The Lower Manhattan Restaurant Scene, NYC
Foodie Hot spots that you simply MUST check out - Throughout Lower Manhattan, neighborhood restaurants are making a comeback, with 75% capacity being permitted as well as outdoor dining and delivery options.
Many of these local stalwarts have re-invented themselves, offering special deals and fresh, innovative menus. And, believe it or not, several chefs and entrepreneurs have dared to go against the grain and have opened new restaurants.
They are being welcomed with open arms by foodies who are hungry for positive change in their lives.
Once again, it is becoming "cool" to dine out. Let's look at a few of the many restaurants in the Lower Manhattan area that deserve your support. Their kitchens represent a whole host of diverse cuisines and cultures.
So, make that reservation, discover new, delicious dishes and savor the
moment!
Butterfunk Biscuit Company - West Village
It's all about Southern-style biscuits here.....in all their buttery, flaky goodness.
Chef Chris Scott takes a great deal of pride in every step of the biscuit-making process. For him, it's a genuine labor of love.
Butterfunk's delectable biscuits are made from a secret recipe that has been in the Scott family for four generations.
Yes, Chef Chris has added one or two tweaks and twists along the way. But he is sure that great-grandma Scott would approve. And, when you take a bite out of one of his biscuits, you will too.
As far as Chris Scott is concerned; he is not just your chef but your host, as well.
Family means everything to Chris and when you are a customer here, it's as if you are a guest at the Scott homestead.
Chris firmly believes that food tells a story. It conveys, love, heritage, culture and, above all else, brings us together.
Aside from family traditions, Chris's background is quite interesting. A finalist on season 15 of Bravo's Top Chef show; Chef Scott was invited to cook at the James Beard Foundation, an unprecedented nine times. Now, that's quite an honor!
He also has a cookbook coming out in early 2022.
Butterfunk's pristine kitchen turns out a biscuit and dish for every taste.
The Basics is a brown sugar buttermilk biscuit that has been smothered in oodles of white, country sausage gravy.
Chef Scott's Chopped Cheese Biscuit is stuffed to the brim with savory chopped beef, melted cheddar, lettuce, tomato and dressed with sazon ketchup.
The Smoked Salmon Biscuit consists of a very nice portion of Atlantic salmon, sliced cucumbers and chive cream cheese on an "everything" biscuit.
Now, you can't dine at a Southern-themed place without there being fried chicken somewhere on the menu.
At Butterfunk, they do an outrageous chicken sandwich. Quite possibly, it's the best in town. One look at the ingredients and you'll see why. A proverbial mouthful, this "sandwich" is made with the chef's signature lemonade buttermilk biscuit.
Cut in half, the biscuit is topped with juicy fried chicken, whipped Pimento cheese, just enough hot honey to awaken those taste buds and some bread and butter pickles. Dig in!
Butterfunk Biscuits - taste the soul in every bite.
Location and Hours
30 Vandam Street
New York, N.Y. 10013
(646) 759-3061
Hours
Monday to Sunday 8 AM to 10 PM
St. Tropez Wine Bar - West Village
This charming wine bar and restaurant have one of the most chill outdoor dining spaces in the city. Located on a quiet, tree-lined residential street, filled with stately
historic brownstones, St. Tropez's sidewalk seating area takes on a very special ambiance at night, with romantic lighting.
To say that this wine bar is the perfect date spot would be an understatement.
And the interior is just as nice as the alfresco ambiance.
The ceiling and wine racks are made out of dark, refined wood and candles light every table. You truly feel as though you are dining at a country inn In the South of France. This is not a stretch at all, because that's where the owners are from.
Founded in 2017 by four French expatriates who met over a glass of, ( what else) but wine in New York City, St. Tropez features cuisine from the Provence region of France.
Managing owner Yohan Pecheux has curated an impeccable list of over forty French wines for your refreshment and enjoyment.
Executive chef Gerald Barthelemy utilizes fresh, local ingredients to craft a menu of culinary delights.
Chef Gerald has a wealth of experience, having cooked in some of France's best restaurants. In 2010, the chef earned a Michelin star for his work in the kitchen at Le Cinq, right here in NYC.
Rest assured, that the staff at St. Tropez is cognizant of the latest Covid safety protocols and you are in safe hands.
Start off your meal with a bowl of Velouté' Vichyssoise, which is a hearty and creamy potato soup with leeks, onions and an enthralling touch of truffle oil.
The Moules Mariniers is an appetizer that always hits just the right notes. Chef Gerald prepares his PEI mussels in a light and flavorful broth of cream, chives, shallots and Provencal white wine.
There's a very good reason that the Daube Provençale is one of the most requested dishes here. A dish that will satisfy any appetite, it consists of a succulent angus beef stew, red wine and black olives.
Another dish that should be on your culinary bucket list is the beyond tender roasted chicken breast in a chestnut wine sauce that's accompanied by bright and tasty green beans and mashed potatoes that have a nice consistency; not too soft but not lumpy, either.
Chef Gerald also has a scrumptious cheeseburger for you to try; the St. Tropez Burger. This juicy and tempting mound of beef is crowned with aged cheddar, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, truffle mayo and marvelous red onion marmalade.
St. Tropez Wine bar and Restaurant.......Welcome to the French Riviera. Get your sunglasses and sunscreen ready.
