Author: Site Adminstrator
10 Unique Restaurants In NYC To Take Your Dining Experience To The Next Level
There’s dining in NYC, and then there’s–add a little bit of *spice*–unique, quirky dining in NYC!
To be honest, the city’s restaurant scene is unmatched, unrivaled, endless–okay we’ll stop there–but why constantly head to all the typical run-of-the-mill spots when you can dine somewhere that steps outside the box?!
Step inside a Tim Burton-themed spot where every day is Halloween or dig into chocolate ham croquettes and a chocolate chicken sandwich–either way we can guarantee you one thing: it won’t be your ordinary dining experience! There are endless unique restaurants in NYC, and these are some of our favorite ones:
1. Bad Roman, Columbus Circle
We had to give a shout out to Bad Roman on this list for one main reason–the statue of a wild boar that stands as the restaurant’s main focal point. Beyond the interest-piquing maximalist design choices, newly opened Bad Roman is an Italian restaurant that’s also not an Italian restaurant–at least not in the strict sense of the word. Opulence meets whimsical vibes here, and it’s just one spot you need to dine at at least once. Read more about it here.
10 Columbus Circle – 3rd floor of the Time Warner Center
2. Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Theater District
“Home of the Original World-Famous Singing Waitstaff, The Stardusters,” Ellen’s Stardust Diner is a retro 1950s-themed restaurant that transports you to a star-studded atmosphere. It’s definitely a great place to go for dinner and entertainment, and the best part is that the singing waitstaff is actually good–many have gone on to have successful careers on Broadway and American Idol!
1650 Broadway
3. Beetle House, East Village
If you’ve ever dreamed of living inside a Tim Burton movie (
) now’s your chance at the Tim Burton-themed Beetle House. As one of our favorite quirky restaurants in NYC, where else can you dig into dishes like The Edward Burger Hands, Killer Coq Au Vin, or Poison Berry Lemon Bars while getting harassed by Beetlejuice himself?! Answer: nowhere. Every day is Halloween here, and we’re definitely not mad about it!
308 E 6th St.
4. Ichiran, Multiple Locations
One of our favorite places to go for a delicious bowl of ramen also doubles as the best place to go if you’re dining solo–their individual booths make for the perfect place to enjoy a meal sans company, and you don’t even have to talk to the waiter! Quirky in the sense that it’s not every day you find a quiet place to dine in NYC, Ichiran is definitely a go-to.
Multiple Locations
5. Leuca, Greenpoint
We’re sure there’s not many times you can say you’ve eaten your meal blindfolded, but at Leuca you can! ‘Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at Leuca’ is a night out where the flavors and textures of your meal are intensified by your remaining senses–and being 80% of people eat with their eyes, this unique dining experience is definitely a fun one to try for yourself! Grab your tickets here.
111 N 12th St.
6. Alice’s Tea Cup, Multiple Locations
Fall down the rabbit hole at Alice’s Tea Cup, NYC’s most whimsical tea house! While not exactly a restaurant, this Alice in Wonderland-inspired tea house still deserves a spot on our list. Visitors can enjoy afternoon tea with unlimited tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and cookies. Keep an eye out for the Cheshire Cat during this unparalleled, magical experience!
Multiple Locations
7. Dinner Party, Fort Greene
Founded in 2021 by six young women with no professional cooking experience–most of whom were strangers when they started but grew to become lifelong friends by the end of the first month open–this restaurant makes you feel like you’ve arrived at a dinner party in a friend’s cozy home! Take a seat next to some strangers and enjoy the cuisine which falls somewhere between French, Italian, and, according to the chef, “Californian.”
86 South Portland Ave.
8. Grand Banks, Tribeca
This Tribeca waterfront restaurant surprised us New Yorkers this season opening 2 weeks earlier than usual, and if you’re looking to dig into fresh oysters while floating in the water, this is the place to go. This spot finds itself on our list of quirky restaurants in NYC as it’s modeled after the oyster barges found on the waterfront in the 19th century, so you’re literally dining on a boat! Head here for all things seafood and unbeatable summer vibes. Learn more about Grand Banks here.
Pier 25 – West St.
