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Eater
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Best Dishes New York Editors Ate This Week: July 28
With Eater editors dining out sometimes several times a day, we come across lots of standout dishes, and we don't want to keep any secrets. Check back for the best things we ate this week. Salted egg yolk & pork floss flatbread at Fat Cat Flatbread My advice for a Citi Field-goer is to skip the in-stadium food options (save for maybe a hot dog just because) and crawl your way to or fro along the 7 train line. For my first Mets game of the season, my friends and I decided to start in downtown Flushing and amble down Roosevelt Avenue, hitting the New York Food Court where this stall is located, and continuing over the bridge to the game. Guo kui, the thin, crispy, stuffed flatbread hailing from Hubei province and popular today all over China, is the perfect walking snack. This version ($7.50) was the most flavorful of those we tried, packed with spindly pork floss and savory salted egg yolk. 133-35 Roosevelt Avenue, between College Point Boulevard and Prince Street, Flushing — Nat Belkov, associate creative director Pepper shrimp at Kabawa. Nadia Chaudhury/Eater NY Pepper shrimp at Kabawa Bar Kawaba is where you go for a rum cocktail and patty party, and its next-door restaurant Kabawa is where you go for a leisurely journey through the Caribbean courtesy of chef Paul Carmichael and his culinary team. On paper, $145 prix fixe comes with three courses, but the kitchen surprises you with breads, chutneys, and such excellent rice and beans with straight-up tamarind pods as a palate cleanser. But of the dishes, the pepper shrimp was one of my favorites. The plump shrimp encrusted with a wonderfully fiery spice blend are placed on a plate with pepper oil. I bit into one and, to my pleasant surprise, I realized the crustacean was chilled, lending to this summer-perfect chewy texture that was wonderful. Likewise, don't miss out on the duck sausage. 8 Extra Place, at East First Street, East Village — Nadia Chaudhury, editor, Eater Northeast Steak, fries, and burger at Dynamo Room. Bettina Makalintal/Eater Steak for One at Dynamo Room Just once or twice a year, I indulge in a steak-and-martini dinner (call it the lingering effects of Mad Men on my psyche). The newest spot from the reliable Sunday Hospitality team, Dynamo Room, is a stylish steakhouse where a server wheels out a cart of meat to show you the cuts on offer, like a splashy $250 tomahawk. The steak-for-one isn't showy enough to be included, but compared to those options, it's a steal at $43 with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and beef jus, and it was savory enough to tide me over until next year. While I can't say I plan to go out of my way to dine at Penn Station, I'm keeping Dynamo Room at the top of my list the next time I need to kill time before getting on the Amtrak — they've got a $30 martini, Caesar salad, and fries deal during happy hour. 2 Penn Plaza, Penn Station, Midtown South — Bettina Makalintal, senior reporter at Eater The Taiwanese breakfast at Gulp. Stephanie Wu/Eater Taiwanese breakfast at Gulp Gulp, a restaurant with a bar hidden behind it, recently debuted Taiwanese breakfast, served until 11:30 a.m. every day. There was a bit of a wait when we went on Sunday (arrive on the earlier side to avoid anything being sold out), but the food was fantastic. The egg crepe ($7.50, called a Taiwanese omelet on the menu) is a layer of egg atop a thin dough, wrapped around pork floss and a hash brown, with the lovely addition of bright corn kernels. And the packaged sandwiches ($6.50), available with pork floss or tun, are a fantastic grab-and-go option, holding up hours later. 42-45 27th St, near 42nd Road, Long Island City — Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief
Eater
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Four Horsemen Follow-Up Is as Exciting as We Hoped It Would Be
