NYCGuide

The Ride-Along Report: First Takes From Last Night’s Dinner

A regularly-updated rundown on all the new spots where we’ve been eating.
The Ride-Along Report: First Takes From Last Night’s Dinner image

As you might imagine, we at The Infatuation go out to eat almost every night. To answer your FAQs about that: No, we don’t usually go as a group, because we try to divide and conquer. No, the restaurants don’t know we’re coming. Yes, we use fake names. Suggestions for those are welcome. No, we don’t have rules about ordering a specific percentage of the menu - we just order a little more than seems responsible. Yes, we pay for it all ourselves. Does that cover it? Good.

Once we’ve successfully slept off the previous day’s meat sweats, we’ll be putting our first impressions on the places we’ve been in this post. It’ll be updated as often as we eat in new places. And the best new places will end up on the Hit List as we go.

If you like following along here, you’ll probably also enjoy following our live Restaurant Review Ride-Alongs on Instagram on @infatuation_nyc and @infatuation. They’re like the write-ups below, but with more (possibly poorly-lit) pictures of everything we ate and amateur artistic scribblings.

8/6/2018

Japanese

Greenwich Village

$$$$Perfect For:Date NightEating At The Bar
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What It Is: A Japanese cocktail bar in the West Village

Perfect For: Date Night, Drinks And A Light Bite

Katana Kitten is the kind of place that makes you feel about 50% cooler as soon as you walk in. It’s a new cocktail bar in the West Village with Japanese movie posters on the walls, ’60s classic rock playing over the speakers, and boilermaker beer-and-shot combinations with Japanese whisky and sake. When we came on a Friday night, it was packed, but not quite yelling-level loud. All of the cocktails and bar food we tried were great - especially the burger and crinkle fries with seaweed flakes on top.

The Verdict: We like this place a lot - it’s worth going out of your way for. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A bright Italian restaurant in Tribeca with nice pens and good chicken

Perfect For: Date Night, Drinks And A Light Bite

A Summer Day Cafe is in the same Tribeca building as Holy Ground (the two restaurants also share an owner), and we stopped by for dinner recently. Unlike Holy Ground, which is in the basement, this place is at street level, with big windows and lots of plants. The Italian-leaning menu has dishes ranging from fried pizza dough to black bass crudo and roast chicken, and they range from solid to very good. The prices are high, but we blame Tribeca for that.

The Verdict: Keep A Summer Day Cafe in mind the next time you need a cool place that isn’t impossible to get into.


What It Is: A Detroit-style slice shop on 23rd street in Chelsea

Perfect For: A Quick Meal, Serious Take-Out Operation

Lions & Tigers & Squares serves Detroit-style pizza (i.e. rectangular pan pies with sauce on top of the cheese) in to-go boxes. You can only order a pie here, which consists of four thick slices and costs around $7. We tried the classic and liked it a lot - the only problem is that there’s nowhere to sit down while you eat.

The Verdict: This pizza is good (and filling), so come here with a couple friends when you want an affordable meal.


What It Is: A good-looking restaurant/bar in East Williamsburg with a coffee shop up front

Perfect For: First/Early In The Game Dates

Up front at Bar Beau, there’s a coffee counter, and, at night, the back room is a restaurant/bar. Just go through a little hallway and you’ll find yourself in a nice space with a long marble bar, a bunch of tables, and a skylight. They’re serving a limited menu right now, and we stopped by recently to try some shishito peppers and a burger. The burger was small and a little pricey, but also pretty good.

The Verdict: Once they start serving their full dinner menu, we’ll be back for another meal here. In the meantime, it’s worth stopping by for a cocktail if you’re in the area.


7/30/2018

This spot is Permanently Closed.

What It Is: A steakhouse in Tribeca that focuses on smoked meats

Perfect For: Birthdays

We enjoy steakhouses that feel like places where Dean Martin would’ve smoked cigars in corner booths, and we also enjoy really good slow-cooked smoked meats. Holy Ground is a new spot in Tribeca where we recently experienced both. It’s behind an unmarked door on Reade Street, and the basement space has red leather booths, low ceilings, and walls covered in paintings that look very old. We liked everything we ordered, especially the full rack of spare ribs which were sliced by a server tableside and fell off the bone when we picked them up. There’s a deep smokiness to all the meats here, which is especially appreciated because they don’t let you smoke cigars in corner booths.

The Verdict: Come here if you like to drink martinis and eat really good meat. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


photo credit: Teddy Wolff

What It Is: A new Taiwanese spot on St. Marks

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner

The first time we tried to go to 886, we were given a 45-minute wait estimate, so we decided to go to across the street instead. We tried again last week, and got in around 6:45pm on a Tuesday - although the narrow room was already packed with people eating things like stir-fried pork lettuce cups, sausage fried rice, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. All our food was very tasty, and for such a new restaurant, the place is already running smoothly.

The Verdict: Come here when you want to eat well without spending too much money. We’re adding 886 to the Hit List.


What It Is: A new hotel restaurant in Nomad serving Italian food

Perfect For: Dinner With Parents

The city doesn’t need more Italian restaurants at this point - especially Italian restaurants in hotels - but everything we ate at Leonelli was good. It was also all stuff you can find at a lot of other Italian restaurants. We liked the chicken liver mousse and the spinach lasagna with bolognese, and the space is very nice, with high ceilings, green banquettes, and a relatively quiet dining room. So maybe we’ll add Leonelli to a guide called Perfectly Good Hotel Restaurants That Aren’t Impossible To Get Into.

The Verdict: This place isn’t destination-worthy, but it could come in handy the next time some out-of-town friends or relatives are staying in the area and you want to eat some pasta.


What It Is: The reopening of a casual Malaysian cafe on the LES.

Perfect For: Lunch, Dining Solo

The old Kopitiam was a tiny spot on the lower Lower East Side that served Malaysian food with a focus on desserts. After closing their first location, they now have a larger all-day cafe near the Williamsburg Bridge that’s open until 10pm. When we stopped by for lunch on a Friday, most of the tables were full. And when we ate the food, we understood why. The menu has a few different sections (each with five-ish options) for breakfast, mains, snacks, and sweets. Everything we had - from the oyster omelette to the pork in a bean curd wrap - tasted great. They were out of a few of the desserts we tried to order, but otherwise the experience felt perfect for a casual meal.

The Verdict: We’ll definitely be back to try their breakfast.


Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With Parents

What It Is: A Persian Restaurant In Prospect Heights

If we made a Hit List for every neighborhood, Sofreh would probably make the one for Prospect Heights. It’s a new Persian place, and when we stopped by the other night, it was pretty busy. We waited about 10 minutes for a table - then we ate some roasted eggplant, little meatballs with sour cherries, and a big lamb shank. And while everything showed promise, it all could have used a little more flavor. There was no one thing that made us want to rush back, but we’ll check back in once they’ve been open a little longer.

The Verdict: A solid new option in the neighborhood, but not something you need to travel for at the moment.


What It Is: A Japanese restaurant in Greenpoint with curry, small plates, and ramen

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Meal

In Greenpoint, there’s a new Japanese restaurant with a bar hidden in the back. We had already been to the bar (and you can read about it here), but we recently went and tried the restaurant, Wanpaku. We got seated right away, then we proceeded to eat a good number of their small plates. The Japanese fried chicken was pretty good, and the salmon tartare that came topped with a raw quail egg was interesting, but we weren’t too into the pork bun or fried oysters. That said, our pork katsu curry was great, it was a nice-looking minimalist space, and the staff was friendly.

The Verdict: If you find yourself in Greenpoint, try Wanpaku for a weeknight meal, and stick to the larger plates.


What It Is: A cocktail bar in the Frederick Hotel in Tribeca

Perfect For: Dancing, Drinks And A Light Bite

We initially thought Primo’s was going to be just another hotel bar in Tribeca. But despite its location off the lobby of the Frederick Hotel and the $22 martini on the menu, this place is actually pretty fun. We recently sat in the bar room up front, which looks like a set from The Life Aquatic, with conch shell lights, velvet furniture, and servers in matching red jackets. All the cocktails we tried were good, and later in the evening, they opened up a separate room in the back with a bar, DJ, and dance floor.

The Verdict: This place works for dates, dancing, or even drinks with a client, so it’s a good spot to know about in Tribeca. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A big brewery and taproom in East Williamsburg

Perfect For: Day Drinking, Big Groups

Grimm is a Brooklyn-based beer company, and they just opened a brewery in East Williamsburg with a taproom in front. We tried a great stout that came in a glass with a stem, which made us feel both cultured and refined. The big space didn’t seem to have air conditioning, so it was a little warm inside - but it was a nice place for early-evening drinks.

The Verdict: If you really like beer, this place is worth a trip. And if you live nearby, you should meet friends here for day drinking.


What It Is: A fast-casual Chinese spot on the Upper West Side

Perfect For: Quick Eats, Lunch, Serious Takeout Operation

Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co. is a counter-service spot on the UWS with no actual counter in sight. Here, you order on a monitor fastened to a wall. It’s a little like checking into a flight at an airport kiosk, but with spicy dan dan noodles and shrimp dumplings instead of a printed boarding pass. Oh, and they also serve pickle-flavored soft serve (which tastes more lime-y than pickle-y). The rest of the food isn’t bad, but there are much better options for dan dan noodles nearby (like Han Dynasty).

The Verdict: This place is only noteworthy if you’re on a mission to taste pickle soft serve. Having tried it, we wouldn’t recommend it.


7/16/2018

What It Is: The second, Williamsburg location of a vegan spot we like

Perfect For: Keeping It Kind Of Healthy, Date Night

Avant Garden’s name isn’t doing it any favors - but this restaurant does make some very good vegan food. We stopped into the new location in Williamsburg and found a setup that’s similar to the original in the East Village: fancy (but not pretentious) plates of vegetables that won’t make you miss the presence of meat, in an intimate space that would be good for a low-key date. Skip the cocktails and try something off their interesting wine list instead, and get the eggplant toast - which is excellent, and one of the new menu items that’s only available at this location.

