🚕 Westville Brings NYC Veggie Magic to Virginia

Good Morning NY!

This July, NYC’s food scene is heating up with fresh openings and bold moves. Westville, the beloved veggie-forward spot, is bringing its home-style American comfort food vibe down to Virginia with a brand-new Clarendon location.

Back in the city, a wave of new restaurants is launching—from Mexican cocktail bars and Italian patios to pan-Asian noodle spots and experimental ice cream labs, there’s something tasty in every borough. Brooklyn pizza lovers, get ready: Bad Cholesterol’s pop-up is turning permanent in Red Hook with playful comfort food and signature sourdough pies.

Meanwhile, NYC’s vegan restaurants are battling rising costs and congestion pricing with creative new strategies and hopeful openings. And don’t miss Williamsburg’s Michelin-starred Francie, continuing to raise the bar for Italian dining in Brooklyn.

Let’s dive into the latest bites and bites-to-come!

Westville Brings NYC’s Veggie Magic to Virginia

NYC favorite Westville is heading south, opening its first Virginia outpost in Clarendon on July 14.

Founder Jay Strauss launched Westville in 2003, building a following for veggie-forward American comfort food.

The Clarendon spot will serve Market Plates with over 20 rotating vegetable sides like pesto mashed potatoes and soy-glazed green beans.

Classic hits like char-grilled burgers, smoky mac ‘n’ cheese, and truffle Parmesan fries will share the menu spotlight.

Dessert lovers can look forward to treats like gluten-free molten chocolate cake and house-made apple pie.

The drink list includes Virginia wines, local craft beers, and seasonal cocktails such as strawberry Aperol spritz and prosecco mint lemonade.

The spacious 4,000-square-foot space offers indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for casual dining vibes.

Westville aims to bring home-style cooking away from home, now with a fresh Virginia twist.

July's Hottest NYC Restaurant Openings Are Here

July is bringing a fresh wave of flavor to NYC with exciting new restaurant openings across the boroughs.

Dolores, a Mexico City–inspired cocktail bar, is now open in Bed-Stuy, created by the team behind Winona’s.

Over in Brooklyn Heights, Fini Patio Bar is serving Italian pizzas and spritzes with views of the waterfront.

Monkey Sushi expands from Toronto to a new location in the East Village.

In Queens, LA chef Timothy Hollingsworth debuts Hundredfold, a chic French-American brasserie.

Fogo de Chão and the historic Paris Café both land in FiDi, adding international flair to the neighborhood.

Van Leeuwen opens a new Flavor Lab in Greenpoint for experimental ice cream fans.

Hell’s Kitchen welcomes Samsaen, a Bangkok-style Thai spot by chef Oak Marprasert.

Tribeca gets Wok in Duane, a casual pan-Asian noodle bar from the Zutto team.

And the Upper West Side scores three newcomers: Tacos Cano, The U Bar and Grill, and Typhoon Café.

Bad Cholesterol Pop-Up Lands a Permanent Home in Red Hook

Brooklyn’s pizza scene is about to get even hotter with the arrival of Third Time’s the Charm in Red Hook this September.

Chris Milazzo, who left behind a career as a lawyer, is turning his popular Bad Cholesterol pop-up into a brick-and-mortar spot.

The new restaurant will open at 275 Van Brunt Street, taking over the former Grindhaus space.

Milazzo wants the space to feel like a casual supper club, where there’s no VIP list—just great vibes and friendly bartenders.

The menu will spotlight his signature sourdough pizzas that made the pop-up a hit.

Expect playful takes on comfort foods, like a Bloomin’ Onion and chicken nuggets inspired by childhood favorites.

Milazzo is teaming up with Sean Klim and chef Sam Savage to bring the vision to life.

Red Hook locals and pizza lovers across the city should get ready for a delicious new hangout.

NYC’s Vegan Restaurants Fight to Survive Rising Costs and Congestion Pricing

NYC’s vegan dining scene is facing tough times as high costs and congestion pricing slash profits.

Several popular spots like Modern Love and Blossom have closed or downsized despite investor support.

Restaurateurs are getting creative by sharing underused spaces and relocating to busier neighborhoods.

The Butcher’s Daughter is shifting to a more flexible approach to attract both vegans and omnivores.

Inflation, tariffs, and rising rent compound the challenges, cutting customer traffic by up to 70% in some places.

Yet, new ventures like Reverie in Williamsburg and the Brooklyn Roots Collective shared food hub offer hope.

These openings show resilience and innovation in a scene determined to thrive despite economic pressures.

NYC’s plant-based community continues to evolve, finding fresh ways to serve up vegan flavors citywide.

Francie — Williamsburg’s Michelin-Starred Italian Brasserie

Francie is a standout Italian restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Since opening in December 2020, it has earned a coveted Michelin star.

The restaurant offers a brasserie-inspired take on Italian cuisine.

One of its signature dishes is the dry-aged crown of duck for two.

This dish is served with Swiss chard, parsnip, and soppressata jam.

Francie’s elegant yet approachable menu has quickly made it a neighborhood favorite.

Located at 134 Broadway, it’s a must-visit for Italian food lovers in NYC.

The combination of refined flavors and warm ambiance sets Francie apart.

It continues to highlight Brooklyn’s growing reputation as a culinary destination.

Francie proves that Williamsburg remains a hotspot for innovative dining experiences.

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