Welcome to your weekend planner, where Eater editors recommend restaurants, cafes, and bars — whether they’re new and hot or the old standbys. As always, please let us know if you’d like to see something specific.
May 25
For a sweet turn back in time: Veniero’s started out as a social club serving biscotti in 1894, and evolved into a shiny, marble-clad, Neapolitan pasticceria by the 1920s. Now, it’s a brilliant neighborhood fixture ablaze with light serving some amazing pastries, and a long line forms for carryout along the glass pastry cases in front on evenings and weekends. You should sit in the back, or around the corner in the back room, where the miniature cannoli, tarts dotted with fresh fruit, and chocolate eclairs are some of the best in the city. Pick an assortment, or choose a rum-soaked slice of zuppa iglese and scoop of cantaloupe gelato. Open till midnight or later, seven days. 342 E. 11th St., between First and Second avenues, East Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
To try a hot restaurant while the city is (hopefully) quieter: People are going nuts for Frenchette, and, man, are they right to do so. The waits have been kind of wild, with people often lining up before it starts serving dinner at 5:30 p.m., but perhaps the long weekend is the time to go, when lots of folk are out of town. Walk-ins to the dining room might still be difficult, but the bar area is just as good, if not better. Try anything from the robust list of natural wines, and definitely order the blood sausage. 241 West Broadway between White and Walker streets, Tribeca — Serena Dai, editor
For a low-key patio and great pizza in Ditmas Park: Things can close a little early in South Brooklyn so I was pretty pleased to learn that at pizza place/whiskey bar Wheated, the kitchen doesn’t close until at least 10:30 p.m. The whiskey list is intense, the cocktails are smart, and the pizzas are excellent — though they can run out early, so do call ahead. This week, we sat out on the expansive back patio with a red pie, a white pie, and the best eggplant dish I’ve had in a while: a risotto-stuffed version covered in tomato sauce. 905 Church Ave. near Coney Island Avenue, Ditmas Park — Sonia Chopra, director of editorial strategy
For an outdoor beer garden hang in Astoria: Now that the weather is fine, it’s time to return to the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria. This walled outdoor space with old growth trees was aimed at Czech and Slovak immigrants when it debuted in 1919, but now has a mixed clientele who enjoy drinking suds and eating Eastern European food in the great outdoors. The menu runs to roast pork and sauerkraut, both beef and pork goulashes, potato pierogis served with sour cream, and perfectly fried schnitzels, washed down with almost 20 Europeans and American beers on tap. Wine available, too. 2919 24th Ave., between 29th and 31st streets, Astoria — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For one last meal at a Williamsburg comfort food favorite: After nine years in the neighborhood, Southern food spot Brooklyn Star will close at the end of the month. Head here for one last round of tripe chili, chicken-fried steak, and beef broth bloody marys. 593 Lorimer St. at Conselyea Street — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
May 18
For wine, cheese, and charcuterie: Sandwiched in a sort of non-neighborhood north of Greenwood Cemetery and southwest of Park Slope, Bar Salumi is part wine bar and part bistro. In the former guise, it offers a nice selection of wines by the glass (including $9 glasses of rose and Prosecco) and a formidable selection of domestic and Italian charcuterie and cheese. Apart from that, graze on a large selection of pastas and “small plates” that can be quite large, including a big serving of roast porchetta smothered in salsa verde and a vegetarian whole wheat pappardelle with mushrooms. 548 Fourth Ave., at 15th Street, Gowanus — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For easy classics and top-notch tableside manner: Weeks-old Bellwether — located on Long Island City’s not-yet-crowded Vernon Boulevard — is turning familiar ingredients and dishes on their respective heads in a way the neighborhood hasn’t seen since Casa Enrique. It’s thanks to chef Preston Madson, who is having loads of fun adding red peas and salsa verde to an otherwise familiar seared octopus and potatoes dish; and whole-roasting the sweetest tropea onions to dot seared black bass. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and exceptionally friendly; listen to their advice (and mine) when they tell you to get the beef carpaccio and banana chocolate dessert. 47-25 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City — Patty Diez, editorial coordinator
For perfectly crisp churros and chocolate: As many already know, chef Fany Gerson — Dough doughnuts empire builder, scholar of Mexican cuisine — also has a way with paletas, or Mexican-style popsicles. There’s always over a dozen different flavors on offer at La Newyorkina, Gerson’s Greenwich Village shop, but also find there a selection of classic Mexican pan dulces, flans, and — ideal for cool, rainy weather — cinnamon-scented churros. They’re long and crisp and perfect for dipping in a mug of the shop’s thick, creamy hot chocolate. 240 Sullivan St., between West Third and Bleecker streets, Greenwich Village — Daniela Galarza, senior editor
