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To be completely honest, 2017 was a relatively disappointing year in terms of restaurant openings that truly changed the NYC dining game. A few international exports here, some renovated oldies there, and a whole lot of overpriced over-hypeness. Thankfully, a few spots strikingly stood out, not only for their remarkable cuisine, but mainly because they brought something new to the New York food scene.Take a look back at the best of 2017 with the year’s top 5 New York City restaurants! Can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store!
5. ABCV – Get Jean-Georges involved, and going meat-free gets as easy as ABC! After a much anticipated, long-delayed wait, Jean-Georges Vongerichten finally opened his first all-vegetarian restaurant ABCV in February 2017. Jean-George’s newest venture has the signature ABC vibe and carefully curated, large contemporary space. ABCV is healthy, trendy vegetarian dining at its best. ABCV’s very extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are almost fully vegan apart from a handful of dishes. Highly attractive space, highly attractive people, and an substantive vegetable-focused menu that will make you feel… highly attractive! Like its peers, ABCV has become another New York staple and my go-to for a healthy, flavorful plant-based meal that will never make me miss the meat.
Read more about ABCV here.
4. Nur is a modern Middle Eastern restaurant by Israeli celebrity chef Meir Adoni, who partnered up with Gadi Peleg, owner of Breads Bakery, to open his first NYC restaurant in the Flatiron district. Chef Adoni is a big deal in Israel and probably the most renown chef (and TV food celebrity) in all of the Middle East. Adoni is known for his distinctive interpretation of contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine and his love for innovative gastronomy. Nur‘s main concept is to take Middle Eastern staples and elevate them to fine dining. From the small bites, to the fish, meat, and the incredible bread of course – every dish is creatively executed with an extravagant sophistication and an unusual choice of ingredients. Ever since its April 2017 opening, Nur has become one of the hottest tables to score (despite the block’s high competition, with innumerable hot-spot next-door neighbors).
Read more about Nur here.
3. Cote Korean Steakhouse is an upscale Korean chophouse opened in June 2017 by Simon Kim (from West Village’s Piora). Located in a large, modern space in Flatiron, Cote is a vibrant restaurant with a unique concept that has instantly become a NYC carnivorous favorite. And just like Piora, Simon Kim’s newest venture has earned itself a Michelin star within just months of opening. At Cote, Kim pays tribute to his Korean roots (and the chef, David Shim, is also Korean), but with a menu inspired by traditional American steakhouses – a superbly-executed fusion of two meat-eating cultures. This is not the place for authentic Korean BBQ but Cote offers a finer experience of it. To enjoy Cote to the fullest, order the Butcher’s Feast, fairly priced at $45pp. The interactive setting of Korean BBQ also remains, where guests cook the meat over an in-table smokeless grill, one cut of beef at a time. The conviviality makes Cote the perfect spot for groups with a lively atmosphere and a modern, trendy vibe.Along with my West Village fave 4 Charles Prime Rib, Cote is a welcome “cool kid” addition to the carnivore food scene.
Read more about Cote Korean Steakhouse here.
2. 4 Charles Prime Rib was actually opened in December 2016 by Brendan Sodikoff, the man behind Chicago’s infamous Au Cheval burger, but is really a 2017 baby. 4 Charles describes itself as an intimate supper club, which is exactly how it feels. The most notable part about this speakeasy-style restaurant is its incredibly charming atmosphere. After ordering one of their many Old Fashioneds from the extensive brown spirit and cocktail list, you’ll want to get right to the meat of the matter (see what I just did there?) 😆 . 4 Charles is namely renowned for its prime rib of course, but if Au Cheval came all the way from Chicago to NYC, you’re also getting the burger! Other must-orders include their 12-hour slow-roasted prime rib and make sure you put an early request for their French dip (they only make 15 a night and each of take 50 hours to make!). As for the service, it’s arguably some of the best New York hospitality I’ve ever had. The restaurant has a tiny space with limited seating and a crazy hype, so scoring a reservation that’s not after 11pm requires a lot of anticipated ground work. That being said, 4 Charles is the perfect late-night den.
Read more about 4 Charles Prime Rib here.
1. Don Angie is a modern Italian restaurant by Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito, the husband-and-wife team from Quality Italian and Dinnertable. The chef couple opened their own West Village outlet in October 2017, drawing influence from both their Italian and New York heritage, and managed to create a truly unique Italian neighborhood joint. The menu at Don Angie is inspired by the chefs’ grandmas recipes, but this is not the place for Nonna’s traditional cooking, although it feels just as hearty. Don Angie serves an unprecedented style of modern Italian American cuisine, with an inventive take on Mediterranean comfort food, ingenious plating and execution. Delicious, sophisticated flavors invade every plate at Don Angie – but the star of the show is the pasta. Don Angie has earned a safe spot on my “best NYC Italian” list, and conveniently located in my favorite neighborhood. Come with a date, a small group of friends, or the ‘rents – just about any occasion or company is good for such an indulgent Italian meal (as long as they don’t mind garlic!).
Read more about the Don Angie here.