The Verdict: There isn’t much like Avant Garden around this location in Williamsburg, and we plan to come back soon to eat more vegan food that doesn’t remind us we’re eating vegan food. It’s going on the Hit List.


What It Is: A second NYC location of the Chinese restaurant , on 14th & 9th

Perfect For: Big Groups, Date Night, Small Plates

Hao Noodle first opened up a few years ago on 6th Avenue, serving excellent Chinese dishes like dumplings made of an egg crepe sitting in a chicken broth, and mung bean jelly in a spicy Sichuan sauce. They now have a new location on 14th Street, just at the edge of Meatpacking, with a slightly different menu. The menu here has a large section of single-serve skewers, and the ones we tried, like cumin lamb, were great. The space is full of a lot of plants, and several big tables. There’s no liquor license yet, but it would work well for a nice but non-sceney meal in Meatpacking.

The Verdict: This is a slightly different restaurant with the same name, in basically the same neighborhood, but we like it nonetheless. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: A cocktail bar behind a ramen place in Greenpoint

Perfect For: First/Early-In-The-Game Dates

The Hidden Pearl is only “hidden” insofar as you have to walk through Wanpaku Ramen in Greenpoint in order to get to it. But it isn’t hard to find: there’s a sign on the door, and inside, the little room has a relaxed, not-taking-itself-too-seriously feel. You’re here to drink some fancy, Japanese-inspired cocktails (ours had whiskey, passionfruit, and a flower garnish, and if it weren’t a weeknight, we would have ordered nine more). There are also little Japanese snacks like pork buns and crispy rice with tuna that we’d like to try when we come back.

The Verdict: For a semi-secret bar, this place is pretty laid-back, and it’s a great place for a quiet drink in Greenpoint.


What It Is: An all-American dinner spot from the people behind

Perfect For: First/Early In the Game Dates, Eating At The Bar, Casual Weeknight Dinner

When you walk into Bernie’s, you step into an alternate reality that’s certainly not Greenpoint in 2018. There are red-checkered tablecloths, crayons on every table, shiny red booths, and stained-glass light fixtures that will make you feel nostalgic for a time and place you’ve maybe never experienced. This is the new restaurant from the people behind Frankel’s, who make some of the best bagel sandwiches in NYC, and we just went back for a second visit involving cheeseburgers, caesar salad, baby back ribs, mozzarella sticks, and a giant brownie sundae. Bernie’s could have easily ended up being an embarrassing theme restaurant, but the attention to detail is what makes it a place where we’ll now send you for a great night out. That, and the fact that you will leave here feeling extremely satisfied for a very reasonable price.

The Verdict: Go to Bernie’s when you want a dinner that’s simultaneously easy and fun. We’re putting it on the Hit List.


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What It Is: The new East Village location of one of our favorite pizza spots in the city

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, First/Early In The Game Dates

The original Emmy Squared in Williamsburg serves some of the best pizza and burgers in NYC. So we checked out this new location in the East Village on one of the first nights it was open. The menu of Detroit-style pies here is mostly the same, and the Big Matt burger and spicy pepperoni pizza - two of our favorite things at the original - were both good, though the pizza was a little sauce-heavy. The best dish we had was the only new menu addition, an Indian-inspired white pizza topped with cauliflower and served with some really good tamarind sauce on the side. If you go, try to make a reservation.

The Verdict: An exciting addition to the East Village. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


What It Is: The bar on top of a new hotel in Long Island City

Perfect For: Day Drinking

We’ve been to a lot of rooftop bars recently, so we can confidently say that many of them are sh*tshows. That’s why we were excited to discover the bar at the top of the Boro Hotel in Long Island City. There was no wait to get in on a recent Saturday night, and the relatively small space - a few couches, tables, and counter seats - has great views of the East River and Manhattan. This hotel also has Beebe’s on its ground floor, so keep it in mind for a one-two punch with a date or small group.

The Verdict: You don’t need to go out of your way to drink here, but it’s a good option next time you’re near LIC and want a rooftop where you can actually get in.


What It Is: An outdoor restaurant in Soho that feels like an overpriced nightclub

Perfect For: Wasting Your Time And Money

The original Gitano is in Tulum, but now there’s a location on what was formerly a big empty lot off of Canal Street in Soho. It’s huge, with lots of tables, palm trees, a bar in the center, and little outlets that spray mist to keep everyone cool. It was pretty busy (and hot) when we stopped by for dinner, and most people were drinking rather than eating, which, in retrospect, is what we should have done. That way, we could have avoided a $16 grilled avocado and some tacos and guacamole that were fine but similarly overpriced.

The Verdict: You don’t need to go to Gitano. If you do go, don’t order food.


What It Is: A flashy Mexican restaurant in a basement near Union Square

Perfect For: Group Dinners

Sometimes, we go into dark basements with neon signs to eat tacos. Like the other day when we tried out Taco Electrico in Union Square. This place is from the people behind , and it’s similar in concept to Tijuana Picnic - which is to say, it’s mostly about the atmosphere. The empanadas tasted a little like something you’d make in a microwave, but they weren’t bad, and they made us a little nostalgic for the days of after-school snacks. Our michelada, on the other hand, was great. And nothing cost more than $15.

The Verdict: If you get dragged here for a big group dinner, you’ll be OK. Have a few tacos and a margarita.


7/2/2018

What It Is: A new Mexican restaurant in Greenpoint from the people behind

Perfect For: Date Night, Group Dinners, Outdoor/Patio Situation

After an underwhelming first visit at Oxomoco, we went back to try it again, and can report that this place is now worth your time. This is the Mexican restaurant in Greenpoint from the people behind one of our favorite pizza spots, Speedy Romeo, and it has a big menu of everything from tuna tostadas to a wood-fired caesar to a grilled half chicken you can make into your own tacos. The big, high-ceilinged space is already packed on most nights, so make a reservation or be prepared to wait at one of the many good bars nearby.

The Verdict: Come here for a night out with friends, fancy tacos, and great margaritas. It’s going on the Hit List.


What It Is: A Japanese restaurant in Nomad where most things come on skewers

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Date Night, Dining Solo

This casual two-floor Japanese restaurant in Nomad is owned by the same people who run two Korean places we like a lot ( and ). Like those spots, Yakitori Nonono is both very good and very crowded. You can get a variety of things - from scallops to chicken hearts - on skewers, and there are other options like ramen, sushi, and meat and vegetable small plates. All six skewers we tried were great, but the meat and fish ones are a little hard to share, so plan to order a lot (they cost around $5 each).

The Verdict: We liked everything we ate here. Yakitori Nonono is now on our Hit List.


What It Is: A Lower East Side outpost of the Williamsburg Chinese restaurant

Perfect For: Casual Group Dinners

Williamsburg’s now has a location right on the other side of the Williamsburg Bridge (really, it’s about 14 feet from the bridge) on the Lower East Side. The space looks fairly similar, and the menu isn’t too different either - there are very enjoyable dumplings, noodles, and larger wok dishes like tea-smoked mu shu duck and crispy garlic chicken. For a fun, casual group dinner on the LES where you can drink good cocktails and share a bunch of food, this is a new spot that definitely belongs on your list.

The Verdict: A similar, and similarly enjoyable option to the Williamsburg original. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


6/26/2018

What It Is: A cocktail bar on the roof of the Beekman Tower in Midtown East

Perfect For: Corporate Cards, Drinks And A Light Bite

Ophelia is a new cocktail bar on the roof of the Beekman Tower in Midtown East with some great views of the East River. We recently checked it out at around 8pm on a weeknight, and while all the tables on the indoor/outdoor wraparound patio were taken (or reserved), we didn’t have trouble standing at the bar. The cocktails have some unusual ingredients and we liked the one with egg white and turmeric, but they’re really expensive ($16-$28). The bar food, like steak tartare with some great grilled bread, was pretty good as well.

The Verdict: If you’re OK with paying $20 for a cocktail, then this is a good spot for fancy after-work drinks in Midtown.


What It Is: A Mexican restaurant in Prospect Heights with homemade tortillas and a lot of mezcal

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner

There used to be a Mexican restaurant called El Atoradero Brooklyn in Prospect Heights, but it recently got a new chef and changed its name to Madre Mezcaleria. This seemed like a good enough reason to go back and check it out - despite the fact that we weren’t huge fans of El Atoradero - so we stopped for some dinner on the little back patio. And it was fine. Basically, the only thing that’s changed about this place is a new emphasis on mezcal. Other than that, the food is still pretty unremarkable. The tacos were decent, we somehow didn’t want to finish our guacamole, and, while the flautas weren’t bad, they also just seemed like something you’d make in a toaster oven after a long day of middle school. Although we did like our mole.

The Verdict: Don’t plan a full dinner here, but if you live in the area and like mezcal, come sit at the bar.


What It Is: Another location of a mini chain with tacos, palomas, and lots of pastel colors

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Meal, Outdoor Patio Situation

One day, there might be a Tacombi every few blocks, like Starbucks or CVS. They just keep opening up - and the latest location is in Fort Greene just across the street from the Brooklyn Academy of Music. We came to check it out the other day, and it felt pretty much like every other Tacombi. In other words, it was bright, friendly, and was sort of like a beach party inside. The space isn’t huge, but there’s a great outdoor patio off to the side, and the tacos are as good (and slightly overpriced) as always.

The Verdict: A great place for either a casual meal or some margaritas with friends in Fort Greene.


What It Is: A restaurant off the Morgan stop of the L train where you can eat pasta and a kale salad

Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With Parents

Otis is a new-ish restaurant in East Williamsburg, and it’s the kind of place that has brick walls, Edison bulbs, pasta, and kale salad. Although it’s actually a little more interesting than it sounds. The kale salad, for example, is warm with some spiced yogurt on the bottom, and we also really enjoyed a bowl of pasta with miso, pesto, and a good amount of pulled pork. The serving was so large that we couldn’t finish it, but that’s the sort of problem that isn’t really a problem. Like when a cab driver goes too fast or a dentist has so many free toys they let you take two.

The Verdict: This is a great spot to know about if you spend time in the area, and it should work for a last-minute dinner date that you forgot to plan.


