New York City Update: The Best New Spots

@goop
 on 2022.02.03
15 Places
@goop
We just spent 72-hours in the city—and ate and shopped our way through as many neighborhoods as possible. Here, the new-ish spots we’re most excited about.

NoMad New York

Hotel · Midtown West

"Situated next to the newly-opened Maison Kitsuné (and just blocks from the Ace), this section of NYC is arguably never anyone's first choice—though it's actually incredibly convenient if you want to strike both uptown and down. The rooms here are hushed, dimly-lit, and opulent—while small, they get the job done. (The onsite restaurant is excellent, too.)"

Cafe Erzulie

Cafe · Bedford-Stuyvesant

"Whether you’re looking for a place to buy flowers, sip coffee, or enjoy a cocktail and dance to a live DJ set, you can find it all under one roof in Brooklyn. Cafe Erzulie—named after the Haitian Voodoo goddess of love, beauty, and dance—is a lush indoor-outdoor tropical cafe. A flower shop by day, it seamlessly transforms into an intimate cocktail bar at night. On Thursdays, there's live Caribbean jazz set under strings of lights in their outdoor space, and on the weekends, the dance floor opens up for some of Brooklyn's best up-and-coming DJ’s. Don’t leave without trying the green tempeh sandwich, and for a drink, the summer sorrel "

Sushi Nakazawa

Sushi restaurant · West Village

"A two-month wait for a seat at Nakazawa’s bar, a chef whose claim to fame is having worked under Jiro, is not unheard of. Pedigree aside, the wait for the restaurant makes total sense: You’ll get 20 perfect pieces of perfect nigiri. The cuts are gorgeous, and it’s dressed up ever so slightly with just an ingredient or two (yuzu paste, lemon, salt)."

La Garçonne

Women's clothing store · Tribeca

"Slick and all-white, the loft-y space is dotted with wooden racks, filled with all the greatest hits from the popular website, including cutting-edge tailoring from Yohji Yamamoto, Grecian dresses from Zero + Maria Cornejo, and feminine skirts and dresses from Simone Rocha."

Sharktooth

Permanently Closed

"Devoted solely to antique textiles—from overdyed quilts, to Khamseh and Turkish Milas rugs—the pieces here are clearly hard-won, and very reasonably priced considering their quality and provenance. Whether redecorating, or just hunting for ideas, this is one of those spots that offers inspiration in spades."

sweetgreen

Health food restaurant · Williamsburg

"We’re big fans of this sustainability-first spot, which is growing like crazy. The focus is on local farmers, proper sourcing, and environmental respect, which is also reflected in the hands-down delicious food. Besides the build-your-own salad bar, the bowl-centric dishes range from Mexican-inspired salads to basic cobbs—and in the true spirit of transparency, they reveal calorie content, too. Come lunchtime, the lines extend around the block."

Glasserie

Mediterranean restaurant · Greenpoint

"Perched on the northern tip of Brooklyn, and housed in a former glass factory, this is inarguably Greenpoint’s most notable new opening—which says a lot, as it’s a burgeoning culinary scene. Chef Elmdad Shem Tov’s heritage influences the menu significantly, as flourishes from Israel and the Middle East dot the contemporary offerings."

Black Seed Bagels

Bagel shop · Nolita

"Black Seed draws big crowds, which we totally get: The hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel sandwiches are actually easy to eat (they’re much smaller than their brethren), and for the most part, they’re great—particularly for those times when the only thing that will satisfy is a bagel sandwich. Favorites include: beet-cured gravlax, a basic tuna salad, Tobiko spread, and the egg salad (though it's heavy on the dill). There's now a location in Battery Park City, and one coming in the East Village soon."

Decoy

Temporarily Closed

"This Peking Duck-dedicated spot—tucked away in a converted laundromat beneath RedFarm—has the sort of exquisite Chinese food that you’d expect from Ed Schoenfeld and Joe Ng. While the Peking Duck was excellent (you have to reserve one in advance), we were most blown away by the uni noodle and octopus salad and the crab fried rice. "

Dover Street Market New York

Clothing store · Midtown East

"COVID-19 update: Open for browsing, online orders, and curbside pickup. Spanning seven narrow stories in Murray Hill (yes, Murray Hill), Dover Street Market is like a fair funhouse for fashion: Every nook, cranny, and balcony is lined with some of the most inspiring shopping set dressing in New York City. You’d expect nothing less from Rei Kawakubo, the founder of Comme des Garçons, who has an eye for the most cutting-edge labels around. Like its counterparts in London and Tokyo, DSM boasts a Rose Bakery, making this the sort of place where you can literally spend five hours. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."

Russ & Daughters Cafe

American restaurant · Lower East Side

"While take-out from the 1914 original on East Houston is an unparalleled New York City experience, the new, wonderfully turned-out, old-world café is about a ten minute walk from the mothership, with waits that are two or three times that long. We heartily recommend the classic open-face sandwich, the super heebster nosh with wasabi roe, and matzo ball soup. Dying to try next: Chocolate babka french toast, along with their potato pancakes, which are topped with Gaspe Nova smoked salmon and a sunny side up egg."

All'onda

Permanently Closed

"Chef Chris Jaeckle teamed up with restaurateur Chris Cannon (Michael White’s former business partner) to open this well-dressed restaurant in the village. The first floor—occupied solely by the bar—is generally packed, thanks in no small part to the fact they are currently not taking reservations for two. The menu is Venetian with touches of Japan—evidenced by the crudos (a la Marea). Everyone these days has their version of the uni bucatini, but Jaeckle has one of the best we’ve tried."

Whitmans

American restaurant · East Village

"Though they’re famous for the Juicy Lucy (two hamburger patties sandwiched around a dollop of pimiento cheese), we actually like the Turkey Burger best (fried egg on top optional). They offer pretty much everything else we’ve ever craved for lunch, including an excellent kale salad (along with requisite kale chips), sweet potato fries, and the perfect grilled cheese."

Loosie's Kitchen

Permanently Closed

"You enter this light-filled café by walking through a verdant tunnel entrance etched with branches, which sets its laid-back feel. The space is clean, furnished with unexpected industrial accents and plants all around (including on the see-through roof). Tucked right under the Williamsburg bridge on the patio space of its sister restaurant Loosie’s Kitchen, this is the perfect spot for morning freelancing, afternoon meetings, or relaxed happy hour cocktails. (Order one of the fresh "superfood" donuts or the kale-matcha margarita–or both.)"

Estela

New American restaurant · Nolita

"We were thrilled when Igancio Mattos (formerly of Chez Panisse, Il Buco, and Isa) opened this spot on East Houston (he now has Café Altro Paradiso nearby on Spring Street). The dishes are of a Mediterranean slant, and while they’re unfamiliar and unexpected, he never sacrifices taste or pleasure for innovation. There are many swoon moments on the menu: egg salad on matzo, raw scallops with yuzu, beef tartare with sunchoke (the texture of this was incredible), and ricotta dumplings. It’s a small spot with rustic accents that never threaten to overshadow the food. It can get quite loud, and tables can be hard to come by, but if you can get one, go."