Our monthly recap of the most noteworthy new venues that have opened during the past month around the world, including restaurants, cafes, bars and more. We highlight six openings from our broader foodwatching and drinkswatching reports on the hub in June.
Please Tell Me, New York
A little piece of Florence has landed in New York City thanks to the opening of the wine window or buchette del vino at Williamsburg wine den, Please Tell Me.. Weather permitting, it will run on weekends during brunch as well as the bar's popular "Winyl Wednesdays". The hole in the wall is offering natural and organic wines from unexpected places such as Merlots from Mexico, Syrahs from Japan and white varietals from Slovenia. If wine isn't your thing, there is a variety of canned beers too. They can be enjoyed on the Please Tell Me patio or can be taken away too in sealed cups.
Find out more here.
Lulu & Me, Melbourne
If you love cheesecake then get yourself down to Collingwood's new cheesecake destination, Lulu & Me. This new spot feels more like a deli than a bakery thanks to the try-before-you-buy option along with its pay-by-weight service. If you opt for this, you can choose between the two Basque cheesecakes - traditional and pandan which are sliced accordingly to your specification before being wrapped. Alternatively, you can choose from one of the whole cakes - there's a classic New York-style one made with a messmate eucalyptus biscuit base and a no-bake cheesecake or the Japanese souffle cheesecake, available only on the weekends.
Find out more here.
Camel Coffee, Los Angeles
Hip Korean coffee chain Camel Coffee has opened its doors to its first US location in Silver Lake. Whilst coffee is their number one focus, the design of the interiors is pretty important too and this doesn't go unnoticed at its new location. As for the coffee, many of its most popular drinks are on the menu including its signature Camel Coffee made with a double espresso shot and milk and topped with a proprietary cream as well as its signatire latte that's subtly flavoured with chocolate and orange. Other beverages include those made with matcha and misugaru (roasted grain powder).
Find out more here.
Hikiniku To Come, Hong Kong
Japan's famed restaurant Hikiniku To Come has arrived in Hong Kong bringing with it its famed grilled meat patties. Its name refers to minced meat and rice which is also a reflection of the fuss-free menu. It consists of three 90-gram burgers, rice, grated radish and yuzu vinegar, egg and miso soup. Extra burger patties can be ordered in case one is not enough and there is also a range of condiments and side dishes to choose from like potato salad and kimchi. It gained notoriety in Japan for being difficult to book thanks to its ticket-based reservation system so keep a watchful eye just in case that comes to Hong Kong too!
Find out more here.
Kioku Bar, London
Complementing Kioku by Endo is Kioku Bar where sake is the speciality, with it boasting Europe's largest sake list. An intimate space on the ground floor of The OWO, Sake Samurai Natsuki Kukuya has designed a Sake cocktail programme that he has modelled on traditional Japanese listening bars. Guests can sit back and enjoy the music whilst choosing what they might have and it could take time - the bar offers nearly every single category of sake from almost every single prefecture in Japan.
Find out more here.
Sushi Ryujiro, Singapore
The one-star Michelin restaurant in Tokyo, Sushi Ryujiro, known for its refined sushi served against a convivial and relaxed backdrop, has opened its doors in Singapore. Chef-owner Ryujiro Nakamura has entrusted the helm to chef Naruki Ikeda who has trained at three-Michelin-starred Gion Sasaki in Kyoto whilst also spending time at Sushi Ryujiro in Tokyo. Whilst the menu carries some of Tokyo's signature dishes, it has been designed to suit the local palate. One particular change is that the team will be able to speak English so to filly explain the methods and ingredients to guest and share stories about Japanese culture whilst working behind the counter.
Find out more here.
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Every month we compile more comprehensive lists of the most noteworthy openings across both food and drink from around the world over on the tfp trendhub. Subscribers can see these lists for June 2024 in full over on our foodwatching and drinkswatching reports. If you're not yet subscribed but are interested in receiving our regular reporting service then get in touch using the form below.
Image credit - Sushi Ryujiro