Top 50 Best New Restaurants of 2012
From Alla Spina in Philly to Zeppoli in New Jersey, here are the 50 restaurants that are changing the way we eat in 2012–all chosen by Andrew Knowlton, a.k.a. the BA Foodist.
Jason Varney1/50Alla Spina
Imagine a trattoria, gastropub, and sports bar mashup, and you've got chef Marc Vetri's most democratic (and most rollicking) spot to date. Creative comfort food rules here.
LOOK FOR: Pig's tails with fennel agrodolce; whole roasted pork shoulder
WE LOVE: The custom-made draft beer system (alla spina means "from the tap") featuring 20 beers
John Storey2/50AQ
I could recommend several dishes I ate here in the spring, but by the time you eat here they'll be gone—the menu (and the decor) changes four times a year, taking seasonality to a new level.
LOOK FOR: Soft potato gnocchi; Churchill's Bane cocktail
WE LOVE: Sitting at the bar or kitchen counter, with a homemade-vermouth cocktail in hand
Lindsay Borden3/50Artusi
Chef Jason Stratton made a name for himself cooking rustic Piedmontese (including some of the best pasta this side of the Atlantic) at Cascina Spinasse—which is still great. Now, next door at Artusi, he tackles the art of antipasti, amaro-based cocktails, and small plates at this Pacific Northwest take on an aperitivo bar.
LOOK FOR: Cavatelli with lamb ragù; the Averna Flip
WE LOVE: Stratton is also a painter: His wraparound mural adorns Artusi's walls
Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times/Redux4/50Atera
Before he arrived in New York, chef Matthew Lightner won over Portland, OR, with his forage-focused dishes. Today, he's doing the same at this prix fixe-only boutique spot in Tribeca.
LOOK FOR: Lamb with sprouted wheat berries; foie gras "peanuts"
WE LOVE: Though not listed on the menu, the cocktails are smart and inventive—especially the surprising clear milk punch
John Reed Forsman5/50The Bachelor Farmer
For traditional Scandinavian cooking with a twist, skip the local Ikea café and head to this stylish warehouse space for light-as-a-feather meatballs and open-face sandwiches.
LOOK FOR: Dill-cured white bass toast; poached eggs with whey-glazed potatoes and braised kale
WE LOVE: Pip Hanson, the mastermind behind the deceptively simple cocktails at Marvel Bar, the sister spot just below the restaurant
Dylan and Jeni Photography6/50Bäco Mercat
It all started with a "bäco," chef Josef Centeno's irresistible taco/pizza/gyro mashup, but this lively downtown spot quickly became known for much more, from veg-centric small plates to big hunks of grilled meats.
LOOK FOR: Blistered okra, Caesar brussels sprouts; 14 oz. shiitake crusted pork chop
WE LOVE: Centeno isn't just a chef, he's a D.I.Y. restaurateur who wears many hats: marketer, window washer, and designer
Eric Kleinburg7/50Balena
Many diners at this big, booming Italian restaurant do the pre-dinner thing before heading across the street to the legendary Steppenwolf Theater, but as far as I'm concerned, the real attraction is what's on the plate.
LOOK FOR: Smoked mackerel; mortadella and pistachio pesto pizza
WE LOVE: The amaro-focused cocktail list ranks drinks from 1 to 10 on a bitterness scale
Tuukka Koski8/50Battersby
I shouldn't tell you about this tiny neighborhood spot (a few blocks from my house) since it's already packed, but the duo behind it deserve all the attention they get. How talented are they? Order the kale salad and you'll see.
LOOK FOR: House-made bread with whipped ricotta; sea urchin spaghetti
WE LOVE: There are no reservations, but call ahead and request the tasting menu, and they'll happily set aside a table for you
courtesy Beasley's Chicken and Honey9/50Beasley's Chicken and Honey
The specialty of the house at Ashley Christensen's casual downtown spot? If you guessed crispy, juicy fried chicken (served with a side of honey), you're on the right track. Don't forget the sweet tea.
LOOK FOR: Quarter fried chicken with cheddar pimento mac 'n' cheese
WE LOVE: The speakeasy-like sister spot Fox Liquor Bar, just downstairs, great for a few shots of another Southern delicacy, whiskey
Robert Wright/The New York Times/Redux10/50Blanca
Twelve counter seats around a trophy kitchen and a 28-course tasting menu await those lucky enough to snag a reservation at this spin-off (and next-door neighbor) of rambunctious pizza mecca Roberta's.