6/18/2018

What It Is: A taco stand on the water in the new Domino Park in Williamsburg

Perfect For: Day Drinking, Outdoor/Patio Situation

If you’ve crossed the Williamsburg Bridge recently, you’ve probably noticed that some new picnic tables and a huge sign that says Tacocina have popped up out of nowhere. This is an order-at-the-counter Mexican spot on the water from the people behind Shake Shack, and apparently we’re not the only curious ones, because we waited over an hour in line to order tacos and a couple of small plates. Once we finally got our food, the cheese chicharrones ended up being the best thing on our table.

The Verdict: We probably wouldn’t come back here just for the food, but we plan to spend weekend afternoons drinking margaritas and eating chips and guacamole here. We’ve added it to the .


What It Is: An Italian restaurant/bar with bocce courts and outdoor seating at the north end of Union Square Park

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, Date Night

When we first heard about a new indoor/outdoor place in Union Square Park with bocce ball courts and pizza, we were skeptical. It sounded a little gimmicky, like something for tourists. Then we went to Bocce USQ, and we now regret the fact that our office isn’t closer, because the open-air bar with a few bocce courts is perfect for an after-work drink. It was extremely crowded when we stopped by, but we still got some seats at the bar and tried both the pizza and the frozen negroni. They were great. Just be sure to make a reservation if you want to eat at a table.

The Verdict: If you live or work around Union Square, this is now your best option for eating and drinking outside. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: A casual neighborhood Thai restaurant in Bushwick

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Dining Solo, Affordable Group Dinner

When we walked into Klom Korm on a packed Sunday night, we learned several things: that grilled sweet corn with coconut milk is the only appetizer we want to eat this summer, that the phrase Klom Klorm means “tasty” in Thai, and that our waitress is going to the same concert at Brooklyn Steel as we are next week. Come to Klom Klorm for comfort food (like curry or pad thai noodles) or something you might not have tried before (like watermelon with dried fish flakes on top).

The Verdict: If you don’t live in Bushwick, it’s the kind of neighborhood spot you’ll wish you had near you.


What It Is: A cash-only Nepalese restaurant in Ridgewood with great dumplings and a backyard

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Meal, Outdoor/Patio Situation

While In Kathmandu is a Nepalese place in Ridgewood that we’ve been meaning to check it out for a little while now, mostly because we wanted to eat their momos. Momos are Nepalese dumplings, and the ones here come in a pool of spicy tomato sauce. We stopped by for dinner and got the ones with the pork, and this is now officially a place where we’d like to eat once a week.

The Verdict: If you live in the area, this should be one of your go-to spots when you either want to get dumplings or eat outside. So, all the time.


What It Is: A bar in Greenpoint with frozen drinks and a huge backyard

Perfect For: Day Drinking, Outdoor/Patio Situation

The Springs is a bar in Greenpoint that gets its name from the fact that it’s Palm Springs-themed. If you’re wondering what that means exactly, it mostly just entails a big backyard, large white couches, and frozen beverages. It was surprisingly easy to get a table outside on a recent early evening, and we also noticed a bunch of dogs that we wanted to steal. We can’t say what this place is like late at night, but it’s ideal for a group hang when the sun’s out and you want to bring your pets.

The Verdict: Stop by if you’re looking for a bar outdoors in Greenpoint that’s less hectic than Brooklyn Barge.


6/7/2018

What It Is: The summertime pop-up restaurant in the courtyard of the High Line Hotel

Perfect For: Outdoor/Patio Situation, Drinks And A Light Bite, Date Night

We like being outside, and we like eating oysters, so we’re always looking for places where we can sit outside and eat oysters. The Golden Hour - the new outdoor pop-up in the courtyard at the High Line Hotel - is currently one of our favorite spots to do this. We came by the other day and ate some shellfish at a table beneath a big umbrella, and you should do the same before more people know that this place exists and it becomes difficult to get into. And feel free to bring your dog.

The Verdict: If you want to feel like you’re on vacation, but you don’t currently have time to leave the country, come here. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


What It Is: A giant indoor/outdoor tiki-themed cocktail bar in Midtown

Perfect For: Drinks & A Light Bite, First/Early In The Game Dates, Outdoor/Patio Situation

Carbone, The Grill, Dirty French, Sadelle’s - we like all these places a lot, and the people behind them just opened a tiki-themed rooftop cocktail bar in Midtown. Like those restaurants, The Polynesian is a great time, and kind of looks like somewhere Jack Sparrow would frequent if he ditched the pirate stuff and got a job in finance. We hung out on the outdoor wraparound patio, drank cocktails served in skull-shaped glasses (that were on fire), and ate bar snacks like shrimp dumplings and some mini bacon BBQ burgers that are way better than the $31 kobe beef sliders you’ll eat on other rooftops. This place is giant, with plenty of indoor space too, so even when people find out about it you should be able to get a seat at a two-top or booth with table service.

The Verdict: This hotel bar near Port Authority is worth a trip to Midtown. Yes, we just said that, and we’ve also added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A tiny BYOB sushi place in Williamsburg serving $25-$45 set meals

Perfect For: Unique Dining Experience, BYOB

Okozushi is a new place from the same people behind Okonomi (a tiny Japanese spot in Williamsburg) and they only serve set meals of Kyoto-style pressed sushi. There are three to choose from (ranging from $25-$45), and we recently sat at the bar and ate the $45 one, which included tuna sashimi, a couple of hand rolls, and eight pieces of sushi. This would have felt like a good deal if there had been more than one type of fish involved, but there were not - Okozushi features one type of fish a night. Sure, each piece had a few different toppings (like blue cheese and shiso) but it still got a little boring.

The Verdict: This place is unique, and we liked the tiny space. We’ll be back to try it again once they’ve been open a little while longer.


What It Is: An indoor/outdoor rooftop cocktail bar in Midtown

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, Outdoor/Patio Situation

Magic Hour calls itself an “urban amusement park,” and if you have no idea what that means, neither did we. So we went to check it out this roof of the Moxy Hotel Times Square, and witnessed the following: a spinning carousel in the middle of the dance floor, servers carrying big bottles in one hand and sparklers in the other, and mini golf - but instead of typical obstacles like windmills and clown faces, here we had to avoid big, pink animals doing things we’re not going to talk about here. We tried some bar snacks like pork belly bao and Korean chicken wings, but this is not a place to come for food. It’s a place to buy $250 large-format cocktails served in glittering disco balls.

The Verdict: If you have clients or rich cousins you want to entertain, they might think Magic Hour is great. Or they might ask you to take them somewhere without giant pink animals.


What It Is: A casual Mexican spot in Williamsburg with a long mezcal menu and some outdoor seating

Perfect For: Outdoor/Patio Situation, Quick Eats

Taqueria Diana’s newest location on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg serves giant burritos and loaded nachos like their original spot, but unlike the East Village location, we’ve never seen this place crowded. On a recent Friday night, we ordered at the counter downstairs, and had no trouble getting one of the tables on the upstairs outdoor patio. We wouldn’t hang out here and drink expensive mezcal (they have a lot of those), but it’s open till 1am every day, so it’s a good option for a burrito and a beer on your way home.

The Verdict: Come here for some quick and filling Mexican food and $3 Tecates.


5/31/2018

What It Is: A music venue in Bushwick that hosts dance parties on its roof

Perfect For: Dancing, Birthdays, Big Groups, Outdoor Patio Situation

Last Saturday, it was supposed to rain. Fortunately, it didn’t - and we spent a few hours dancing on the roof at Elsewhere. This place is a big music venue in a warehouse space in Bushwick, and they just opened up their rooftop with views of the surrounding neighborhood. It’s essentially just a huge patio/dance floor with a bar and an elevated DJ booth in the corner, and with all the fresh air and loud music, it feels sort of like a party on the deck of a cruise ship (in Bushwick).

The Verdict: At some point this summer, you should dance outdoors here. We’ve added Elsewhere to the Bar Hit List.


What It Is: The East Village location of a famous pizza place on Staten Island

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Classic Establishment

When we heard that Joe and Pat’s on Staten Island - one of our top 20 favorite pizza places - opened their first-ever Manhattan location, we had two immediate thoughts, in this order: 1) mmm vodka pizza and 2) will it live up to the original? Good news: the pies in the East Village are as delicious and crackery-thin as they are in Staten Island. It’s a bit more expensive than the original restaurant, but there’s a full bar and the vodka pie is like an excellent edible tie-dye shirt made of sauce and cheese.

The Verdict: If you don’t live there, you no longer have to take the Staten Island Ferry to get some of the best pizza around. We’ve added it to our [Hit List](Hit List.


What It Is: A casual Vietnamese restaurant in an attractive Greenpoint space

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, First/Early In The Game Dates

When new restaurants open in Greenpoint, you usually don’t encounter too much of a wait. But when we showed up at Di An Di - a new Vietnamese spot - a week after it opened, it was a different story. We waited over an hour, and the good news is it was worth it. We ate grilled pork summer rolls, sesame chicken salad, a Vietnamese “pizza” with a grilled crispy rice paper crust, and one of the best bowls of pho we’ve had in NYC. We’re already trying to figure out when we can go back and eat it again.

The Verdict: We haven’t been this excited about a new Vietnamese restaurant since Hanoi House. It’s now on the Hit List.


What It Is: An upscale spot in Noho serving Korean and Japanese food

Perfect For: Corporate Cards, Lunch

We knew we’d end up spending a fair amount of money at The Bari before we even looked at the menu. A big restaurant in Noho next to The Public Theater that looks like the business-class dining room on an interstellar spaceship can’t be cheap. But the Korean and Japanese dishes, like bone marrow with kimchi and uni bibimbap, seemed exciting enough to give this place a try. While we enjoyed some things (the milk bread crusted pork rib), most of the food was pretty bland.

The Verdict: If you’re going to spend this kind of money, there are other spots we’d recommend nearby instead.


What It Is: A beer garden at the base of a new hotel in Williamsburg

Perfect For: Outdoor/Patio Situation, Sports!

