The August Hit List: Les Trois Chevaux, Yellow Rose, Baby Luc’s, and More

Editor’s note: As of Sept. 13, 2023, Les Trois Chevaux has rebranded into a new concept, Le B.

Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Angie Mar (Beatrice Inn) goes all-in on classic French — with her own tilt, of course. Seafood, poultry, and a good bit of luxury anchor the menu. A dress code is strictly enforced (no jeans, yes dinner jackets). Crisp white tablecloths, dark blue banquettes, and burnished brass finishes create a fanciful atmosphere in which to indulge.

The famed pizzaiolo known for generating long waits, dishing pies only, and having a BYOB policy — yes, we’re talking about Lucali’s Mark Iacono — is now slinging slices at a sister shop several blocks away. That’s not to say Baby Luc’s won’t draw lines, but it will serve thin-crust squares showered with whole leaves of basil, and pre-batched, cutely branded Negronis. Try it while it’s fresh out of the oven. 

The chef Samuel Clonts (Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, Bar Uchū) helms the city’s newest tasting menu destination with his front-of-house partner Raymond Trinh, a longtime colleague and hometown friend from Tucson. From a breakfast taco with ajitama (ramen egg), salsa verde, and trout roe to the roasted caraflex cabbage with Comté, nori, and hazelnuts, expect playful nods to Arizona combined with Japanese flavors and seasonality throughout.

The time has come for Bed-Stuy residents — and Hart’s fans near and far — to rejoice: the beloved, tiny Mediterranean joint known for its punchy crudos, ricotta paired with marinated vegetables and craggy bread, and juicy anchovy-topped lamb burger is, at long last, back. Start with a cocktail, polish off a bottle of wine, finish with the olive oil cake, then do it again next week. Right now it’s only first-come, first-served, but keep an eye out for reservations.

If you like to sip mezcal from copitas and chow down on pork belly tacos, grab a spot at Aldama. The Mexico City-inspired spot in Williamsburg also boasts a spate of refreshing cocktails, guac topped with salsa macha, whole-grilled octopus with avocado-serrano aioli, and late-night tunes from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. 

Have you ever had soba that’s the color of udon? If not, you now can, at the brand-new New York outpost of Tokyo’s Sarashina Horii, which specializes in ridding buckwheat seeds of their brown husks to create noodles that are more elegant in flavor than their earthy-toned counterparts. Here, cold, warm, and dipping-style preparations come with various toppings ranging from lobster tempura to duck and leek.

Shenarri Freeman of Cadence is doing soul food her way, which is vegan, elevated, and entirely delicious. Slide into one of the bar’s 12 velvet-lined seats or spring for a table outside on East 7th Street, then order everything to share: smoked grits with torched oyster mushrooms and corn salsa, southern-fried lasagna, maple buttermilk cornbread, and the like.

Can’t get out to the North Fork or up to Maine before summer’s end? Head to the Egyptian part of Astoria for a seafood feast much more thrilling than that of a roadside lobster roll shack. At AbuQir, a selection of fresh fish is laid out in front of the register to help guests decide what to pick. Consider smoky baba ganoush, plump chargrilled shrimp swimming in spiced oil, whole fish fried or baked or griddled black, and simmering seafood tagine made with stewed tomatoes and pepper.

No reservations.

“Fine food, natural wine, and artisan cheese,” promises King Mother in Ditmas Park. And what’s not to love about that? Come with a friend or a few, split a bottle or several, and revel in the plethora of snacks. In addition to cheese and charcuterie, there’s housemade allium focaccia, ‘nduja paninos, dressed hot dogs, and mac ‘n’ cheese.

The bean-and-cheese taco at this cheffy Tex-Mex spot is a revelation, but frankly, so are their buttermilk brioche donuts coated in chocolate or hominy-sugar (Saturday and Sundays only), and so are their frozen margs. Everything is excellent, the vibes are groovy, and best of all, Yellow Rose is now taking reservations on … you guessed it! Outside and in, for lunch and dinner and weekend breakfast.

Forget the hot new restaurants. (We kid!) But it’s true that the best place to spot the city’s star chefs is at the Union Square Greenmarket during its annual pinnacle. August brings corn, cantaloupe, peaches, and every type of tomato you could ever want, so grab a tote bag and go with an open mind. You can decide what to make later on after you’ve secured a haul — and get a preview of what might be on your restaurant table that night. More info here.