Cafe DuCharme
On September 14, Swiss national Christian DuCharme stepped off a plane in New York with the idea of opening a café. He realized his vision in record time, debuting a homey space in Park Slope less than two months later. The menu includes coffee (New York’s Dallis), as well as pastries from Ceci-Cela and breads from Sullivan Street Bakery. Diners can order breakfast items such as homemade muesli and smoked salmon with toast. Savory dishes, including salads and sandwiches, are available all day. 668 President St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (646-288-7644)
The Brooklyn Kitchen
Labs Meat-man Tom Mylan (Marlow & Daughters) joined forces with the Brooklyn Kitchen’s Harry Rosenblum and Taylor Erkkinen to create this 5,000-square-foot retail and educational culinary facility. Two “labs” will provide the kitchen space for classes such as Knife Skills and Mylan’s butchering lessons. Mylan will also run a butcher shop, called the Meat Hook, selling local and sustainable meats. 100 Frost St between Leonard St and Meeker Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-349-5033)
Dos Toros
Having scoped out New York’s Mexican food scene, Bay Area brothers Leo and Oliver Kramer concluded that we could use tacos cooked the way they do it back home. At this taqueria, diners can choose from three fillings—chicken, steak and carnitas—to stuff into soft corn tortillas. Beers are strictly south-of-the-border: Pacifico, Corona and Tecate. 137 Fourth Ave between 13th and 14th Sts (212-677-7300)
François Chocolate Bar
Pastry chef François Payard returns—after closing his bakery and restaurant last June—with this café on the fourth floor of the jewelry store Mauboussin. Cocoa-based confections dominate the menu, including various flavors of hot chocolate, and sweets like verrines—glasses filled with layered desserts. 714 Madison Ave between 63rd and 64th Sts (212-759-1600)
La Petite Provence
Husband-and-wife team Jean-Jacques and Leslie Bernat (of Provence en Boite) is opening a small-plates restaurant in the former Patois space. Dishes will include Provençal specialties like the chickpea pancake called socca and pan bagnat, the niçoise salad–stuffed sandwich. Once the liquor license clears, French wine will be poured in the dining room, as well as in the garden during warmer months.255 Smith St between Degraw and Douglass Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-254-0007)
Purple Yam
Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan made their reputation serving Filipino food at their now shuttered Soho restaurant, Cendrillon. Ditmas Park residents are the lucky recipients of their next project, a Pan-Asian eatery serving small plates. Fans of the original can look forward to old favorites like pork adobo, alongside new additions such as homemade kimchi and a variety of noodles. 1314 Cortelyou Rd between Argyle and Rugby Rds, Ditmas Park, Brooklyn (718-940-8188)
Uo Sushi
An unmarked sushi “speakeasy” from chef David Bouhadana has popped up on the LES. Hidden inside a tenement building is a clean, modern space, where Bouhadana serves creative twists on familiar raw fish varieties, including salmon topped with black-sesame paste, and snapper with arugula pesto. 151 Rivington St between Clinton and Suffolk Sts (212-677-5470)
Compiled by Daniel Gritzer