Table Stakes: June

These seven eateries will satisfy any and all hankerings

June 30, 2017 9:00 am

To keep tabs on every New York restaurant and bar opening is folly. But to keep tabs on the most worthy? Yeoman’s work, and we’re proud to do it. Thus we present Table Stakes, a monthly rundown of the five (or so) must-know spots that have swung wide their doors in the past thirty (or so). Bon appétit.

Butcher Bar LES
Lower East Side
You’re here because: It’s the first Manhattan outpost of the BBQ smokehouse that’s been making Astoria smell better for a few years
You’re dining on: Beef, chicken and pork sourced from animals that have been raised without hormones, antibiotics or animal byproducts. The menu is packed full of Southern-style favorites that should make any carnivore smile and the bar has plenty of libations to keep you hydrated before, during and after your likely-to-require-a-doggy-bag meal. Also, two words: Meat candy.
146 Orchard Street (map)
Website

Minnie’s
Lower East Side
You’re here because: Native New Yorker Millie Stallings and her mother are celebrating their love of eating and entertaining together — yep, family style.
You’re dining on: Chef John Keller’s Smoked Cauliflower Fritto, Farro Pearls with spring vegetables, Five Greens Salad and Lamb Flatbread. Plus, entrees like the Roasted Half Chicken with lemon-sofrito; Pepper-Crusted Salmon and John’s Burger. If you’re feeling randy, don’t miss the Love Potion with tequila, grapefruit bitters, citrus, yuzu and rose water.
29 Clinton Street (map)
Website

Cote
Flatiron
You’re here because: A Korean BBQ/steakhouse hybrid from the founder of Michelin-starred Piora sounds too interesting to pass up.
You’re dining on: Korean bacon and San-Che BiBimBap and searing your own fresh meats like hanger steak and kahlbi or marinated short ribs right at the table. Come with an appetite and order the Butcher’s Feast for a comprehensive tour of the menu’s bests.
16 West 22nd Street (map)
Website

180 Tenth
Chelsea
You’re here because: The founders of Smorgasburg can seemingly do no wrong.
You’re dining on: A drink-heavy menu, to be honest. Snacks include a Fluke Crudo, excellent French Fries and a browned Chard Arancini. In the drinks department, there is a lengthy list of beer, wine and cocktails, but the season requires that you try one of the “Frozies” for certain.
180 10th Avenue (map)
Website

Cecconi’s
Dumbo
You’re here because: A legendary pizza palace has descended upon our fair city. See also: killer water views. It’s also connected to Brooklyn’s upcoming Soho House, if you happen to be a part of that tribe.
You’re dining on: Wood-fired pizzas, with other attractions that include Lobster Spaghetti and Burrata.
55 Water Street (map)
Website

Emily
West Village
You’re here because: You’re already addicted to their Clinton Hill and Billyburg locales.
You’re dining on: Two styles of pizza — the Detroit-style and Grandma pies — with not-to-be-missed wings, a Pressed Duck sammy and the Lammy Burger.
35 Downing Street (map)
Website

&pizza
Nomad
You’re here because: It’s a D.C. cult favorite and it’s got artfully cool street vibes.
You’re dining on: The Moonstruck, with mushroom truffle sauce, garlic ricotta, mozz, goat cheese, mushrooms, grilled onion and fig balsamic; or the Maverick, with tomato sauce, mozz, salami, pepperoni, Italian sausage, pesto and parmesan. Gluten-free peeps: there are options for you too.
15 West 28th Street (map)
Website

Fuku
Financial District
You’re here because: It’s Momofuku meets fried chicken. ‘Nuff said.
You’re dining on: The whole fried chicken feast, for starters. It’s Chimek — a traditional Korean fried chicken — plus beer melding. The seasonal standout is the Ginger Chicken Bowl, though, with crispy kale and sugared snap peas.
110 Wall St, New York, NY 10005 (map)
Website

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