For a warming bowl of congee: Winter just won’t let go, and congee is a great antidote to this weekend’s chilly, rainy weather. Noodle Village in Chinatown has 20 types on the menu, ranging from dry oyster with pork and black egg to chicken with ginger and scallion. They’re all supremely flavorful and comforting, and not one tops $10. 13 Mott St., between Mosco and Worth streets, Chinatown — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
For regional Indian fare in Greenwich Village: After a three-year closure, regional Indian restaurant Surya reopened on Bleecker Street near the NYU campus with its fascinating menu, including lots of southern Indian recipes (lamb Chettinad, chicken Mangalore, and Uncle Manoj shrimp curry). And the $11.95 lunch special, which features an app, main course, bread, rice, and rice pudding dessert, is still a nifty deal. 154 Bleecker St., between Thompson Street and LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
May 11
For solid cocktails and comfort food in Carroll Gardens: Madcap is the latest restaurant to occupy the small, window-lined corner space once home to beloved neighborhood restaurant Bergen Hill, and it’s the first that feels like it might stick around. The all-day menu is concise, full of simple, comfort foods, like baked pasta and flatbreads, along with lighter items like the veggie “nachos” (really just raw vegetables in a green goddess dressing). It’s a solid neighborhood option for the decision-fatigued diner at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s also an ideal spot for an early evening cocktail. There are just a few, but they’re pretty perfect. 387 Court St. at First Place, Carroll Gardens — Monica Burton, associate restaurant editor
For rice noodles when it rains: Chinese rice noodle restaurants have spread like mad in the last couple of years, and the small but lively Greenwich Village South of the Clouds serves a version that’s worthy of checking out. The menu’s tight but solid. Cumin-lovers will dig the pig-on-a-stick appetizer, and with more rain predicted for the weekend, a steaming bowl of the little pot rice noodle, made with chicken broth, will hit the spot. It’s a little tart, a little spicy, and wholly satisfying. 16 West Eighth St., between Fifth Avenue and Macdougal Street — Serena Dai, editor
For a dumpling feast: When you walk by Auntie Guan’s on 14th Street, you see a man making dumplings from the window, rolling out the dough, stuffing the pouches, and sealing them shut. It’s impossible not to crave dumplings after watching. The Chinese restaurant offers several varieties, from pickled cabbage and pork to lamb to leek, shrimp, and eggs. Make a meal out of several orders. 108 West 14th St. between Sixth and Seventh avenues, Greenwich Village — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
For Hamptons pizza in the West Village: The best place to eat in Westhampton Beach is Pizzetteria Brunetti, a postage stamp-size pizzeria, where patrons sit at a small counter that faces a domed beehive oven in a premises where space is shared with an ice cream parlor. The Naples-style pies are fabulous, especially the pizza made with local clams, parsley, and garlic. There’s a branch in the West Village, with a similar roster of pizzas, along with the same clam pie. Don’t miss it. 626 Hudson St., between Jane and Horatio streets, West Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For an extensive orange wine list: Orange wine is having a (long) moment in New York, and Park Slope’s newest Italian restaurant Terre comes in strong with around 20 by-the-glass offerings, plus some very good pasta options; don’t miss the cacio e pepe. The space itself is cute too, with a lot of old-world Italian market charm. 341 Fifth Ave. at Fourth Street, Park Slope — Sonia Chopra, director of editorial strategy
May 4
For five kinds of Georgian khachapuri on Bleecker Street: If you read Stefanie Tuder’s piece on the rising popularity of khachapuri, the Georgian bread that oozes melted cheese, you’re going to want to try Old Tbilisi Garden in Greenwich Village. With a backyard dominated by a wall of rocks and a waterfall, the restaurant will transport you to the Caucuses, and the full Georgian menu is available. Some of my favorites include lobio (a bean stew in a crock flavored with cilantro, with a piece of cornbread on top), lula kebab (ground lamb or chicken rolled in a pita), and phkali (a quartet of composed salads dressed with walnut paste). 174 Bleecker St., between Macdougal and Sullivan streets, Greenwich Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For easy pasta and interesting wine: Sometimes a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine is what one needs, and I found myself in such a situation on Tuesday night. For its proximity to my apartment, I headed to Scampi and quickly procured a bowl of campanelle with fennel sausage, broccoli rabe, and Parmesan, and paired it with a smoky Frappato and Nero d’Avola blend. The wine list is especially good, with several former Rebelle sommeliers now pouring in the high-ceilinged space. There are other Italian dishes on the menu, like some crudos, various vegetables, and grilled mains, but sitting solo at the bar with pasta and a glass was a joy. 30 West 18th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Flatiron — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
