I don’t think he said any of these were the best (most definitely not in all of NYC). He said they are in his neighborhood and are his go-to, which it also seems like some are listed for different reasons than just the food.
(I’ve not been to any, just enjoy the lively NYC chatter!)
Who knew there’s cassoulet in the Upper East Side? Who knew there’s Bistro Quatorze?
i brought a 2016 negoce ganevat chardonnay that was splendid with the food. crisp whites make the most sense and i believe i ordered a meat dish for my ‘main.’
just a heads up that its a pretty filling prix fixe meal which i wasnt anticipating.
The Restaurant AT + Illis collab next week (Wed March 4th) is going to be great. I went to the USQ Market this morning with Chef AT and Chef Mads and they have some cool things planned:
Yes, that was very fun - glad you could make it! I thought the dishes paired really well with the wines.
My wife did this yesterday (I got the idea here, so thanks!) and loved it.
Jonathan went to Kru in Brooklyn last night ans thought it was quite good. Maybe not as good as the early days of Kalaya in Philadelphia, but strong food and he said they were incredibly sweet.
Full disclosure, they carry our Kinken sake.
Your intrepid reporter is on the scene working as hard as ever. Chef Atsushi is has been in town for a week and we have been showing him around to our favorites. Over the last week I have fallen back in LOVE with NYC!
On Friday we started with Honey Badger a 10 year old restaurant that is focused on local foraging and fermentations. They are reopening this week after closing for a year long renovation. Matt Almquist, an extremely talented Chef from Blanca and Robertas has signed on to be the new Chef. A few Foul Witch alums are in the small kitchen. Tasting menu format with a Nordic / Blanca sort of vibe with a unique point of view. It was Friends and Family and they were trying some things out, overall it was extremely successful and I look forward to returning. Reservations are only by phone 646-670-0601.
We followed Honey Badger with a visit to LEI Wine - A few new dishes including a wonderful chicken dish. It is as great as ever and one of my favorite spots in NYC. I just love this concept.
Saturday began with a bottle of Champagne at the USQ Farmers market with Chef AT and Chef Mads Refslund. They thought I was kidding when I said I will meet you at the market and bring Champagne. BTW the Christophe Mignon 100% Pinot Meunier is one stunning wine. Especially at 9:00 a.m. We followed the market with a visit to SOS Chefs.
We did dinner at Ilis and I am very happy to say it was our best meal there. Every single dish was great was outstanding. Back it goes on our favorites list!
Earlier in the thread I reported on a wonderful Sunday lunch last weekend at Le Chêne. It was so good I was thinking about it all week. We returned with three serious food friends and did almost the entire menu. The Tuna au poivre was a wonderful rendition, I have not had this dish in a long time, this was a wonderful updated rendition. The crab thermador was a highlight. The chicken once again delivered.
We followed Le Chêne with a quick stop at The Four Horsemen for a couple of bottles and then BOOM one of crew who is affiliated with BABBO said lets go to BABBO. I will admit I have not been compelled to return for no reason but faced with the possibility of returning to a restaurant that I have had many great times at was instantly exhilarating. So off we went and had a wonderful time and great meal. The Rabbit dish is still excellent. Since it was Sunday night there were a lot Chefs and industry people in the house and we ended up all hanging out upstairs late into the night (Sunday is my favorite night to go out in NYC for this very reason).
After such an insane weekend, Monday was rough so we opted for something simple. Stars Wine Bar. It was just what we needed the food. The food was great. I met a Mosel winemaker who just happened to bring a bottle of Mosel Chardonnay which I was so pleased to try and his companion shared sent over three glasses of Rousseau Chambertin! Only in NYC!!! I sent my companions off for a late dinner at Penny and went home for some much needed sleep.
Tuesday brought us back to Sunns! What an absolutely wonderful meal. I love this place. It is one of those restaurants where every time we go we say why don’t we go more.
Up next is the main event. Years in the making. The Restaurant AT + Ilis collab. I was fortunate to see some of their collaboration and menu creation first hand while we were at the market. The meal was incredible and really showcased both of their cooking styles and highlighted the similarities. It was lovely to see two close friends who both admire each other have such a good time cooking and creating.
