Carroll Gardens’ loss became Manhattan’s gain this week when Bergen Hill reopened in a sunny new home at 64 Cooper Square near St. Mark’s Place. The restaurant is now in the hands of executive chef Anthony Mongeluzzi and maintains its seafood focus, contrary to co-owner Ravi DeRossi’s animal welfare-driven mission to veganize many of his 14 other bars and restaurants in the city. RELATED: Hot Plate: Poached oysters at Zadie’s Oyster Room The new Bergen Hill is a continuation of the project that DeRossi and his business partner, Interpol guitarist Daniel Kessler, started in Brooklyn. The menu has just 14 items, which includes new vegetarian options created with the input of DeRossi’s Avant Garden team like a fennel hummus toast with orange, walnut and feta, but remains dominated by summer-perfect seafood dishes and crudos. DeRossi could be a happy man just shuttling between his various properties around the city, but we asked where he likes to go off the clock.
Best late night spot:“Buvettein the West Village is one of my go-to late night spots — it’s open until 2 a.m., makes a good cocktail and has a great atmosphere.”42 Grove St. Under $10:“Xi’an Famous Foods— hand-ripped noodles with vegetables all day.”10 locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens
Best hidden gem:“Spicy Village, which serves food from the Henan region of China, is definitely my favorite hidden gem. It’s in the Lower East Side, and I make it there more often than I’d like to admit.”68 Forsyth St. #B Dining solo:“In my opinion, dining alone is always done best when sitting at the bar, so any place with bar seats is the way to go.”
Where to take a date:“I don’t have one; haven’t been on a date in years.”
As we approach 10 years of age, we’ve learned that sometimes simplicity is all we need. #ADecadeOfDeath pic.twitter.com/quS8hFKHUu
— Death & Co. (@DeathAndCoNYC) June 15, 2016
Get social:“[DeRossi’s bar]Death & Companyis a great spot to catch up with friends and grab a couple drinks. Get the Oaxaca Old Fashioned — it doesn’t disappoint.”433 E. Sixth St.
