The Best Restaurant Openings Of The Week

New York City

Black Barn: The old SD26 looks pretty different ever since it was remade into the farm-to-table Black Barn. But at least one thing is still the same: Chef Matteo Bergamini is in the kitchen. This time around, he's serving foraged mushroom toast with taleggio and BBQ beef ribs with orange-chipotle rub and shoestring fries.

Riddling Widow: Terroir alum Tanner Walle's new drinking den is dedicated to bubbly and the things that pair best with it—oysters and cheese. The secluded space is perfect for a date (or a clandestine meeting).

Los Angeles

Clifton's Cafeteria: After a four-year rehab and a series of delays and rumors, the iconic restaurant, which originally made its debut in the early 30s, is returning to the scene today. The cafeteria section will be serving white cake and its much loved Jell-O, while a tiki bar called Pacific Seas, the Treetops bar and even another drinking den with ice sculptures will make their debuts in the five-floor complex sometime down the road.

Gardner Junction: Sad you missed the glory days of trains and dining cars? Gardner Junction is bringing that back, only with much better food. Chef Steve Brown is making everything from scratch, including bread, charcuterie, squid ink waffles and a 72-hour braised short rib dish. Expect the menu to change every six weeks.

Chicago

Cafe Press and Sociale: Burger Bar's John McLean is debuting two new places this week. At the cozy Cafe Press, there's coffee from Sparrow Roastery and pastries. Next door, you'll find Sociale, a 120-seat space where much of the menu comes from a wood-fire grill. For dessert, don't skip the homemade ice cream and zeppole.

Inside the new Beefsteak | Photo: Rey Lopez

D.C.

Beefsteak Dupont Circle: Local favorite and celeb chef José Andrés just opened the second location of his veggie-forward fast-casual spot, Beefsteak. Vegetable plates can be customized or diners can order house specialties like frida kale: a rice and kale dish with tomato and black bean sauce, topped with pumpkin seeds and crispy corn nuts. Whatever you order, it'll be made fresh.

Miami

Izzy's Fish & Oyster: Jamie DeRosa and his chef de cuisine William Crandall are channeling Maine at their new spot. There's a long bar looking into the kitchen, lots of oysters and two house lobster rolls—a hot one with brown butter and a more traditional cold one with mayo. For those who aren't so seafood inclined, there's also a Jucy Lucy on the menu.

Houston

Around the Corner: Cheryl Crider of Down the Street just opened her cool but welcoming bar, Around the Corner. To get things started, there are drinks (boozy and non), and Crider is working on a global soul food truck called Etta, which will be parked outside the bar.