We like the original FiDi location of Clinton Hall, an indoor/outdoor beer garden with sports on TV, so we checked out the newest location at the base of the Pod Hotel in Williamsburg. Even though it has the same long list of draft beer, multiple screens showing sports, and solid bar food, this one feels more like a Buffalo Wild Wings. The bright space has tables that look like they were just unboxed from Ikea, and an outdoor area that feels like the courtyard of an office building.

The Verdict: There are plenty of better places in Williamsburg to drink interesting beers and watch sports.


What It Is: A bar on top of a hotel in Soho

Perfect For: Wasting Your Time And Money

Last summer, the rooftop at the Arlo Soho was a beach-themed place called Harold’s Surf Shack, and it was one of our favorite spots for a low-key drink outside. Now, however, it’s called Arlo Roof Top - and it’s unfortunately become more of a typical club. The lawn flamingos and kiddie pools are no longer on the outdoor terrace, and, on our latest visit, there was a line to get in despite the fact that the place was half-empty. Also, the music was bad.

The Verdict: There are other rooftop bars where you can and should be drinking downtown.


5/24/2018

What It Is: A casual neighborhood sushi place on Bowery

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Date Night, Dining Solo

Locating your nearest good, casual sushi place in this city is as important as locating the nearest emergency exit on a plane, and Shinsen in Chinatown is a new one to add to your list. When we went on a Tuesday night, there were only a few people in the modern space, but the service was friendly, and everything we ate - from the oyakodon (a chicken and rice bowl) to the 10 piece sushi plate for $29 - was fresh and excellent.

The Verdict: A great sushi place to know about for a casual date or a solo meal, but you don’t need to stop what you’re already doing with your life to try it.


What It Is: A casual Italian spot in Park Slope with a long wine list

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Date Night, Drinks And A Light Bite

Terre serves 100 different natural wines by the glass, which is kind of exciting. When we recently made it into this new Park Slope Italian spot for dinner, we tried some small plates and pastas, and we liked the tagliatelle ragu with beef and pork. There are plenty of Italian places in the area with better food, but we would come back to Terre for their huge wine and charcuterie selections. Make sure to take a seat at the narrow bar up front, rather than the very quiet dining room.

The Verdict: If you focus on the unusual wine list and bit charcuterie selection, then Terre works well as a low-commitment date spot.


5/16/2018

What It Is: The new rooftop bar on top of the Freehand Hotel in Kips Bay

Perfect For: Date Night, Impressing Out-Of-Towners, Outdoor/Patio Situation

When we went to go check out Broken Shaker at the Freehand Hotel, there was a line to get inside. But it was warm out, and we had some things to read, so we decided to wait. And, 40 minutes later, we finally made it into the elevator. Was the wait worth it? Yeah, it sort of was. Rooftop bars tend to be crowded, clubby, and overpriced - but Broken Shaker wasn’t too packed, the views were very nice, and it felt less like a typical rooftop bar and more like a big, cool bar that just happened to be on top of a building. It felt like a casual 1970s beach house party in someone’s penthouse apartment, and we’ll most likely be back several times this summer.

The Verdict: As annoying as it will inevitably be to get in here, we’ll be coming back to Broken Shaker the next time we feel the need to be on a rooftop. This is going on our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: An Italian restaurant in Williamsburg with high ceilings and a big back patio

Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With The Parents

Every once in a while, we find a place that makes us wonder why didn’t know about it sooner. The latest example is Ammazzacaffe. It’s a good-looking space with high ceilings, big windows, and a secretly large backyard where we plan to eat again soon. We had the mafaldine with pork ragu, and when a stranger beside us leaned over and asked if it was like comfort food, we thought, “That’s a weird question.” Then we told this person that the pasta was, in fact, like some very good comfort food.

The Verdict: Bring a date the next time you need to impress someone with a place that most people don’t know about.


What It Is: An American restaurant in Harlem

Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With The Parents

Clay is a grown up-feeling New American/farm-to-table restaurant in Harlem, and it’s a place that does everything pretty well. There are nice salads, satisfying pastas (we particularly liked the garganelli with kale and sausage), and well-executed entrees like a duck leg confit. They also have an extensive wine list, good cocktails, and very friendly service. And the space is nice too - it feels sort of like the earth-toned living room of a successful person on a TV show. If you’re uptown and looking for somewhere new to try, definitely add Clay to your list.

The Verdict: It’s been around for over a year, so it won’t make the Hit List, but we’ll be adding it to other guides.


5/10/2018

What It Is: A beloved pizza spot that just returned to NYC (after a stint in San Francisco) in partnership with the people behind Wildair & Contra

Perfect For: Date Night

Roughly eight years ago, there was a pizza place in the East Village called Una Pizza Napoletana. But then the owner moved his operation to San Francisco, where he made some of the best pizza in the city. Now, this place is back in NYC, in a somewhat industrial-feeling Lower East Side space that used to be Whynot Coffee. And the pizza is very good. They don’t offer a lot of toppings, but the margherita pizza is a great example of what a margherita pizza should be, and the crust is worth having on its own. There are also some interesting small plates from the Wildair people (who are partners in this place), including some beef crudo that may actually be better than the pizza. Right now, they don’t have a liquor license, so what should be a lively bar area is pretty dead, and it still feels like they’re somewhat in a soft open phase. Waits can also be unpredictable. We’ll definitely be back.

The Verdict: We’re putting this place on the Hit List, but unless you are a pizza fanatic or you’ve been counting down the days until Una Pizza’s return, we’d suggest you wait to come here until they have a liquor license.


What It Is: A tiny restaurant in Prospect Heights with New Orleans-style creole food

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Happy Hour, Dining Solo

Maybe it was the 82 degree weather, or the fact that we were right by Prospect Park, but after we left a little Prospect Heights spot called Lowerline, we felt like we had post-vacation blues. We sat at the bar, where the owner shucked oysters in front of us and told us about growing up in New Orleans, and we discussed our shared interest in the “Voodoo” flavor of Zapps. We tried a shrimp po boy and gumbo, both of which tasted great and reminded us of meals we’ve had when visiting Louisiana.

The Verdict: Whether it’s just for the Cajun food or a Prospect Park one-two punch, Lowerline is worth traveling for. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


What It Is: A place in Gowanus where you can drink beer while you learn how to throw an axe

Perfect For: Birthdays

Walk into Kick Axe Throwing, and the first thing you have to do is sign a waver. This is a bar/venue in Gowanus where you drink beer and learn how to throw small axes, and, while we didn’t actually read the waiver that we signed, we assume it said something like “I agree to not get mad if this doesn’t end well.” You pay a per-person fee of $35, then go to one of the many small indoor target ranges where you get 70 minutes to play axe-throwing games while being monitored by a trained employee who’s there to make sure you don’t do something stupid. You can try walking in, but if you’re set on spending your night throwing axes, you probably want to reserve online in advance.

The Verdict: A fun thing to do with a group, and recommended for anyone who wants to throw sharp, heavy things on their birthday.


What It Is: A big rooftop wine bar in the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Perfect For: Big Groups, Birthdays

Google Maps said we had arrived at our destination, but we looked around the Brooklyn Navy Yard and only saw warehouses and construction sites. We told a security guard that we were looking for a bar called Rooftop Reds, and he pointed us in the direction of Building #275 towards the back of the grounds. After walking up a slightly creepy warehouse staircase, we found a very fun wine bar that’s also one of the most unique rooftops in the city. The huge space was full of people playing cornhole, laying on hammocks, and drinking at picnic tables with great views of Manhattan. Besides the wines that all come from their vineyard upstate, they also serve beer. There are food pop-ups alongside events like wine tastings and movie night, but for the most part, you can bring your own food.

The Verdict: A very fun spot for big groups without the crowds of most rooftops. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: One of our all-time favorite Brooklyn restaurants that just started serving brunch

Perfect For: Brunch, Outdoor/Patio Situation

Olmsted recently started serving brunch, and we had heard that the walk-in waits had been hours long. This place is one of the highest-rated spots on our site, but still - nothing is worth waiting hours for on a Saturday. Or so we thought. After trying it ourselves, we can tell you that Olmsted’s brunch is an exception to that rule. The food - like duck liver mousse, BEC egg rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauce, maple flatbreads with duck sausage and scrambled duck eggs - is about as inventive as what you’d find here at dinner, and it’s all phenomenal. When you’re done eating, make sure to get another cocktail and take it outside to the back, which feels like an SNL sketch of a Brooklyn backyard - complete with its own quail coop, garden of microgreens, and crayfish farm in a bathtub.

The Verdict: Try making a reservation for brunch here - but if you can’t get one, it’s worth waiting for.


4/30/2018

What It Is: A neighborhood Italian place in Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With The Parents, Dining Solo

Lately, people have been saying we should check out Camillo in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. And since we’re team players who are open to any suggestion, we stopped by for dinner. The space is charming and comfortable, with exposed brick walls and a nice bar in front where you can eat a full meal, and the food itself was pretty good. We wouldn’t say it’s necessary for you to drop everything and eat here tonight, but if you’re nearby and you want some Roman-style pizza and a large board of bread and cold porchetta, by all means get a table here. It’s definitely a family-friendly spot.

The Verdict: We like Camillo, and you should check this place out if you live nearby.


What It Is: A Canadian-themed cocktail bar in Bushwick

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, Eating At The Bar

Bushwick bars are usually either divey or aggressively themed, but Upnorth is neither of those things. It is, however, a Canadian spot, and you might get that sense from the incredibly nice bartenders. One of them gave us an excellent recommendation for a cocktail that we wouldn’t have ordered otherwise. There’s also poutine, a few Canadian beers, and some charming ram taxidermy on the walls, but when it comes down to it, Upnorth is just a great simple bar in the middle of Bushwick’s busiest area (right off the Jefferson Avenue L). We had a burger and some poutine with smoked meat and mushrooms and everything was solid. We’ll be back, mostly so we can substitute tots for the fries in the poutine.

The Verdict: We have a feeling this place is going to get pretty busy, so come for Happy Hour with a date or some friends before everyone else finds out about it. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A classic NYC pizza spot in Midwood, Brooklyn.

