboard, we grabbed a coffee a Bleu Monkey and wandered around the bustling streets of Saigon. We arrived back to fresh coconuts being served on the pool deck and we cruised out of Saigon with one in hand.

Day 8. Day at Sea 📷

Using ingredients from previous day’s market trip as well as a local fish delivery, Chef Mahesh created a gorgeous sea bass dish for dinner in the restaurant.

I’ll just leave these here⬇

Day 9. Sihanoukville, Cambodia

If you choose not to take a tour to either Siem Reap or the national park, this is a perfect day to enjoy having the ship largely to yourself. We still got a small taste of Cambodia without even leaving the ship, thanks to a group of local performers brought onboard for an afternoon show!

Day 10. Ko Kood, Thailand

Seabourn’s signature event on Ko Kood was truly one for the books—better than I ever could have imagined. Accessible only by boat, this secluded stretch of the island felt impossibly serene, like a hidden world set apart from everything else.

Seabourn pulled out all the stops. There was caviar served in the surf, grilled lobster sizzling on the shore, and a full bar just steps from the water. Plus an impressive lineup of activities from paddleboarding to banana boats and “sofa” tubes which we had an absolute blast on!

Day 11. Sriracha, Thailand

Most people opted for the Bangkok excursion, but as we went last year we decided to stay more local and explore Sriracha which is nicknamed ‘Little Osaka’ due its large Japanese population and influence. There, we found a charming Japanese-Thai café overlooking the water called “Little Town,” where we enjoyed a coffee and, of course, some katsu curry.

Day 12. & Day 13. at Sea

These last couple of sea days were spent taking advantage of the ship’s amenities including some spa and pool time. We got in our second fine dining meal at Solis complete with salt baked branzino and a rib eye for two, plus had our final dinner at the Colonnade.

You would think since we were there for two weeks and the ship had five dining concepts we’d be able to try most things on board, but that wasn’t the case. Each day was a totally different dining experience. The menu at the Colonnade, where the main breakfast was also served, changed every single night. The Restaurant had a rotating menu and even hosted signature chef tasting menus twice during our 14 trip. Their fine dining concept, Solis, changed each week, while keeping their signature dishes. The Patio (poolside) always had so many fresh options like made to order salads and grilled meats and fish. Plus there was sushi made using fish from Japan and 24/7 room service.

Day 14. Singapore arrival

Where we ate in Singapore

It felt sad to be leaving the ship, after two whole weeks it felt like home! But we still had some room left in us for eating around Singapore.

The 72 Hour Food Rundown

• Maxwell Food Centre — I believe there are about 100 different stalls here! Popular spots include Tian Tian, Jiang Nan, Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia.

• Lau Pa Sat — An iconic hawker market under a national monument. Satay Street pops up on the road behind it in the evening with a row of stalls selling grilled meats.

• Chin Me Chin — Come here for a classic kaya toast breakfast in a vintage setting.

• Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice — Hidden in the basement of a shopping mall serving the best chicken rice I’ve ever had!

• Katong Laksa 328 — A beloved spot for spoon-only curry laksa.

• Wing Seong Fatty’s —A Cantonese staple open since 1926. The pork ribs were a crowd pleaser.

• Level 33 Brewery + Rooftop — The world’s highest brewery in a building! An ideal spot if you don’t want to wait on line at Ce La Vi, plus then you can actually see the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel!

Seabourn may have ruined every other cruise for us—in the best possible way. The destinations were extraordinary, but it was the flawless service and meticulous attention to detail throughout our two week voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore that made the experience exceptional.

To me, it reads more as a ‘100 Must Try Places’ or ‘100 Restaurants that Define NYC’ rather than the best, but I guess even The Times realizes you have to hook people with social media style hyperbole.

I was glad to see Khao Kang on there, a restaurant that was in this newsletter last week. They were one of the places included in the list marked with one dollar sign. I’ve written about a few more affordable spots that also made it in The Times list, so you can eat well without breaking the bank.

What to expect in this weekly newsletter: Upcoming events, industry intel & dining inspo.

This week’s events

• Bûcheron at JBP (5/15) The 2025 James Beard Award winner for Best New Restaurant comes to Manhattan.

• Bakalava x Katz’s Deli (5/14) Action Bronson is performing from Katz’s! Waitlist tickets on Dice.

