To keep tabs on every New York restaurant and bar opening is folly. But to keep tabs on the most worthy? Yeoman’s work, and we’re proud to do it. Thus we present Table Stakes, a monthly rundown of the five (or so) must-know spots that have swung wide their doors in the past thirty (or so). Let’s eat.
Rezdôra
Flatiron
You’re here because: You and your significant other have reached the comfort zone where you can go in on a pasta tasting menu together.
You’re dining on: Chef Stefano Secchi’s northern Italian seasonal fare (he trained in the famous, three-Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Francescana). And while you came for the carbs, be certain to indulge in the five-hour braised veal cheek in a spring onion purée as well.
27 East 20th Street (map)
Website
Tsukimi
East Village
You’re here because: It’s date night, people.
You’re dining on: An 11-course Japanese tasting menu consisting of delicacies from caviar and uni to washu beef. There’s only one seating per night, and the seats will run you $195 a pop. Plan accordingly.
228 East 10th Street (map)
Website
La Ventura
West Village
You’re here because: Summer Fridays call for SoCal vibes and a very strong cocktail.
You’re dining on: Twists on classics like a lamb burger dressed with cave-aged cheddar and pepperoncini relish, or a kebab … but a sunchoke kebab.
615 Hudson Street (map)
Website
GITANO Garden of Love
West Village
You’re here because: You and your mates are itching for a trip to Tulum. In the meantime, this jungle oasis in the city will hunt.
You’re dining on Mexican-inspired eats among palm trees and open-air seating galore. You can skip the chorizo lettuce wraps, but not-to-be-missed are the pork belly tacos and a little something called an Orgasmo, with passionfruit, ginger and chocolate.
76 Varick Street (map)
Website
White Horse Tavern
Greenwich Village
You’re here because: It’s the erstwhile haunt of Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas (est. 1880), now reopened under new ownership. Locals feared the change of hands would ruin the place, but the photographs of literary titans are still right where they should be, and the vaguely musty smell you associate with your grandparents’ basement still hangs in the air.
You’re dining on: An entirely new (and yes, slightly more expensive) menu from Chef Szymanski of the Beatrice Inn. Think refined takes on traditional pub fare (Scotch eggs, a shareable steak-and-morels pie) as well as really excellent oysters on the half shell. The food is better now. Seriously. It is. We ate it.
Coco J’Adore
Meatpacking
You’re here because: The family is visiting and they want to walk the High Line. After which you’re certainly going to need a nice Chablis or three. Plus, it’s very “Instagrammable.”
You’re dining on: French comfort food … or at least as comfortable as the French get. All the expected hits are present, from escargot to moules frites. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can all go in on 125g of caviar for $1,350.
1 Little W 12th Street (map)
Website
Hudson Yards Grill
Hudson Yards
You’re here because: It’s a business dinner and you want everyone to leave satisfied.
You’re dining on: Familiar but slightly modernized American cuisine from Chef Michael Lomonaco. The menu ranges from grilled pizzas and a solid USDA prime rib to peekytoe crab California rolls to chicken and andouille sausage gumbo and buttermilk fried chicken. It’s a bit of an identity crisis of selection, but good for a crowd.
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