Perfect For: Classic Establishment, Cheap Eats

For the past few months, we’ve been working on a ranking of the best pizza in NYC. This has required a lot of time time and energy, and there have been moments when we’ve wondered if we ever wanted to eat pizza again. Having recently returned to Di Fara, however, we can confidently say that we still enjoy pizza. We stopped by the other day, and the pizza here is as good as always. It also wasn’t too crowded (around 6pm), and we ordered a square pie, a round pie, and a calzone. The square was probably our favorite, although it was roughly as dense as the core of a planet, and, as much as we wanted to, we couldn’t eat more than a few slices. We also really liked the classic round pie, and the enormous calzone was similarly very good. It had about one cow’s worth of cheese.

The Verdict: Di Fara still very much deserves its 9.0 rating. It’s an NYC classic.


What It Is: A Spanish restaurant and tapas bar in Soho

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, Small Plates

We recently dropped by Tomino, a new Spanish restaurant in Little Italy with a big bar area that works for casual drinks and snacks. They also have a big dining room at the back of the space where you can get large format dishes like lobster paella, but after trying this place, we recommend sitting at the bar or the tables on the street out front and just having some Spanish wine and tapas, like the octopus and the eggs with pork spiced pork. Nothing here will blow your mind, but it’s a decent option for some affordable wine and a small bite.

The Verdict: We wouldn’t recommend coming for a full meal, but the bar and outdoor tables work for drinks and a light bite.


What It Is: A quiet ramen spot in Williamsburg with leopard-print bowls

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner

At this point, ramen places in NYC are about as common as laundromats and bodegas that also sell large quantities of flowers. But we still wanted to check out Andante, because they serve a bunch of different types of broth, and also have leopard-print bowls. So we got a quick dinner there, and it was good. There isn’t anything too new or revolutionary about it, but we enjoyed our spicy miso ramen, and we liked the fact that they pump soothing classical music into the little space. If you’re in Williamsburg and you want something quick and casual, check it out. It shouldn’t be too busy.

The Verdict: If you want a good, quick bowl of noodles, eat here.


What It Is: A casual neighborhood Italian restaurant in Gowanus

Perfect For: Eating At The Bar, Date Night, Casual Weeknight Dinner

Most neighborhoods in NYC have a casual Italian place like Bar Tano, but Gowanus just happens to be the one lucky enough to have this particular version. It’s a great spot for just about any situation. When we came here around 7pm on a Monday, the bar was completely full of people drinking Happy Hour specials and sharing pastas and bruschetta. There were people on dates, a woman from the bartender’s yoga class, and groups of friends catching up over some drinks and burrata. And it just happens to be very close to The Bell House, if you need a place to eat or drink before the comedy podcast show you have tickets for.

The Verdict: A good option to know about if you’re spending time in Gowanus.


What It Is: The rooftop cocktail bar on top of the Made Hotel in Nomad

Perfect For: Outdoor/Patio Situation, People Watching

We’ve been checking out a bunch of new outdoor drinking and eating spots in preparation for this year’s Infatuation Summer Guide, which recently brought us to Good Behavior on the roof of the Made Hotel in Nomad. The tropical-themed indoor/outdoor space is very small, and it’s mostly just a dancefloor with a DJ on one side and a bar on the other, plus a couple balconies with enough room for a handful of people to drink tiki cocktails overlooking the Empire State Building.

The Verdict: Unless you really want tiki drinks on a roof with a view of the Empire State Building, you don’t need to come here. Check out a less-claustrophobic outdoor bar instead.


4/16/2018 Update

What It Is: A Neapolitan pizza spot in LIC

Perfect For: Dining At The Bar, Serious Take-Out Operation

If you’ve been watching our Instagram stories or reading this Ride-Along Report lately, you know we’ve been deep in research for our ranking of NYC’s best pizza. Which is what led us to Levante, a new-ish LIC spot that people have been telling us to try. It’s a modern space serving a long menu of Neapolitan pizzas, along with pastas, salads, and other Italian food. But we’re here to tell you about the pizza: we tried a margherita, a burrata and mushroom one, and a spicy salami pie. And all of them were good - although certainly not worth traveling for. At the moment, they also don’t have a liquor license.

The Verdict: If you live in LIC, stop by for pizza at the bar. But you don’t need to travel for it.


What It Is: A hotel restaurant in LIC with pizza, pasta, and a burger

Perfect For: Date Night

Beebe’s is another LIC spot we recently checked out, and it’s another spot that serves pizza. Although unlike Levante, this place is brand new, it’s in the bottom of The Boro Hotel, and it’s a place we’d send most people for dinner tonight. The dining room is spacious and casual, with a bunch of two-person tables and an open kitchen at the back - and, when we stopped by, it wasn’t too busy. We ate some very good pizza and meatballs, had a few negronis, and made a mental note to come back here the next time we’re in LIC.

Verdict: If you’re near LIC and you want to sit down and have a pizza, go to Beebe’s. Read our full review.


What It Is: A big restaurant/club on the Lower East Side where you’ll see large groups of people taking shots and picking at food

Perfect For: Wasting Your Time And Money

We’re currently working on a guide to the least-worst party restaurants in NYC, so we decided to have a full dinner at Vandal. This place is from the same people behind Lavo and Tao (which should give you a good idea of what goes down here), and the menu is similar to that of a school cafeteria where you might get pizza one day and stir fry the next. We had a few things, like tortilla soup dumplings and steak tartare that was spread on a big pretzel - and none of it was the worst food we’ve ever had, but we didn’t like paying money for it. The space was mostly filled with large tables of people taking shots, and, while it looked like most people were having fun, we’re going to do our best to never come back.

Verdict: This is a theme park for adults with corporate cards. You should avoid it, but if someone drags you here, just eat a pepperoni pizza.


What It Is: An all-day Italian restaurant in Soho

Perfect For: Date Night, Lunch

We went to Coco Pazzo for lunch shortly after it opened, and it was good. But we wanted to head back there to see what goes on at dinner. This is the new Soho version of an Upper East Side Italian restaurant that was popular in the 90s, and on our last visit, the dimly-lit dining room was packed. We tried some seafood appetizers, pastas, and a three-pound roasted chicken that they carved tableside. The four-cheese rigatoni, which is basically what happens when an Italian chef makes mac and cheese, was great. But we also waited an hour between courses and some of the other dishes were pretty bland.

The Verdict: This is a solid place to eat Italian food in Soho, but it’s not exciting enough to make it on our Hit List just yet. We’ll be checking back on it soon.


What It Is: A casual LES cocktail bar with dumplings and hot dogs

Perfect For: Early In The Game Dates, Eating At The Bar

We aren’t sure if the name is a reference to the song by The Cure or the 1999 movie starring Hilary Swank, but, either way, Boys Don’t Cry is mostly just a normal bar. It’s a little room on Orchard Street (next to Scarr’s Pizza), and it has a long bar and a couple of booths. They do, however, serve some dumplings (from Nom Wah), and we had some alongside a cocktail. We also like the fact that there’s a TV behind the bar for watching sports when you don’t want to talk to whoever you’re drinking with.

The Verdict: A nice place for a casual cocktail on the Lower East Side, but nothing special.


4/9/2018 Update

What It Is: An upscale French bistro in Tribeca

Perfect For: See And Be Seen, Date Night, Birthdays

Sometimes, you walk into a place and think “I’ll probably see a famous person here.” Right now, that’s what it’s like at Frenchette. This restaurant just opened in Tribeca, and it’s kind of like a smaller, more stylish Balthazar. There are big leather booths and murals on the walls, as well as some ceiling fans (because every old-school bistro needs a ceiling fan). The food is French, and we had some very good steak and duck here, as well a bowl of buttery eggs with escargot on top (that tasted a little like movie-theater popcorn). The bar area up front was also pretty busy, and looked like it was packed with well-dressed people who work in the area.

The Verdict: Book a table here before it gets too hard. And be ready to spend a little money. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


What It Is: A subterranean cocktail bar under Juku in Chinatown

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, First/Early In The Game Dates

Walking into Straylight feels like you’re being led down into a crime boss’ lair. It’s the subterranean cocktail bar under Juku - and to get in, the hostess opened a door and led us down a bright white stairwell with pink fluorescent lights, and then opened another door and sat us at a small candlelit table under a ceiling that looks like stained glass. We tried some unusual cocktails, like one with sushi rice and another with smoked pork skin, and ate all of the Japanese bar snacks - the best thing was the breaded meatball sliders on milk bread.

The Verdict: If you’re okay spending $20 on cocktails, then Straylight is a unique spot to impress someone. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: An Italian-American counter spot in Bushwick

Perfect For: Serious Take-Out Operation, Lunch

This is basically just three guys making excellent homemade pastas and Italian sandwiches in a little counter spot on Wilson Avenue in Bushwick. When we went, they told us they’ve been slammed with take-out orders since they opened (approximately three days prior). You could technically sit on a stool here and enjoy your homemade rigatoni and the Fall Out Boy playlist they blast, but it seems more useful as an excellent new takeout Italian option for the neighborhood.

The Verdict: Congratulations residents of Bushwick, you have a great new comfort food take-out option.


What It Is: A tiny taco spot hidden in the back of an East Village cocktail bar.

Perfect For: Late Night Eats

The Garret East is one of our go-to bars in the East Village, and they recently opened up a little taqueria in the back of their space. Seeing as how we like both drinking and tacos, we decided to check this place out - and it was pretty cool. The tacos are solid and come with a lot of meat (to the extent that you might need a fork), and they’ll bring your food to you anywhere in the bar.

The Verdict: You will most likely see us eating late-night tacos here again in the near future. We’ve added it to our Hit List.

4/4/2018 Update

What It Is: A slightly more upscale Korean barbecue spot in K-Town

Perfect For: Big Groups, Birthdays

Sam Won Garden is the oldest and largest tabletop barbecue place in South Korea, and they just opened their first location on 32nd Street. It has three floors and 175 seats, and when we came by for dinner the other night, it was pretty busy. We got seated all the way up on the third floor, and proceeded to eat some brisket fried rice and a kimchi bacon pancake and the beef sampler for two, which comes with ribeye, strip steak, and a few other cuts. And everything was very good.