LOOK FOR: Squid with Meyer lemon; black pepper garganelli with braised goat; grilled snow crab
WE LOVE: Chef Carlo Mirarchi's inspiration: his mom, for whom the restaurant is named
Lindsay Mehlhorn11/50Braise
Want to "own" a restaurant but don't want to deal with a no-show dishwasher and other kitchen catastrophes? Chef David Swanson brings the CSA model to restaurants (you can "join")—and inventive farm-to-table cooking to the brats-and-beer belt.
LOOK FOR: Duck confit and blue cheese flatbread with arugula pistou; olive oil-braised vegetables with horseradish cream
WE LOVE: Locals can request home delivery of produce, house-made pickles, and bread
Jonathan Lovekin12/50Cakes & Ale Restaurant
This one look familiar? In 2009, Billy Allin's bistro made our list for smart, farm-to-table cooking. A move to a bigger space, a more ambitious menu, and an added bakery mean it's list-worthy once more.
LOOK FOR: Wood oven-roasted squash and onion with scrambled eggs and trumpet mushrooms; Mississippi mud cake; lemon bar
WE LOVE: At the adjacent bakery's lunch service, chef David Sweeney's "good-for-menu" makes healthy food taste great
Raftermen Photography13/50Cardamom Hill
If chicken tikka masala and saag paneer are the extent of your knowledge of Indian food, it's time to visit this ATL favorite and explore the bright flavors of Kerala—a lush state in southern India at the center of the spice routes. Traditional dishes are a launching pad for modern takes full of spice, coconut, and seafood.
LOOK FOR: Banana leaf-roasted kingfish; Kerala-style fried chicken
WE LOVE: Chef Asha Gomez began cooking to encourage return customers at a spa she once owned
Christopher Berkey/The New York Times/Redux14/50The Catbird Seat
Add another to the growing list of knockout Nashville restaurants. At this second-floor spot, just 20 seats surround the kitchen, and the cooking is best described as avant-garde country—familiar flavors in very unfamiliar guises.
LOOK FOR: "Hot Chicken Skins"; puffed pheasant
WE LOVE: Located just below the restaurant, the affiliated bar the Patterson House serves Music City's best cocktails
Adam Milliron15/50Cure
Pittsburgh native Justin Severino returned to his hometown after nearly a decade of cooking and butchering in California to open this haven for locally sourced "urban Mediterranean" food. The selection of house-made charcuterie alone (lonzino, lomo, coppa secca...) is worth the trip.
LOOK FOR: Duck speck; pork belly confit with smoked German potatoes
WE LOVE: Severino used to run Severino's Community Butcher in Santa Cruz, CA.
courtesy Davanti Enoteca16/50Davanti Enoteca
The second outpost (there are now three) of restaurateur Scott Harris's contemporary-country-Italian restaurant rejuvenates San Diego's Little Italy with spot-on salumi, small plates, and updated mains, all based on simple and fresh ingredients.
LOOK FOR: Escarole and apple salad; cacio e pepe
WE LOVE: The Happy Hour menu (daily, 4:00-6:00 p.m.) is an ideal way to graze chef Luigi Negroni's greatest hits
David Dadekian17/50The Dorrance
The 1901 former Federal Reserve building may say "fancy French continental cooking", but the food (and cocktails for that matter) at this oh-so-glamorous spot is playful, inventive and globe-trotting, courtesy of James Beard "Rising Star" nominee Benjamin Sukle.
LOOK FOR: Smoked bluefish with preserved blood orange mayonnaise
WE LOVE: The vault room and the sculpture by Daniel Chester French, best known for the Lincoln Memorial
Michael Muller18/50Elizabeth Street Café
Vietnamese might not be the first cuisine you think of when eating in Austin, but for banh mi on house-baked bread and hangover-curing pho in oh-so-cool digs, this spot could change your thinking.
LOOK FOR: Dungeness crab spring rolls; bun bo hue
WE LOVE: Breakfast, when the in-house bakery puts out croissants, brioche, and homemade jams
courtesy Fiola19/50Fiola
I've eaten chef Fabio Trabocchi's modern Italian food as a judge on Iron Chef America and at the late Fiamma in New York. It was great then. It's even better now, at this clubby space near the Capitol.
LOOK FOR: Bucatini with prawns, Manila clams, and sea urchins
WE LOVE: Politico-watching at the bar. It beats C-SPAN any day
courtesy Harvest20/50Harvest
One of America's underrated burgeoning food (and, of course, drink) cities lands a winner with this casual Southern cooking spot that highlights Kentucky fields and farms. Chef Coby Lee Ming sources at least 80% of her menu within 100 miles of the city. Portraits of local farmers decorate the walls.
