Now Open: Solomon & Kuff, Spartina, Jaya And More

New York City

Autre Kyo Ya: Consider it to be Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Kyo Ka's more casual and affordable French-inflected sibling. Instead of the original's kaiseki menu, there's a quinoa risotto with yakishimo fish, miso-marinated black cod and roasted fish with cauliflower anchovy sauce. When you're done with your meal, head upstairs to the owner's secret bar, Angel's Share.

Solomon & Kuff: Chef Christopher Faulkner is bringing a taste of the Caribbean to Harlem with this 5,000-square-foot restaurant. It's big enough for two bars (that serve more than 100 bottles of rum) and two DJ booths. Between dancing and sipping, he's serving small plates of peppered goat pie and fried fish with yucca chips.

Los Angeles

Bruxie: The waffle masters behind Bruxie are just starting to settle into a space along the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. With them, they brought their waffle sandwiches, chicken-and-waffle combos and, of course, dessert waffles.

Spartina: Stephen Kalt's reviving the name of his 90s New York hit, Spartina, for this new L.A. restaurant. The space is industrial chic with polished cement floors and bookshelves lined with cookbooks and succulents. The menu's a very 2015 rendition of Cal-Ital, so expect dishes like grilled avocado with Calabrian chile oil; Moroccan lemon and ricotta salata; and a pizza with chard spinach, kale, rape and aged provolone.

Arts District Brewing: This brewery and beer hall has 32 beers on tap from brewer Devon Randall and burgers, yam fries and a Snappy O'Brien (which is a hot dog with mashed tater tots, grilled onions, bacon, cheese and ketchup) from a Fritzi take-out window to help fortify an afternoon of revelry. Oh, and it's pretty roomy, so best to invite a party to go along with you.

Chicago

Oyster Bah: You'll have to lay on a thick accent to properly pronounce the name of this place by the Lettuce Entertain You team. On the first floor, there's The Crab Seller, which has a solid raw bar, as well as some heartier fish-focused options. Meanwhile, the upstairs space won't debut until next year.

Bang Chop Thai Kitchen: Saigon Sisters are spreading their culinary wings into the realm of Thai cooking with this new BYOB spot. Orders for American Thai classics like pad Thai, tom yum, green curry and chicken larb are placed at the counter and brought to the table.

San Francisco

Craftsman and Wolves: The La Marzocco is up and running at the new Pacific Avenue outpost of pastry maestro William Werner's beloved bakery. He's bringing its delightful sandwiches, innovative sweets (like a green curry Thai scone) and treasure trove of breads, which, of course, includes chocolate sourdough. Don't leave without a package of the blood orange-coconut marshmallows.

Hawker Eats: Giant bowls of ramen are the way to go at the cozy new joint from the Kaiju Eats pair. Pork lovers will have plenty to celebrate in the tonkotsu, which has a meaty trifecta of pork belly, fried pork chop and hearty pork broth.

VeganBurg: Fast food is real food at this Singaporean import. The menu is 100 percent plant based, with soy-based burger patties, franks and sausages. Even the dessert is vegan, touted as "heavy on the lips, but not on your hips."

Austin

Good Juju Cafe: Houston-based Good Juju Cafe is making its Austin debut. For breakfast, there's a 420 grab bag (yes, for real) with pastries and coffee. At lunch and dinner, options lean heavily on American staples like mac-and-cheese bites, an avocado tabbouleh bowl and a burger.

Houston

Axelrad Beer Garden: It's hard to beat the relaxation brought on by sipping a cold beer in the cool outdoors—which is exactly what you'll be doing on Axelrad's huge patio. There are 31 beers on tap (plus many more packaged ones), meaning plenty of options to pair with the city's best food truck fare, which you'll find in the parking lot. Coming soon: a hammock garden and Mario Kart game nights.

Yard House: Options abound at the latest branch of this American grill chain, which opened at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood over the weekend. We're talking four types of wings and nine burgers. Make sure to check out the Chalkboard Series beers, a list of rotating drafts that highlights unique brews, both Texas made and imported.

Miami

Jaya: Coming off a recent Chopped victory, executive chef Mathias Gervais is at the helm of this modern Asian spot in The Setai hotel. The name of the restaurant means "victory," and with kimchi fried rice, Peking duck and delightful pork buns, it's clear they went with an apt title.

33: Longtime kitchen vet Sebastian Fernandez brings Peruvian food and new renovations (which he did himself) to the old Bombay Darbar space in Coconut Grove. Deliberate but not over-the-top plating lets dishes like seared scallops with sweet corn and purple cabbage purées shine.