The Verdict: Solid Korean barbecue and great for groups.


What It Is: A hidden cocktail bar in East Williamsburg

Perfect For: First/Early-In-The-Game Dates, Date Night

You’d have to be looking for Featherweight in order to find it. It’s right on Graham Ave., but there’s no signage except for a feather illustration on the door. Which might be why the little space feels like a members-only club. One with fancy drinks but a laid-back feel, and friendly bartenders who will make something you feel like drinking, or in our case, let you try any of the specialty liquors you’re curious about. We were here at around 8pm on a Friday, when every seat was full, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it gets slammed later on at night.

The Verdict: This is the kind of cocktail bar where you’ll want to become a regular.


What It Is: A cocktail and oyster bar with live music on the Lower East Side

Perfect For: Drinks and A Light Bite, First/Early-In-The-Game Dates

Sometime after walking past the raw bar and cellist, and before drinking a Ms. Jackson (a mezcal cocktail), we decided that Bar Belly would be rejoining our casual date night rotation. This place used to be Leadbelly, and from what we can tell, Bar Belly is almost identical. We sat at one of the small tables towards the back of the narrow cocktail bar, and tried lamb meatballs and octopus as the cellist and two guitarists played in the middle of the space. Also, the oysters are great, especially when they’re $1 at Happy Hour (5pm-7pm).

The Verdict: A good new date spot on the LES. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A Caribbean-themed cocktail bar attached to Pearl’s in Williamsburg

Perfect For: Drinks and A Light Bite, First/Early-In-The-Game Dates

To get to Clyde’s, you walk through Pearl’s (a Caribbean restaurant in Williamsburg) and go through the doorway with hanging beads next to the kitchen. There you’ll find a narrow bar serving Caribbean-ish cocktails, and a food menu identical to Pearl’s. We tried a few rum-based drinks and ordered some food, and the whole experience really just made us wish we were having these things in Pearl’s backyard in the middle of summer.

The Verdict: The outdoor area is the real selling point of Pearl’s, and unless you’re a huge Major Lazer fan (Clyde’s is part-owned by one of the DJs), we probably wouldn’t come to Clyde’s just for the drinks.


3/26/2018 Update

What It Is: A new Roman-style pizza place on the UES

Perfect For: Lunch, Quick Eats

A guy who’s apparently very famous for making pizza in Rome just opened a place called PQR on the Upper East Side, and it’s already one of the better pizza spots in the neighborhood. The slices here are rectangular Roman-style ones, and they come with everything from pumpkin to porchetta (although the one stuffed with porchetta is really more of a sandwich). We had the pumpkin one fresh out of the oven, and it convinced us that pumpkin is, in fact, a valid pizza topping.

The Verdict: You don’t need to make a special trip to PQR, but if you’re in the neighborhood, definitely grab a slice.


What It Is: An all-day Japanese cafe on the LES

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Unique Dining Experience

As we walked into Davelle, the chef behind the bar waved at us with one hand while blow-torching some oden with the other. Oden is basically a small bowl of broth with your choice of ingredients like fried tofu, boiled egg, or sausage with Japanese mustard. We ordered about five per person (each is around $4), and liked the mushrooms and fried octopus best. We were also kind of blown away by how much uni was in the $13 sea urchin rice ball. This is a tiny spot that’s open all day, but it’s best for a dinner when you want something low-key but interesting.

The Verdict: This is a great spot for a unique weeknight dinner. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


What It Is: The new Soho version of an UES Italian restaurant that was big in the 90s

Perfect For: Lunch

The original Coco Pazzo was on the Upper East Side, and it was a place people loved in the 90s. It just reopened on Prince Street, so we stopped by for lunch and had a couple of pastas, a surprisingly enjoyable quinoa salad, and a sandwich on very good focaccia. And during the day, all of those things (besides the pastas) are available for takeout at the pastry counter in the back of the restaurant. At night, the menu gets a bit fancier, with lots of seafood appetizers and meat-centric entrees. We enjoyed our lunch in the light-filled dining room, and we’ll be back to eat dinner here soon.

The Verdict: A solid new option for Italian food in Soho.


What It Is: A new spot in Greenwich Village that specializes in spicy ramen

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Lunch, Date Night

When we went to Karakatta, we saw an actor from The Usual Suspects ask his college-aged offspring if “this is the kind of ramen the kids eat at school?” Normally the answer would be “No Dad, that’s instant ramen. You’re ruining my life.” But Karakatta’s excellent ramen and proximity to NYU might be changing that answer to the affirmative. We tried both spicy and non-spicy ramens, and can tell you that you should be ordering the ones with hot pepper icons. We can also tell you that you should be getting the pork buns, which are some of the best we’ve eaten.

The Verdict: Great ramen that’s worth feeling a little like you’re in an NYU dining hall. We’ve added it to our Hit List.


What It Is: A Chicago-style deep dish pizza place in Soho

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner

Emmett’s is a Chicago-style deep dish place, and, since we’re working on a ranking of the best pizza in NYC, we thought it was time to check it out. Although before consuming deep dish here, we had a hot dog, an Italian sausage, and a thin-crust pizza covered in ranch. And the thin crust pizza was probably the best thing we ate. As for the deep dish, the crust itself wasn’t anything special (sort of like a stale shortbread cookie), but we’d eat it again if it were put in front of us. Will it make our final pizza list? Probably not, but it’s hard to be upset with a large serving of melted cheese.

The Verdict: The closest you’ll find to Chicago-style pizza in NYC.


3/21/2018 Update

What It Is: A tiny French restaurant serving bistro food and natural wine

Perfect For: Date Night

To the person who wrote us the following email:

“Subject: Le French Diner, LES Orchard St

Body: Run, don’t walk, it’s a gem. Sent from my iPhone”

Thank you. We took your advice, and now we agree. This restaurant is a tiny little place on Orchard Street that looks like it could have been a taco stand in a past life, and serves really excellent French food while a French hip-hop soundtrack plays in the background. Most of the seats are at the counter, where you can watch cooks prepare fantastic octopus or steak, and over which there’s a short menu and wine list written on a chalkboard. Expect a full review on this restaurant sometime very soon.

The Verdict: Come here with someone you really like and want to share a bottle of wine with.


3/12/2018 Update

What It Is: A new restaurant in Hudson Yards from the team behind two of our favorite restaurants

Perfect For: Date Night, Special Occasions

Legacy Records is the new restaurant in Hudson Yards from the people behind Pasquale Jones and Charlie Bird, two places we really like. And it turns out that this place is great as well. We came for dinner recently and ate everything from tuna belly and prosciutto to some duck pasta and a piece of ribeye. We also finished our meal with some cones of gelato - and, like everything else, they were very good. The service was also great, and it’s an impressive space with high ceilings, a horseshoe bar, and a few alcoves that are perfect for groups. There’s also free candy in the bathroom. So if you have something semi-special to celebrate, make a reservation now - because they’re going to be tough to get.

The Verdict: Top-notch food, great service, and an impressive space. Pricey, but worth it. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: An all-day cafe in a fancy furniture store in Soho

Perfect For: Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee & A Bite

For a few months now, La Mercerie has been open and selling $6 croissants. It’s a cafe in the front of a high-end furniture store in Soho, and they just started serving lunch and dinner. We stopped by recently, ate some steak tartare, smoked salmon blinis, and a “petite ribeye” - and, while it was wasn’t cheap, the food was excellent. The place looks like a spread from an interior design magazine, so expect to find a room full of people who appreciate velvet banquettes and probably know the dates of fashion week. You should also expect there to be a wait if you don’t have a reservation.

The Verdict: Come here for breakfast, lunch, or a snack the next time you need to impress someone in Soho. It’s on the Hit List.


What It Is: A 10-seat East Village spot specializing in Taiwanese beef noodle soup

Perfect For: Dining Solo, Quick Eats

After three previous attempts to get into Ho Foods and being quoted one to two hour waits early on weekday nights, we finally got into the 10-seat space after only 30 minutes (but were seated at a table sitting face-to-face with a stranger). The Taiwanese beef noodle soup is a 24-hour broth with wheat noodles and slices of beef, and we added tendon and extra marrow. If the crowds lessen a bit, this will be a solid addition to the quick and affordable dining options in the neighborhood, but until then, you don’t need to rush here and/or wait too long for this soup.

The Verdict: This is very good soup, but it’s not worth an hours-long wait.


What It Is: A counter-service Filipino restaurant in the East Village

Perfect For: Group Dinner, Casual Weeknight Dinner

Mama Fina’s is a new Filipino restaurant on Avenue A between 10th and 11th streets in the East Village. The main draw here is the very filling and very good Filipino food like pork sisig, taro leaves with coconut milk (called Laing), and steak with garlic rice. We went ahead with many of the items marked “must-try” on the menu, and we can confirm that those dishes are indeed the things you should be trying - they were great. That said, the atmosphere doesn’t make as much sense - it’s counter service, but also looks like a place where highly-regarded knights would eat during the Renaissance period.

The Verdict: The Filipino food makes Mama Fina’s worth knowing about for a casual group dinner in the East Village, but you don’t need to go out of your way for a meal here.


What It Is: The American restaurant in the West Village space that used to be a legendary speakeasy

Perfect For: Dinner With The Parents, Impressing Out Of Towners

The original Chumley’s was a speakeasy that opened during Prohibition, and the West Village bar was a great a place to hang. Then the building fell apart, they had to close it, and Chumley’s reopened last year as a restaurant. The first time we stopped in, we weren’t huge fans. But we recently went back, and we can now confidently tell you that it’s fine. The food is on the heavier side with stuff like cassoulet and steak tartare, and it’s all pretty decent - but, for the prices, it’s hard to justify a night out here. The burger is $29, for example, and it comes with more bone marrow than you’ll actually want. Although we do like the space. It’s sort of like a dark, old-school country club, and there are pictures of authors everywhere. There also happened to be an in-house historian walking around quizzing people on literary portraits, and we correctly named both Arthur Miller and Norman Mailer.

The Verdict: The space is cool and the food here is good - but it isn’t quite good enough for how expensive it is.