For cheap beer and top-notch bar food in South Slope: The menu at Sea Witch is somewhat perplexing: a pork schnitzel sandwich, kielbasa, crab rangoon, fried oysters, fish tacos, and a grilled cheese all live together. But it’s basically a menu of filling, fried bar snacks — all done with perfect simplicity. A fried oyster cobb salad with grilled corn and a mustard vinaigrette is surprisingly complex. But even just the burger, thin-pattied and $7, satisfies. It helps that cheese doesn’t have an upcharge. The space is fun, too, at first seeming like any dimly lit pub, but an aquarium above the bar glows, and in the back, there’s a soothing garden with a koi pond and turtles. 703 5th Ave., between 21st and 22nd streets, South Slope — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
For budget early-bird sushi in the East Village: There are still about two dozen restaurants in the East Village’s Little Tokyo that present themselves as sushi bars, though they mount much larger menus. Some, like Hasaki, are higher end, but a few offer a sushi bargain. One of the oldest is Avenue A’s Takahachi, which presents an early bird special from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that includes soup and green salad, a sushi or sashimi set, four yakitori brochettes, hijiki and lotus root salad, a small heap of squid tentacles, a fried dumpling, and dessert, all for $21.50. You won’t walk away hungry. 85 Ave. A, between Fifth and Sixth streets, East Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For one of the closest approximations of Nashville hot chicken in Brooklyn: Bed-Suy’s Peaches Hot House is definitely the spot for Brooklyn takes on Southern eats. The fried green tomatoes are great, but really you can just skip over the starters and get right to the meat of the menu: the hot fried chicken. The “extra hot” option adds a scorching layer of fire to the crispy chicken shell, so get a side of slaw for some cooling assistance. 415 Tompkins Ave., near Hancock Street, Bed-Stuy — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
April 27
For Oaxacan food in the south Bronx: Inside the purple storefront in the Bronx’s Mott Haven section is an amazing Mexican restaurant specializing in Oaxacan food. La Morada presents a state cuisine you’d have to go to New Brunswick, New Jersey to duplicate in this area. Expect multiple moles from chef and Oaxacan native Natalia Mendez, including a mole blanco made with nuts that you won’t see anywhere else in town, best poured over a cheese-stuffed chile relleno. Then there are the Oaxacan pizzas known as tlayudas, fresh squeezed tropical juices, and all the usual southern Mexican antojitos. Make a weekend visit and celebrate this center of immigrant activism. 308 Willis Ave., between 140th and 141st streets, Mott Haven — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For a casual night with lots of fun wines: I must admit that I was a bit dubious when entering Terroir in Tribeca after a colleague led us there for post-dinner drinks this week. Hockey was playing on a wall, and the expansive space could easily have doubled for an average sports bar. But the wine selection is expansive, and the servers know how to choose just the right kind of wine you’re feeling for the night, no matter how vague the request. Bring lots of friends, and drink a glass or three. 24 Harrison St., between Greenwich and Hudson streets, Tribeca — Serena Dai, editor
For Northern Italian comfort food in Boerum Hill: The rustic vibes and simple menu of all-day neighborhood restaurant Rucola make it a cozy restaurant for any meal — even just a between-meals cheese and cured meats plate. The nutmegy pork bolognese rigatoni will soon leave the menu for the season, so as our server told us, get it while you can. And don’t overlook those $1 chocolate chip and amaretto cookies, which are the perfect coffee companion. 190 Dean St. at Bond Street, Boerum Hill — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
For easy group dining in a relaxed and fun setting: There are plenty of NYC restaurants that are perplexingly popular and able to expand into several locations. Tacombi is not one of them. The charms of this mini Mexican chain are apparent: Affordable prices, casual vibes, and good food — a wide variety of corn and flour tacos, quesadillas, and street-style corn off the cob — that pleases a wide swath of people. Head to any of the four NYC locations, though the original in Nolita remains extra-charming. 267 Elizabeth St., between Houston and Prince streets, Nolita — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
