Restaurants

A few bites

POK POK

IMG_5477

The problem with most Thai food – in my modest experience at least – is that much of it is so homogenized in the West that most menus are made up of familiar clichés like Pad Thai (which to be More

Inoteca

New York City

INOTECA On one of the best corners of New York on the Lower East Side sits this modest, bustling trattoria, opened in 2003 by brothers Jason and Joe Denton. Almost 10 years on and the place still has that familiar charm that can only come from a true New York neighborhood joint. Bring your dog and The Times and sit outside in Summer with a glass of Soave and a porchetta, fontina and grilled pepper Panini. Read More

Osteria Morini

New York City

MORINI Chef Michael White is perhaps second only to David Chang in terms of constant media attention in New York in recent years. And so be it. Holy arancini that man can cook! When I first arrived in Gotham, he was at the helm of Fiamma in Soho and then went onto stints at Alto and Convivio, before opening the much lauded seafood emporium Marea on Central Park South (the former two are now shuttered after a much publicized split with his business partner). Read More

Lucali

Brooklyn

LUCALI Under the soft din of candle light, revered and somewhat accidental pizza maker Mark Iacono, takes centre stage in his Carroll Gardens restaurant, making nothing more, and I really mean nothing more, than a few calzones and enormous pizzas whose toppings change daily. Read More

Frankie’s Spuntino 457

Brooklyn, New York

FRANKIE'S SPUNTINO2 There’s something to be said for a restaurant with a kitchen the size of Frankies – there’s one on Court St in Carrol Gardens and another on Clinton St in the Lower East Side (and another opening any day now in the West Village) – that can put out food with so much flavor packed onto one plate. Read More

Hundred Acres

New York City

HUNDRED ACRESFrom the same owners as Five Points and Cookshop comes another locavore eatery that is their most polished and one that really comes alive in the warmer months when some tables pour out onto the quiet street, a charming back garden is in full bloom and the rosé tidal wave that engulfs New York is in full effect. Read More

Fort Defiance

Brooklyn, New York

FORT DEFIANCEI’m just going to come right out with it: The egg sandwich (with Emmenthal cheese and ham if you please) at this cozy neighborhood café and bar in sleepy and out of the way Red Hook might just be the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring. Read More

Market Table

New York

MARKET TABLE2What started as a collaboration in 2007 between chef Joey Campanaro, restaurateur Gabriel Stulman (Joseph Leonard, Fedora, Jeffrey’s Grocery) and chef Mike Price, is now (mostly) owned and operated by the latter, who can usually be seen from the open kitchen as you enter this gorgeous airy space. Read More

Hecho en Dumbo

New York City

HECHO EN DUMBO On the ever more civilized Bowery, we now have Mexican salvation, complete with a surprisingly well thought out cocktail program. Hecho en Dumbo started life as a pop up in Brooklyn, sharing a sardine can of a kitchen with a cafe until its success resulted in a need to get their own digs. Read More

Jack the Horse Tavern

New York City

JACK THE HORSE Deep in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in New York, is this light filled local bistro with a well stocked bar where Maxwell Britten (now of Williamsburg’s Maison Premiere) got his start. Read More

Casa Mezcal

New York City

CASA MEZCAL Finally, tequila’s once poor cousin has a shrine in New York to call its own. God knows this city has enough shitty tequila bars pretending to be, well, shitty tequila bars. Read More

DBGB

New York City

DBGBDaniel Boulud finally ventures downtown, bringing his haute burgers with him. After all, he was (in)famous for his $36 foie gras and truffle burger, which I never had the pleasure of devouring but God damn it sounds good. Read More