Location and Hours
304 West 4th Street
New York, N.Y. 10014
(917) 388-3893
Hours
Tuesday to Friday 4:30 Pm to 11 PM
Saturday and Sunday 11:30 AM to 11 PM
The Bun Hut - Lower East Side
From time to time, we all get a bit bored with our favorite dishes, no matter how comforting they are. As humans and foodies, it's only natural that we crave something new and different.
Well, if you're seeking a culinary change of pace, then look no further than The Bun Hut, a relatively new addition to the dining scene on the Lower East Side.
Chef Ray, the owner, has come up with an amazing menu that blends traditional Caribbean cuisine with an Asian twist.
Old school Island dishes, (chef Ray is originally from the gorgeous sun-drenched Bahamas), are served on open-faced Chinese pork Bao buns. This is fusion dining that will open your eyes and tantalize your taste buds.
Ray knows that he took on a considerable risk by opening a restaurant during the pandemic. But, he has been bowled over by the reception from both local residents and foodies from around the city who are intrigued by his unique menu.
The chef discovered his love of Chinese food, years ago, when he had the opportunity to travel throughout the country, sampling different regional dishes. He found that, while, to a casual observer, Chinese and Caribbean cuisine are completely different,
there are some similarities including the expert use of spices.
The festive, tropical vibe dining room is, for now, capped at fifty percent capacity. But, there's also a very welcoming outdoor area in which to relax and eat. By the way, don't forget to ask your server about The Bun Huts' outdoor dining specials, which change frequently.
There's so much variety you won't know what to order first. But you really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
The Island Tamarind Braised Oxtail is served in a portion of two buns. If you've never had oxtail before, you owe it to yourself to sample Chef Ray's dish. Oxtail is one of the most decadent meals you'll ever eat. Here it's served with Tamarind au jus and pickled red onions.
The Bahamian Coconut Shrimp Bao Buns are, in a word, outrageous. A portion of crispy, fried shrimp is dusted with shaved coconut and served with the chef's famous mango chutney.
Another gotta-have this dish is the Jammin Jerk Chicken on a bun. Marinated for 24 hours and then slow-smoked, this delicious chicken comes with Island Slaw. Guaranteed, you'll never look at plain Cole Slaw the same way, ever again.
Besides the Caribbean-infused Bao Buns, the menu contains quite a few platters. The Bahamian Seafood pasta is satisfying on so many levels and it's loaded with shrimp, salmon, conch and al dente pasta. The dish is served with a side of garlic toast.
If you are a vegetarian, by all means, look into their Vegan Platter, which has Jasmine rice, sauteed farm greens, mashed sweet plantains and a pickled mango salad.
When dining at The Bun Hut, it's a good idea to leave room for one of chef Ray's special Island desserts.
The Bahamian Rum Cake is a huge slice of vanilla pudding pound cake that's been baked with walnuts and then soaked with brandy and Malibu dark coconut rum.
They also do a fantastic Tropical Bread Pudding that's made with cane sugar, pineapple and a light vanilla rum mousse.
Wash your meal down with a cocktail or mocktail such as the Chill Day Hibiscus Lemonade made with fresh lemon juice, zest, fresh ginger, cane sugar and, of course, Hibiscus Flowers.
Location and Hours
178 Stanton Street
New York, N.Y. 10002
(917) 388-2695
Hours
Monday to Saturday 11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday Closed
Pig and Butter - Lower East Side
The team at this cozy fast-casual eatery believes that "breakfast makes everything better." And, for most of us, that philosophy definitely rings true. After all, didn't your mom and the teachers back in grade school always tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?
Pig and Butter serve breakfast all day, so they've got you covered when you're craving eggs, flapjacks, bacon and so much more.
The restaurant recently did a highly successful "soft" opening, working out the behind-the-scenes operational kinks as well as streamlining the menu. The neighborhood wrapped its collective arms around Pig and Butter, giving the team here a warm, heartfelt hug.
Masks are, of course, required and all staff and customers receive a temperature check. In between taking orders and bringing you your food, the staff can be seen sanitizing every surface, from tables to chairs.
The food is locally sourced and crafted with love. To be at its' best, breakfast HAS to be made with passion. Just like when Mom cooked for you.
A signature dish that gives you both sweet and savory is The Conductor, fried chicken on house-made cornbread that is topped with a fried egg ( with yummy, runny yolk) , candied bacon and maple syrup. When the syrup gets into the chicken meat; that's when your taste buds explode with pleasure!
Sweet Delores is a dish that features maple-infused turkey sausage, a fried egg and melted cheese atop a buttermilk waffle.
The kitchen also turns out a wonderful creme Anglaise French Toast and a delish garlic, mushroom and goat cheese omelet sided with a Columbian Aji.
Aside from the breakfast items, Pig and Butters' menu contains quite a few memorable burgers.
Their Hylton Beef Burger consists of blue cheese, candied bacon, roasted pears, which are a nice smooth contrast to the sharp tang of the blue cheese, sweet pickled onions and garlic aioli.
The Mexican Chorizo Burger is placed on cornbread instead of the usual bun. Toppings include charred pineapple salsa, guacamole and queso fresco.
Side dishes range from Parmesan Truffle fries to collard greens that are sauteed with lemon juice and garlic.
Location and Hours
134 Ludlow Street
New York, N.Y. 10002
(212) 228-5888
Hours
Tuesday to Thursday 10 AM to 8 PM
Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 9 PM
Sunday 10 AM to 7 PM