Head to this Chinese gem near Bryant Park for crispy cumin lamb, soft tofu with spicy pork, and braised whole bass with chili and scallions. The specialties here are all excellent. [Eater 38 Member]
Dude, it's Momofuku Ssam—arguably chef David Chang's best work, and certainly his most varied. A recent kitchen restaffing brings fresh life to the menu. Order the buttermilk. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Stellar thin crust pizzas, but don't overlook the pastas — they're phenomenal. [Eater 38 Member]
If any of Chinatown's best dim sum joints are undiscovered, this one is, though long weekend waits suggest otherwise. Chinatown pros and pro chefs alike consider it best-of-breed. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The menu includes things like Dan Dan noodles, beef tendons in chili oil, and dry pepper chicken wings, plus 14 protein-based entrees. The early word is very good.
Try the chicken mole enchiladas, the fried skate tacos, or the never-dry tamales. Many Mexican food snobs say that this is the best taqueria in NYC. [Eater 38 Member]
Ayada is one of New York's best Thai restaurants, and you'll never have to fight monster crowds to snag a table. [Eater 38 Member]
A little something for everyone: you can get a textbook roasted chicken, a serious pub burger, homemade pork dumplings, Korean-style steak & eggs, or a Peking duck leg, if you like. [Eater 38 Member]
Dishes include the grilled Chiang Mai sausage with chili paste, the charcoal-grilled hen and the clay pot-baked white prawns. If you go on a weekend, or when the weather is nice, be prepared to wait.
The cavatelli pasta alone is worth the trip, but, then, so is the rest of the food and scene here, which is quintessentially Aging Hipster in the best possible way. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
This critically-acclaimed Williamsburg restaurant serves modern American fare. Although some of chef Justin Hilbert's creations might look avant-garde, all of his dishes pack a lot of flavor.
An aluminum-sided greasy spoon. The food is excellent, the vibe is pitch-perfect Williamsburg, and while supplies last, their rib-eye steak is as good as anything at Peter Luger. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The brisket is tender and pleasantly moist, with a thick black crust around the edges. If you play your cards right, you can have a monster feast here for about $35 per person. [Eater 38 Member]
Here's what happens when hipster chefs get it right. Market-driven goodness and go-to pizzas. Check out the Heritage Radio Network, which broadcasts from the dining room on Sundays. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Marcus Samuelsson's hotly anticipated Harlem global soul food joint is luring the food lovers and critics from across the city uptown. It's totally worth the trip. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The original location of Masatoshi “Gari” Sugio's chainlet is still one of the best sushi restaurants in NYC. Start with an omakase tasting, finish with the tempura-fried ice cream. [Eater 38 Member]
Chef Bill Telepan has a gift for cooking greenmarket vegetables, but his menu also includes a few great splurge dishes like the lobster bolognese and the grass-fed ribeye for two. [Eater 38 Member]
A solid choice for date night on the UWS, or a meal before a show at Lincoln Center. Even the most exotic dishes like the zaatar baked cod have that signature Boulud touch. [Eater 38 Member]
It's fast without being hurried, delicious without being expensive. Just be ready for crowds. [Eater 38 Member]
In many ways Esca is as good as the four-starred Le Bernardin. If nothing else, it's cheaper, more relaxed and, bonus, also serves Baltali-brand pasta. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The bar room is a cool place for after-work cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and on the weekends, Benoit serves one of the best brunches in Midtown (it includes a dessert buffet). [Eater 38 Member]
Cafe China serves all your Sichuan favorites in a dining room that evokes 1930s Shanghai. Standout dishes include spicy diced rabbit, baby black lamb, and "Szechuan pesto chicken." [Eater 38 Member]
The food is always fresh and exciting, but the service is what you'll remember most once your meal is finished. [Eater 38 Member]
