The wait is over folks! Monday, June 22, marked the beginning of Phase 2 for New York City which included restaurants being open for outdoor dining. Gone are the days of just takeout and delivery as we are FINALLY able to bask in the glory of eating delicious meals at a variety of some of the best foodie spots in the world.
Need help deciding which ones you should be RSVP’ing at? Manhattan Digest is here to help! Check out 11 that we think are worth the visit and more. And don’t forget… EAT LOCAL! And give them a big ole tip in the process.
Already Open For Al Fresco Dining:
Loulou (176 8th Avenue) in Chelsea will have 15 tables available for dining al fresco. Menu items from Executive Chef Jarett Brodie include the Loulou Burger made with grass-fed beef, clothbound cheddar and caramelized onions, Duck Leg Confit with apple rosemary puree and gala chutney, and Steak Frites featuring a 7oz skirt steak and béarnaise. That’s in addition to craft cocktails, wine and beer.
Pepolino Restaurant (281 W. Broadway) in TriBeCa is a NYC institution. Its doors have been opened for the masses for over 20 years right now where you can feast on some of the most mouthwatering Italian dishes. There are many items to try but for the love of god please get a slice of their Ricotta Cheesecake. It’s DIVINE! Reservations can be made at 212 966-9983.
Nerai (55 E. 54th Street) will have 8 coveted seats outdoors for lunch and dinner beginning at 11:30am and an expansive new courtyard opening on Monday, June 29th. Indulge in dishes from Executive Chef Moshe Grundman like Shrimp Mikrolimano with tiger shrimp in a tomato ragu, Lavraki, Short Rib Yiouvetsi and Seafood Orzotto with octopus, shrimp and mussels. Additionally, wine, beer and other beverages will be served.
Beyond Sushi will have 8 tables at their Upper East Side (1429 3rd. Ave) location 3 tables at their 62 W. 56th location, 6 tables at their Nolita location (215 Mulberry) and 9 tables at their Union Square (229 E. 14th St.) location. Dine in on Chef Guy Vaknin’s signature sushi rolls, like their vegan take on a spicy tuna roll with the Spicy Mango, in addition to the Mighty Mushroom, Sweet Tree Roll, Sunny Side Roll, Pickle Me Roll and Smoky Jack Roll. They also go far Beyond Sushi with dishes like their Fun-Guy Dumplings, Chipotle Seitan skewers and the Nutty Buddy Rice Paper Wrap. The tables are first come first served, patrons will be required to wear a mask as well as staff.
Fornino at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park will have rooftop seating for 100 available to take in the sunshine and chef and owner Michael Ayoub’s wood-fired pizzas, salads and sandwiches and alcoholic beverages. Fornino will have 24 seats in their backyard at their Greenpoint location (849 Manhattan Avenue). Reservations can be made through Yelp Reservations. Fornino’s rooftop happy hour is Monday – Friday from 4pm – 7pm with $5 beer, $8 wine and a $10 daily special.
Clinton Hall will have outdoor seating available at their FiDi (90 Washington St.) location available from 4pm – 10pm on the weekdays and and 12pm – 10pm on the weekends. Enjoy good beer, good food, and good times at the staple of craft beer and food communities.
Ainslie (76 Ainslie St.) in Williamsburg will open a new rooftop with 26 seats in addition to 36 seats on the sidewalk and 50 seats in their garden. Ainslie’s Executive Chef John DeLucie and lead pizzaiolo Erasmo ‘Mino’ Lassandro offer a tasty menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, free range chicken, NY Strip Steak, Atlantic Salmon and Wood Fired Rosemary Wings. The restaurant, wine bar and beer garden also has an extensive alcoholic beverage menu. They’re also kicking off an All You Can Drink Brunch beginning this Saturday and Sunday from 12pm – 4pm.
The Ten Hope Outdoor Garden (10 Hope Street) in Williamsburg will open for the first time just in time to celebrate phase two. The 2,500 square-foot vine-laced open-air patio has ample socially distanced seating in a green environment with fresh air, fresh food and with an entry direct from the street. Summertime day and night dishes from Executive Chef Travis McGinty include Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche, Burrata Salad, Chicken Under a Brick with spicy green ramp, shallot, fava bean, baby corn, butternut squash ribbons and ramp ends and Shakshuka Flatbread with baked coddled eggs, shakshuka sauce, feta and herbs for brunch. There will also be rotating frozen cocktails, a spiked spritz menu, in addition to hard seltzer, beer and wine by the glass and bottle. The Ten Hope Outdoor Garden will be open Tuesdays – Fridays from 5pm – 11pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm – 11pm.