For an eclectic bistro in Williamsburg: Former site of sandwich shop Graham Avenue Meats, Pheasant is a modern eclectic bistro with a low-key ambiance. In a tip of the hat to the neighborhood on the other side of the nearby BQE, there’s a burger topped with kielbasa, but there are also many Mediterranean influences. Included on the bill of fare are grilled lamb kufta that look like little lollipops, a frito focusing on asparagus irrationally paired with slices of American smoked ham and potato foam, and a good-size halibut filet swimming in a mild salsa verde. A similarly eclectic alcohol program completes the picture. 445 Graham Ave., between Frost and Richardson streets, Williamsburg — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
April 20
For old-school red sauce in Cobble Hill: The neighborhood sure was a whole lot different when Sam’s was founded in 1930. Cobble Hill didn’t have a fancy real estate developer’s name, but was called simply South Brooklyn. The restaurant is semi-subterranean, and outfitted with red leatherette booths, checked tablecloths, Roman statuettes, and photos of local celebrities, some long forgotten. The menu doesn’t stop with classic apps (shrimp cocktail, pasta fagioli soup, and pickled red peppers with salty anchovies), and classic pastas (spaghetti and meatballs, cheese ravioli), but then goes on to offer a menu of pizzas baked in the brick oven. Really, you can’t go wrong at Sam’s, especially if you order a baked pasta like manicotti or ziti. The antique cocktails are another plus. 238 Court St., between Baltic and Kane streets, Cobble Hill — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For a low-key Sichuan feast in the East Village: When getting into Han Dynasty or Mala Project takes more than an hour this weekend, hopping over to neighborhood standby Hot Kitchen isn’t a bad back-up plan. The solid Sichuan restaurant will fulfill that craving for spice, with on-point renditions of classics like mapo tofu. The cold noodles in particular hit the spot. 104 Second Ave., between Sixth and Seventh streets, East Village — Serena Dai, editor
For dips and pita in a lively, trendy Soho space: Breezy Middle Eastern restaurants have exploded across New York City, and affordable Shuka in Soho is among the latest wave. Skew your meal toward the dips, gorging on the creamy housemade labneh, garlicky whipped feta with pistachio, and smooth hummus. The space is lively and colorful, with the bar an especially fun place to sit. 38 Macdougal St., near Prince Street, Soho — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
For a nice weekend lunch of Thai noodles: Proong is a rare Manhattan restaurant that concentrates on Thai noodles at a couple of dollars less than you might expect. Located across from Peter Cooper Village — Stuy Town’s fancier sister — the cafe occupies a jazzy space bisected by a kitchen, and the lunch specials are available seven days a week. It was at lunch on Saturday that I enjoyed bang-rak baa mee: egg noodles layered with roasted pork and baby bok choy littered with scallions and cilantro. A couple of bonus shrimp wontons lurk in the mix, and the broth is served on the side, allowing you to moisten the noodles as you go. Eleven choices are priced from $11 to $14, a couple dollars less than usual. 347 First Ave., between 20th and 21st streets, Gramercy Park — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For Spanish wine coolers and pintxos in East Village: While the full dinner menu at neighborhood Basque restaurant Huertas has some gems, the real treats are at the bar. The pintxos, or small bites, and conservas, or seafood tins, are where’s it’s at. The black anchovies tin comes with piquillo peppers, a quail egg, and bread, and there’s a canned clam option, too. And then the wine coolers — like the kalixmoto, which is just red wine and coke — are great for when the temperature finally goes up. 107 First Ave., between East Sixth and Seventh streets, East Village — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
April 13
For those who want dessert, but not sugar overload: Taiwanese dessert chain Meet Fresh has been pretty packed since it opened, and for people who prefer their desserts to be not-too-sweet, it’s worth trying. Options include soups — yes, dessert soups, either hot or cold — packed with red beans, peanuts, and mochi, making for a light treat with lots and lots of different textures. The teas are good, too. 35 Cooper Sq. at East 6th Street, East Village — Serena Dai, editor
