The following restaurants are scheduled to open by July 29. As always, call ahead before heading out, as opening dates can change.
Umi Nom Kuma Inn chef-owner King Phojanakong and co-chef Soulayphet Schwader branch out to Brooklyn with this 50-seat bamboo-and-brick-clad restaurant, expected to open July 28. As at its LES counterpart, the menu consists of small plates based on Filipino and South Asian flavors. Tapas-size items like salt-and-pepper chicken wings and barbecued pork ribs make up most of the menu, along with Asian-American creations inspired by Phojanakong’s mother’s adaptive immigrant cooking, including a bunless burger with sticky rice. While the original restaurant’s name was a play on the Tagalog word kumain, meaning “to eat,” the moniker here is based on the verb for “to drink,” so expect food-friendly sakes once the liquor license clears. 433 DeKalb Ave between Classon Ave and Taaffe Pl, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (718-789-8806)
Agua Dulce “Fresh water,” as the name translates, is the theme at this brightly colored, two-story Pan-Latin restaurant. Dishes from chef Ulrich Sterling will traverse South and Central America, including citrus-oil- and lime-juice-cured salmon ceviche. To underscore the concept, the owners have installed a carbon filtration system and will provide their own still, sparkling and fruit-infused waters; it’s a respectable gimmick, as all proceeds from the flavored versions will go to clean-water initiatives in poor Latin American communities. 802 Ninth Ave between 53rd and 54th Sts (212-262-1299)
Organika This rustic Italian eatery from the owner of Ciao strives to serve as much organic and local food as possible: A glossary in the menu will state the source of each ingredient. Simply prepared dishes include warm Sardinian sheep’s cheese with lavender honey, and pastas like a macaroni and cheese with béchamel and smoked mozzarella, robiola and Parmigiano cheeses. Organic wines will be served once alcohol enters the equation, in about a month. 89 Seventh Ave South between Bleecker and Grove Sts (212-414-1900)











awesome to know Ulrich Sterling learned how to make decent ceviche from sushi samba days, hopefully his trip to South America had inspired him to come up with something original. but a group of us went to agua dulce and it was bland, nothing original, overpriced as well. typical of Ulrich Sterling’s cooking style, sloppy and trying too hard.