As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. We've already covered Best Standbys. Now it's time for best newcomers.
People like them their Red Farm [Krieger]
Q: What are the top restaurant newcomers of 2011?
Chris Stang, Andrew Steinthal, Immaculate Infatuation: Buvette, Fedora, Colonie, Post Office, Rubirosa, Prima.
Kate Krader, restaurant editor, Food & Wine: I'm going to do top 10 in Manhattan, from the bottom of the city (Brushstroke) to Harlem (Red Rooster). And in between: Dutch, Parm, Red Farm, Fatty Cue West Village, Monkey Bar, duck dinner at Momofuku Ssam Bar, Fedora. And in Brooklyn: Isa!! Allswell!! Bien Cuit!!! And big shout out to London: Young Turks at Ten Bells, Union Jacks from Chris Bianco and the martini trolley at the Connaught bar.
Danyelle Freeman, Restaurant Girl: Fatty Cue Manhattan, Red Farm, Isa, Danji, Baohaus Union Square, and Catch.
Robert Sietsema, restaurant critic, Village Voice: Littleneck (Bklyn), The Dutch, Yi Lin Halal (Flushing), Tertulia, Red Rooster, Phayul (Jackson Heights), Mable's Smokehouse, Earl's Beer and Cheese.
Ben Leventhal: I'm having trouble with Newcomers this year, because I think the bar for Very Solid Restaurant was raised in 2012. But for refreshing the idea of New York tapas, I say Tertulia. And for unexpectedly spectacular falafel, Boulud Sud. The Dutch also deserves a shout in the category; someday soon it's going to be the restaurant it set out to be.
Josh Beckerman, foodie magician: Red Farm, Tenpenny (but their chef and GM left, so not sure if it's still good), Barrio 47, Beauty And Essex, Cocoron, Junoon, Stellina, Buvette, Zabb Elee, Fatty Cue (West Village), Tertulia.
Marc Shepherd, NY Journal: Brushstroke, Crown, Boulud Sud, Fatty ’Cue WV
Jay Cheshes, restaurant critic, TONY: Isa was the wildest most creative new restaurant, the Dutch was the coziest new clubhouse, Fatty Cue had the most exciting mix of fiery and exotic foods, and the new all-star team made Monkey Bar so much more than just a celebrity scene.
Josh Stein, senior editor, Departures: For completely different reasons, Boulud Sud and St. Anselm.
Greg Morabito, features editor, Eater NY: I had several awesome meals at Rubirosa this year -- I think they really nail the flavors and the spirit of Italian American food. It's a totally affordable, unpretentious restaurant, but Al Di Meglio is serving pastas and entrees that wouldn't be out of place at a two or even three star establishment. Other newcomer favorites include: The Dutch, Miss Lily's, and Red Farm.
Jordana Rothman, dining editor, TONY: Red Farm, the St. Anselm redux, the latest coming of Monkey Bar and certainly The Dutch. Food world strivers would do well to survey the details at the latter. That the food is excellent and the mood electric is a given, but I also appreciate that Carmellini’s warm attitude has a trickle down effect – behold it on the resy line, at the hostess stand, at the bar, beside your table. The best, most abiding places have this in common: The guy on top’s not an asshole.
Lockhart Steele: The expected are feted—in fact, RFETTD—Red Farm, Empellon, Tertulia, The Dutch—but how about some love for all the Bowery newcomers of note in the vicinity of Eater HQ? There's superb [if pricey] sandwiches from at Il Buco Alimentari. And, as of just a few weeks ago, a wildly serviceable new after-work drink spot at The Wren, from the folks behind the West Village's terrific Wilfie & Nell.
Josh Ozersky, columnist, TIME: Obviously, Tertulia and Red Farm. But I am very excited about Il Buco's Alimentaria e Vineria. The pork sandwich I waited half my life for. Bar Basque was overlooked, I thought; it's a hard room to be in but the food is extraordinary. Rubirosa did a great job and is better than it has to be. I am sky high on the Schnipper's burger in their 23rd Street location. I think it's better than Shake Shack, thanks to its marvelous bun.
Gabe Ulla, features editor, Eater National: Tertulia, Isa, Empellón.
Ryan Sutton, restaurant critic, Bloomberg: Kin Shop, Ai Fiori and most of all, Tertulia were the top spots of 2011. Ai Fiori, the best fine dining spot since Marea, reminded us that New York needs more great Southern French fare. Then we got Kin Shop, perhaps our only ambitious Thai restaurant. And Tertulia’s Seamus Mullen taught us why Iberico pork belongs in the same spotlight as caviar, truffles, foie gras and langoustines. It is one of the world's finest luxury items and Tertulia’s secreto (Iberico skirt steak) is better than Japanese Kobe.
Gabriella Gershenson, senior editor, Saveur: The new Torrisi, Red Rooster (I realize it opened late 2010--but still), Kin Shop, Tertulia, Buvette.
Scott Solish, nightlife editor, Eater NY: Red Farm, Fedora revival
Kim Davis, The Pink Pig: Isa, by far the most interesting and enjoyable.
Bret Thorn, Nation's Restaurant News: Pass. What can I say? I haven’t made it to many of the new restaurants that should be “of note,” and I haven’t been moved much by those that I have been to. I’m looking forward to checking out Tertulia and Pure Thai Shophouse. I’d like to check out Brushstroke at some point, too. I don’t think I’ll bother with Romera.
Amanda Kludt, editor, Eater NY: I'll give the expected Red Farm, Empellon, and Tertulia some love here and out in Brooklyn Isa and Masten Lake. I also really enjoyed the cozy vibe and meat-crazy menu at Cannibal.