Well NYC, we’ve made it to mid-August: the dog days have arrived and the city continues to empty out. Enjoy the near-silence while it lasts. For those still here, congratulations: you should be able to get a table just about anywhere (now’s the time to take your chances as a last-minute walk-in).
Plus, the openings keep rolling on—including a new bar in Union Square, a ramen spot in Flatiron, and a bookstore/bar combo in the East Village.
Cospa Ramen
Last week, Cospa Ramen, a new all-day, fast-casual concept, opened in the Flatiron District in NYC with a streamlined ordering system and wallet-friendly prices. The menu is intentionally short: Original Ramen for $9.99, Spicy Ramen for $10.99, and karaage (Japanese fried chicken) for $4.99. Guests can add an additional serving of noodles, a seasoned soft-boiled egg, extra scallions, and extra chashu and sides of white rice. At each table is a side of takana (spicy pickled mustard greens).
Drinks include canned beer, highballs, sake, and sodas. Cospa comes from the Japanese expression “cost performance,” referring to the value received for the price and in this case, refers to the QR-code self-ordering and walk-in-only seating. This streamlined model allows Cospa to keep its prices affordable and keep the doors open from 10:30 a.m. until two in the morning. 36 W. 26th St., NoMad, no website
Bernie & Herb’s
In late July, Bernie & Herb’s opened in the VIP room of Coffee Shop, the much-beloved and iconic NYC 90s restaurant that closed in 2018. But a hip Brazilian-themed scene this is not, and one can actually afford to be here. Grab a beer-and-shot special for $9, or a classic cocktail at $13 ($11 during happy hour).
The food menu is short and also easy on the wallet. Plain hot dogs are $3 or $7 when you want one dressed up with shrimp and queso. Fortunately for the NYU students returning to campus nearby and for the neighborhood workers, Bernie and Herb’s is open from two in the afternoon until midnight (with plans to open earlier and close later in the future). 28 E. 16th St., Union Square, no website
The Derby Club
This Wednesday, August 19, chef Ed Cotton is opening the doors to The Derby in a storied space on Sutton Place. This is chef Cotton’s third concept in the city (joining Jack & Charlie’s in the West Village and Leonetta in Murray Hill) and through both decor and cuisine, The Derby Club aims to be an experience reminiscent of the dining scene from NYC in the early 80s.
Throughout the menu, chef Cotton revisits iconic dishes of the period and reinterprets them, including a Chicken À La King Pot Pie. The Derby Club is set in the former home of Neary’s, the legendary Irish pub that lasted for almost 60 years.
“Opening The Derby Club in this legendary location is an honor,” said Cotton. “This corner has been a landmark for New York hospitality for generations, and we’ve always known that we wanted to create a concept that would carry out its legacy and honor its history in an unexpected way. My vision immediately connected to a time when dining out was an event, when restaurants felt more like social clubs, and when every shared meal was a new memory.” 358 E. 57th St., Midtown East, derbyclubny.com
Frenzie Wine & Pizza
Late night pizza and Brooklyn aren’t necessarily synonymous, even though it’s arguably the borough with the best pizza. So it surprised diners when last week’s debut of Frenzie, a new pizzeria/wine bar open from noon until two in the morning, sent ripples through the Brooklyn food world.
Chefs and co-owners Brendan Kelley and Daniel Grossman, also behind Confidant, next door, are serving New York style pizza, small plates, and wines that are natural, biodynamic, and/or organic. The walk-in only restaurant, located on the border of Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights, adheres to a seasonal, ingredient-driven ethos. The sourdough pizza dough is made from a proprietary flour blend crafted exclusively for the restaurant by the chef’s longtime vendor, Brooklyn Granary. Specialty pies include Japanese eggplant, sausage and peppers, and spicy vodka. 129 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, frenzienyc.com
The Rabbit Books and Bar
This past weekend, Rabbit Books and Bar was teeming with customers, and not just because it was the grand opening. Both Saturday and Sunday the store was packed with curious locals and East Villagers, eager to check out the brand-new mother-daughter-owned bookstore/bar combo on Avenue A.
Along with pastries and light snacks, the Rabbit team is serving coffee and tea, wine and beer, and cocktails made with soju and vermouth, plus mocktails. What’s even more exciting is the selection of literature, non-fiction, romance, history books, etc. shelved throughout the shop. The cozy seating, which you see upon entry, immediately gives The Rabbit a cozy lived-in feel despite it being a brand-new (and highly anticipated) addition to the block. 170 Avenue A, East Village, therabbitbooksandbar.com
