A massive new Italian restaurant has opened at the base of the MetLife Building in Midtown, bringing all-day dining to one of Manhattan’s most recognizable locations.
Giulietta, an 11,000-square-foot restaurant from La Pecora Bianca owner Mark Barak, opened in February at 200 Park Avenue near East 45th Street, according to restaurant industry publication reports. The establishment features 275 indoor seats and 100 outdoor seats, making it one of the largest new dining destinations in the area.
Culinary director Ed Scarpone, who previously worked with Daniel Boulud and served as corporate chef for Stephen Starr, designed the menu specifically for the neighborhood’s demanding schedule, according to the reports. The offerings range from morning items like whipped ricotta toast to substantial dinner dishes including two-pound lobster fra diavolo and whole roasted chicken, alongside Neapolitan pizzas and pasta dishes.
The restaurant’s design reflects a mid-century coastal Italian aesthetic, featuring white shiplap walls, peach Murano glass lighting, and an oversized lemon tree as focal points, according to the source material. Barak told industry media he “spared no expense” on the iconic location.
The dining concept will expand further in April with the addition of Giardino, an aperitivo bar and garden offering 150 additional seats. The outdoor space will serve spritzes, frozen drinks, and pizzas during warmer months, then convert to a heated chalet-style lounge for winter service.
Giulietta joins several other notable restaurant openings across the city this February, reflecting continued growth in New York’s dining scene.
In Bed-Stuy, MoCo 575 opened as a Yemeni American cafe and micro-roastery at 531 Nostrand Avenue near Herkimer Street. The establishment serves Adeni chai, Mufawar coffee, and mocha-style brews made with Yemeni and Peruvian beans, according to reports. Executive chef Hafid Wahib, who helped develop Za’atar Café in Manhattan, created the brunch menu.
The cafe operates with a social mission, partnering with Mercy Bakery to bake and distribute bread to families in Yemen, East Africa, and other underserved regions, according to the source material.
Bushwick welcomed GiGi Curry & Noodle Bar on Tuesday, February 10, at 264 Bleecker Street near Myrtle Avenue. The modern Asian eatery operates as a fast-casual concept centered around build-your-own bowls with customizable noodles, curry, and protein options.
In Queens, dining options expanded with multiple new openings. Bukas Cafe brought modern Filipino cuisine to Elmhurst in mid-January at 56-14 Van Horn Street near 57th Avenue. First-time restaurant owners Angel Carreon and Anna Javier created a menu featuring chicken adobo melts and specialty espresso drinks incorporating artisanal heritage salts, which servers shave and sprinkle tableside.
Flushing gained a late-night dining option with the February 4 opening of Chubby Skewers at 135-41 37th Avenue on the second floor near Main Street. The self-service skewer bar, part of a chain with over 100 locations in China, features Dongbei-style barbecue with most skewers priced at $1.30 each. The restaurant operates until 3 a.m. daily, according to reports.
Long Island City added upscale dining with Warabi Omakase, offering a 14-course Edomae-style tasting menu for $108, plus unlimited add-on sushi, sake, and Japanese beers. The restaurant, whose name translates to “bracken fern,” features a team of experienced Japanese chefs working behind a sleek wood counter.
These openings demonstrate the continued diversification of New York’s restaurant landscape, with establishments ranging from casual neighborhood spots to high-end dining experiences across multiple boroughs.
