Itching to find out about the freshest new spots in Chelsea? From a Mediterranean restaurant to a virtual reality escape room, read on for the newest destinations to arrive in this New York City neighborhood.
Qanoon
180 Ninth Ave.
Qanoon is a restaurant offering authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
For inspiration, chef Tarek Daka drew on the dishes he remembers eating during his childhood on a farm in Palestine. The menu at this 40-seat spot features shareables like fresh hummus and labneh balls; appetizers like green lentil croquettes and fried kibbeh (bulgur balls filled with ground beef and spices); and entrees like Palestinian kofta, musakhan (roast chicken with sumac) and makloubeh — a rice and lamb dish prepared in a ramekin, whose name translates to “upside-down” for the way the ramekin is flipped onto the plate before serving.
Qanoon's current Yelp rating of 4.5 stars out of 11 reviews indicates positive attention from users.
Yelper Franny A., who reviewed Qanoon on Sept. 20, wrote, "Everything was exotic and delicious, and I definitely want to try the chicken next time! "
Liz L. noted, "Outstanding food and a great addition to the neighborhood! Every dish was not just good, but exceptional. The fava bean spread and hummus were amazing. The chicken was fantastic and stuffed grape leaves were so wonderfully different than any others I've had."
Qanoon is currently open from 5-11 p.m. daily, with plans to add lunch service.
Electric Lemon
33 Hudson Yards, Floor 24
Electric Lemon is a New American spot and the main restaurant at the new fitness-focused Equinox Hotel.
As we previously reported, James Beard award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr is the driving force behind Electric Lemon, which is located on the hotel's 24th floor and features an 8,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with views of Manhattan. Like the rest of the hotel, the restaurant caters to healthy lifestyles, and the kitchen opens every day at 6 a.m., serving breakfast options like egg white omelets, locally produced turkey sausage and "high-performance" bowls with yogurt, chia, oat milk and sweet potato.
For lunch and dinner, Electric Lemon offers an array of raw "crudo," from fluke tartare to chilled oysters, and such appetizers as salads, duck dumplings, grilled quail and chickpea pasta. Entrees include meat and fish dishes, such as a grass-fed burger and Montauk day boat scallops. Electric Lemon also has a full bar and a lounge space.
Electric Lemon's current rating of four stars out of 31 reviews on Yelp indicates the newcomer has received a warm welcome so far.
Yelper Tony R., who reviewed Electric Lemon on Sept. 25, wrote, "The food is interesting and tasty. Almost every dish met high standards. The only dishes I could have skipped were the potato flatbreads (a bit soggy) and the peaches and cream dessert, which was pretty but lacked flavor."
Electric Lemon is open from 6 a.m.–11 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday, 6 a.m.–midnight on Thursday-Saturday and 6 a.m.–10 p.m. on Sunday.
Escape Virtuality
130 W. 29th St.
Escape Virtuality is a virtual reality center and escape game spot that offers New York City's "first and only virtual reality escape room experience," according to its Facebook page.
At Escape Virtuality, you can choose from five VR escape room games, including the fantasy-themed "Goblins Quest" and the haunted house-themed "Geist Manor." Other VR games include shooters and racing simulators. The spot also offers four traditional escape rooms.
With a four-star rating out of seven reviews on Yelp, Escape Virtuality has been getting positive attention.
Yelper A O., who reviewed Escape Virtuality on July 19, wrote, "Escape Virtuality is the most fun I have had all year! Nearly all the games can be played individually or in multiples (up to 16 people for one of the games) so you can go alone or in a group of as few or as many people as you want!"
Mable C. noted, "This place is insanely cool! It was a very challenging but exciting room, and there were visuals that helped simulate a moving train. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I'd definitely come back to try the other rooms."
Escape Virtuality is open from noon–10 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and noon–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
