A Fancy Rooftop Cocktail Bar Hits FiDi Waterfront in Early December

A new rooftop cocktail lounge is coming to the Seaport District

Headed to the Seaport District in early December is R17, a new rooftop cocktail den on top of Pier 17 in the Seaport District. Food comes from executive chef Cassidy Hallman — previously of Morimoto — and will feature American small plates, like a hamachi crudo and wagyu beef short rib. Cocktails include “the Edmont,” made with rye whiskey, blanc vermouth, and lavender honey. The space is designed by Rockwell Group, which is also behind flashy cocktail spots like Tao Downtown, Moxy Times Square, Untitled, and Nobu. Next year, restaurants from David Chang, Andrew Carmellini, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten are coming to Pier 17.

Two new openings this week

Dua Kafe, an Albanian-American cafe serving breakfast and lunch all day, opened in East Village at 520 East 14th St., between Avenue A and Avenue B. It serves egg dishes and various paninis in a cozy, brick-walled space. On the Upper West Side, seafood restaurant the Flying Fisherman has opened a new casual sibling restaurant next door called Fish on the Fly, which serves simple seafood classics like lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, and fried clams in a 12-seat space, available for dine-in, take-out, or delivery.

A chef-backed ceramics line launches for the holidays

Masa Takayama has made custom ceramics for his restaurants, but for the first time, the chef with Michelin cred — he’s behind the country’s most expensive sushi restaurant, Masa — will make his full ceramics collection available for purchase as a part of the newly launched Masa Designs. Pieces include plates, bowls, and more in earthy black, white, and grey tones.

A Ukrainian feast in East Village

East Village Italian restaurant Hearth turns 15-years-old this month, and chef Marco Canora is celebrating with a four-course dinner on Thursday, November 29. The dinner will be inspired by the Ukrainian cuisine of the neighborhood, with dishes like borscht, pork-stuffed cabbage, and potato and mushroom pierogis. Iced vodka, Ukrainian beer, and Georgian red wine will also be on hand. The dinner costs $120 per person, and reservations can be made here.

New happy hours in town

The Woodlot in Hell’s Kitchen now has happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with a set burger menu that includes one of the restaurant’s various burger options plus a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail for $20. Ice cream shop OddFellows also launched its first beer and wine program at its new Dumbo location and will offer a happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $3 off wine and $2 off beers and boozy slushies.