For super old-school steins and schnitzels: The bar and beer garden called Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn occupies a rambling house built on a hill around 1855 overlooking the Arthur Kill, a body of water separating New York and New Jersey. The ornate mahogany bar was installed in 1890, and still amazes visitors in a dining room hung with stuffed bucks and other trophies, and further decorated with humongous steins. German beers on tap, and a menu that runs to potato pancakes, multiple schnitzels and wursts, sauerbraten, and goulash further regale visitors who take the trouble to go to this remote corner of Staten Island. 4254 Arthur Kill Rd., at Sharrotts Road, Charleston — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For banh mi in Prospect Heights: I had the perfect go-to, no-frills neighborhood Vietnamese bakery/sandwich shop in Chicago (Nhu Lan Bakery, if you’re curious), and I have been searching for the right replacement for a while. Banh Mi Place, a tiny spot on Washington Avenue, comes pretty close with its classically executed banh mi. Sandwiches come on a sizable baguette for just $6.95, and while the classic, made with ham and ground pork, is a solid order, the tofu variation is great, too. And don’t forget the Vietnamese coffee. 824 Washington Ave., between St. John’s and Lincoln places — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
For upscale Cantonese in Chinatown: Having worked at banquet palace Triple Eights for eight years, chef Chuen Ping Hui opened Ping’s on Mott Street in 1998. Trained in Hong Kong, he was one of the city’s first Chinese celebrity chefs, and in the elegant multilevel space, where vintage wines were the beverage of choice, one of the city’s most sophisticated seafood menus prevailed. One specialty still on the menu from those days is lobster e-fu noodles, and the waiter will show you the live lobster a few minutes before this excellent dish arrives at your table. Lots of other high end cooking available with Hong Kong panache, and Ping is still the chef. 22 Mott St., between Mosco Street and Chatham Square, Chinatown — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For casual Italian in a welcoming atmosphere: I’m eagerly anticipating the opening of Pisellino, the forthcoming Italian cafe from chefs Rita Sodi and Jody Williams. But for now I am cooling my heels at Via Carota, their imminently pleasing Italian restaurant in the West Village. Yes, the pastas are good — particulary a tagliatelle draped with prosciutto and Parmesan — but it’s the salads and vegetables that always impress me most. At my last visit, the bitter green salad with anchovy dressing was a standout. 51 Grove St., between Seventh Avenue South and Bleecker Street, West Village — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor
April 6
For Indian-Mexican barbecue in Forest Hills: Queens Bully is the kind of roadhouse you might find in any college town. The roughhewn room is furnished with trestle tables, a long bar mainly dispensing beer, windows looking out onto Queens Boulevard (hence, “Bully”), and decorative wood stacks up near the ceiling, which serve to remind you that this is foremost a barbecue. In addition to the usual pork ribs (good) and brisket (so-so), several dishes show Indian and Mexican influences. Among the former are tikki masala chicken wings and a vegetarian aloo tikki burger with a potato patty; in the second are barbecue tacos, including some good burnt end tacos as a special on a recent TacoTuesday. 113-30 Queens Blvd., between 76th Road and 76th Avenue, Forest Hills — Robert Sietsema, senior critic
For Dominican in Crown Heights: Serving Dominican food in the neighborhood for over 30 years, Puerto Viejo is a reliable neighborhood restaurant choice. Get the codfish stew or the mixed seafood soup and a bunch of empanadas, and slather it all with the restaurant’s house habanero hot sauce. It’s also a great place for gluten-free dining. 564 Grand Ave. at Dean Street, Crown Heights — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
For solid, affordable Middle Eastern in Brooklyn: Falafel fast-casual restaurants seem like a dime a dozen in New York these days, and for non-chains, it’s not always clear whether or not the food will hit or if it’s any different from the crowds. Taheni Mediterranean Grill in Gowanus sets itself apart by using a thin, toothsome flatbread called saaj for wraps instead of pita. Fill one up with chicken shawarma and spicy tahini sauce, and add a spinach pie for an affordable, solid meal. 224 Fourth Ave. at Union Street, Gowanus — Serena Dai, editor
For coffee with a side of feminist theory: Crown Heights’ newest coffee shop Cafe Con Libros serves coffee, tea, and espresso drinks alongside over 200 books on feminism, women’s rights, race, and social justice. Owner and local Kalima DeSuze has said she wants to build community in the gentrifying neighborhood. A small selection of pastries are offered daily, and everything on the cafe menu is priced at $4 or less and comes from local businesses. 724 Prospect Pl. near Rogers Avenue, Crown Heights — Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter
For Turkish seafood in Sheepshead Bay: Whole fish charcoal grilled or lightly breaded and fried are the forte of this Turkish restaurant that focusses on seafood. Located right on the bay not far from the sport fishing fleet, Liman sports a sprawling dining room and patio with views of the water, both with nautical decoration. The branzino and fresh sardines are good choices for the charcoal treatment, while the smaller red mullets taste better fried. Turkish salads and bread dips are available, as well as an octopus casserole, grilled lamb chops, and baked rice pudding. 2710 Emmons Ave., between East 27th and East 28th streets, Sheepshead Bay — Robert Sietsema, senior critic