This brings us to last night, Thursday. On Monday we were thinking about doing a simple sushi dinner post Stars so I suggested Studio 151 a great music venue in the East Village, Alphabet City specifically, and my hood that has a 6 seat omakase counter in the back of the upstairs lounge manned by Chef Kamui whom formerly worked at Michelin starred Jewel Bako from legendary restauranteur Jack Lamb and is also an accomplished DJ. My companions opted for Penny on Monday. I decided to take Chef AT here to show him the space before our dinner. I arrived early and sadly was informed that Chef Kamui was in Brazil and that the sushi counter was full. We could however order food. I was immediately worried that food served in the lounge might not be as good as I remember when I last ate at the counter. Oh well we are here and we are going to dinner. Well after the first hand roll came out I immediately realized we have nothing to worry about it. We ordered multiple rounds of sushi and handrolls. Chef AT was absolutely shocked at how good the food was in dingy music club in the East Village. He said it was better than most high end sushi restaurants and that it was real Japanese food - the ultimate compliment. I have to say I was so happy and overjoyed that a place like this exists in NYC. The owner knows us and offered to bring us downstairs to check out the main venue which we did quickly and head out to a crazy downpour.
We followed with a visit to Bar Kabawa another favorite in our neighborhood and one of the most impressive openings of 2025! We we warmly greeted by all. I spotted a 2016 Wasenhaus Filzen, first vintage, on the list. It was stunning. We ordered most of the menu including the otherworldly Okra, a few paddies and then Chef started sending over dishes from the main restaurant. Add a few stunners that were all new to us, a riveting bottle of Prieure Roch and WOW what an incredible night!
After 30 years in NYC I realize you have to actively engage with this city and work at connecting with it. Though showing a friend around my city this past week I have fallen deeply in love with NYC. Once again…
nice post robert!!!
what are you gonna do for an encore?
I’m excited to check out Le Chene, I’ll be there Thursday for dinner.
Wife and I dined at Frena this weekend. It’s on 10th Avenue and 52nd Street, on the fringe of Hell’s Kitchen. It’s in the same spot as Taboon, which I used to frequent some twenty years ago. The chef/owner of both Taboon and Frena is Efi Naon, who is Moroccan Israeli, and “taboon” is Arabic for oven, and there is a clay oven taboon right in front. The cuisine is modern Middle Eastern. On Friday night, the place was packed. We loved everything we ordered, except for the spread of dips (humus, labne, etc.) which came out too cold. Everything else was delicious. The lamb kebabs served in a terracotta bowl covered with flatbread was particularly excellent. Hell’s Kitchen, especially on Eighth and Ninth Avenues, has many restaurants, but most of them are average at best. I struggle to think of any that are elevated. Frena is excellent, and we will certainly be back.
My wife and I went to Frena back in Sept before a concert at Terminal 5. We really enjoyed our meal and had a nice bottle of Chablis off their menu too. Its a Resy restaurant so got $100 off with the Amex credit to boot!
Had a very nice lunch at Vietnamese restaurant Pasteur Grill in Chinatown. We got there at 11:30 on Saturday and it was half full. By the time we left at 12:30 it was packed and a line was forming. Corkage is $10!! Our lunch bill including corkage was $69! I have pictures and a write up on my IG feed.
Headed to Claud tonight. Wine list looks fun!
Claud was awesome! Got a counter seat, the fried hen of the woods were great, and the pork chop was one of the best pork chops I’ve ever had.
Peter Luger tonight, want to see if the latest review by NYT was accurate 
(and the group I’m with wanted a steakhouse).
Booked Danji for Tuesday (personal nostalgic reasons), Modern for Wednesday and Le Chene for Thursday. Eating well this week for sure.
Any suggestions for Chinese/Asiian in Flushing? Preferably close to subway stop and free/validated parking. But food more important than transportation.
Looking for more authentic than General Tso’s, but nit where the menu won’t be available in English. TIA.
Was there recently and was generally disappointed. The only dishes I thought were good were the bacon app and the German potatoes. The steak, the creamed spinach, and the tomato/onion dish were mediocre.
But the place is packed, even though they have doubled the dining space since iI had previously been there 20 years ago.
Curious to hear your thoughts.
It was Peter Luger. A little underseasoned, a little underseared, but with a good group of people a great dinner.
Frankly, to me it has never been just the steak. It’s just the experience. I was not disappointed, but if I went expecting the greatest steak of my life, for sure that would be a disappointment.
The waiters weren’t quite as funny as they used to be. Almost like someone from the HR department told them to tune it down a bit.
Apple streudel??? That to me is the best thing there.
I like Shanghai You Garden. That entire street is filled with small hole in the wall spots so be adventurous and walk around tasting.