Welcome to Grub Street's weekly survey of the most-talked-about, must-visit restaurants in New York City. The list below features spots both new and old ranked according to one important, ever-fluctuating (and admittedly subjective) metric: Who has the most buzz? Perhaps a famed chef has taken over the kitchen, or there's a new dish you absolutely must order. Maybe the restaurant is just brand-new, or the critics are raving about it. Whatever the reasons, these are the hottest restaurants in New York right now.
1. Pasquale Jones (Last week: 2)
Adam Platt checked in on Ryan Hardy's Little Italy pizza place this week and found something like the future of the NYC trattoria, awarding three stars to the "handful of generally well-executed pastas," top-notch pizzas, and wood-roasted entrées at the "diminutive, oddly named, highly satisfying restaurant." (Also worth noting: They've got the best steak knives in the biz right now.)
2. Momosan Ramen & Sake (13)
One week in, and celeb chef Masaharu Morimoto's new Murray Hill ramen joint is by all accounts mobbed on a nightly basis. You can't say it's unexpected in a city where a good bowl of noodles almost always requires an hour(s)-long wait.
3. Lilia (1)
Missy Robbins's Williamsburg Italian spot stays in the top three this week, thanks to a string of positive reviews and the general enthusiasm surrounding Robbins — one of the most talented chefs in the city, if not the country — and her return to a pro kitchen. There is much to like here, and the various pasta dishes are the thing that people seem to enjoy most. That, and the soft-serve gelato.
4. Le Coq Rico (17)
French chef Antoine Westermann is selling very fancy chickens at his "bistro of beautiful birds." The price tag is high — a whole-roasted bird will run you about $100 — but so far people don't seem to mind.
5. Freek's Mill (6)
What's this? A new Gowanus spot that specializes in seasonal ingredients, easygoing cooking, and, of course, the natural wines of Georgia (the country). It's another solid-sounding neighborhood option in an area that could always use more.
6. Café Altro Paradiso (10)
The new, casual Italian café from Thomas Carter and Ignacio Mattos is quickly turning into the kind of comfortable, clubby spot that the neighborhood — west Soho, basically — could use. Mattos's menu continues to evolve, but you can generally expect to find straightforward dishes that are easy to warm to.
7. Nix (8)
John Fraser's veggie destination on University continues its strong showing, thanks to the generally positive word of mouth it's gotten since opening. It will be interesting to see what the critics think as they begin to weigh in.
8. Speedy Romeo (LES) (9)
The much-liked Brooklyn pizza place has a new outpost in Manhattan and, befitting its Clinton Street location, a new pizza that pays homage to the neighborhood, draped with things like Katz's pastrami and mustard-infused béchamel, all on an everything-spiced crust.
9. Perla Cafe (11)
Gabriel Stulman has reopened his Italian trattoria in a new space, with a newish name and the same elevated-neighborhood-spot vibe that tends to make all of his places a hit.
10. Le Turtle (5)
The consensus opinion on this LES spot seems to be: very fashionable crowd; lots of interesting, satisfying food from chef Greg Proechel; a killer roast chicken; and a silly little elevated booth behind the bar that nobody really wants to sit in.
11. Frankel's Delicatessen & Appetizing (12)
The classic delicatessen tradition has gotten another boost thanks to this Greenpoint newcomer, which broke out all sorts of smoked meats and appetizing specialties during its recent debut. This could quickly become a new weekend tradition for lots of people.
12. Foster Sundry (Off last week)
As of today, Bushwick's gourmet grocery has unveiled a new sandwich program that's as serious as you'd expect. Get ready for Italian heroes, a varsity-level egg-and-biscuit sandwich, and a very special-looking Rueben.
13. La Sirena (14)
Platt didn't just stop into Pasquale Jones this week. He also weighed in on the latest addition to the Bastianich-Batali empire, a "large and glittering cruise ship of a place, moored amid the fleet of other transient crowd-pleasing restaurants of the Meatpacking District." The move, our critic says, is to get a drink at the bar and nibble off the antipasto carts that roll snacks around.
14. I Sodi (Off last week)
Oh, hey, another Italian restaurant. However, Rita Sodi's West Village staple is hardly new, having opened eight whole years ago — and it’s been packed literally ever single night since. This week, Times critic Pete Wells hits it with its first starred review, and he basically finds it exactly as charming as did anyone who's ever been there. Two warm, cozy stars for a place that deserves them.
15. Fair Weather Bushwick (16)
This former coffee shop has turned into a spot hosting ten-course tasting menus, put together by a chef who's worked at Le Cirque and Saxon + Parole. The price of entry is just $65 (and an à la carte menu is offered on weekends), so it's certainly the kind of thing that's worth checking out.
16. Rider (15)
Chef Patrick Connolly is behind this new Williamsburg spot, which is part of the National Sawdust live-music space (and, as such, also has a great name). Expect thoughtful cocktails and updated bistro favorites (like a high-end French dip).
17. Cómodo (Off last week)
The homey Soho spot has a brand-new menu, which just so happens to include this great-looking riff on — what's this? — carbonara. The carb-averse will be happy to note it's made not with pasta, but with peppers. (Just don't tell the Italians; they do not take kindly to people messing with carbonara.)
18. Smorgasburg (7)
The weather report for the weekend is looking real nice, so you will need something to do outside. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon than stuffing your face at New York's most famous outdoor foodfest. Break out your shorts and get to it.
19. Upland (Off last week)
Chef Justin Smillie has a special way with seasonal vegetables, and with spring produce finally — finally! — hitting menus around town, you would be well served to stop in to this still-very-popular spot to check out what he's up to. Come on: Just look at that chicken.
20. Porter House Bar and Grill (20)
Michael Lomonaco's Time Warner Center steakhouse has gotten a décor refresh, and a slight menu overhaul. Stop in, say hi, and eat a strip.
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