• Chef Daisuke Watanabe Residency (5/15-6/13) Teaming up with Chef Hiroki Odo at The Gallery by Odo.

• Salty Lunch Lady x Superiority Burger (5/16) Late night sandwiches 10pm-12am.

• Santo Taco x Peter Luger (5/16) Summer of taco collabs with NYC institutions kicks off.

• The Longest Table (5/16) A block-long communal table for 700!

• Taste of Tribeca (5/16) Chefs and restaurants from around the neighborhood gather to showcase some of their best dishes at this 32nd annual fest.

• Quarts & Pints Pop-Up (5/16) Southern inspired Korean soul food at the Test Brewery starting at 3pm.

• Ninth Avenue International Food Festival (5/16 & 17) One of NYC’s largest and oldest food festivals spanning all the way from 42nd to 57th street.

• NYC’s Best Croissant Competition (5/19) Spend your morning the best way possible, croissant tasting! Attendees along with judges cast their votes.

Stay in the know

The Bar Americano team is taking over the Old Achilles Heel location and turning it into an Irish pub.

hates Yelp.

Did The NY Times bring their 100 best list out early? Another of the big ones, North America’s 50 Best comes out on May 28th.

Billy Durney launches a new cocktail bar one door away from his beloved Red Hook Tavern. Excited to try Tavern Next Door.

New York City Council members have introduced a bill to turn $30 by '30 into reality. It would eliminate what's known as the tipped-wage credit for restaurants in NYC. Good for workers, bad for small restaurants?

This week’s eats

Trinciti

If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know how often we rave about this Trini spot out in South Ozone Park.

Traditionally eaten without meat in Trinidad and Tobago, you can get doubles the classic way or with different protein options here. They’re made up of a fried flat bread called bara that’s topped with chana, pickled mango, cucumber & tamarind and peppers sauces.

There’s usually a reasonably long line but the food comes out hot and fast. There’s no seats but I recommend you get the food and eat it right away as it doesn’t travel too well.

Taiwanese Gourmet

Open since 1995, this Elmhurst mainstay serves up some unique and affordable dishes, with most under $15.

They do the classics, like flies’ heads and three cup chicken, extremely well but last time we went we loved the pork roll.

Coated in crispy bean curd and filled with fatty pork inside, this dish is a whole world of flavors and textures.

Warung Selasa

Hidden behind an Indonesian grocery store, this Tuesday only pop up is somewhere we’ve included before but that deserves another mention.

We featured Chef Dewi’s cooking when this newsletter only had a handful of subscribers, so I don’t want you to miss out on this one.

There’s no ‘must order’ dishes for this place as Dewi cooks one dish per week, rotating around different Indonesian regions but often leaning into the cuisine of her native East Java.

It’s mostly to go orders but if you DM early enough in advance, you might be able to reserve the two person table in the back of the grocery store.

Abuquir

Better seafood than Le Bernardin? I’m sure Abuqir ranking four places above the legendary three Michelin starred restaurant raised a few eyebrows.

I’m not sure we agree with Ligaya on that one but we do however still love Abuqir and have been plenty of times.

Although technically two dollar signs on the list, last time we went we had a whole red snapper for just over $30. I’m not sure how that justifies two dollar signs considering Golden Diner is one dollar sign but has a $20 cheeseburger that doesn’t come with fries and an extremely good but single pancake for $13 (+$3 more if you want berry compote!). Anyway, don’t get me started on some of the oddities of the list.

Will Travel For Food…

• Recap Coming Soon: A Taste of Puerto Rico

• After our trip next week: A Taste of Finland

• Soon: New Orleans - 50 Best Restaurants North America Awards

  ---

Dominic Sessa plays Tony and Antonio Banderas plays restauranteur Ciro, who helps guide him into working in the industry.

The trailer alone stirred up some emotions, so I’m excited to see the full film when it comes out in summer. Unlike with the Bruce Springsteen movie, I like the fact it focuses on one period of Tony’s life, especially at an early time in his career and in a place that meant so much to him.

What to expect in the Tuesday newsletter: Upcoming Events, Industry Intel & restaurants we’ve been loving - always a mix of new openings, old favorites and seasonal inspo.

