🚕 Michelin Stars, Retro Bars & Must-Try Bites

Good Morning NY!

Today, we’re heading to Brooklyn for the return of a beloved deli with a new latke-focused concept.

Greenwich Village gets a retro-glam twist as an ’80s fashion icon steps into the nightlife scene.

Park Slope welcomes a bold new bakery-meets-wine-bar concept from a Michelin-starred chef.

We’ll also break down the latest Michelin Guide updates, including a rare three-star sushi triumph and rising Korean talent.

Finally, we’re highlighting the standout dishes defining NYC’s food scene in 2025, from inventive tacos to unforgettable pastries.

Stay with us as we explore the freshest openings, closures, and culinary innovations shaping the city right now

Gertie 2.0 Heads to Prospect Heights With a New Latke Bar

Brooklyn favorite Gertie is officially making its return with a new location in Prospect Heights.

The beloved Jewish deli, which closed its Williamsburg shop in June, is reopening at 602 Vanderbilt Avenue.

The refreshed concept will feature a full latke bar where customers can customize toppings like smoked fish, pastrami, apple butter, and seasonal add-ons.

The menu brings back deli staples including bagels, matzo-ball soup, schnitzel, whitefish salad, babka, and black-and-white cookies from Green’s Bakery.

Drinks will range from house-made sodas to egg-cream lattes and a borscht Bloody Mary.

The space will be bright and compact at around 800 square feet, complete with a yellow-tiled bar, duck décor, and a backyard that seats up to 50.

The new shop will also serve classics inherited from R&D Foods, including the K.S.S. sandwich and Amy Hess cookies.

Owners Nate Adler and Rachel Jackson are also planning a second project, Trudie’s Tavern, set for Carroll Gardens in 2026.

Members Only Brings Retro Glam to Greenwich Village

A beloved ’80s fashion icon is stepping into the nightlife scene with a bold new concept.

Members Only is opening a three-level bar and retail space on West Eighth Street.
The ground floor will feature nostalgic cocktails like the Blue Lagoon and a yuzu-infused Long Island iced tea.

Guests can also snack on gochujang fried chicken, tacos, oysters with wasabi granita, and chocolate bread pudding.

The mezzanine doubles as a shop selling classic and limited-edition Members Only jackets.

Downstairs, a cozy basement lounge offers intimate leather-banquette seating for about 45 people.

The walls are lined with celebrity photos wearing the brand’s iconic bombers.

This new opening blends nightlife, fashion, and nostalgia for a uniquely retro New York experience.

Vato Opens in Park Slope — A Tortilla Bakery Meets Wine Bar

Chef Fidel Caballero of Michelin-starred Corima is bringing a new concept to Park Slope called Vato, combining a bakery and restaurant.

Vato officially opens its doors on November 20, 2025.

During the day, it operates as a counter-service bakery offering sourdough flour tortillas, Chihuahua-style burritos, and Mexican-inspired pastries from Corima pastry chef Erick Rocha.

In mid-December, it’ll shift into evening mode as a full restaurant and wine bar, serving grilled dishes, seafood tapas, and a Basque–Mexican fusion menu.

Drinks include Oaxacan coffee, aguas frescas, natural wines, and sherries.

The interior is warm and communal, with street-style photography of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez decorating the space.

And true to its name — “Vato,” Chicano slang for “homie” — the restaurant is a labor of love from Caballero, his wife, and longtime friends.

Michelin 2025: Sushi Sho Hits Three Stars, Joo Ok Moves Up

The 2025 Michelin Guide has recognized the top dining destinations across New York City.

Sushi Sho earned its third Michelin star, reaching the pinnacle of the guide’s rankings.

Inspectors highlighted the restaurant’s dazzling array of fish, shellfish, and vegetables, along with sophisticated fermentation techniques.

The intimate space features an eight-seat Hinoki counter, carved-wood doors, and towering ice boxes.

Joo Ok, the Korean restaurant, was promoted from one to two Michelin stars.

Meanwhile, Masa, formerly a three-star sushi landmark, was demoted to two stars.

These updates reflect both emerging talent and evolving standards among NYC’s elite dining scene.

The 2025 guide continues to showcase the city’s diverse culinary excellence, from traditional Japanese sushi to innovative Korean cuisine.

The Best New Bites Defining NYC’s Food Scene in 2025

Grub Street has released its roundup of the most impressive dishes shaping New York dining in 2025.

Santo Taco earned praise for its trompo-style tacos made with shaved sirloin and New York strip instead of traditional pork.

Flynn McGarry’s Gem Home stood out for its deeply flavorful sourdough made from a blend of wheat, spelt, and rye.

Tiramisu innovations dominated Brooklyn, with versions from JR & Son, The Snail, and I Cavallini offering wildly different takes on the classic.

Mommy Pai’s chicken fingers made the list thanks to four flavor styles, two cooking methods, and nine different dipping sauces.

Elbow Bread’s cornbread cake doughnut also drew major attention.

Brooklyn Granary & Mill impressed with a humble $10 ham sandwich elevated by freshly milled wheat and aged pork loin.

The list also highlighted masa-based cocktails, a standout celtuce pickle plate at Lei, and late-night Korean hits from Tal.

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