The Citiblog

Photo: One Fifth/Evan Sung

Fashion Week is upon us. Here are some places to hit up between shows!

One Fifth

One Fifth is the new restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village from chef Marc Forgione – the famed chef behind some of New York City’s most popular dining destinations including Restaurant Marc Forgione and Peasant. Taking over the iconic space in the historic One Fifth Avenue building, an address rich with culinary history in its nearly 100 year tenure (including housing the original 1970s One Fifth of which Forgione is reinvigorating the name), the restaurant draws influence from Forgione’s Italian heritage, paying respect to both his Italian tradition and New York surroundings with a focus on local ingredients from the Union Square Greenmarket just a few blocks away. Restoring the original terrazzo flooring and historic revolving door, One Fifth combines classic New York art deco design elements with rustic Italian heritage antiques (like the 200-year old butcher block turned host stand), and the PDR overlooks a private carriage road.

Photo: Nami Nori

Nami Nori

Nami Nori is the buzzy Japanese restaurant in the West Village, Williamsburg and Montclair specializing in open temaki from partners Taka Sakaeda, Jihan Lee and Lisa Limb. The team met while working under chef Masa Takayama, the only three-star Michelin sushi chef in the country, and opened Nami Nori in October 2019. The restaurant has received two stars from The New York Times, and was highlighted as one of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurant in America 2020,” Robb Report's "10 Best New Restaurants in America" and Bloomberg's "Best Restaurant Dishes of 2019.” In addition to offering indoor and outdoor seating, Nami Nori offers a semi-private dining room that seats up to six for intimate get togethers.

Photo: Smyth Tavern/Briana Balducci

Smyth Tavern

Smyth Tavern is the new restaurant with American tavern fare in the heart of Tribeca from restaurateur John McDonald of Mercer Street Hospitality (other popular projects include Lure Fishbar, Bar Tulix, Hancock St. and others). The timeless dining room features rich mahogany wood paneling, red leather booths, and a rotating collection of artwork curated from Downtown galleries, and the menu offers classic tavern dishes like Broiled Oysters and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, housemade pastas like Mafaldine with uni butter, lobster knuckle and claw, and signature tavern specialties like the Smyth Burger, among others.

Photo: Hancock Street

Hancock St

Hancock St. is the American-style neighborhood bistro in the West Village from restaurateur John McDonald (Founder of Mercer Street Hospitality, which includes notable restaurants like Lure Fishbar, Bistrot Leo and others) and executive chef Ryan Schmidtberger (previously of Lure Fishbar, The River Cafe and others). Chef Ryan’s dinner and brunch menus offer a raw bar selection with oysters, shrimp cocktail and one of the most affordable Caviar services in the city, signature housemade pastas that are made fresh daily, and familiar, comforting classics perfect for sharing or enjoying solo.

Photo: American Bar

American Bar

American Bar is the favorite West Village restaurant from restaurateurs Kyle Hotchkiss Carone and Jeff Kadish of Grand Tour Hospitality (Saint Theo’s, The Lambs Club), along with David Rabin (Lamb’s Club, Sona, etc.) Since opening a couple of years ago, American Bar quickly became a hotspot for celebrities and locals alike, and is one of the hardest reservations to secure in NYC. Executive Chef Carolina Santos-Neves offers a menu of modern and craveable American classics, elevated through a commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients from local purveyors.

Photo: The Wesley/Teddy Wolff

The Wesley

The Wesley is the new plant-forward restaurant, and debut project from Mulberry Hospitality, in the West Village. Executive Chef Santiago Astudillo (previously of Le Bernardin and Daniel) offers a vegetable-focused and produce-driven menu alongside a unique, sustainable beverage program featuring fresh ingredients and locally-made spirits, and a wine list of predominantly female producers curated by Gabriel Maldonado (previously of Jean-Georges and Le Cou Cou). The highly designed 60-seat subterranean space by Elmo Studios features three uniquely defined rooms that are inspired by The Wesley’s health-oriented concept.

Photo: The Noortwyck/Evan Sung

The Noortwyck

The Noortwyck is the recently opened first restaurant in the West Village from chef-sommelier duo and former Eleven Madison Park team members Andrew Quinn and Cedric Nicaise. Chef Andrew offers a timeless and approachable menu of constantly changing, seasonal dishes, alongside a vast accessible-priced wine list from Cedric, in an intimate neighborhood-friendly setting.

Photo: Fish Cheeks

Fish Cheeks

Fish Cheeks is the contemporary, seafood-focused Thai restaurant in Noho [55 Bond St.] from Thai brothers and chefs, Ohm and Chat Suansilphong, and co-owner Jenn Saesue, Fish Cheeks gained a cult following for inventive, seafood forward dishes such as the Coconut Crab Curry, Steamed Fish with Thai Herbs, Zabb Wings and more.

Photo: Shinji's

Shinji’s

Shinji’s is the transportive, immersive and innovative cocktail bar from the team behind Michelin-starred omakase restaurant Noda in the Flatiron District. Named after Shinji Nohara, the “Tokyo Fixer,” known for his knowledge on, and relationships within the food and restaurant scene in Japan, Shinji’s features a technique-driven beverage program with cocktails that evoke emotion and play on various nostalgic themes.

Photo: Zou Zou's/Noah Fecks

Zou Zou’s

Zou Zou’s is a lively modern Eastern Mediterranean restaurant with a menu inspired by and celebrating the cuisine and flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean regions. Designed by AvroKO, the 75-seat space features an open kitchen centered around a wood-fired oven, where many of the dishes will be cooked over an open flame. Additionally, there is an extensive bar in the center of the restaurant, cozy leather banquettes, carved wood paneled walls, and vaulted ceilings. Just a few floors up from Zou Zou’s is Chez Zou, the chic cocktail lounge offering inventive and playful cocktails in a warm space featuring deep jewel tones, bold prints, and lush greenery.

Photo: Pebble Bar

Pebble Bar

Pebble Bar is the new bar housed in the legendary four-story townhouse at Rockefeller Center. The menu of house cocktails, designed by head bartender Tim Sweeney [previously of Slowly Shirley, The Happiest Hour], are creative takes on familiar favorites, and each one is named after the team’s favorite decade-defining bands, songs or concerts at neighboring Radio City. The new cocktails join Pebble Bar’s popular classics like Martini 1-H and Hurley’s Old Fashioned, while the food menu includes new dishes. Pebble Bar’s bar snacks and small plates are created by executive chef Carlos Barrera [previously of Major Food Group’s The Lobster Club] in collaboration with consulting chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian Von Hauske [of Wildair, Contra & Peoples Wine], and intentionally nod to the global food scene of New York City.

Photo: Ernesto's/Rachel Vanni

Ernesto’s

Ernesto’s is the acclaimed Basque-inspired restaurant from veteran chef Ryan Bartlow, who has worked at world-renowned restaurants, including Akelarre in Spain, Alinea in Chicago, and Frenchette in New York City. At Ernesto’s — which has been named one of the best new restaurants by The New York Times, GQ, among other accolades — Bartlow offers a menu inspired by his years spent cooking and living in the Basque region of Spain, mixing signature traditional dishes with seasonal riffs on classic flavors.

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