Restaurant & Bar Radar: From Bar Henry to Northern Spy

<p>Sometimes there's nothing more comforting in the winter than heading into the dark indoors and warming yourself up with some good wine. <strong>Bar Henry</strong> definitely evokes the feeling of a dark wine cellar, with brick walls and dark wood ceilings creating a cozy atmosphere. The bar embraces a "ready to drink" policy with their wines, choosing them at the peak of their flavor, including some reserves at under $100 a bottle. They're offering a few specials to encourage the accessibility of wine, including a special of buying half of any of the 100 bottles on the market list for half the price of the bottle. The remaining half of the bottle will be available to all customers by the glass. </p><p></p>Bar Henry also offers some cool cocktails, such as the Captain Berelsky's Skull and Bones, a mix of lavored rum and secret ingredients (Berelsky being a Caribbean pirate and a direct ancestor of Winston Kulok, owner of Bar Henry.) Food is standard bistro fare, with dry aged steak and roast chicken, and rest assured there will be wines to match.<em>90 W Houston St, (646) 448-4559</em>

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Sometimes there's nothing more comforting in the winter than heading into the dark indoors and warming yourself up with some good wine. Bar Henry definitely evokes the feeling of a dark wine cellar, with brick walls and dark wood ceilings creating a cozy atmosphere. The bar embraces a "ready to drink" policy with their wines, choosing them at the peak of their flavor, including some reserves at under $100 a bottle. They're offering a few specials to encourage the accessibility of wine, including a special of buying half of any of the 100 bottles on the market list for half the price of the bottle. The remaining half of the bottle will be available to all customers by the glass. Bar Henry also offers some cool cocktails, such as the Captain Berelsky's Skull and Bones, a mix of lavored rum and secret ingredients (Berelsky being a Caribbean pirate and a direct ancestor of Winston Kulok, owner of Bar Henry.) Food is standard bistro fare, with dry aged steak and roast chicken, and rest assured there will be wines to match.90 W Houston St, (646) 448-4559

Gothamist

<strong>Sushi Uo</strong> "strives to expand patron’s sushi palates while still being accessible." Well, maybe scratch that accessible part. Located on the second floor of a tenement building, and with no sign to guide eaters inside, expanding sushi palates will only be granted to those who can find the place. Once they do, Sushi Uo opens into a sleek and modern space, with clean black booths and wall-mounted sake racks. The sushi menu changes daily according to what's available at the market, with 23-year-old chef David Bouhadana behind the knives.<p></p> The set menu blends classic Japanese flavors with some inventive touches. Appetizers like the octopus confit with chicory root and pomelo or chipotle spiced tuna run from $8-$12, and staple sushi rolls like soft shell crab are served alongside sweet potato tempura. Platters like UO’s signature dish, UO Nigiri, are a little more adventurous. The UO Nigiri features six pieces of Nigiri, each with it’s own special topping, like red snapper topped with arugula pesto.<em>151 Rivington St, (212) 677-5470</em>

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Sushi Uo "strives to expand patron’s sushi palates while still being accessible." Well, maybe scratch that accessible part. Located on the second floor of a tenement building, and with no sign to guide eaters inside, expanding sushi palates will only be granted to those who can find the place. Once they do, Sushi Uo opens into a sleek and modern space, with clean black booths and wall-mounted sake racks. The sushi menu changes daily according to what's available at the market, with 23-year-old chef David Bouhadana behind the knives. The set menu blends classic Japanese flavors with some inventive touches. Appetizers like the octopus confit with chicory root and pomelo or chipotle spiced tuna run from $8-$12, and staple sushi rolls like soft shell crab are served alongside sweet potato tempura. Platters like UO’s signature dish, UO Nigiri, are a little more adventurous. The UO Nigiri features six pieces of Nigiri, each with it’s own special topping, like red snapper topped with arugula pesto.151 Rivington St, (212) 677-5470

