Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Openings Roundup: Seäsonal, Baoguette, Danku
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 7, 2008
Modified Dec 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 7, 2008
Modified Dec 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Seäsonal: This sleek new midtown restaurant (pictured) uses Austrian and German classics as a springboard into lighter iterations of typically heavy Kraut cuisine. Chefs and co-owners Wolfgang Ban and Eduard Frauneder—if those even are their real names—are intent on making traditional staples like Schweinsbauch (Crispy Pork Belly) new again with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Other items include Wiener Schnitzel (Breaded Veal cutlet) served with a potato and cucumber salad, and Monkfish Medallions served on Szegediner Kraut. The wine list emphasizes regional bottles such as Riesling, Rivaner, and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and the atmosphere is comfy and clean; Thrillist likens the white curves and latticework to "the getaway nook on the cruise ship from The Fifth Element." 132 West 58th Street, (212) 957-5550
Baoguette: Where do Blimpies go when they die? If you're this deceased Blimpie in midtown, you go to sandwich nirvana and get transformed into a deli specializing in the popular Vietnamese sandwich bánh mì. (Served on baguette, bánh mì typically features pickled carrots and daikon, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and meat or tofu.) The punny name of this new venture comes via husband-and-wife restaurateurs Michael Bao (Bu’n, Bao Noodles) and Thao Nguyen. According to NY Mag, they're pushing the envelope here with a Spicy Red Curry Corned Beef sandwich with caramelized onions and pickled jalapeños. There are also more traditional bánh mì, as well as Vietnamese salads, rolls, and a few noodle dishes. 61 Lexington Avenue, near 25th Street, (212) 518-4089
Danku: All the takeout containers, cups, bags, and flatware at this new Dutch/Indonesian fast food restaurant are biodegradable, and the furniture and wall paneling are made from recycled composite wood and other reclaimed materials. But what about the grub? The signature item here is the traditional Dutch fritter, the “kroket.” But Danku’s krokets are filled with non-traditional stuff like Mac & Cheese, Tomato & Mozzarella, Salmon Dill, and Chili con Carne. The menu also features sandwiches, stews, curries, satays, Basmati fried rice (PadiDan) and pan-fried noodles (MieDan), which are informed by one of the owner's grandma's recipes. (The old gal grew up in Indonesia, for what it's worth.) Midtown Lunch has a preliminary review. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. 47 West 57th Street
And hey, why not check out our gorgeous photo spread on L'Artusi, from the owners of Dell'Anima; our report from the opening of David Burke's Fishtail; the newly-opened Shang in the Thompson LES Hotel; and Midwood's new tofu bacon mecca Salud?
Tagged
Baoguette
best
danku
dining
food
german
midtown
new
new york
nyc
open
opening
restaurant
seasonal
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .