Source: The New York Times

Kawaguchiko, Japan – The New York dining landscape continues to expand with diverse culinary offerings across the city. From authentic Himalayan cuisine to specialty matcha cafés, these recent openings showcase the metropolis’s ever-evolving food culture.

Himalayan Heights in Queens

Tibetan and Himalayan cuisine has found a new home in Long Island City with the opening of Darjeeling Kitchen & Café. Owned by Tsering Dolkar and her aunt, Chef Pupu Chhangi—both natives of Darjeeling, India’s renowned tea region—the restaurant offers a halal menu featuring various momo preparations. These traditional dumplings come steamed, pan-fried (kothey), or served in a flavorful sesame, cashew, and tomato-based broth (jhol).

The gold-walled establishment serves Himalayan favorites from morning until night, including aloo dum (curried potatoes), shaptak (stir-fried beef), and a distinctive Sherpa stew featuring spicy tomato and blue cheese broth. Guests seeking variety can opt for the Nepali thali sampler plate.

Underground Wine Haven

Le Vin Coeur brings French sophistication to the Upper West Side in its brick-walled, subterranean location. This authentic wine bar features an impressive selection of reds, whites, rosés, orange, and sparkling options by the glass, priced between $15 and $30, with the Trimbach pinot noir reserve ($18) standing out as a particularly excellent choice.

Owners Jérome Mathieu and Massire Sissoko have created a menu of French classics substantial enough to compose a meal, including gougères, charcuterie, onion soup, foie gras, duck magret salad, croque monsieur, steak tartare, and chocolate cake for dessert.

Matcha Enthusiast’s Paradise

Green tea aficionados have a new destination in NoHo with the arrival of 12 Matcha, an airy duplex café importing premium teas from Kyoto’s 180-year-old Hotta Katsutaro Shoten. Founded by 25-year-old Hong Kong native Alan Jiang, the establishment offers vibrant matcha-infused creations, including a striking green Basque cheesecake developed with pastry expertise from Francisco Migoya of Noma.

Currently open Wednesday through Saturday, the café plans expanded summer hours and appointment-based tastings, with a retail component coming soon.

Cocktails With A View

Spirits expert Ariel Arce has added another venture to her impressive portfolio—which includes Air’s Champagne Parlor, Tokyo Record Bar, and Niche Niche—with Leonessa, a new rooftop destination at Conrad New York Downtown. The space features panoramic Lower Manhattan views, Italian-influenced cocktails, and complimentary small bites including olives, Parmesan twists, and carta di musica.

Long Island Luxury Market

Chef Jesse Schenker continues his Nassau County expansion with Provisions Market in Oyster Bay. In partnership with Claudia Taglich, this thoughtfully curated market offers prepared foods, cook-ready items, and fresh produce from local farmers and fishermen. The establishment also stocks breads from the company’s bakery and select tableware used in Schenker’s restaurants. After hours, the space transforms into an intimate dinner venue called Dinner Table at Provisions, accommodating up to 10 guests for $1,000.

Coming Soon

Food enthusiasts should mark their calendars for April 24, when chef Nina Compton and writer Osayi Endolyn will present their new cookbook “Kwéyòl/Creole: Recipes, Stories, and Tings from a St. Lucian Chef’s Journey” at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform program. Attendees can sample Compton’s ackee fritters, coconut-braised collard greens, and passion fruit rum punch.

Later this year, Time Out Market will open its Manhattan location in Union Square, taking over the former Urbanspace market. Additionally, the Michelin Guide will expand its coverage with a new guide to the American South, encompassing Alabama, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, and previously reviewed Atlanta.

As New York’s dining scene continues to evolve, these new establishments reflect the city’s enduring status as a global culinary capital, where diverse flavors and innovative concepts find enthusiastic audiences.

Original Articles:

nytimes.com. (n.d.). Darjeeling Kitchen & Café Offers Halal Momos in Long Island City. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/dining/nyc-restaurant-news.html