3/5/2018 Update

What It Is: The revamp of an old, upscale Upper East Side French spot

Perfect For: Dinner With The Parents

On our first visit to La Goulue, we saw the following: a very famous 86-year-old writer, a small dog, and a woman someone at our table thought was Barbara Walters (it wasn’t). That should tell you a bit about what you need to know about La Goulue: it’s an older crowd, and it’s about as uptown-y as you can get. The restaurant was closed for about eight years and is now open in a different location on 61st Street, and what’s also worth knowing about this new reboot of a classic French bistro is that the food is very good. The menu includes things like a great steak tartare, fresh salads, and well-executed grilled fish. It’s not going to be for everyone, but it is a nice option for an upscale meal near Central Park.

The Verdict: If you were someone who was aware of and enjoyed this restaurant eight years ago, you’ll still like it. Otherwise, it’s a somewhat formal, though not exactly stuffy French restaurant.


What It Is: A speakeasy behind a coffee shop in Nomad

Perfect For: Date Night

Patent Pending is a coffee shop in Nomad that turns into a speakeasy around 5pm. It’s a dark little space with a bar and a row of booths, and it feels like a cave full of candles, where there are also good cocktails. It was pretty packed when we stopped by, and they only take reservations for large parties, so you should have a backup bar in mind in case there’s a wait.

The Verdict: A great new place to drink, as long as you can get in and don’t mind paying $17 for a cocktail. It’s going on our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A small cocktail bar in the basement of the Life Hotel

Perfect For: Date Night

Below Henry, there’s a cocktail bar called Gibson + Luce. It’s in the basement of the Life Hotel, and when we came for a drink the other night, it was pretty slow. The cocktails were pretty decent, although the bartender’s blowtorch went out, so he had to use a candle to light our garnish on fire. Also, the music was a little loud. Other than that, your parents would probably like this place.

The Verdict: A good spot for a nice, low-key drink near MSG.


2/26/2018 Update

What It Is: A Greenwich Village spot specializing in mixian (rice noodles) from the Yunnan province of China

Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner, Dining Solo

South Of The Cloud’s bright space just north of Washington Square Park was crowded when we got there, but we were seated almost immediately - there’s no alcohol (they’re waiting on their liquor license) and food comes out very quickly, so people aren’t lingering. The menu includes five types of mixian - rice noodles from the Yunnan province of China - which come out either dry or in a four-hour chicken broth. We liked almost everything we ate here, and left very full for about $20 per person. Definitely get the spicy bites of fried pork shoulder and the cold noodles with minced pork.

The Verdict: Check this place out for an affordable lunch or dinner in Greenwich Village. It’s now on our Hit List.


What It Is: A wood-fired pizza spot in Jersey City

Perfect For: Big Groups, Vegetarians

We recently took the Path train two stops to Jersey City to check out Razza, which focuses on using local ingredients to make some really excellent pizza. This place isn’t very big and doesn’t take reservations, so we ended up waiting for about an hour (there are a bunch of bars within a block or two). But the wait was worth it for the wood-fired pizzas with fluffy crusts, crisp bases, and relatively light toppings - you can put away a whole pizza yourself without feeling nearly as full as you would after a pie at Emmy Squared or Paulie Gee’s. And you will. Our favorite was that night’s special pie - the funghi with four types of mushrooms. If you’re someone whose blood pressure rises when people start debating the best pizza in the city, go to Razza, because this place belongs in that conversation.

The Verdict: This pizza is more than worth the short trip to Jersey City.


What It Is: A modern Indian restaurant in Chelsea

Perfect For: Dinner With The Parents

The first thing we saw when we got to Aroqa, a modern Indian restaurant that opened last year, were multiple people drinking cocktails out of bowls with edible flowers on top and smoke coming out the bottom. Then we ordered some “chicken chops,” and a server brought them out on what looked like a tiny bar cart, set them on fire, and walked away. We then briefly tried to blow out the fire, but failed at this, and just waited for it to go out on its own. (It took about a minute). And the chicken was actually pretty good.

The Verdict: Aroqa is kind of gimmicky, but you can use it for a fun night in Chelsea, and maybe even a date night, if your date is impressed by fire.


What It Is: A clubby cocktail bar at the top of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Perfect For: See And Be Seen

We like good cocktails, and we like nice views, so we decided to check out Brooklyn Heights Social Club. It’s a bar at the top of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge run by the people behind 1 Oak and (the original) Beatrice Inn, and, like those other spots, it’s definitely a scene. The drinks all cost around $20, it gets dark and loud around 7pm, and you can expect a crowd of well-dressed people. We didn’t stay too long, but by the time we left, it pretty much felt like any nightclub you might find in Meatpacking. Although there are some very nice views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge.

The Verdict: This place is crowded, expensive, and clubby - but it if you go on the early side, it can be a fun drinking experience (although not quite Hit-List-worthy).


2/16/2018 Update

What It Is: A Cajun/Creole restaurant in Astoria

Perfect For: Big Groups, Birthdays

Sugar Freak is a Cajun/Creole restaurant a block off the stretch in Astoria known as Little Egypt, and when we checked it out recently the big, packed space felt like a New Orleans-themed party. Big groups have crawfish boils and cornbread spread across their tables, beads hang from the light fixtures, the music is loud, and the draft cocktails are strong - like the one that’s equal parts fruit juice and rum. We tried a couple po’ boys, which don’t have quite enough seafood in them, and some seafood buckets, which come with very good crispy, spicy fries. The portions are all big, and almost everything on the menu is under $20.

The Verdict: This is a fun group dinner spot we’d recommend if you’re in Astoria.


2/12/2018 Update

What It Is: A small cocktail bar behind an unmarked door on the second floor of Freemans

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, First/Early In The Game Dates

Freemans is at the end of an alley on the LES, and it has multiple dining rooms filled with taxidermy, in addition to an upstairs that looks like the living room of a rich person’s hunting lodge. And now they also have Banzarbar - a speakeasy-type room behind an unmarked door on the second floor. We recently stopped by, sat at a candlelit table along the wall, and had a few of the signature cocktails, which were very good. And, since we were hungry, we also ordered “The Kraken” - a whole two-pound, tempura-fried octopus. Despite looking like a battered sea monster, this massive portion of octopus was actually pretty good, and so were the potatoes that come alongside.

The Verdict: A solid date spot for high-end cocktails and snacks in a unique space. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A little taco spot in Greenpoint

Perfect For: Dining Solo, Takeout

Good Move is a place you should be aware of if you either a) live near Greenpoint or b) feel the need to try every new taco spot that opens in this city. We checked this place out recently, and were glad we did. The space is bare bones (with just a small bar, a few tables, and Weezer blasting on the speakers), but they serve a full menu of cocktails along with some very solid tacos. We’d recommend the fried fish and al pastor.

The Verdict: Good move is indeed a good move for tacos, though not an essential one if you don’t live nearby.


2/9/2018 Update

What It Is: An omakase sushi restaurant on the Upper East Side

Perfect For: Date Night, Unique Dining Experience

If you’re into the idea of eating sushi that’s been blowtorched and possibly topped with truffle, and are comfortable paying around $100 for it (but not $200 or $300), you may want to check out Sushi Ishikawa. This relatively new Upper East Side restaurant does omakase that starts at $85 for 12 courses, which include a bunch of sushi topped with interesting ingredients as well as some sashimi-ish small plates. It’s definitely not the place for raw fish purists, but it is a place for a pretty good time. Make sure to sit the bar.

The Verdict: Check it out if you’re a committed explorer of high-end sushi.


What It Is: A neighborhood French bistro on the Lower East Side

Perfect For: Date Night

It’s always useful to know of a good restaurant where you can get a table last-minute - and that’s exactly why you should be aware of Les Enfants de Boheme. We recently stopped in, hung out at the bar, and ate very good steak tartare - and it made us wonder why this place isn’t busier. It’s a charming neighborhood spot on the LES where you’ll probably hear people speaking French, and it’s perfect for when you have a dinner date that you forgot to plan.

The Verdict: When you’re wandering around on the LES on a Friday night and have no idea where to eat, come here.


2/5/2018 Update

photo credit: Jean Schwarzwalder

$$$$Perfect For:Lunch

What It Is: A casual Israeli spot serving pita sandwiches in Chelsea Market

Perfect For: Lunch, Cheap Eats

If you’ve been to Tel Aviv or Paris, someone has probably told you to try Miznon. Or at least they should have. This place specializes in putting delicious things into delicious pitas, and now they have their first U.S. location in Chelsea Market (they’re also in Vienna and Melbourne now, if by any chance those are more convenient for you). The pita fillings range from crispy rib eye to corned beef to eggs or ratatouille, and they’re all really good. The whole roasted cauliflower is also better than cauliflower has any right to be. The space isn’t anything fancy and is best used for a quick lunch, but they do have a bar that would also work for a casual dinner.

The Verdict: These are good sandwiches, and we sincerely hope more of these open in the U.S. It’s now on the Hit List.


What It Is: A tiny Italian wine bar in Williamsburg

Perfect For: Date Night

Every once in a while, we discover a place that makes us wonder why we hadn’t eaten there sooner. Have & Meyer, a small Italian wine bar in Williamsburg, is the latest one to make us feel this way. The space feels like an old, tiny library filled with wine bottles instead of books - but the most impressive thing here is the wine list. They pour over 70 natural wines by the glass (30 of which are orange), and the people working here made us feel like regulars from the minute we sat down, making recommendations and opening fresh bottles to make sure we had the wine we wanted. The food menu is short, but has everything you need: cheese and charcuterie, homemade pastas, and gelato. If you haven’t been to Have & Meyer yet, find a date and bring them.

The Verdict: Come here and drink wine before more people realize how cool this place is.


What It Is: A Mediterranean small plates restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen

Perfect For: Date Night, Casual Weeknight Dinner

Kashkaval Garden is a very comfortable Hell’s Kitchen restaurant, and for that we credit its neighborhood feel, and also its fondue. This is a Mediterranean small plates spot on 9th Avenue where you can share Turkish flatbreads, skewered meats, and wine. If you spend time in Hell’s Kitchen (or often appease your uptown friends by meeting them halfway), Kashkaval is a great option for dates or catch-up dinners.