9. Chocobar Cortés, South Bronx
If all things chocolate is your vibe, Chocobar Cortés is a must-visit. Giving Willy Wonka a run for his money, chocolate is the star ingredient on this restaurant’s menu where you can find everything from ham croquettes with a dark chocolate dipping sauce and a chicken sandwich with chocolate balsamic vinaigrette, to a bloody mary with, you guessed it, chocolate bitters. Read more about this sweet spot here.
141 Alexander Ave.
10. Enoteca Maria, Staten Island
What’s better than grandma’s cooking? Answer: nothing. And Enoteca Maria is proving this–literally! This restaurant celebrates cultural diversity by serving cuisines from around the world, but the best part: the chefs are real grandmothers from every country across the globe that are invited to cook the recipes handed down to them from their families. You can find out what cuisine will be served up on their calendar here.
27 Hyatt St.
In other foodie news: Dine Al Fresco On A Sun-Soaked Atrium At Soho’s Dreamy New Dining Destination
The post 10 Unique Restaurants In NYC To Take Your Dining Experience To The Next Level appeared first on Secret NYC.
A big queer book fair and street festival is headed to Astoria
Pride is all about community, and one big event to kick off Pride Month is bringing the neighborhood outside for a day full of complimentary culture and fun.
The Rolling Library, a community organization aimed at making literacy and books free to all, will host a Big Queer Book Fair in Astoria on Saturday, June 3. The event will run from 1pm to 5pm at 31st Avenue and 34th Street and offer plenty of no-cost activities and amenities for attendees.
RECOMMENDED: NYC events in June 2023
In accordance with the Rolling Library’s mission, hundreds of free LGBTQ+ books for all ages will be available for the taking. The People’s Bodega NYC will provide free snacks and water, to anyone who needs nourishment, plus zines and more giveaways. Astoria Food Pantry will also be on-site to collect donations, especially of high-need items including menstrual pads, reusable bags, cereal, oil, coffee and natural hair products. Astoria Trans Collective will also be there for a clothing swap anyone can donate to and QNS Collaborative will have a table for an art supply swap.
Pups are of course welcome to 31st Avenue’s Open Streets, with Astoria Pet Fair offering a dog pool for pets to cool off in, plus a free pet item swap table. @Lesbiqueernyc will also be on-site hosting a meetup for queers and their canines with the opportunity for humans and dogs to make matching tie-dye handkerchiefs.
For kids, storytime will be held at 1:30pm and 3pm, with additional activities including coloring, community muraling, singalongs, and more for young people throughout the day.
Those who want to learn some skills can take part in Drag Story Hour Defense to learn about community defense and how to join. Fearless queers will also host two self defence workshops, at 2pm and 4pm.
The day promises to be educational and recreational, with an after-party at nearby Diamond Dogs for those who want to continue the celebration.
This upscale Chinese restaurant in Williamsburg now hosts jazz nights
Your next weeknight date night in Williamsburg is already planned! And it’s a good one.
Antidote, which serves sophisticated and authentic Chinese cuisine, is adding live jazz music to its plant-filled dining room throughout the summer. Every Wednesday, local jazz artists and up-and-coming musicians will serenade diners from 6:30 to 9pm while guests feast on an ala carte menu in a calm, inviting ambiance. Patio seating is also available and a post-dinner stroll through nearby Domino Park would be a nice conclusion to the night, especially after such a sumptuous meal.
Antidote‘s food is inspired by Sichuan and Shanghai cuisine. The menu focuses on cold appetizers, dim sum, entrees, vegetarian dishes, noodles, and rice. Signature dishes include dongpo pork (a traditional pork belly dish braised for eight hours for a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich, savory flavor), dan dan Noodles, fish with spicy bean paste, fish blossom, spicy cumin lamb, cucumber salad, tea smoked duck, crab tofu, and wonton in chili sauce.
“We’re excited to bring our passion for food to the Brooklyn community,” says Jane Rotari, co-founder of Antidote. “At Antidote, everyone is treated as equal, and we are like a large family. We hope to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for our customers to enjoy delicious food and great company.”
In the future, the restaurant plans to create more local partnerships, including collaborations with plant stores around New York City and offer pop-up shops to its customers.
Can’t make it in the evening? Or just eager to kick off Wednesday night early? Antidote is also locally renowned for its all-day happy hour, which includes $11 cocktails, $8 glasses of bubbly, and $5 cans of Tsing Tao beer. Lunch is served from noon to 4pm. Reservations are bookable via Resy.