is a born-and-raised New Yorker who is an editor for Eater's Northeast region and Eater New York, was the former Eater Austin editor for 10 years, and often writes about food and pop culture. The Italian restaurant's name translates to 'little horses,' which makes for a befitting spinoff, but there's nothing small about I Cavallini. The Italian restaurant has over 60 seats in a dining room that has breathing room. The bigger kitchen allows the Four Horsemen executive chef and I Cavallini co-partner Nick Curtola, chef de cuisine Ben Zook, and the rest of the staff to expand their culinary prowess in this new playground. Getting in: I honestly was expecting to line up outside the restaurant for a walk-in, especially after the initial batch of online reservations were immediately snatched up. But during my random checking of the Resy link, I grabbed a 5 p.m. seat for two. Walking up to the restaurant a few minutes before the reservation time, there was already a short line of people awaiting walk-in spaces. A dining table at I Cavallini. Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Northeast The space: As to be expected, I Cavallini is very cool, thanks to interior designer Amy Butchko. It's a warm, bright, and elegant space framed by whitewashed brick walls in a room aligned with blond wooden tables and chairs. The back bar and the shelves above the kitchen are full of sculptures, books, and a framed photo of the Four Horsemen co-founder Justin Chearno, who died in 2024. We were seated across from a vibrant painting that I can only describe as an artist monkey in front of a canvas. Even in the bathrooms, there are painted murals, including the delightful big ol' bucket of pasta next to a trippy rock band. The food: One of the most interesting dishes I've had in a while was the nervetti and onion salad ($19). It's a beautiful, jiggly, wet pile (complimentary) of sliced and chunked beef tendons and onions, soaked in chive blossom vinegar. It's more of a charcuterie plate than a salad, and it was still a meaty wonder. Of the pastas, my shining star was the gnocchi sardi ($32). The bowl came with little Sardinian pasta, plump itty bitty shrimps, and small zolfini beans swimming in an herby buttery broth. I could have used some bread, or maybe I should have held onto the focaccia ($18, paired with a whipped ricotta and roasted cherry tomatoes) we ordered for the beginning, since I was spooning up the broth to drink on its own. The nervetti and onion salad at I Cavallini. Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Northeast The side of chilled cucumbers ($14) doused in colatura di alici (an Italian fish sauce) was a nice reprieve from the heat outside, but it would've been better suited in the antipasti section of the menu. The desserts: You have to judge an Italian or Italian-ish restaurant based on its tiramisu, and I'm pleased to report that the coffee-soaked dessert ($15) at I Cavallini is quite good. The plated sweet is easily shareable between two people — in ladyfinger terms, it's three pieces wide and two pieces tall, served on a plate. We also got the olive oil cake ($18), which was fine, but the side of marinated strawberries from cult-beloved Harry's Berries made it much better. A tip: add some strawberries to the tiramisu; you won't regret it. The drinks: While the Four Horsemen sticks to wine and beer, I Cavallini has a liquor license, so this means first-time cocktails from the team, led by bar director Jojo Colona. The results are playful drinks with spirits and, because it's a cool Italian joint, amaro. I started with the Pomozoni ($19), a bright Italian gin drink made with Sungold tomatoes, Dola Dira (a rhubarb-ish Italian aperitivo), lemon, and a touch of salt. It was a perfect summer cocktail that I could imagine drinking out on a patio somewhere. The Pomozoni at I Cavallini. Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Northeast For the main meal, I switched to a glass of wine from the all-Italian list, from wine director Flo Barth. Our server recommended the Tiberio Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2024 ($18), a rosé-ish wine that was served slightly chilled, lending a lightness to a full flavor, pairing well with our pastas and seafood. To end the meal, I got the frothy fun Dolce Amaro Fizz ($21), an egg cream-like concoction made with Amaro Noveis, coffee liqueur, shaken egg yolk, cream, hazelnut, and prosecco for some bubbles. The takeaway: As my friend and I walked out of the restaurant, it was cool seeing the team (including LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy) hanging out by the bar. It was also nice seeing that the Four Horsemen was still packed across the street. On my commute home, I listened to This Is Happening for the first time in a while. The album works as a reflection on the restaurant, too: I Cavallini is finally happening. But what makes I Cavallini stand out is that the team takes what they know already works and fleshes it out in this new restaurant brimming with friendly service, a warm atmosphere, and high-quality food and drink, without being gimmicky.