Events on our radar

• Hera x With Others (5/6-5/17) Jay Rodriguez is back for a two week run serving a very spring forward menu.

• Bronx Night Market (5/9) 50+ food, drink, merchandise, and artisan vendors. Supporting local small business and bringing together the community.

• Smorgasburg Central Park (5/14) The grand opening of the long standing food fest’s new location at Columbus Circle!

• The Lineup (5/7 & 5/21) A line cook from Le Bernardin and a line cook from Borgo kick off the first two dates of season nine.

• Krewe Crawfish Boil (5/9) A full day celebration in support of City Harvest. Your ticket includes all-you-can-eat crawfish, an oyster bar and beverages, plus live music and some surprises.

Stay in the know

Lupa Systems is in talks to buy Vox Media (owner of Eater and Grubstreet).

London based Indian restaurant, Gymkhana, raised $8.5million to expand its sauce line in the US.

A NYC chef calls out Michelin and Sysco’s relationship. Though Wen Wen has been in the Michelin guidebook for a number of years, it’s the first year they received a plaque. It just so happens it’s also the first year the restaurant has had a Sysco account.

And can we stop with celebrity booze brands? George Clooney’s nonalcoholic beer brand raises $15 million.

There’s plenty of openings and a few closings as well;

Kinda Nice opens tomorrow, May 7th, in the old Ensenada space.

The Derby Club looks set to open in the old Neary’s space in June, following extensive delays.

Dame is opening a fish and chip shop.

Limo Bar, where the team behind Virginia’s plans to capture NYC’s high-low energy, opens in early June in the East Village.

Pastrami Queen closed their UWS location and ATLA is closing at the end of May.

This week’s eats

Khao Khang

A favorite of ours in Elmhurst’s Little Thailand, we used to get the three entree plates at Khao Kang all the time when we lived nearby.

It’s really popular with the locals and the dishes definitely bring the heat. It always makes me laugh when, 9 times out of 10, they give us the white guy treatment and emphasize how spicy some of the dishes are.

The regularly rotated curry options usually come with that warning, especially the jungle curry, but all of them are packed with flavor including their red and green ones.

The garlic black pepper pork is one consistent on their menu, it’s glazed and sticky, and a favorite of mine here.

Shukette

Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja’s Chelsea restaurant has been one of the most suggested by chefs over on .

Famous for her rip and dip appetizers, Chef Michael Symon said the hummus there is the best he’s ever had!

There’s so many dishes to recommend but whatever you choose, make sure to start with the dips and finish with the incredible soft serve.

Raoul’s

This place is what you’d call a quintessential New York City restaurant.

Having been open since 1975, it’s a true institution and a place you go for the atmosphere as much as the food; which is solid and consistent as opposed to exceptional.

Get group of friends together, grab one of the booths that line the walls if you can and order martinis and the steak au poivre.

There’s always the option to go early to the bar for their famous burger, which they only serve 12 of per night, but the hack for getting that is they serve it throughout the restaurant during weekend brunch.

Members of The Collective recently received our Williamsburg Cafe Guide with Map .

Will Travel For Food…

• Recap Coming Soon: A taste of Puerto Rico

• Next Month: New Orleans - 50 Best Restaurants North America Awards

  ---

Inside this newsletter: Bite of the month, reader recommendations and every May food event worth putting in the calendar.

Bite of the month

Mission Ceviche

1400 2nd Ave, Upper East Side · 7 E 17th St, Union Square

Ceviche might as well be its own food group. If you haven't tried the Peruvian version yet, what are you thinking?! Needless to say, I was thrilled to make it back to this spot for their classic Peruvian ceviche, plus a few specials that Chef José Luis Chávez had crafted inspired by his recent travels.

His dishes are always packed full of flavor and freshness, the sauces bright and intense and I love that I leave a meal here feeling content and nourished but not stuffed.

Reader Recommendations | We want to know your picks

We’re looking for the best outdoor dining spots in the city! ☀️

A rooftop with a view, a sidewalk table on the best block in the city, a hidden garden patio — we want it all.

Drop your recommendation in the comments, and we’ll feature one reader pick — along with a shoutout to whoever recommended it — in next month’s rundown. Put your fave on the map!

Fool’s Spring and all, April ended up being too rainy for us to get to new spots and revisit others ahead of our outdoor dining guide, so we’re looking for more recs before we finish it.

