Inside Paloma at Hotel Hendricks
Tomorrow marks the highly anticipated return of NYC Restaurant Week (January 21 to February 9), a 28-year tradition enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. During this period, more than 350 restaurants representing 45 diverse neighborhoods across all five boroughs will offer two-course prix-fixe lunches and brunches for $26 and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $42 (beverages, gratuities and taxes not included, brunch available at select restaurants). Reservations are already open for the event, and to help you decide where to eat I’ve rounded up some top picks from the 23 restaurants that are new to the Restaurant Week roster.
Waterfront views at Cecconi’s Dumbo
This waterfront restaurant is giving diners a taste of their Italian fare, from pasta to wood-fired pizza, this Restaurant Week for lunch and dinner (Monday to Friday and Sunday) plus Sunday brunch. Starter choices include calamari fritti with lemon aioli and burrata served with roasted beets and aged balsamic. Pasta dishes like campanelle with basil pesto and pine nuts and tagliatelle with beef bolognese grace the entree section, which can be supplemented by pizza for an additional charge. Non-pasta entree options include salmon and hangar steak.
Fluke aguachile at Paloma
Chef PJ Calapa’s Midtown Pan-Latin restaurant incorporates flavors from Central and South American cuisine in sophisticated plates. Restaurant Week dinners begin with a choice of passion fruit ceviche, fluke aguachile, or chicken tortilla soup, followed by entrees like arroz con pollo, branzino and braised short rib al pastor. For dessert, diners have the option of a churro sundae with dulce de leche gelato or Mexican pot de crème featuring a spiced chocolate mousse and candied peanuts.
Scotch snails at Manhatta
Located on the 60th floor of the 28 Liberty building, Manhatta is a high-end New American eatery with a special lunch menu for Restaurant Week. As a Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant, Manhatta is a non-tipping establishment and gratuity is included in the price; $31 for a two-course lunch on weekdays. Starter choices include butternut squash soup with crème fraiche and chives, chicken liver pate with pickled vegetables and brioche, and Scotch snails with pork sausage, parsley and garlic butter. For entrees, diners have a choice between skirt steak, lamb burger and roasted cod.
Calabrian salt baked baby beet salad at Gran Tivoli
This casual Italian restaurant on the border of Soho and Little Italy serves organic vegetables, line-caught wild seafood and pasture-raised beef, in addition to vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options. Stop by for dinner, lunch and brunch for special Restaurant Week menus, with highlights including yellowfin tuna belly tartare, Calabrian salt baked baby beet salad (vegan), Jonah crab meat and claw, Faroe Islands organic salmon, and blood orange and Campari granita (vegan).
Duck stir-fried rice at Wayan
From husband-and-wife team Cédric (son of Jean-Georges) and Ochi Vongerichten, Wayan is a modern Indonesian restaurant in Nolita. During restaurant week, diners can enjoy a two-course menu consisting of new dishes like salmon sashimi with ginger turmeric dressing and sambal matah, soto udang (shrimp coconut soup with vermicelli), and duck stir-fried rice served with chili sauce and an egg.
Fried chicken at Blue Smoke
Another Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant, Blue Smoke is offering a two-course lunch for $31 and a three-course dinner for $50 with gratuity included. The lunch and dinner menus have identical starters and mains, with options including Southern favorites like smoked brisket chili, Kansas City spare ribs and fried chicken. Prix fixe dinners include something sweet to end the meal: chocolate layer cake, banana cream pie or biscuit bread pudding.