LOOK FOR: Burger with hog-jowl bacon jam on a pretzel bun; roasted-vegetable pot pie
WE LOVE: Harvest's cocktails and bourbons are a key part of the experience
Ed Anderson21/50Ink.
Crazily inventive Michael Voltaggio draws crowds with his bold, beautiful, ultra-modern Californian food and his icy-cool space. This is a serious, technique-driven restaurant that still knows how to have fun with ingredients.
LOOK FOR: Poutine with chickpea fries, yogurt curds, and lamb neck gravy
WE LOVE: Voltaggio's sandwich shop, Ink.Sack, is just down the street
John Curtas/ EatingLV.com22/50Kabuto
No trip to Vegas is complete without a meal off the strip—whether that be In-N-Out, Lotus of Siam, or this teeny, super-minimalist 18-seat sushi restaurant. You've got two options: a multiple course omakase menu, or a 10-piece nigiri menu. Both showcase pristine, expertly procured fish that's simply and beautifully prepared.
LOOK FOR: The ten-piece nigiri course for $48, including fish like ma-aji (jack mackerel) and renko dai (deep-sea porgy)
WE LOVE: There's no sign, just the Japanese character for kabuto (which means "samurai helmet") on the door.
Judy Horton23/50Lenoir
Cross your fingers that the buttermilk rabbit is still on the menu at this funky, French-inspired spot. Pay close attention to the desserts—they're some of the best in town.
LOOK FOR: Buttermilk-braised rabbit; fish curry; olive oil cake
WE LOVE: The surprisingly sophisticated three-course prix fixe, a steal at $35
Adam Larkey Photography24/50Linger
I'll admit that a menu that includes everything from ceviche and spring rolls to dosa and kofte sounds like culinary ADD, but the gutsy, globe-hopping street food is focused and expertly prepared. Above all else, this place is a good time—and even those pesky vegans (kidding!) will have plenty of options.
LOOK FOR: Sesame BBQ tacos; "pho-real" spring roll
WE LOVE: Formerly a mortuary, the space features bar tables that were allegedly built from old casket-rollers
Dakota Fine25/50Little Serow
A seven-course, $45 family-style menu of no-concessions, spicy northern Thai food, served in a former Dunkin' Donuts turned culinary destination, from chef Johnny Monis and his wife, Anne Marler. Totally transporting.
LOOK FOR: Pork ribs, marinated in Mekhong whiskey and finished with shallots and dill
WE LOVE: All female servers wear very cool vintage dresses
Jaclyn Camanaro26/50Luce
This is simple, Italian home cooking stripped down to its elemental ingredients (think olive oil, chiles, and pasta) by a husband-and-wife team working a postage stamp-size room.
LOOK FOR: Braised chicken with capers; spaghettini with garlic and dried chile
WE LOVE: Diners can buy the curated selection of ingredients and housewares on display
Stephen Cebulka27/50The Macintosh
When a Low Country restaurant has a chef with a name like Jeremiah Bacon (who lends his name to and cures the meat for the bar's weeknight Bacon Happy Hour), you can imagine the kinds of food you're in for.
LOOK FOR: Grilled triggerfish with clams and pole beans
WE LOVE: The sister lounge upstairs, the Cocktail Club
Daniel Krieger/The New York Times/Redux28/50The Nomad Hotel
Does chicken alone warrant a night on the town? Yes, when the destination is this hotel restaurant from chef Daniel Humm, who also oversees the kitchen at Eleven Madison Park, and the bird (which serves two) is roasted with truffles under its skin.
LOOK FOR: Fruits de mer (shellfish tower); suckling pig confit; roast chicken for two
WE LOVE: Bartender Leo Robitschek's inventive cocktails never miss, especially when taken in The Library
Desiree Espada29/50Oak
This swanky Design District spot is home to what might be Big D's most talented restaurant trio: chef Jason Maddy, pastry chef Sarah Green, and bartender Abraham Bedell. Expect global flavors with definite Germanic leanings—think schnitzel, strudel, and spaetzle.
LOOK FOR: Grilled Bandera quail; quark spaetzle; Gianduja chocolate panna cotta
WE LOVE: A huge oak tree outside the restaurant inspired the name and decor, including wallpaper and a projected tree image that changes with the seasons
Dina Avila30/50Ox
Fans of Argentina's simple grilled meats (and empanadas) should head to this husband-and-wife spot, where a custom-made stainless-steel grill keeps things smoky, Pampas style.
LOOK FOR: Spicy braised octopus and beef tripe; house-made morcilla; flanken-style beef short rib
WE LOVE: Ox is one of several local independent restaurants partially funded by ChefStable, an organization that helps chefs open their own places.