📌 Mark Your Calendars

Paella Rave (5/2) Arroces x Forsyth Fire Escape team up to kick off the summer season. Get on the list here.

Sunnyside Restaurant Week (4/20-5/4) Throughout this two week celebration, 75 participating restaurants will showcase special three course prix fixe dinners for $35. View the full list of participating restaurants and browse menus HERE.

The Shrimp (5/3) Crayfish and aquavit at Time Again. 2pm until sold out.

Schmuck x BYRDI (5/5) Melbourne's acclaimed cocktail bar, currently #91 on World's 50 Best Bars 2025, comes to NYC.

Bronx Night Market (5/9) 50+ food, drink, merchandise, and artisan vendors. Supporting local small business and bringing together the community.

Smorgasburg Central Park (5/14) The grand opening of the long standing food fest’s new location at Columbus Circle!

The Lineup (5/7 & 5/21) A line cook from Le Bernardin and a line cook from Borgo kick off the first two dates of Season Nine.

Krewe Crawfish Boil (5/9) A full day celebration in support of City Harvest. Your ticket includes all-you-can-eat crawfish, an oyster bar and beverages, plus live music and some surprises.

Bûcheron at JBP (5/15) The 2025 James Beard Award winner for Best New Restaurant comes to Manhattan.

The Longest Table (5/16) A block-long communal table for 700! A potluck lunch with diners seated along Remsen Street all the way to the promenade.

Taste of Tribeca (5/16) This food festival has been going strong for 31 years. Chefs and restaurants from around the neighborhood gather to showcase some of their best dishes. Last years participating vendors included Filé Gumbo Bar, Frenchette Bakery, Locanda Verde and Huso.

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival (5/16 & 17) One of NYC’s largest and oldest food festivals spanning all the way from 42nd to 57th street. Previous vendors include Empanada Mama, Tacuba and Rudy’s Bar.

NYC’s Best Croissant Competition (5/19) Spend your morning the best way possible, croissant tasting! Last year’s judges included Noémie Carrant, editor at Resy, as well as Chef Alberto Marcolongo, formerly the Executive Chef at Benoit. Attendees can also cast their votes!

Rib King (5/23) 20+ chefs and restaurants from New York City and beyond compete for the crown! All food and drinks are included in the ticket price and the event is being held at Industry City.

Pop & Shuck: The Oyster Experience (5/28) Head to Grand Banks for an oyster and champagne tasting experience hosted by Crew’s Director of Oysters, Lars Viola, alongside oyster farmer Mike Martinsen of Montauk Pearl.

Seasonal markets — back for spring

Smorgasburg — Back until October. World Trade Center (Thu & Fri), Williamsburg (Sat), Prospect Park (Sun), 11am–6pm.

Queens Night Market — Starts (5/2). Saturdays at Flushing Meadows, Corona Park. Up to 100 vendors serving food from around the globe, most dishes are $6.

Japan Fes — (5/3) Upper East Side. Numerous dates and locations throughout the year. The world’s largest Japanese food festival.

Astoria Farmer’s Market — Gearing up for the 2nd season. Last year it was the second Sunday of the month.

Ramps have been the most popular choice, but I wonder if that’s because they’re more versatile to cook with and I’ve mainly been asking chefs. They’d be third for me and I’m still stuck between the other two.

What to expect in the Tuesday newsletter: Upcoming events, Industry Intel & restaurants we’ve been loving - always a mix of new openings, old favorites and seasonal happenings.

Events on our radar

• Bartolo x Bangkok Supper Club (4/27) Chef Ryan Bartlow and Chef Max Wittawat present an 8 course tasting menu weaving together the vibrant, layered flavors of Thai cooking with the soulful, ingredient driven traditions of Spain.

• Brisket King (4/29) 20+ chefs and restaurants from New York City and beyond compete for the crown!

• Taste of the Lower East Side (4/29) An annual fundraising event featuring dozens of local restaurants, bars and small businesses in support Grand Street Settlement.

• The Joy of Sake (4/30) The 20th annual celebration with 492 different labels from throughout Japan and the U.S. available for tasting.

• Paella Rave (5/2) Arroces x Forsyth Fire Escape team up to kick off the summer season. Get on the list here.

