NYC News

NYC Bites: Spring Menus, Brunch Deals & Hidden Gems
March 31, 2025, 7:44.57 pm ET

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Photo: Chef Leah Cohen

A seasonal roundup of where to eat now—brunches, tasting menus, and everything in between.

Pig & Khao’s new weekend brunch on the Upper West Side brings Southeast Asian flair from 11am to 3pm with standouts like the Ka Praw Sandwich piled high with pork sausage, fried egg, crispy shallots and lime leaf mayo, and Ricotta Calamansi Pancakes topped with condensed milk brown butter and pistachios. Don’t miss the buttery Ube Croissant or the Roti John Sandwich, a curried beef and omelette mashup. Bottomless mimosas and mezcal Bloody Marias seal the deal.


Photo: Peasant/Michael Condran

Peasant’s Playing with Fire series is back—and kicking off with a bang. On April 15, Chef Marc Forgione teams up with Chef Phet Schwader (formerly of Khe-Yo) for a one-night-only Laotian New Year’s feast, featuring a four-course menu that melds smoky open-fire cooking with bold Southeast Asian flavors. Dinner starts at 7pm and includes dishes like lemongrass-grilled meats and herb-packed sticky rice. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Legacies of War, supporting efforts to clear unexploded bombs in Laos.


Photo: Manhatta/Emily Andrews

Manhatta is welcoming spring with a refined new menu that captures the season’s brightness without losing its edge. Take the Hamachi crudo—sourced from Denmark via Greenpoint Fish & Lobster—elevated with marcona almonds, mint, fresh grapes, and a delicate pour of grape jus and jalapeño that hits all the right notes. Othe offerings include veal agnolotti with foie gras and truffle, and live scallop with seaweed beurre blanc and Kristal caviar. Choose from three or four courses, with optional wine pairings, and views to match.


Photo: l'abeille/Nicole Franzen

Time flies when you’re serving elegance on every plate—l’abeille is celebrating its third anniversary in Tribeca, marking three years of refined French cuisine laced with Japanese precision. What began as a post-COVID dream has blossomed into a neighborhood gem, thanks to the community that’s embraced it. New to the menu: Maine lobster with French Puy lentils and crustacean foam, a masterful dish by Chef Mitsunobu Nagae. Hidden chorizo adds an unexpected depth to this oceanic stunner—proof that even the classics still hold surprises.


Photo: Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw is turning up the nostalgia with their latest showstopper: The Carrot Cake. Inspired by co-founder Tyler Malek’s family recipe, this cake-batter ice cream comes layered with tangy cream cheese frosting, cinnamon-spiked roasted carrot cake, and cinnamon crumbles—all topped with pecan oatmeal streusel for that perfect crunch. It will be available starting April 11 just in time for Easter, Mother’s Day, or your next spring gathering.

Pro Tip:

Omakase for $65 in NYC? Moko makes it happen with a 12-piece experience that doesn’t cut corners—just precision-cut nigiri, seasonal ingredients, and chef-driven technique in an intimate setting. Upgrade to 15 or 18 courses if you're feeling extra, or swing by Monday through Thursday for the weekday special from 5-9pm. This hidden gem proves great sushi doesn’t have to come with sticker shock.


Happy Eating!



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