Hole in the Wall in Murray Hill (626 1st Avenue) and FiDi (15 Cliff Street) will be open to outdoor diners Thursday – Sunday from 3pm to 8pm, reservations can be made through Yelp. Signature dishes from Executive Chef Brent Hudson include a Chili Scramble, Avocado Toast or a Breaky Roll with applewood smoked bacon, chorizo pate, folded eggs, chimichurri and mayo on a milk bun with tots on the side. You can also enjoy the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich with crispy chicken, nashville hot spices, lettuce, deli pickles, and spicy mayo on a milk bun with tater tots, the Smoked Salmon Salad with avocado, tomato, baby kale, lemon and chili, and Crispy Pork Belly with sticky glaze, chili, fried shallots and lime. Sip on a Jalapeno Bloody Mary, a Blood Orange Negroni with gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and blood orange, an Aperol Spritz or a Mimosa anytime of day. Hole in the Wall’s Murray Hill location will have 15 tables and FiDi will have 10. To keep everyone safe, the entire staff will be wearing PPE, and customers will be asked to wear masks when they leave their table. There will be multiple hand sanitizing stations, and a designated staff member will be sanitizing surfaces before and after customer use. There will be a limited group size of 6 per table, tables will be a minimum of 6 feet apart, and cashless and contactless payment will be available as well. To further ease worry, the staff will be temperature tested before and after their shifts.
Brooklyn Chop House (150 Nassau Street) in FiDi will have 10 tables for sidewalk seating available to dine out as steps away from the Brooklyn Bridge. Patrons can make a reservation by visiting OpenTable and seating will be offered Monday – Sunday from 12pm – Midnight. Indulge in everything from seafood and noodles, to 30 – 35 day dry-aged Prime Steaks and Double Thick Cut Chops. Splurge on 32oz Dry-Aged Bone in Tomahawk and a 48oz Dry-Aged Porterhouse for two and Salt & Pepper Lobster Tails. Other dishes include Spicy Kung Pao Chicken, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Colorado Lamb Chops. Enjoy their delicious cocktails as well which include frozen Lychee Martinis.
The Oaxacan-style taqueria Casa Del Toro recently reopened for takeout and delivery, and is now open with sidewalk seating as well as their backyard patio. The menu includes Shrimp, Chicken, or Steak Tacos ($4 ea. or 5 for $15) as well as batched cocktails like Margaritas, Rum Punch, and more. Plus, bottles of red, white, and sparkling wines starting at $25.
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The newly opened American Brass on L.I.C.’s Gantry State Park waterfront was one of the first to open post-coronavirus and has sustained business via takeout and delivery throughout the shutdown. Now, their expansive sidewalk means plenty of outdoor seating for brasserie classics, craft cocktails, and local craft beer — including its own LIC Beer Project collaboration brew American Brass Pale Ale.
Michelin Star Chef Danny Brown’s restaurant Estuary’s patio is open, with a seafood-focused menu including oysters on the half shell, Salt Cod Croquettes, a New England-style Lobster Roll, as well as the ever-popular Estuary burger. Plus, a great view to enjoy classic summer cocktails like Aperol Spritzes, Mojitos, and more.
Macchina, the home of the Internet-famous Burrata Pizza, will be offering the viral sensation in addition to an approachable menu of Italian fare including red & white pizza, pasta, and sweets like Nutella Fritters.
Bedford Ave’s local gastropub The Bedford has reinstated fan favorites like the Mac n’ Cheese Burger, Pickleback Fried Sandwich, and Charleston-style Oysters. Also on offer are wine, champagne, craft beer, and signature cocktails like their Pecan Old-Fashioned and Dude’s Caucasian.
Hip neighborhood bar Roebling Sporting Club is open with a limited menu of pub fare including their Hoison-glazed Wings, Fried Mac ‘n Cheese Balls, and Tot-chos, as well as cocktails and craft beer
Wednesday, July 1st
Haven Rooftop high above the Sanctuary Hotel (132 W. 47th Street) will be ready for diners to escape to beginning on Wednesday, July 1st. Haven offers delicious food and craft cocktails. Favorites include sliders, tuna tartare, and Buffalo wings, Branzino and Steak Au Poivre with peppercorn sauce. Pair that with a Cloudtini or summer sangria for a truly elevated experience.