William Abranowicz31/50Oxheart
Ignore the name. Justin Yu and Karen Man's spectacular sliver of a restaurant celebrates Gulf Coast produce and seafood. Choose from one of three value-driven tasting menus and be glad you're in Texas's greatest food city.
LOOK FOR: Gently steamed Warsaw grouper; house-made focaccia; caramelized chocolate cake
WE LOVE: The cooks deliver your food. If you need another fork or knife, simply grab it yourself from the counter-top drawers
Peter Chang32/50Peter Chang China Café
The peripatetic master of Sichuan cuisine has finally (hopefully) settled down, cooking fiery, layered dishes from China's food-obsessed province in suburban Richmond.
LOOK FOR: Bamboo fish; mapo tofu; Shan City chicken
WE LOVE: Chang was profiled in a famous New Yorker piece by food writer Calvin Trillin.
Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post33/50Pinche Taqueria
Tacos are having a moment—both the traditional and the inventive varieties. Chef Kevin Morrison does both at his new brick-and-mortar spot, which means that fans no longer have to track down his taco truck for an asada (sweet-and-sour pork belly) fix.
LOOK FOR: Surf & Turf tacos (lengua and fried shrimp); chilaquiles (at brunch)
WE LOVE: The extensive list of tequilas features dozens of choices, from blancos to three-year-aged añejos.
Kendall Ruth34/50Pizzeria Locale
What did we do before bona fide pizza napoletana came to America? I ask myself that question whenever I'm eating at spots like the pizzeria from Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Bobby Stuckey (who also run nearby Frasca Food and Wine).
LOOK FOR: "Mais" pizza: mozzarella di bufala, sweet corn, crème fraîche, and prosciutto cotto
WE LOVE: A dough-proofing box ensures that the temperature and humidity match those in Naples. The 1,000-degree, hand-built brick oven is pretty cool, too.
Jesse Walker/New City Movement35/50Plum Alley
Remember when Asian fusion was all the rage—and then it wasn't, quickly becoming a culinary punch line? Well, it's back, minus the silly label. At this lively communal-table restaurant you'll find a menu listing everything from steamed pork buns to ramen and curries.
LOOK FOR: Lamb riblets in tamarind sauce; P.A. ramen
WE LOVE: The restaurant name honors the city's early-20th-century Chinatown, which was torn down to make a parking lot
Chris Granger36/50Root
Working with the flavors of Louisiana, chef Phillip Lopez brings molecular cooking to NOLA. His technique-heavy, innovative dishes, broken out into Socials, Beginnings, Middles, Principals, and Endings, are meant to be shared, but you should think twice before sharing that plate of face bacon.
LOOK FOR: Louisiana pickled shrimp; Cohiba-smoked scallops
WE LOVE: All the condiments, including the mustard and ketchup, are made in-house
courtesy Solo Farm & Table37/50Solo Farm & Table
After a decade working at some of Manhattan's best restaurants (Per Se, Degustation), Chloe and Wesley Genovart pulled a Green Acres and moved back to Chloe's native Vermont, where Wesley's Spanish-inflected modern-American food makes it a destination indeed.
LOOK FOR: Rabbit "Rumaki"; daily preparation of local Vermont lamb
WE LOVE: The all-New England craft beer and cider list
Tuukka Koski38/50State Bird Provisions
Husband and wife Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski have returned with this dim sum-style spot where appetizers (they call them "provisions") are wheeled around the room on trolleys. The duo's inventive small plates make it all work.
LOOK FOR: Fried quail; "World Peace" dessert
WE LOVE: Brioza made many of the plates and bowls in the restaurant by hand
Anthony Tieuli39/50Strip-T's
It reads like a sitcom premise: Chef at NYC hot spot moves home to Boston suburb to remake his father's diner. Fortunately, it's a true story. Tim Maslow's inventive versions of American classics are made all the better by the come-as-you-are neighborhood vibe.
LOOK FOR: Gravy fries; chicken wings with Moxie sauce
WE LOVE: The lunch menu hasn't changed in 25 years, but Maslow mixes things up at dinner
Suzi Pratt40/50Terra Plata
Rustic, hyperlocal Mediterranean cooking from James Beard Award-winning chef Tamara Murphy, with a penchant for both pork and pristine PacWest produce: What's not to like? The space, with its wide windows, wooden tables, and raw-timber rafters, is as comforting as the unpretentious menu.