Stay in the know

Chef Hillary Sterling is releasing her first cookbook, AMMAZZA!. Available May 12th, it will be filled with over 100 recipes including ones featured on the menu at Ci Siamo.

The legendary Marco Pierre White will be in NYC next week.

Konya, from the team behind Konban, will open in Williamsburg this Thursday and Straker’s are looking for a head chef ahead of opening soon.

Historically, chicken was never my top choice when dining out but rotisserie chicken seems to be having a real moment with Cleo joining Arthur, Gigi's, and Wild Cherry in their poultry specialities.

San Pellegrino are giving away a trip for two to experience the 50 Best Restaurants North America Awards Ceremony. Flights, accommodation & award show tickets included in the prize.

Notice of Rights for delivery workers in NYC were updated as of April 1, 2026. The minimum pay rate for app-based food delivery workers in NYC increased to $22.13 from $21.44 in 2025 and will continue to increase each year to account for inflation. Before the minimum pay rate started in 2023, workers made an average of just $5.39 per hour before tips.

This week’s eats

L’incontro by Rocco

Having built a loyal following in Astoria over 25 years, Chef Rocco Sacramone planned L’incontro by Rocco on the Upper East Side to be his second NYC location.

In a too familiar tale, even after 25 years of business, his rent was increased in Astoria to a point where it wouldn’t feasible anymore, so now he puts all his efforts into this place and it shows. Excellent food and hospitality and they were absolutely packed on the midweek evening that we went.

We were joined by Giovanni from King Umberto who told us a while back that ‘I dream about their egg yolk ravioli.’ The hits did not stop there though and surprisingly the steak was one of our favorite dishes of the night.

Markette

I would struggle if asked to describe Markette in just a few words. Luckily, their own description is succinct and spot on - ‘European refinement meets Caribbean soul.’

English chef, India Doris, has worked around Europe as well as in NYC at NoMad and the two Michelin-starred Saga. She combines those influences with her Jamaican and Guyanese heritage to cook up some incredible dishes in Chelsea.

The salt cold fritters couldn’t get a better balance between the cod flavor and soft potato texture, unless of course you dip them in the Scotch bonnet aioli. There’s a lot of excellent dishes but the star of the show here though is the braised oxtail gratin. It’s a bit like a shepherd’s pie, just with a whole other world of flavor added from the braised oxtail, cheddar cheese polenta and crispy onions on top.

Cafe Katja

Having been open since 2007, Cafe Katja is one of the longest standing restaurants on that stretch of Orchard St.

If you’re to visit in the next few weeks you’ll be in for a treat as it’s spargel season! For the uninitiated, that’s white asparagus, which is usually on the menu from mid-April to mid-June.

We’ve been visiting here since 2020, another spot we found during our ‘Eating around the world, without leaving NYC’ series and it also comes highly recommended by Chef Markus Glocker who goes here when he wants a taste of home in NYC.

Members of The Collective got our Williamsburg Cafe Guide with Map last week.

Will Travel For Food…

• Next: A taste of Puerto Rico

• Soon: New Orleans - 50 Best Restaurants North America Awards

  ---

Here's my running list of favorites, organized by what you're actually going there for.

Good for remote working

The West

379 Union Ave

A rustic hangout with a decent sized patio that’s open all day, from 7am to late night, with high top seating inside and Wifi. They boast a full liquor license and craft beers on tap so you can switch from coffee to alcohol at a moment’s notice! I feel like this spot is a great example of what a ‘third place’ should be, as they also do community programming most nights until 2am.

The food is fine if you need something to nosh on - breakfast burrito, bagels and pastries from Balthazar.

Lion’s Milk

104 Roebling St

A Turkish-inspired cafe with snacks like borek, baklava and Turkish sandwiches including the Istanbul with sucuk & kasar cheese. There’s some cute seating out front which is perfect for when you want to catch some sun at the same time, plus there’s some dimly lit seating inside and on their small back patio but it does fill up pretty quickly.

Gran Torino

131 Berry St

I’m not gonna say you’ll get the best food or service here, but the space is hard to beat for working remotely. When I don’t want to deal with my other go-to’s being full, I head here. Plus a latte is actually under $5 which in this economy is sadly quite rare.

Read more