Now that the May heatwave and holiday weekend rain are thankfully behind us, it’s time to get back to dining out instead of hiding out. Fortunately for New Yorkers, the opening of new bars and restaurants haven’t stopped and spring continues to bloom with brand-new places to eat and drink across the city.
From a Tiki bar with top-notch talent behind it in Williamsburg to the expansion of a Neapolitan local favorite to a hot new Filipino sandwich shop (possibly the first of its kind), here are five recent and notable openings to know about.
Undercurrent
Following the launch of Echo Lake in April, a smaller companion bar called Undercurrent opened just below it on May 13 in Williamsburg. The connected bars, which span two floors, are mainly devoted to rum and cane spirits and are both owned and operated by industry veterans Chloe Frechette (formerly of Punch) and Paul McGee (formerly of celebrated Chicago bar Lost Lake).
The larger bar, Echo Lake, which seats about 100, serves a menu of cocktails with a focus on daiquiris plus food. Undercurrent is more intimate, with just 20 seats, and the place to be for pours of rare and generations-old rums, including bottles from the owners’ private collection.
“Rum is often pigeonholed into being a vehicle for escapism,” said Chloe Frechette. “We hope to showcase rum in a different context by sharing the real stories of where these spirits come from. Good rum, like wine, is an agricultural product that reflects the land where the sugar cane is grown, how it’s harvested, how it’s fermented, how and where it’s aged, and more than anything the hard work and expertise of the people who produce it.” Both bars are located at 357 Grand St., Williamsburg, echolake.nyc/
Olio e Più East Village
The third location of popular rustic Italian neighborhood staple Olio e Più opened on May 13 in the East Village, over 15 years after the original popped up in West Village in 2010, followed by a Bryant Park location last year.
“Our Greenwich Village home has always been about warmth and community,” said founder Emil Stefkov. “With our East Village location, we’re excited to bring that same spirit to a dynamic neighborhood where locals and visitors alike can experience the pleasure of classic Italian dining.”
The two-floor space seats over 100 between both levels and a small outdoor patio on the upper level also accommodates up to 14 guests for dining or can be used as a cocktail space for private events. At the new location, look out for the daily Aperitivo Hour with housemade pizzas and $10 cocktails, plus weekend brunch. 106 Third Ave., East Village, olioepiu.com
Sanwits
Sanwits, the newest restaurant from the folks behind Unapologetic Foods (Semma, Dhamaka) opened on May 15 and is believed to be the city’s first Filipino sandwich shop. The 10-seat take-out restaurant features a variety of sandwiches based on traditional Filipino dishes, an inventive way to highlight an often overlooked cuisine.
“Back home, we really don’t eat sandwiches,” said executive chef and partner Eric Valdez (also of Naks) of the Philippines. “I feel that more people would be willing to try Filipino food if it was offered in a familiar form, such as the all-American sandwich. So each Sanwits sandwich is basically a real Filipino dish served between two slices of bread.”
Sanwit’s menu is meaty, with options ranging from a Lechon Dip with pork asado to a Chicken Bagoong made with fried chicken. There’s a mushroom adobo melt for the vegetarians along with vinegar fries which are seasoned with salt, sugar, and malt vinegar powder. Don’t forget to save room for their Halo-Halo, made with ube, flan, jackfruit, and coconut.149 1st Ave., East Village, sanwits.com
Gusi
Named after the Slavic word for “geese,” Gusi draws inspiration from migratory birds and pays homage to Greenwich Village’s enduring legacy as a cultural crossroads. The bi-level Eastern European restaurant opened on May 16, right across from the iconic Jefferson Market Library.
The ground-floor restaurant and bar seats about 50, while the second floor offers an additional 70 seats in a more intimate setting. Founded by husband-and-wife team Boris Artemyev and Elena Melnikova, both NYC restaurant veterans, guests should expect an expansive dumpling program, house-infused vodkas, and a curated selection of classic European and American wines by the glass and bottle. 432 Sixth Ave., Greenwich Village, gusi.nyc
Cynthia
Cynthia, an intimate, 28-seat dining destination by restaurateur Claire DuBois, opened on May 20 on the small sliver of Jones Street in the West Village. It’s centered around a seasonal, ingredient-driven tasting menu executed by executive chef Sherry Cardoso (Per Se) with two seatings nightly starting at $140 per person.
Signature items on the tasting menu include a Vegetable Custard (foie gras, morels, white asparagus), an inventive bread service (with celery root, lemon kosho, zero waste butter), Scallop (squid, cacio e pepe, green asparagus, osetra), and other dishes including dessert. 32 Jones St., West Village, cynthianyc.com
