Best New Restaurants Summer 2017
Across the U.S., these are the reservations you need to be making
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New York
Seamore's
Michael Chernow's wildly popular seafood spot, Seamore's, now has a twin in Chelsea. Just like the original, it offers catches of the day (known as Daily Landings), several fish taco options and a few salads to help keep that beach bod ready for the sand. Look out for a rum bar dubbed Fishbone set to open below the new location soon.
Casa Pública
The team at this new spot near McCarren Park is channeling Mexico City with dishes like jaiba, or soft-shell crab, with hominy polenta, chayote and watercress; and esquites. To wash it all down, there are drinks, like the From Mexico with Love (Corralejo Blanco Tequila, Aperol, cantaloupe, cucumber and citrus), from Extra Fancy alum Meaghan Montagano.
Oceana Poke
Just in time for summer, well-regarded seafood restaurant Oceana is debuting its poke spin-off. In addition to build-your-own poke bowls, the team offers house combos like seafood citrus made with scallops, shrimp, orange, grapefruit, guac and ponzu, and their signature Oceana poke made with yellowfin tuna, cucumber, edamame, shiitake mushrooms and spicy nori.
Los Angeles
Cosa Buona
Fans of Zach Pollack's Alimento will find much to like at his new casual pizza spot serving classic pies like the marinara and Margherita. There's also a white clam number and a Hawaiian pie made with Canadian bacon and smoked mozz. Smoky cheese finds its way into a play on mozzarella sticks, too. Stay tuned for pizza delivery from the team.
Jean-Georges Beverly Hills
Acclaimed French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who runs some of New York's most beloved restaurants like his eponymous East Coast fine dining spot, is headed west with his first California restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria. Though rooms go for $800 a night, the menu isn't meant to be as fancy. Look out for pizza and healthier options like chia seed pudding and acai bowls.
The Cat & Fiddle
Angelenos have had to wait two and a half years for the return of this classic, but their day has finally come. The Brit-style pub fare is back, and, yes, there's a patio (though it's not quite the same). Meanwhile, April Bloomfield is taking up residency in the old space, where she will open her first L.A. restaurant.
San Francisco
Duna
The newest concept for Bar Tartine and Motze alums Cortney Burns and Nick Balla draws on central and eastern European flavors. There are dishes like spätzle with chicken paprikas and stuffed cabbage rolls with pork belly, mushrooms and dried cherries.
Alta
Coi's Daniel Patterson has a new outpost of Alta at the Minnesota Street Project, an art space in Dogpatch. The restaurant's open all day (who isn't these days?) starting off the morning with coffee, toast and rice porridge that can be ordered sweet or savory. The dinner menu comes in two cheeky categories: Have Drinks and Eat Dinner. You'll want to do both.
Chicago
Clever Rabbit
Those looking for veg-focused food without having to head to the West Loop for Bad Hunter can hang at Clever Rabbit in Wicker Park and snack on carrot dumplings or Chinese broccoli and fermented black beans. There is still plenty of omnivore options, though, including the fat rabbit: a double cheeseburger with mushrooms, sherry mustard, onions and Swiss cheese.
Washington, D.C.
The Salt Line
Channel Otis Redding at this dock-side restaurant in the Navy Yard that serves sustainably sourced fish in classic summer forms like lobster rolls, fried clams and a raw bar. The kitchen's also offering more dressed-up plates like razor clam ceviche with charred tomatillos and puffed rice.
Houston
Chengdu Taste
Spice fanatics might recognize the name of this growing Sichuan mini chain from California. The toothpick lamb with cumin, dumplings with "numb taste" and fish with green pepper sauce are beloved favorites. Just make sure to order some rice to temper all that heat.
Detroit
Gather
Get acquainted with your neighbors at the three large communal tables at this long-awaited wood-fire restaurant. Settle in for starters like house-baked dough with green onion pesto and cheddar, steak with a sticky black pepper and rosemary glaze, and a side called crunch crunch made with nuts, seeds, crunchy veggies (naturally) and sesame tea dressing. Hopefully, the party next to you is up for sharing.
Miami
No Name Chinese
The team behind Uvaggio has a new project, and this one looks toward the East with dishes like Ma La Chicken Oyster (chicken oysters with numbing pepper sauce), The Angry Dumpling filled with spicy chicken and dressed with chile and garlic sauce, and a play on smashed cucumber salad with mint and cilantro.