STATEN ISLAND, NY — Every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., we explore the excitement happening in kitchens across the borough. Sometimes they’re oldies but goodies — like LaStrada in New Dorp And Jade Island in New Springville – and these are often brand new businesses.

In the meantime, I’d like to address some trends and themes from this list. One of them is a new rise in Asian-themed venues due to the borough’s ever-changing demographics.

Plus, as featured by The Alchemist Drinks Bar – 1363 N Railroad Ave., 929-719-6842 — the liquor license process takes much longer for restaurants. (It took The Alchemist a full year to achieve this.) And we are seeing a robust reception of fast food establishments, as represented by the Wonder Food Hall in West Brighton. And Bon Chon Chicken in Grant City.

Based on our live streams from the Staten Island Advance Facebook page, personal opinion and reader feedback, here are the best new restaurants of 2024. Put them on the “must-try” list for the new year.

21.) Siam Thai — 2656 Hylan Boulevard, New Dorp, 718-301-0020, @Saimthai_nyc

A stunning restaurant with lovely staff and equally good food, certainly at the top end of Staten Island’s Asian food scale.

20.) Pierogi Island — 3981 Amboy Road, Great Kills, 718-255-3224, Pierogiisland.com

Hearty Polish cuisine includes homemade pierogi. There are a few places to eat in a cozy dining room.

19.) Don Roberto -616 Forest Avenue, West Brighton, 718-442-7204, Donrobertonyc.com

Pizza, pasta and a nice bar area return to the location after the former DeLuca’s Trattoria transitioned into a more casual version of itself.

18.) Yao’s Kitchen — 752 Forest Avenue, 718-815-0161, Yaoskitchenny.com

Chinese breakfast, excellent noodle dishes and vegan dishes come from this small kitchen which replaces a long-standing green garden.

17.) Sally’s Smoking Room — 427 Forest Avenue, Stapleton, 718-727-2559, Sallyssouthern.com

Presented as a hot buffet with personalized service, the smoked fare is excellent to take out or stay in and eat at a handful of tables.

16.) Rappongi Robata and Sushi — 690, chemin Arthur Kill, Eltingville, 718-603-2777, Roppongisi.com

A fun and great place for couples and singles at the 16-seat counter, front row chef who cooks crouching like a tiger – a breathtaking spectacle.

15.) Omakase Ichi — 3936 Amboy Road, Great Kills, 917-688-3183, Bippermedia.com/restaurants/united-states/new-york/staten-island/omakase-ichi-reviews-omakase-ichi-at-3936-amboy-rd-staten-island-ny-10308-2

The concept is new for the district with 18 bites or more, that is to say dishes served successively according to the chef’s whim and seasonal ingredients. Places are limited, reservations are essential, as is participation in a cocktail, a “mocktail” or a single malt scotch.

14.) Cafe Mavi — 95 Stuyvesant Pl., Saint-George, 929-607-5323, Mavicafeny.com

Turkish Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in the heart of St. George.

13.) Ariella’s Restaurant — 710 New Dorp Ln., New Dorp Beach, 917-830-0230, Ariellasrestaurant.com

Owner and mixologist Billy Manor calls his new venture “a modern American restaurant with a gastropub vibe.” His goal is to combine his beverage knowledge with dishes from a former Fig & Vine and, before that, Ni-Ni’s Cafe.

12.) Rustic Pizza — 1789 Richmond Road, Dongan Hills, 212-425-2623, Rustiquepizzapasteria.com

Moved from Lincoln Avenue., the casual Italian pizzeria and restaurant has an ambiance reminiscent of a small town restaurant, a concept by Peter Botros.

11.) Crêperie Madame Rose — 55 Richmond Terri., St. George, 929-430-3996, Madamerosecreperie.co

Another Botros partnership, this funky bus offers seats to a select few to enjoy gourmet crepes.

10.) Rocky — 7339, chemin Amboy, Tottenville, 718-371-0077, Rockyspizzany.com

Located in the former Reggiano’s, this trattoria offers a family menu with pizza. This is the third restaurant for Rob DeLuca, who also owns Don Roberto’s of West Brighton and DeLuca’s across the street.

9.) Gelaterra – 8 Navy Pier Ct., Stapleton, 718-285-4400, Instagram @Gelaterra

Outstanding ice cream made right in the Stapleton store with superb ingredients and a great conclusion to meals at other restaurants in Urby.

8.) Blue Pearl — 37 Navy Pier Street, Stapleton, 718-727-0303, Bluepearlnyc.com

Unparalleled harbor views extend beyond a visually exciting space that once housed Surf and Navy Pier Prime. The service and ingredient range includes highly perishable inventory (i.e. caviar) which makes the prices more digestible.

7.) Raval Steakhouse —12 Minthorne Street, Tompkinsville, 718-247-2323, Zmenu.com/raval-steakhouse-staten-island-online-menu/

Halal meats and premium steaks are offered alongside artisan elixirs and a well-curated wine list in a luxurious, masculine environment that was once home to two iterations of Flour & Oak.

6.) Bella Maman Rose — 266 Morningstar Road, Elm Park, 718-981-0545, Bmrose.com

“Pizza, pasta and ribs” is the mantra of this redux of Elm Park Inn and Bella Mama with some seriously enjoyable pizza.

5.) Patrizia’s tavern — 2636, boulevard Hylan, 347-855-2078, New Dorp, Patrizias.com/location/new-dorp-staten-island-now-open

Save room for superb desserts after enjoying Mediterranean specialties including an array of fish and healthful bites. Of course there’s pizza and it’s also perfection, all in a beautiful space. Patrizia’s has a second location in the works in Castleton Corners.

4.) Mansion Restaurant — 141 Mansion Avenue, 718-605-9200, Manor.restaurant

Located in Great Kills Marina in a house in the old Windjammer, Russian and Italian styles blend harmoniously in one of the prettiest dining sets in the borough.

3.) Opera Café and Lounge — 1650 Hylan Boulevard, Dongan Hills, 718-979-9775, Operacafelounge.com

Stick to Turkish delights which include breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a fun living room element amid a funky orange motif and an open kitchen that includes a guy dedicated to making fresh breads.

2.) Filoncino —2935, chemin des Anciens Combattants. West, Charleston, 718-395-1533, Filoncino.com

As if Dongan Hills’ Royal Crown and Filoncino’s Eltingville originals could be matched, here is its second South Shore counterpart that is simply exceptional with food made from scratch.

1.) Bar tavern — 365 New Dorp Ln., New Dorp, 718-247-0900, Seabasstaverna.com

Mediterranean dishes drizzled with lots of good olive oil and a seafood-heavy menu in a room that feels like dining on a cruise ship. The craftsmanship here is marvelous with whole fish broken down fresh to order or filleted at the table, a lost art. Almost all food is made from scratch, the attention to detail is top-notch, and the customer service is exceptional.

Pamela Silvestri is food editor for Advance/SILive.com. She can be reached at [email protected].