Gourmet grilled cheese, an old school butcher shop, and a posh American bistro take over the Staten Island food scene this winter

by Jessica Jones Gorman

BRAVE NEW BISTRO
After having considerable success with VINUM, his posh Bay Street based Italian wine bar and restaurant, locally famous chef Massimo Felici recently unveiled his newest endeavor: The Richmond.

Not to be confused with the newly launched Richmond Republic Gastropub on the South Shore, this new hotspot is located in Stapleton, directly across the street from VINUM. Felici’s latest eatery is billed as an American bistro, serving Wagyu beef burgers, red winebraised short rib, skillets of densely layered mac and cheese, a beautifully plated Kobe beef tartare, and charcuterie platters. The restaurant’s website has not yet been launched, but patrons can look for updates on Instagram @therichmondnyc. 695 Bay Street, 718.489.8805

Melt Mecca
Who doesn’t like grilled cheese? Go ahead and search, but you’d be hard pressed to find a single individual who’d turn their nose up at the nostalgia of the melty sandwich. And now, Staten Island foodies have reason to rejoice over this classic comfort food staple. The Melt Shop, a sandwich franchise once relegated to the trendiest neighborhoods of Manhattan, has arrived at the Staten Island Mall’s increasingly diverse Food District.

Featuring a menu of delicious sandwiches, the quick service food chain takes the traditional gooey delight to the next level. Using bread baked fresh daily on site and lots of upscale cheese, Melt Shop not only offers classic variations of the childhood favorite, it also features fried chicken, roasted veggies, and hamburger varieties.

Other items include the Buffalo Chicken Melt, made on country white bread and covered with pepper jack cheese; a Truffle Melt (Muenster and arugula, seasoned with black pepper and truffle oil); and the Maple Bacon that comes with NY Cheddar and more than a couple of slices of well, you know, bacon. Vegetarians are in the mix too, with the house Roasted Veggie Melt (roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, arugula, goat cheese, Muenster, and parsley pesto on multigrain. We love the chicken tenders, too, especially the hand breaded, sea salt brined variety, drizzled with “Mike’s Hot Honey.”

Grilled sandwiches can be accompanied by tater tots or soup, and milkshakes come in five varieties: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Truffle, Oreo and (swoon) Nutella. Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Avenue, meltshop.com

CHOP & SHOP
An old school butcher shop on the South Shore is now partnering with local establishments like Bin 5 and Mark’s Bake Shoppe, bringing organic bacon to their gastronomic menus. And if you’re interested in throwing a thick juicy Tomahawk on your own grill, well they provide that, too. Serving only grass fed and pasture raised proteins, Hook & Rail Meats prides itself on providing hormone and GMO free steaks, ribs, chops, plus house made sausages and burgers. The shop has a classic butcher shop feel, but adds a modern twist with all of its new school offerings. 4174 Victory Boulevard, instagram.com/hookandrail