Stoop Picks Top 5 New Neighborhood Restaurants Of 2016 (So Far)
With almost 26 weeks of the year behind us already, it’s time to take stock of the new restaurants that have opened (so far) in 2016.
Despite Grub Street calling Park Slope “not the most exciting neighborhood in the city when it comes to eating out,” we can easily cheer our culinary neighbors that have opened shop as of late. New blood runs deep.
Keep in mind we haven’t factored in openings we have yet to review (don’t worry, there’s a ton of 2016 left to try those).
We’ve chosen to leave off some gems we’ve recently reviewed which did not open in 2016. And while we don’t want to leave out Baba’s Pierogies, Bricolage, Insa, and Miti Miti, we had to draw the chronological line somewhere. But these four are not to be missed either.
With that in mind, here are our Top 5 (in alphabetical order):
Butterfunk Kitchen
Husband and wife team Chris Scott and Eugenie Woo bring a southern cooking tradition with them, especially an interest in seafood. The ‘Funk is lip smackin’ and unapologetically rich. And it works well. There are the basics such as killer cord bread and fried catfish, but look out for the crispy deviled eggs, my friends. You are in for a major treat. Read our full review here.
Where: 1295 Prospect Avenue (near Greenwood Avenue)
Hours: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 5:30pm-10:00pm; Fridays-Saturdays, 5:30pm-11:00pm. Closed Mondays.
Phone: 917-909-0421
Special Notes: Cash only. The restaurant will soon be serving alcohol, but not as of the publishing of this article.
Kid Friendly? The restaurant isn’t particularly large, but it has a great layout. We were a party of 8, including 2 toddlers and 2 infants. We fit in just fine.
Hey Hey Canteen
Owner Kay Ch’ien has hit it out of the park, with an impressively diverse menu, including my new crave of the summer, The Hong Kong Fried Chicken Sandwich — which IS as good as it looks. The bright, airy space is welcoming. The Tumeric-Ginger Cayenne Iced Tea ($2.99) is my new summer drink. It tastes as textured as it sounds — and is both spicy and refreshing. I’m not going to do a very job of describing it, because it’s an odd taste. But odd here means a wild child deliciousness. You can bring the kids, too – they’ll like the dumplings and more on the kids’ menu. Read our full review here.
Where: 400 4th Avenue (at 6th Street)
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 12pm-10pm. Closed Mondays.
Phone: 347-987-3830
Kid Friendly? Yes. The restaurant features a kids’ menu and has high chairs.
Special Notes: Seating on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations.
Momo Ramen
This new 5th Avenue shop is a pleasant surprise, dishing up quite a selection of noodle dishes for you in a relatively spartan environment. If you don’t need nifty decor mixed in with your broth, you may just have found your new haunt. The name of the restaurant is actually somewhat deceiving. While varieties of ramen dishes are of course front and center on the menu, you also have a variety of other non-ramen noodle dishes. The restaurant boasts a variety of vegetarian options, soups, and salads. In addition, dumplings and cold noodle dishes are available. And for those who enjoy Tibetan food, you have six options to choose from. You’ll spend more elsewhere, but the quality won’t be as good. Read our full review here.
Where: 78 5th Avenue (between St. Marks Place and Warren Street)
Hours: 11:30am-11pm, 7 days a week
Phone: 718-622-4813
Reservations: No reservations.
Kid Friendly? There’s a booster seat, but not a high chair. But yes, kids are just fine here.
Pig Beach
The “Gowanus Riviera” is full of curiosities, so a BBQ joint shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Those desiring a new al fresco neighborhood spot should surely head down to this new smoky and saucy affair which opened Memorial Day weekend. Sit at the picnic benches, order yourself a drink from the two bars available, and dig into their meat dishes. The place is a down-home affair where you order your plate near the pit area. What a treat. Read our full review here.
Where: 480 Union Street (between Nevins and Bond Streets)
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3pm-12am; Fridays, 3pm-1am; Saturdays, 12pm-1am; Sundays, 12pm-11pm. Closed Mondays
Phone: 718-737-7181
Kid Friendly? Get there at the right time, and you can have a picnic bench for the family. As of this weekend, high chairs are not available. You’ll be fine if your toddler will hang on your lap and munch a hot dog. This place has the potential to get boozy, so mind the time you choose to go.
Prawn Shop
This beauty of a seafood jewel opened in February — and it’s serving up luscious prawns and a lot of other victuals from the sea with culinary acumen. Chef Kimberly Plafke is a rock star when it comes to preparing and flavoring these dishes (side note: she kind of looks like a cool rock star, too). She comes with an impressive amount experience, having previously worked at Cannibal, Resto, and Fishtail. Just as there’s a fantastic mix of sophistication and down-home quality to the food, the design and usage of the space works very well. The woods are natural and there’s more than a wink at all things nautical. Co-owner Alison McNamara told us she’s looking forward to having boils during the warmer months on the picnic benches outside. The New England seafood fans will enjoy the atmosphere, as will the New Orleans folk who crave their boils. And as for King Neptune? He’d be prouder than proud. Read our full review here.
Where: 669 Union Street (near 4th Avenue)
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 5pm-11pm. Closed Mondays. (A brunch menu will be offered in the future)
Phone: 347-599-0296
Reservations: You can call 347-599-0296 to make one.
Kid Friendly? It’s an intimate space. This may not be the best option for the super young ones, or toddlers that like to take over the place.
And now it’s your turn to weigh in:
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