Park Slope Spot In The Running For Eater's Restaurant Of The Year

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — The neighborhood's newest Korean hotspot could become New York City's restaurant of the year, according to Eater.

Haeyneo, the popular new eatery on Fifth Avenue, is one of five restaurants Eater named as finalists in its best restaurant awards for 2019, the outlet announced this week. The foodies name a best Restaurant of the Year, Best Design of the Year and a Best Bakery of the Year.

The Korean spot will face off against Greenwich Village restaurant Llama San, another Korean outpost Kawi in Hudson Yards, Italian newcomer Rezdôra and French Manhattan spot Wayan for the best restaurant category.

The Eater critics recognized the Korean spot, which was opened by chef Jenny Kwak last year, for its "thrilling" menu.

"A homey Park Slope restaurant where chef Jenny Kwak excels at thrilling Korean and fusion fare, including a standout rice cake fundido," they wrote.

This isn't the first time Haeyneo has been recognized for its cuisine.

Since the eatery opened late last year at 239 Fifth Ave., it has earned high praise as a critics pick in the New York Times and a distinction from the same reviewers that dole out the highly-coveted Michelin stars.

With that distinction, Haeyneo became one of 133 New York City spots that holds a Bib Gourmand awards, or those with "affordable and remarkable dining experiences."

Other Brooklyn spots in the running for one of the Eater awards include Williamsburg's Gertie in the design category and Prospect Heights' Ciao, Gloria and, also in Williamsburg, Win Son in the Best Bakery category.

"All of these finalists have either opened or come into their own in a new way since we declared the winners last year, and all of them were key contributors to making 2019 a great year of eating in New York," Eater wrote. "Winners will be crowned, with much fanfare, on December 10, 2019."