LOOK FOR: Deviled goose egg; Muscovy hen with farro
WE LOVE: In a town with few late-night dining options, this one stands out for its burger and cocktails
Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times/Redux41/50Thirty Acres
Could Jersey City be the new Williamsburg? Probably not, but if it does happen, Kevin and Alex Pemoulie, the husband-and-wife team behind this spot, will be heralded as pioneers for their ingredient-focused, modern-American cooking. The menu may be short—one pasta, a few shared starters, three proteins, a pickle plate—but everything on it is perfectly executed and deeply satisfying.
LOOK FOR: Pan-roasted mussels; cavatelli
WE LOVE: There's only one dessert—"Kevin's mom's lemon bars"—but no one's complaining
Mike Diskin42/50Trade
A locally sourced, wide-ranging menu of international classics—plus late-night dining, a brilliant burger, and puffy flatbreads you can watch being baked from the bar—makes star Boston chef Jody Adams's latest an instant go-to when you're in town.
LOOK FOR: Mushroom and fig flatbread; grilled whole lobster
WE LOVE: Look for weekly menus at @tradeboston
Jed Mandel of 2DineFor.com43/50Uchi
Yes, they serve serious sushi in chef Tyson Cole's third temple to all things fish, but unlike at other spots of its caliber, you can't hear a pin drop—you're in Texas, after all.
LOOK FOR: Ten-course chef's tasting menu; jar jar duck
WE LOVE: Sitting at the sushi counter and ordering omakase, which here means a ten-course chef's tasting menu
Julie Soefer44/50Underbelly
Chef Chris Shepherd's dream restaurant pays homage to the incredible diversity of Houston's dining scene with a freewheeling menu filled with the flavors of Korea, Vietnam, and, yes, the Gulf Coast.
LOOK FOR: Korean braised goat and dumplings; V-cut lamb rack
WE LOVE: Every protein served here comes in as a whole animal and is butchered in the restaurant's meat room
Ryan Wheeler45/50Virtue Feed & Grain
Irish chef Cathal Armstrong's gutsy pub grub borrows from the best of both his homeland and his adopted country. The bustling warehouse space has plenty going on, but you're more likely to find me at the bar, eating and drinking Todd Thrasher's expertly crafted beer cocktails.
LOOK FOR: Bone marrow; ox tongue salad
WE LOVE: Pajama-clad brunchers receive a 10% discount on the first Sunday of every month
Kevin Marple46/50Woodshed Smokehouse
You'll know chef Tim Love's latest spot by the dozens of picnic tables fronting on Fort Worth's beautiful Trinity River trails. The open-air, waterfront restaurant does Texas 'cue two ways: "Traditional Q" and "New Q", with nods to Mexico. The food is monumental; bring a small village to help you out.
LOOK FOR: 16-hour smoked beef shin; chicken skin tacos
WE LOVE: Curious about what's in the smoker? Just check the flag flying at the entrance
David L. Reamer47/50The Woodsman Tavern
Stellar staff (say hi to Evan Zimmerman, behind the bar), a warm, hunting-club vibe, and a menu that takes full advantage of local ingredients elevate this neighborhood gem.
LOOK FOR: Oysters on the half shell; whole roasted trout; Harvest Old Fashioned
WE LOVE: Stumptown coffee founder Duane Sorenson owns the place, and his first store is just a few doors down
Tracey-Ann Jarrett48/50Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
I have a weakness for fine Southern cooking, which is to say that I have a weakness for this casual Miami Beach hot spot, where the menu of both "small shares" and "big shares" is a love letter to the dishes of Dixie.
LOOK FOR: Mama's chicken biscuits; char-grilled Guinea hen; cheesy grits
WE LOVE: Friday night's Midnight Chef's Table features a family-style meal served by chef Jeff McInnis and a local guest chef
courtesy Yusho49/50Yusho
After working as executive chef at Charlie Trotter's for more than a decade, Matthias Merges zigged and opened this kick-ass izakaya with Japanese small plates and a keen sense of fun.
LOOK FOR: Cod chawanmushi; Thai basil soft serve ice cream
WE LOVE: The check is delivered in a Japanese sardine tin, and a hanging projector plays anime and Japanese monster films all night
(Photograph courtesy Yusho )
Nascati Photography50/50Zeppoli
Homespun, hearty Sicilian food made by Joseph Baldino, a former chef de cuisine at Philadelphia's Vetri just across the river. Beyond drawing on his own heritage, Baldino studied in Italy at the farm-cooking school of Sicilian food expert Anna Tasca Lanza. His passion shows.
LOOK FOR: Spaghetti vongole; Sicilian Fisherman stew
WE LOVE: Not only is the place BYOB, the half-orders of pasta are still big enough to share
