Best Brooklyn & Queens Restaurants of 2014
The outer boroughs might never be able to compete with Manhattan when it comes to their sheer number of annual restaurant openings. But that doesn’t mean there was a lack of dining excitement in Brooklyn and Queens this year. (Especially in where Brooklyn is concerned!) Which is why we’re showcasing some of our favorite, far-flung spots of 2014 — from Semilla, a fantastic, vegetable-focused tasting room in Williamsburg, to Mu Ramen, a pop-up turned permanent noodle sensation in Long Island City.
Semilla
We’re feeling pretty grateful that the quirky Williamsburg restaurant, Isa, imploded a few years back, because its talented team dispersed, and went on to open truly exciting projects. Ignacio Mattos launched Estela, one of our favorite restaurants of 2013, and after working for a while at pop-ups, Jose Ramirez-Ruiz and Pam Yung finally found a landing pad at Semilla — serving an endlessly inventive, all-vegetable tasting menu. Burdock Root Arancini and Celery Root Tagliatelle, anyone?
Read MoreDelaware and Hudson
It’s not often that Michelin honors Brooklyn restaurants, year-old eateries, or female chefs, which is why Delaware and Hudson’s earning a star was wholly unprecedented, albeit highly deserved. And the truly awesome thing is, it will only set you back $48 for four Michelin-approved courses at Patti Jackson’s charming Williamsburg boite, such as Pappardelle with goose ragu, Black Sea Bass with cauliflower puree, and an assortment of appetizers to share, including Swiss Chard Pie, Salt Cod Croquettes, and Jackson’s infamous puffy Pretzel Rolls.
Read MoreMu Ramen
What started as a late-night pop-up inside of a Long Island bagel shop has quickly become one of the most sought after tables around. Per Se veteran Jonathan Smookler, and his wife, Heidy, are the masterminds behind Mu Ramen, which draws enthusiastic hordes of ramen-lovers from all over the city (including NYT restaurant critic, Pete Wells), for hearty bowls of Tonkotsu or Spicy Miso, Smoked Trout Okonomiyaki, and the luxurious “U&I,” a pile of spicy maguro, ikura, rice, and sesame roasted nori topped with melting lobes of uni.
Read MorePacifico’s Fine Foods
Shanna Pacifico served as Peter Hoffman’s right hand for over 10 years, at his seminal farm-to-table restaurants, Back Forty, Back Forty West and Savoy. And while she remains a fixture at the greenmarkets at her first solo spot in Brooklyn, her menu is equally, intriguingly informed by her Brazilian background, resulting in exotic dishes, such as Squid a la Plancha with cocoa brown butter, Acorn Squash Salad with white Spanish anchovies, Fried Chicken “Chicharonne” with spicy slaw, and Grilled Whole Porgy in coconut fish broth.
Read MoreArepa Lady 2
Maria Cano, aka The Arepa Lady, has been a beloved Jackson Heights fixture for over 15 years, serving her crispy-edged, cheese-stuffed Mexican corn cakes from a small, rolling cart. But in 2014, she was able to finally realize her dream of opening a full-fledged, sit-down restaurant, which (thankfully), doesn’t stray far from her original concept — a welcoming, no-frills neighborhood gathering spot, focused on turning out perfect grilled pancakes slathered with butter, and wrapped around squeaky, gooey cheese.
Read MoreBar Chuko
You’d be hard-pressed to find better ramen in Brooklyn than at the 35-seat Chuko (run by three Morimoto alums). And their new, nearby spin-off, Bar Chuko, is the borough’s best izakaya, serving sake, soju, and Japanese bar food. Choose from a selection of grilled skewers, such as chicken thigh, eggplant, prawn and pork jowl, and don’t ignore the fabulous hot and cold small plates, especially Fresh Tofu with chili oil, Unagi with Congee, Rice Cakes with pork and kimchee, and the saucer-sized Okonomiyaki; a savory, eggy pancake topped with cabbage, bacon and bonito.
Read MoreEnd of the Century Bar
While most Brooklyn and Manhattan businesses take their cocktail programs really seriously, the pre-Prohibition tipple craze hasn’t had much noticeable impact in Queens; until now. Owned by former mixologists from three of New York’s most respected drinking institutions — Pegu Club, PKNY and Maison Premiere — End of the Century Bar serves classic concoctions with an artisan edge; think Tequila Buck’s with housemade ginger ale, and fruity Scorpion Bowls featuring aged rum and absinthe.
Read MoreEmily
Brooklyn’s best new pizza comes courtesy of this husband and wife-owned, wood-fired spot in Clinton Hill — puffy and chewy yet charred and crusty, with fun toppings such as tomatillo sauce, cilantro and ‘nduja (i.e., “The PXG”), and Benton’s bacon, syrup and pecans (“The North Maple”). And be sure to save room for dessert; namely, the S’mores Calzone, a sweet and sticky lava flow of chocolate and marshmallow, encased in a graham cracker crumb-dusted, pizza dough crust.
Read MoreCheck out My Book – Try This