The Verdict: A useful neighborhood restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen.


1/29/2018 Update

What It Is: A cool West Village wine bar with good small plates

Perfect For: Drinks And A Light Bite, Date Night

We first tried getting into Due West, a new West Village wine bar, on a Saturday night. We did not succeed. So we headed back on a weeknight, and made it in without a wait. Aside from a big birthday party at the bar, it was full of people who looked like they might be named Allegra or Alfons, sitting in groups of twos and threes in blue velvet booths. This is generally the kind of place where meeting for drinks could turn into dinner - we liked the burger and the fried chicken bites (i.e. very good chicken nuggets). It would also work for a date with someone who makes electronic remixes of Death Cab For Cutie songs, or the subsequent catch-up with a friend so you can talk about your failed DJ date. Just know that it gets pretty loud in here.

The Verdict:Due West is a great place to meet someone for drinks that might turn into dinner in the West Village. We’ve added it to our Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A vegan restaurant in Williamsburg serving fancy-ish comfort food

Perfect For: Vegetarians, Date Night

We checked out Modern Love when it first opened, but went back to try it again before the review. It’s a little bit like a Brooklyn Dirt Candy - an upscale vegetarian restaurant with food worth traveling for. Modern Love’s menu is filled with comfort food, like poutine with mushroom gravy and a pinto bean burger with fried tempeh that looks like bacon. In other words, don’t expect to leave here feeling particularly healthy. That said, we really like the food here, especially the BBQ cauliflower wings and the tofu curry. The large, modern space would work well for date night or a group dinner - just know it gets busy and there isn’t much of a bar area to wait, so we’d make a reservation.

The Verdict: Vegetarians will want to travel for this place, and non-vegetarians will be very happy here too.


1/24/2018 Update

What It Is: The brightly-colored Japanese restaurant in the same building as The Grill

Perfect For: See and Be Seen, Corporate Cards

The Lobster Club is the third and final new restaurant in the Seagram Building in Midtown, along with The Grill and The Pool. The food is Japanese, the seats are bright pink and green, and the atmosphere is sort of “if Austin Powers actually had good taste.” While everything we tried was good, we liked the cooked food, like the wagyu and uni starter or dishes from the teppanyaki grill, more than the sushi. Although they serve things like a sushi roll topped with foie gras and truffle, it’s a more relaxed experience than The Grill, and it feels like a place to hang out, rather than to celebrate something - other than having the kind of money that would allow you to hang out here. Stop by the bar if you want to check it out without committing to dinner.

The Verdict: It’s fun, and the food is good - and for that, it makes our Hit List. You’ll probably have to make your own call about whether this is the kind of place you want to spend your time and money.


What It Is: A Greek all-day cafe in the far northwest corner of Tribeca

Perfect For: Lunch, Casual Weeknight Dinner

Greca is located in what might be the quietest few square blocks of Manhattan - the area right by the Hudson that we like to think of as the boonies of Tribeca. They serve things like sandwiches on bagel-like breads, soups, egg dishes, and they also have a “feta bar” where you can eat - you guessed it - bowls of feta. The space feels sort of like a big loft apartment mixed with a Le Pain Quotidien, but with much better food.

The Verdict: It’s a great spot to know about if you’re in the area and need a place to hang out for an hour over some good food.


1/22/2018 Update

What It Is: An all-day restaurant in the bottom of a new hotel in Gramercy

Perfect For: Date Night, Girls’ Night Out, Guys Night, Big Groups

The Freehand is a hotel chain in LA, Chicago, and Miami, and they just opened their first NYC location at 24th and Lexington. We checked out the all-day restaurant that’s now open on the second floor, called Studio, and tried the burger, some dumplings, and a few other things - all the American/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food was solid. But what we were most impressed with was the atmosphere. It’s a dimly-lit space with big booths and little tables surrounded by armchairs, and it’s the sort of place where you want to hang out with a few friends while you pretend that it’s your apartment.

The Verdict: It’s a good place for a fun night out in Gramercy. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: An upscale-ish Korean small plates restaurant in the East Village

Perfect For: Date Night, Small Plates

Soogil is a dark room in the East Village where you can watch the chef (who used to work at Daniel) make Korean small plates behind the bar in view of the whole restaurant. The menu is broken into three categories - garden, land, and sea. We tried almost everything on the menu, and generally enjoyed the garden section stuff the most. The glass noodles with bulgogi was the best thing we ate here, and the soft tofu over shaved brussel sprouts was excellent as well, although it’s our duty to tell you that a few of us also needed to grab slices of pizza afterwards. Make a reservation (we walked in and had to wait for a while), and bring some soju or wine - they don’t have a liquor license yet.

The Verdict: A good new East Village date night option. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: A casual Korean tapas spot in the East Village

Perfect For: Affordable Group Dinner, Casual Weeknight Dinner, Birthdays

Turntable Chicken Jazz’s East Village location has the same kind of perpetual-birthday-party feel as the original Midtown spot (think a Pitbull playlist and a wall covered in vinyl records), but with funkier Korean-ish tapas. That said, when we went to Tapanju this week, it seemed like everyone was still sharing the same chicken wings and color-changing beer towers they’re known for at their Midtown spot. And you should do the same. The food isn’t the best, but the place is an overall fun spot for your coworker’s going away dinner that you planned last-minute.

The Verdict: Good to know about for an affordable East Village partytime dinner.


1/17/2018 Update

What It Is: A well-designed Italian spot with great pasta and seafood

Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With The Parents, Girls Night Out

A new Italian place opening in NYC is sort of like a fish being born in the ocean. It’s nice, but it isn’t that notable. It turns out, however, that Scampi is. It’s a new spot near Union Square, and when we stopped by recently, it exceeded expectations. First off, the space is very well-designed, with high ceilings, gold accents, and some nice potted plants. Also, the food was great, and we especially like the mezzaluna with big pieces of guanciale. Overall, Scampi is great for a night with friends, parents, a date, or someone you’re indebted to because they held the subway door for you.

The Verdict: All of your friends will want to eat here. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: A restaurant in a basement where you eat a seven-course menu and listen to vinyl

Perfect For: Date Night, Dinner With The Parents, Unique Dining Experience

We’ve been wanting to check out Tokyo Record Bar since we first heard about it. It’s a tiny restaurant/bar in a basement where you pick a few songs that you’d like to listen to (on vinyl), then eat a seven-course tasting menu. We finally stopped by the other night, and we weren’t disappointed. It was almost like interactive theater, with all 20-odd diners helping to build the playlist. The food itself isn’t mind-blowing, although some of it is very good, and, at $50 for seven courses, it feels like a good deal. Go ahead and make this your new fifth date spot, or keep it in mind for whenever you might have friends visiting.

The Verdict: An excellent new option for a fun and different dinner experience. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: A new French wine bar in the West Village with affordable food

Perfect For: Date Night, Action at the Bar

We checked out St Tropez, a new French wine bar in the West Village, and ended up hanging for a couple hours, eating most of the very good share plates on the menu. The best dish we had was the octopus, which is one of the better ways to spend $12 in the West Village. Also, unlike many similar spots around town, this one isn’t solely good for date night. The one-room space was packed with groups of two and four, and it felt much more lively than your average wine bar. Just know that it’s new, and they’re still ironing out some operations - we had to wait a little while for our table.

The Verdict: One of our favorite new date spots around. We’ve added it to the Hit List.


What It Is: An Israeli restaurant in Fort Greene

Perfect For: Date Night, Casual Weeknight Dinner

We liked Miss Ada when it opened a few months ago, but we recently went back for dinner and were somewhat blown away. While we had initially been excited about this place’s outdoor space, we can confirm that the Israeli and Mediterranean food here is worth traveling for, even when the walk from the subway has you checking WebMD for symptoms of frostbite. We sat at the communal table in front of the open kitchen, and tried most of the menu, including some fantastic lamb shawarma over a huge portion of hummus. The food comes out very quickly, so stagger your ordering - but we never felt rushed by the very friendly staff.

The Verdict: It’s worth coming to Fort Greene with a date or small group to eat this Israeli food. We’ve added Miss Ada to the Hit List.


What It Is: A ’70s-themed bar on the Upper East Side with couches and bocce ball

Perfect For: First/Early In The Game Dates

We’re always looking for good bars on the Upper East Side, because, well, there aren’t many good bars on the Upper East Side. Jack & Franny’s, however, is a good bar. It’s a new 70’s-themed spot with a few couches, a bunch of booths, and a bocce ball court in the back. They also have cocktails on tap, with names like “1st Of All, Wow” and “Boulevardi Hayyy.” We tried a whiskey one, and it was great. We also liked that it was wasn’t too busy (it seems like no one really knows about it yet). Jack & Fanny’s already feels like it might be our new go-to bar uptown.

The Verdict: Our favorite new place to drink in the area. We’ve added it to the Bar Hit List.


What It Is: A hotel restaurant with a great space and a boring menu

Perfect For: Wasting Your Time And Money

Harvey is the new restaurant in the bottom of the Williamsburg Hotel, and the first thing you notice about this place is how nice the dining room is. We stopped by for dinner and were impressed by the high ceilings, big circular booths, and the live band playing in the corner. Unfortunately, the menu was boring (pizza, brussels sprouts, etc.), and what we tried wasn’t great. For a hotel restaurant in Williamsburg, Leuca is a better option, and it’s only about two blocks away.

The Verdict: There are many restaurants in Williamsburg, and you can skip this one.


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Suggested Reading

St Tropez image

St Tropez

St Tropez is a casual French spot in the West Village with affordable small plates.

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Boutros serves a mix of American, Middle Eastern, and Italian food and is worth checking out if you’re looking for a date spot in Brooklyn Heights.


The Casual Weeknight Dinner Guide image

Affordable places that are nice enough for a weeknight out.

La Contenta Oeste image

La Contenta Oeste is a Mexican restaurant in the West Village that’s pretty affordable and more big group dining friendly than the original LES spot.

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