FOUR HUNDRED SEPTEMBER HIT LIST: NYC DINING
Contributor - Ximena Lascurain | Lifestyle Consultant • 9/18/25
The summer might be over, but the best part of returning to NYC is the chance to reconnect with the city's newest, most buzzworthy restaurants.
Our Four Hundred September’s Hit List has you covered for the latest and greatest.
Seahorse NYC I 201 Park Avenue South (East 17th Street), inside the W New York – Union Square
Consider John McDonald’s grand seafood brasserie, Seahorse, at Union Square. A year ago, it was slated to open in late fall, 2024, but its debut will be next week. The glacial opening of Gabriel Kreuther’s second act, Saverne, at Hudson Yards, is another example, as was Confidant in Industry City, which opened last spring, four months behind schedule. You get the picture. Still, providing the dining demographic with tables and trends to anticipate remains in demand, even if it means waiting a year to book a reservation. - Florence Fabricant, NY Times
Star Wine Bar I 139 E 12th Street
Chase Sinzer and Joshua Pinsky, the team behind East Village hits Claud and Penny, have signed a third lease at 139 East 12th Street, near Third Avenue. Claud opened in 2022 and was initially billed as a wine bar; functionally, it is a restaurant that has become known for dishes like its chicken, sizzling shrimp, and chocolate layer cake. Penny, which opened upstairs in 2024, is a raw bar. Their new, as-yet-named project, will be an actual wine bar that’s more snacky than full meals. The 20-seat space will open sometime in winter 2025 with 1,000+ wine selections from around the world, according to a spokesperson. With all the heaps of accolades their previous two projects have received in the neighborhood, it’s fair to say that the new space’s few seats will fill up fast. - Eater
La Boca by Francis Mallmann I Faena New York, 500A West 18th Street
Celebrating the layered heritage of Argentine cuisine, La Boca by Francis Mallmann brings together bold tradition, soulful technique and a deep reverence for simplicity. Honoring the flavors of his beloved Buenos Aires neighborhood, the menu blends Spanish, Italian, and Patagonian influences through Mallmann’s elemental approach. Within a richly textured space, alive with curated art, storm-lit chandeliers, and nightly music, La Boca invites guests to slow down, savor, and step into a world where every detail is touched by memory, myth, and meaning.
Brasserie Boulud I 64th & Broadway
Brasserie Boulud is a new French restaurant by acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud, set to open in late 2025 at 64th & Broadway in NYC. This restaurant will replace the now-closed Bar Boulud and Boulud Sud, offering a true brasserie experience inspired by the traditional French "grand restaurant" concept. The menu will feature a blend of seasonal classics and seafood, reflecting both French regional traditions and the spirit of New York.
The Eighty Six I 86 Bedford Street (Barrow Street)
It’s a beef-focused bistro from the team behind The Corner Store, tucked in the storied former home of Chumley’s and Frog Club. Their list of dry-aged cuts, from a cheesesteak made with 72-hour Australian ribeye to a porterhouse for two, are the clear draw, but don’t overlook the housemade fries, ravioli with caviar, and Bread and Butter martini.
Contributor — Ximena Lascurain | Lifestyle Consultant
From Mexico City, Ximena Lascurain brings to the Four Hundred Team a Latin flair. Growing up and attending Culinary School there, she has always been interested in the culture and gastronomy of her country. When she moved to NYC she attended the International Culinary Center where she certified as a Sommelier under the Court of Master Sommeliers. Prior to Four Hundred she worked in the kitchens of several Michelin star restaurants throughout Mexico, Spain and NY. What she enjoys the most when it comes to travel, is doing a lot of research. Specially when it comes to the "hidden gems" for local food and specialty coffee.