Gothamist

<em>"He was a bold man who first ate an oyster,"</em> said Johnathan Swift. But long gone are the days where this shell held mysteries, and for many the only reason not to eat them is if you can't shuck them open. From the founders of the Mermaid Inn, the <strong>Mermaid Oyster Bar</strong> will try to bring an "oyster bar’s greatest hits" to the West Village. Their whitewashed walls and intimate space evoke beach-chic style, and the menu takes cues from seafood culture across America. Their oyster menu is filled with varieties from the Long Island blue point to Canadian mermaid strait, though oysters from the American south are sadly missing. <p></p>All oysters are between $1.75 and $2.75 each, and clams are also available by the half dozen. For entrees, they offer various tacos at $6 each, and some classic New England fare like fried clams and lobster bisque. Of course, if you like your fish tasting like fish, you can always order it whole and right off the grill, with a tuna steak running $16. <em>79 MacDougal St, (212) 260-0100</em>

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"He was a bold man who first ate an oyster," said Johnathan Swift. But long gone are the days where this shell held mysteries, and for many the only reason not to eat them is if you can't shuck them open. From the founders of the Mermaid Inn, the Mermaid Oyster Bar will try to bring an "oyster bar’s greatest hits" to the West Village. Their whitewashed walls and intimate space evoke beach-chic style, and the menu takes cues from seafood culture across America. Their oyster menu is filled with varieties from the Long Island blue point to Canadian mermaid strait, though oysters from the American south are sadly missing. All oysters are between $1.75 and $2.75 each, and clams are also available by the half dozen. For entrees, they offer various tacos at $6 each, and some classic New England fare like fried clams and lobster bisque. Of course, if you like your fish tasting like fish, you can always order it whole and right off the grill, with a tuna steak running $16. 79 MacDougal St, (212) 260-0100

Gothamist

<p>Sometimes, it's not enough to just be fed. Sometimes, you want a little Ragtime to go with your meal. <strong>Manhattan Inn</strong> offers not just comforting food in a cool, retro (<a href="http://www.bignyc.org/frontpage">eco-friendly!</a>) environment, but that all comes with a grand piano in the middle off the room, to be boisterously utilized by nightly live acts. The menu combines daily specials with seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers, including Rooftop Farms and Farm to Chef. Appetizers like a baguette with apple butter or chicken liver pate run from $4-$9, and entrees like braised pork belly &amp; kimchi pressed sandwich go for $12-$15. There are also plenty of fancy cocktails to go with the food and music. <em>632 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, (718) 383-0885</em></p>

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Sometimes, it's not enough to just be fed. Sometimes, you want a little Ragtime to go with your meal. Manhattan Inn offers not just comforting food in a cool, retro (eco-friendly!) environment, but that all comes with a grand piano in the middle off the room, to be boisterously utilized by nightly live acts. The menu combines daily specials with seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers, including Rooftop Farms and Farm to Chef. Appetizers like a baguette with apple butter or chicken liver pate run from $4-$9, and entrees like braised pork belly & kimchi pressed sandwich go for $12-$15. There are also plenty of fancy cocktails to go with the food and music. 632 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, (718) 383-0885

Gothamist

<p>Oh thank God, another David Chang restaurant! Though <strong>Ma Peche</strong> isn't slated to open until winter, the Momofuku Gods have blessed Midtown with a lunch special at the Chambers Hotel. Ten bucks gets you your choice of two types of banh mi, bun du riz (rice noodles, pork ragout, saw leaf herb) or calamare, soda or water, and for an extra $1.85 a peanut butter cookie. </p><p></p>The menu has been served on the down low for just two days now, with no signs of an end date. <a href="http://vjarmy.com/archives/2009/11/quick_thoughts_-_ma_peche_momofu.php">Dan Dickinson has filed a full report</a> from the scene, <a href="http://midtownlunch.com/2009/11/12/your-first-look-at-ma-peches-midtown-lunch-specials/">as has Midtown Lunch</a> (which took this photo here of "vermicelli noodles, it’s actually rice noodle roll thingees that have been pan fried just a bit, mixed with pork sausage, greens, and crispy shallots. If you like Italian sausage, you will love this dish."). And of course Eater<em> <a href="http://ny.eater.com/archives/2009/11/on_the_scene_at_momomidtowns_mezzanine_lunch.php">liveblogged</a></em> their visit.<em>Chambers Hotel, West 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth, (646) 395-3540</em>

