VHH Foods

A few blocks down from their restaurant Vinegar Hill House, owner Sam Buffa and chef-owner Jean Adamson launch this casual all-day offshoot of the Dumbo stalwart inside the Empire Stores space. Breakfast and lunch goods from Adamson—house-made chocolate and smoked ricotta bread, spaghetti frittata, loaded hot dogs—are doled out over the counter, while table service takes over at night, with dinner options like brined-and-roasted tofu, smoked chicken and a fish of the day. For beverages, Blue Bottle’s Grace Lowman and Mission Chinese barman Sam Anderson have created seasonal coffee drinks like a nonalcoholic mai tai iced latte and cascara “vermouth.” The restaurant has outdoor seating overlooking the East River, but if you would rather go to the park for the view, by-the-pound meats are available to go for an impromptu picnic.