Eater
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Best Dishes New York Editors Ate This Week: July 14
With Eater editors dining out sometimes several times a day, we come across lots of standout dishes, and we don't want to keep any secrets. Check back for the best things we ate this week. Vodka slice at Jonny's Pizza After drinks in the neighborhood, I stopped into downtown pizzeria Jonny's Pizza for a vodka slice and an ice-cold drink to cut through the mid-July humidity. On a Monday night, the pizzeria was fairly quiet, with just a handful of people bent over the tall stainless steel counters with slices in front of them. After scanning the menu and peering into the open kitchen, the vodka slice ($5.25) caught my eye, dotted with moon-shaped globs of melted fior di latte. The vodka sauce was well-portioned on the slice, with enough of the flavor coming through without it feeling too wet. A light, but still puffy crust held it all together, keeping the slice foldable until the last bite. I only regret not ordering another. 173 Orchard Street, at Stanton Street, Lower East Side — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest The spumoni adventure at L&B Spumoni Gardens. Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Northeast Spumoni ice cream mountain at L&B Spumoni Gardens Moving back to New York for this job is a nice, legitimate excuse to go to longtime restaurants that I've never been to, such as this 86-year-old pizzeria in South Brooklyn. My husband and I went on a double-date with friends, and ordered the Sicilian pie with half mushrooms and the other half plain. The crust was nice and fluffy, with a bit of sweetness in the tomato sauce that I balanced out with a ton of chile flakes. But the star was the dessert. Obviously, we had to get the namesake spumoni, an Italian icy, creamy concoction with pistachio, almonds, and chocolate hazelnut. We decided to get two orders among the four of us ($17). Gleefully, we were presented with this epically ginormous mountain of spumoni, surrounded by sectioned-up ice cream scoops with chocolate shells, along with all the sweet sauces, sprinkles, whipped cream, and cherries a person could want. There were four sugar cones, so we could each build our ice cream adventure. It was truly magical. 2725 86th Street, between West 10th and 11th streets, Gravesend — Nadia Chaudhury, editor, Northeast The rigatoni in a corn ragu at Cafe Spaghetti. Terri Ciccone/Eater Rigatoni in a corn ragu at Cafe Spaghetti This past weekend, summer was fully realized for me through a single dish at Cafe Spaghetti in Cobble Hill. After scoring a last-minute reservation to sit under an orange-and-white striped umbrella next to the blue Vespa stationed as the centerpiece of the restaurant's backyard, it was extremely easy to pretend I was sipping a particularly herbaceous spritz on a summery evening on the Amalfi Coast. Even if the atmosphere was just half as vibey, the perfectly cooked short rigatoni in a creamy and slightly sweet corn ragu ($24) tasted like the best summer has to offer every bite. The next day, as I was perusing the Prospect Park farmers market, I was reminded of the dish over and over again as corn, cherry tomatoes, and scallions burst literally and aromatically out of every stall, truly marking the dish as the perfect summer pasta. 126 Union Street, between Hicks and Columbia streets, Carroll Gardens — Terri Ciccone, deputy director of audience development The gambas at Frijoleros. Jaya Saxena/Eater Gambas at Frijoleros Some friends and I stopped into Greenpoint newcomer Frijoleros and found ourselves extremely pleasantly surprised by just about everything we ordered. The cocktails were bright and complex, and the food was already deeply compelling, for still being in soft-open mode. One standout was a plate of gambas, roast head-on shrimp in a mole-tinged sauce and beurre blanc we were all desperately trying to sop up with our remaining tortilla chips. 131 Greenpoint Avenue, near Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint — Jaya Saxena, Correspondent The fish sandwich at Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. Nat Belkov/Eater Fish sandwich at Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. Driving home from college in Massachusetts at the end of the school year with summer just around the corner, I took up an annual ritual of stopping at a seafood shack along the Connecticut coast to break up the trip. Nowadays, my life doesn't revolve around semesters, but the craving for a crispy fried fish sandwich ($20) blanketed in tartar sauce and slid into a squishy bun most definitely still hits. And this is where I go to satisfy it. 114 Nassau Avenue, at Eckford Street, Greenpoint — Nat Belkov, associate creative director A pint of Betty Jo's Ice Cream. Stephanie Wu/Eater Betty Jo's Ice Cream at Pop Up Grocer I've been trying to get my hands on Betty Jo's since they exploded onto the scene last summer with their pie crust lattice-topped pints. They've just landed at Pop Up Grocer, a mini-market near Washington Square Park filled with the buzzy direct-to-consumer brands you can't escape on Instagram. There are three flavors available: the Sweet Cherry Pie that they're known for, a Millionaire's Shortbread with caramel ice cream and shortbread, and Coney Island Queen with sprinkles and bits of ice cream cone. I went with the Sweet Cherry Pie ($13), and was delighted by the cherry and vanilla flavor of the ice cream, as well as the hefty amount of buttery pie crust chunks mixed within. Pro tip: If you don't see the flavor you want on the freezer shelf, ask if there are any more being stored downstairs. 205 Bleecker Street, at Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village — Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief
Eater
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Best Dishes NY Editors Ate This Week: June 9
With Eater editors dining out sometimes several times a day, we come across lots of standout dishes , and we don't want to keep any secrets. Check back for the best things we ate this week. Half chicken with lovage and pickled peppers at Claud I'm on a mission, it seems, to try every half- and whole chicken on menus around town: so it was a given that we'd order the half-chicken at Claud during a recent visit. It was a hit. So juicy and so savory, the dish is dressed with lovage and a shower of pickles. There's plenty of brine without overwhelming the dish, but make sure you order (housemade) bread for the plate. (Maybe practice restraint if you're saving room for the restaurant's famous slice of chocolate cake.) 90 E. 10th Street, at Third Avenue, East Village — Melissa McCart, lead editor, Northeast After writing about Mama's Pizza closing on the Upper West Side last month, I figured it was time for me to check out the founders' grandson's downtown slice spinoff Mama's Too. I walked past the very long time outside of L'industrie Pizzeria to this unassuming pizza shop, quickly ordered my new slices, and found a seat in the crowded space. I got one of each format: the Angry Nonna square slice, a nice sweet-savory combination thanks to the slightly zingy hot honey and chile oil; and then the house slice, which was a perfect rendition of what a fresh pizza slice should be (together for $11.25 with tax and tip). I regret not getting a sandwich, but there's always next time. 323-325 Bleecker Street, near Christopher Street, West Village — Nadia Chaudhury, editor, Northeast Naks, the Filipino restaurant from the Unapologetic Foods team, has switched over to an a la carte menu for the entire restaurant (the main room was previously reserved for the $135 tasting menu-style kamayan). The new format means groups can try much more food, and the standout for us was the Kanto fried chicken ($16) — boneless chicken that managed to be incredibly crispy, hot, and tender even after we went back for seconds 20 minutes after it was served. Don't miss the grilled lemon soda pork belly ($16) or the clay-pot adobo rice, ($32) either. 201 First Avenue, between East 12th and 13th streets, East Village — Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief This past Sunday, a group of friends and I were lucky enough to grab a last-minute reservation at the very intimate and often-crowded Lost and Found in Long Beach. It's a very unassuming spot that never disappoints and keeps you coming back with its seasonal changes and frequent menu updates. I was pleasantly surprised to see a bison strip loin, which came dressed with an incredibly vibrant house-made chimichurri sauce that blew me away. I also snuck bites of my wife's bistro burger, which never fails to deliver. Pro-tip: Do not skip the charred cheesecake. 951 West Beech Street, Long Beach — Connor Reid, senior video producer Tuna sandwich at Bottega Crown Heights daytime offerings leveled up in a big way this summer. First, Lisbonata, the Portuguese egg tart pop-up, opened an order-through-the-window permanent location. (The yuzu and pistachio flavors are a must!) Then, on the other side of Eastern Parkway, Bottega, a coffee shop with food, is also new. It's here that I had some of my favorite sandwiches of late. We went for the chicken Milanese with broccoli rabe and provolone, a fancy take on the Italian classic; as well as the tuna with pickled red onion, marinated artichoke, fried capers, fontina, pistou rosé, and lemon aioli on griddled milk bread, basically an adult tuna melt (both $16). Venture to both businesses on a summer Friday and you'll have the ideal lunch bang bang. 619 St. Johns Place and 215 Rogers Avenue — Emma Orlow, editor, Northeast Now that the weather is heating up, one of my favorite places to people-watch is Bar Italia on Madison Avenue, where I just spotted Vera Wang and lots of decked-out shoppers. I don't usually think of pasta as a light choice, with the exception of this dish ($42), made with incredibly sweet fresh cherry tomatoes simmered for hours before whole filets of Mediterranean fish are added. Chef Dennis Franceschini always has seasonal specials, and if you get there in the next week or two, you can still catch the oversized white asparagus — sweet, nutty, and so soft you can cut it with a fork. 768 Madison Avenue, between 65th and 66th Streets — Beth Landman, contributing writer, Northeast Sign up for our newsletter.