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Oh thank God, another David Chang restaurant! Though Ma Peche isn't slated to open until winter, the Momofuku Gods have blessed Midtown with a lunch special at the Chambers Hotel. Ten bucks gets you your choice of two types of banh mi, bun du riz (rice noodles, pork ragout, saw leaf herb) or calamare, soda or water, and for an extra $1.85 a peanut butter cookie. The menu has been served on the down low for just two days now, with no signs of an end date. Dan Dickinson has filed a full report from the scene, as has Midtown Lunch (which took this photo here of "vermicelli noodles, it’s actually rice noodle roll thingees that have been pan fried just a bit, mixed with pork sausage, greens, and crispy shallots. If you like Italian sausage, you will love this dish."). And of course Eater liveblogged their visit.Chambers Hotel, West 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth, (646) 395-3540

Gothamist

<p>Look what they did to our beloved <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/01/15/old_devil_moon_restaurant_closes.php">Old Devil Moon</a> (RIP the BEST pancakes in NYC)! The new owners of what was formerly a casual Southern-style restaurant have completely remodeled the 12th Street space. The model train, the kitschy souvenirs, and Christmas lights are all gone (as is, presumably, the almost-exclusively lesbian waitstaff); the new design features a more subdued, tastefully rustic aesthetic. It's called <a href="http://www.northernspyfoodco.com"><strong>Northern Spy Food Co.</strong></a> (named after the apple) and it actually looks pretty inviting. And, let's face it, the food at ODM had started to go downhill toward the end—except for the pancakes!—so perhaps this is a change for the better. The chefs are from successful San Francisco restaurants A16 and Myth.</p><p></p>During the morning and afternoon, Northern Spy will operate as a sort of artisanal general store, selling locally sourced foodstuffs. In the evening, it turns into a relaxed restaurant serving a reasonably-priced menu emphasizing and local ingredients. A Country ham sandwich comes with Bloomsday cheese, pickled onion, and whole grain mustard ($9); a Wild Hive Polenta with mustard greens, mushrooms, and Creme Freche is $11. The four beers on tap includes Troeg's Hopback Amber Ale and Sixpoint, and they serve their own seltzer, in grape and citrus flavors. Brunch begins in a few weeks.<em>511 East 12th Street, (212) 228-5100 — John Del Signore</em>

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Look what they did to our beloved Old Devil Moon (RIP the BEST pancakes in NYC)! The new owners of what was formerly a casual Southern-style restaurant have completely remodeled the 12th Street space. The model train, the kitschy souvenirs, and Christmas lights are all gone (as is, presumably, the almost-exclusively lesbian waitstaff); the new design features a more subdued, tastefully rustic aesthetic. It's called Northern Spy Food Co. (named after the apple) and it actually looks pretty inviting. And, let's face it, the food at ODM had started to go downhill toward the end—except for the pancakes!—so perhaps this is a change for the better. The chefs are from successful San Francisco restaurants A16 and Myth.During the morning and afternoon, Northern Spy will operate as a sort of artisanal general store, selling locally sourced foodstuffs. In the evening, it turns into a relaxed restaurant serving a reasonably-priced menu emphasizing and local ingredients. A Country ham sandwich comes with Bloomsday cheese, pickled onion, and whole grain mustard ($9); a Wild Hive Polenta with mustard greens, mushrooms, and Creme Freche is $11. The four beers on tap includes Troeg's Hopback Amber Ale and Sixpoint, and they serve their own seltzer, in grape and citrus flavors. Brunch begins in a few weeks.511 East 12th Street, (212) 228-5100 — John Del Signore

Gothamist