The city’s dining scene keeps spinning: fresh spots are landing in the LES, Carroll Gardens, and DUMBO, while the Health Department delivered a rough week for five eateries across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Here’s your Friday rundown.
New Openings & Just-Added Spots
After Eden — Lower East Side
This one’s doing double duty beautifully. By day it’s a Vietnamese coffee house; come sundown it transforms into a cocktail bar slinging elevated bites — beef tartare with prawn chips, spring rolls with caviar, and crispy turmeric shrimp tacos. And they stay open until 2 a.m. every day. Late-night crew, take note.
Dumbo Oyster Bar — DUMBO, Brooklyn
Right near the DUMBO waterfront, this new spot is leaning hard into what its name promises: a rotating list of oyster varieties, plus lobster rolls and Old Bay fries. It’s a solid addition to the neighborhood, especially on a Friday afternoon when the Brooklyn Bridge views are doing their thing.
Bar Bruno — Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Carroll Gardens’ Bar Bruno is back, now under the care of Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. That means the seafood focus is real — the whole roasted seabass, guacamole, and icy margaritas are the early must-orders. Good to see this space alive again.
Zoo Sindang — Midtown South
The NYC outpost of one of Seoul’s most beloved cocktail bars is here. Zoo Sindang goes speakeasy-style with a hidden garden feel and zodiac-inspired cocktails that are as photogenic as they are drinkable. Find it in Midtown South.
Motoishi — NoMad
Yakiniku done right — high-quality beef cuts grilled tableside, served alongside Korean banchan and sundubu. NoMad has been getting more interesting by the month, and Motoishi is a welcome addition.
Andrew Steak Society — East Village
A proper steakhouse has arrived in the East Village, with crimson banquettes and the full spread: shrimp cocktail, Maine lobster, ribeye, creamed spinach. Classic and unapologetic about it.
Health Department Closures: May 1–8
The NYC Department of Health closed five eateries this week for public health violations. All addresses are as recorded in official inspection records.
Manhattan
- Halal Munchies (1810 3rd Ave.) — 78 violation points. Rodent harborage, fly infestation, and food temperature violations among the cited issues.
- Eclair Bakery (305 E. 53rd St.) — 70 violation points. Evidence of mice, food contamination, and improper sanitation of dishware.
- Nana Thai Street (31 E. 21st St.) — 75 violation points. Rodent and fly issues, improper food temperatures, and no accessible handwashing facility.
Brooklyn
- Happy House Seafood Restaurant (5014 8th Ave.) — 103 violation points — the week’s highest score. Live roaches, mice evidence, sewage issues, and multiple food safety failures.
- Halsey Grill Takeout (2912 Beverly Rd.) — 72 violation points. Rodent harborage and contamination conditions.
Violations data sourced from NYC Department of Health inspection records via Patch NYC.
That’s the Friday snapshot. Five new spots worth adding to your list, and five reminders to check the NYC restaurant inspection database before you eat somewhere new. Bookmark this page — we update openings and closings daily.