Eater
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Best Dishes NY Editors Ate This Week: June 2
With Eater editors dining out sometimes several times a day, we come across lots of standout dishes , and we don't want to keep any secrets. Check back for the best things we ate this week. Chicken cutlet sandwich at Mona Lisa Salumeria I'm new to Westchester, where I learned that chicken cutlet sandwiches are a thing here. It was one of the two go-to lunch meals of my high school youth — but for an adult version, I decided to place an order at this Italian deli in Scarsdale. I went with the classic iteration — chicken cutlet with mozzarella, roasted peppers, and balsamic vinegar ($15). It was a huge sub (I saved one half for dinner the next day) made up of nicely breaded chicken; thick, fresh mozzarella; and juicy and slightly tangy huge slices of roasted peppers, where the top slice of bread is spongy (complimentary) with balsamic. It makes for such an easy, filling meal — high school Nadia would've been into it (kids who went to Bronx Science know the chicken cutlet food truck was the move). 829 Post Road, Scarsdale, New York — Nadia Chaudhury, editor, Northeast This past weekend, friends and I embarked upon a hot dog crawl across the boroughs. A reminder that great hot dogs can also be found indoors, thanks to Sarge's, that funny no-man's-land corridor of Midtown. Usually a go-to for brisket or matzo ball soup, Sarge's touts a snappy dog ($7.95) to rival the rest. Crowned with flattop-sizzled red onions or sauerkraut and spicy mustard, it's the quintessential New York deli dog. 548 Third Avenue, between East 36th and 37th streets, Murray Hill — Nat Belkov, associate creative director I'm a little late to the love for tiny Korean spot Sunn's, but now fully indoctrinated into the cooking of Sunny Lee. With a group of five, it was a no-brainer to order the full menu — the banchan (six dishes for $24), perfected during Lee's many years cooking at pop-ups, was a standout. I especially loved the trout roe–topped potato salad, which was equally creamy and briny, as well as the kimchi and egg omelet. Even if you're in a smaller group, don't skip the soon dubu chigae ($25), a warming tofu stew brilliantly accented with pine nuts; the lauded baked rice cakes with stracciatella and tomato sauce ($26); and the simple yet satisfying sesame mochi cake for dessert. 139 Division Street at Canal Street, Chinatown — Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief If you spot him, beverage director Lasha Tsatava will charm you with his smile and trove of wine stories at Chama Mama. The Chelsea flagship serves Georgian fare alongside rare Georgian wine and spirits — and I'm a sucker for a good wine list. The 2017 Dekanozishvili (say that three times) red blend from Kakheti was a treat: made by drying and concentrating three red grape varieties (the appassimento method), then aged in quevri and oak. It's a gorgeously textured beauty that pairs beautifully with the tarragon woven throughout the menu. The herb's minty freshness with earthy mushrooms in the khinkali (Georgian dumplings) is a revelation. Handfuls of tarragon and opal basil are delicious on the seasonal khachapuri, which begs for a dunk in the restaurant's ajka — a fiery Georgian chile-garlic condiment. Tsatava might also teach you to say 'Gaumarjos' ('Cheers!') as you toast over supra, licking tarragon-scented fingers under the watchful eyes of feather-hatted women smiling down from the walls. 149 West 14th Street, at Seventh Avenue, Chelsea — Henna Bakshi, regional editor, South Sign up for our newsletter.
