Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

12 New Restaurants for You to Try This Weekend

By Emilie Ruscoe | August 14, 2015 7:00am | Updated on August 14, 2015 6:36pm
 The Scallop Makai from Polynesian-inspired bar and restaurant Mother of Pearl in the East Village, is made with chili water, dragon fruit, rau ram, pickled Fresno peppers and avocado.
The Scallop Makai from Polynesian-inspired bar and restaurant Mother of Pearl in the East Village, is made with chili water, dragon fruit, rau ram, pickled Fresno peppers and avocado.
View Full Caption
Courtesy of Mother of Pearl

New York is in the throes of the lazy, hazy final days of summer, but its restaurant scene is as bustling as ever. Here are the newest offerings from the culinary community.

► Macchina, 2758 Broadway at 106th on the Upper West Side

This "rustic" and "industrial" pizzeria restaurant by the owners of Williamsburg favorite The Bedford has a menu that stars traditional Italian pies and also includes creative options like a pie with smashed cherry tomatoes, bitter greens, squid and salmon, or a white pizza with lemons, basil and smoked mozzarella.

► Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar, 1652 Second Ave. in Yorkville

Patrons of this addition to old-school German butcher shop Schaller & Weber can build their own sandwiches with nine types of homemade sausage, including a spicy cheddar brat, chicken brat, a beef wiener and knackwurst.

► Grandchamps, 197 Patchen Ave. in Bed-Stuy

This Haitian café, restaurant, and market sells groceries, and serves traditional food including pan-fried turkey chunks with fried plantains and traditional Haitian pikliz, shrimp in tomato and cashew sauce with vegetables, and a chickpea spread sandwich with sautéed kale, tomato, and sweet plantains.

► Seamore's, 390 Broome St. in the East Village

This seafood restaurant from the owner of the Meatball Shop serves ceviches, fish and chips, and an Oh-Boy — a spin off of the southern Po' Boy — made with sea robin and Montauk sea bream and served with salad or sweet potato fries.

► Okiway, 1006 Flushing Ave. in Bushwick

This Japanese izakaya serves a variety of craft beers including Wasabi Ale Niigata and specializes in a grilled pancake called okonomiyaki. Variations feature unusual ingredients for the Japanese classic, such as chorizo, Brussels sprouts and cheese. Okiway also serves dishes likes cactus sashimi, cactus tempura and cheese nori, a cheese wrapped in seaweed and deep fried.

► Burnside Biscuits, 32-07 30th Ave. in Astoria

This southern joint from the team behind Bareburger serves biscuit sandwiches, fried chicken and wood-fired vegetables.

► Mother of Pearl, 95 Ave. A in the East Village

This "postmodern Polynesian" cocktail bar and restaurant serves dishes such as the “Scallop Makai,” which includes chili water, dragon fruit and avocado, and the “Kaluha Pork Belly,” which comes with a ginger glaze, pineapple kimchee, smoked cashews and coconut rice. Its cocktail menu features concoctions like the rum-based “French Connection” made with grape, lime, luxardo bitters and blanc vermouth and the “Black Dragon,” a vodka-based drink that incorporates oolong tea, peach, lemon and Barenjager, a German liqueur.

► Bill Baker's, 364 Grand St. in Williamsburg

This restaurant's interior has incorporated the look of a vintage bank in memory of its owner's grandfather, a banker. Dishes include mac and cheese, duck pierogi and shrimp and grits. The craft beer bar has 16 rotating brews on tap.

► Mighty Balls, 35-11 34th Ave. in Astoria

Customers at Mighty Balls can build their own meatball sandwiches from a menu of meat and sauce options. Patrons are able to choose their type of meatball, sauce and cheese, and the menu also includes suggested combinations, like the "Great Balls of Fire" — pork meatballs with housemade spicy feta cheese in a jalapeño jelly sauce. Other favorites on the menu include the classic "Spicy Italian" made with pork meatballs with tomato sauce and mozzarella, and a vegetarian meatball option that comes with parmesan and an onion sauce.

► Domo Taco, 733 Franklin Ave. in Crown Heights

This Asian fusion eatery, which got its start as a food truck, is serving up burritos, quesadillas and rice bowls with a mix of Korean and Mexican ingredients.

► Toad Style, 93 Ralph Ave. in Bed-Stuy

This kung fu-themed vegan eatery features items like mushroom lentil burgers, esquites with almond cheese crumbles and cayenne chili spice and vegan ricotta raviolis with red onion and garlic marinara. All of the dishes are made from scratch, along with creating their own vegan versions of ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese and butter.