The Very Best of NYC Dining Recommend by Two Michelin-Starred Chef, Fredrik Berselius of Aska
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The Relisher is the place where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite spots in their home cities. This week, we spoke with Swedish-born Chef, Fredrik Berselius, the owner and chef behind the two Michelin-starred restaurant, Aska (translating to “ashes” in Swedish), in Brooklyn, New York.
Aska opened in 2012 and within a year, was awarded its first Michelin star, and Bon Appetit named Aska one of the ten best new restaurants in America. Today, Aska is one of only a dozen restaurants in the city to achieve the distinction of two Michelin stars (and the only two Michelin-starred restaurant in Brooklyn). Berselius also has a phenomenal cookbook, Aska, published by Phaidon.
Below, Chef Fredrik, who has spent the majority of his culinary career in New York City, shares his favorite eateries in arguably the best city in the world.
“I have to admit, I hold high expectations when it comes to dining out. The places I prefer are those that maintain a consistently high level of quality each time I visit, both in terms of food and service. As a chef and restaurateur, delivering consistency every single time is one of the most challenging things to achieve, but it’s what sets you apart. Additionally, when I go out to eat, I like to order as many dishes as possible to get a good sense of a place and experience a variety of flavors.”
*At the end of the interview, there is a Google Map link and a summary with links and price ranges for all the mentioned places.
Dinner Restaurants: Elevated Korean to New York City Classic and a Michelin-Starred Wine Bar
“Oiji Mi is a creative and modern Korean dining experience, boasting one Michelin star. It's a restaurant I like taking international chefs to when they visit NYC. In the past, I've enjoyed the beef tartare with Kaluga caviar, spot prawns, and lobster ramyun. Make sure to try out their drinks as they have an excellent beverage program.
“Oiji Mi also recently introduced its counter tasting menu, called Bōm, which features an intimate bar, where you can watch the chefs at work. It received a Michelin star this past year, and it's next on my list to try.
“Another restaurant that I’ve been enjoying lately is Ilis, which opened a few months ago by my good friend Mads (the co-founder of Noma in Copenhagen). You can either order the tasting menu (called Field Guide, where the chef more or less decides what you eat, crafted based on whatever available produce is from that week) or choose those same dishes from an à la carte menu.
“We ordered the tasting menu, and I particularly enjoyed the trout, grilled quail, and glazed eel. The restaurant itself is vast and beautiful, featuring a large, open kitchen with wood-burning ovens.
“When I have friends or family visiting from out of town, I like to bring them to Le Rock, a lively restaurant that delivers a brasserie-like experience. It has only been open for a little over a year, yet I can see it fast becoming a New York City classic. It is located in the heart of Rockefeller Center and run by the owners of Frenchette (another great place in Tribeca). I particularly enjoy their seafood towers, and recommend ordering the live scallops and oysters. Their leek dish is another classic, which they recommend trying at least once.
“If I’m in the mood for something more relaxed and walking distance from my home, I tend to go to The Four Horsemen, a one Michelin-starred restaurant & wine bar. It is always full with locals and visitors and has been a crowd-pleaser since it opened. I like that you can either make it a quick visit or spend a few hours.
“The one restaurant that I’m looking forward to experiencing is three Michelin-starred chef César Ramirez’s new restaurant, slated to open in early 2024. I am excited to see what he does next and needless to say, expectations are admirably high.”
Classic NYC Eateries Ideal for Lunch
“The places that I like to go specifically for lunch are:
ABCV, located in Union Square, is a vegetarian restaurant (from the Jean-Georges group) that I enjoy visiting with my wife, and sometimes our daughter. Some of my go-to dishes are the walnut pappardelle or the hen-of-the-woods mushroom burger. The food is light yet satisfying, and the atmosphere is bright and warm — it's the kind of place that leaves you feeling uplifted, better than when you first walked in. Most of the ingredients are sourced directly from the farmer’s market a few blocks away.
Gramercy Tavern, located in the Flatiron District, is a longstanding establishment in New York City. Even after all these years, it continues to consistently deliver a good meal. I enjoy the roasted duck, their chicken, and apple tarte tatin for dessert.
Le Crocodile, located in the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, is a place I keep returning to in the neighborhood. Order the leek gratin and mushroom pâté. They also offer an excellent selection of zero-proof drinks, which they’re happy to customize for you."
World-Class Colombian Coffee Shops & Artisanal Bakeries
“There are so many great coffee shops in New York, but if I had to choose, it would be Devocion. This a specialty Colombian coffee shop in Williamsburg, with a few other locations in the city. Devoción stands out to me because they are very specific about coffee beans—how fresh they are, how they roast them, and how they serve. I personally drink espresso, but coffee is very subjective.
“La Cabra, serving excellent coffee and pastries, is another one of my favorite spots. Their pain au chocolat croissant is one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. Just note that there is a line out the door pretty much at all times of the day.
“For bread, I love the artisanal La Bicyclette Bakery located in my neighborhood of Williamsburg. Their pavé loaf (fermented for 96 hours) is worth trying. It’s open until 1pm but they often sell out before.”
The Single Best Bar in Williamsburg
“If I had to choose a cocktail bar, it would probably be Fresh Kills, a small yet world-class bar located in Williamsburg. I rarely drink cocktails but if I do, I enjoy classic and simple cocktails made well, such as an Old Fashioned or a Negroni.”
Japanese Knives Boutique: A Longstanding Favorite Among Chefs
“I’ve been going to Korin, a small Japanese knives shop in Tribeca with a diverse selection of expertly crafted knives, for 20 years. What makes this place special is that it brings together the most incredible and different knife makers, all under one roof.
“Even in Tokyo, I struggled to find a store that offers such a variety of knives all in one place. It’s difficult to leave here without a new knife. You can also find specially sourced Japanese ceramics and tableware here.”
Where to Sleep in NYC
“I like the vibe of:
The Beekman (four stars) in Manhattan
Wythe Hotel (four stars) in Williamsburg
The Greenwich Hotel (five stars) in Tribeca.”
Memorable Restaurants Around the World
“A few of the most special dining experiences I’ve had around the world are at:
The Tawaraya in Kyoto: It’s one of the oldest ryokans in the area, where you are served a classic kaiseki meal reflecting the season directly in your room. It's a truly special experience with impeccable service and undoubtedly one of my most memorable meals.
Restaurant Frantzen in Stockholm, Sweden: I love their fish courses and had an excellent pigeon dish there last winter. The team delivers an exceptionally beautiful experience and does so consistently.
The Kitchin in Edinburgh, Scotland: It’s a phenomenal one Michelin-star restaurant that showcases the very best of Scottish produce. During game season, they offer a variety of different birds and game, and their seafood is consistently world-class. A true gem in Scotland.
Daniel Berlin's new restaurant, VYN Restaurant located in southern Sweden, is on my list. From what I have seen and heard, it sounds like an exceptional place.”
Thanks for reading — Gabrielle
P.S. If you’re looking for more amazing NYC recommendations, check out
SubstackHERE is the Google Map link with all of the places mentioned.
SUMMARY
RESTAURANTS (FOR DINNER)
CASUAL RESTAURANTS
ABCV $$
Le Crocodile $$
COFFEE & BAKERIES
BAR
BOUTIQUE
Korin $$
HOTELS
Wythe Hotel $$
The Beekman $$$