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Combining traditionally prepared Mexican cuisine with the finesse of French presentation, Chef Julieta Ballesteros is “a chef to watch,” says the New York Times.
Crema, 111 West 17th Street (Between 6th and 7th avenues); 212-691-4477.
Any fan of a true paella will agree that the key to the perfect power bite lies in the soccarat, the partly crispy, partly chewy crust that forms at the bottom of the pan. It’s so important that this spot used the name for the restaurant. Bring your appetite and be ready to pounce on any bits of soccarat your fellow diners may leave behind.
Socarrat Nolita, 284 Mulberry Street (Between Prince and Houston); 212-219-0101.
The heart of Chinatown is surely the last place you’d expect to find good Mexican. If you do manage to find the front door, don’t let the Vietnamese signage that plasters the walls fool you — it's worth the hunt. Pull up a stool underneath the thatch-roofed bar and sample one of the place's unique pulque (fermented-aloe sap) cocktails while you wait for dinner.
Pulqueria, 11 Doyers Street; 212-227-3099.
This Britain-inspired restaurant is anything but “dreadful.” And the food, anything but bland. Quench your thirst for gin with a great gin list before dinner at the more-than-generously sized bar, then satisfy your craving for porky goodness with this scrumptious bite.
Whitehall Bar & Kitchen, 19 Greenwich Avenue (Between West 10th and Christopher streets); 212-675-7261.
Legendary chef Daniel Boulud needs no introduction. And while his namesake bar specializes in charcuterie, no one’s saying you can’t enjoy one of many traditional French dishes, such as the Coq au Vin, a quintessential, not to mention delectable, choice.
Bar Boulud, 1900 Broadway (Between 63rd and 64th streets); 212-595-0303.
What happens when dim sum goes farm to table? RedFarm, that’s what. And you can't go without trying the venue's Marinated Rib Steak.
RedFarm, 529 Hudson Street (Between Charles and West 10th streets); 212-792-9700.
Photos: RedFarm courtesy of Evan Sung, Pulqueria, Bar Boulud, Crema
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Spring Lamb Roulade from The Four Seasons Restaurant ($59 pre fixe)
With accolades such as Town & Country’s “favorite restaurant in the world,” the food here is destined to be good. But the historic Four Seasons isn’t just about food, it’s about atmosphere and the experience. Dining here is like stepping in a whole new world, filled with some of the best food you’ll ever sink your fork into.
The Four Seasons Restaurant, 99 East 52nd Street (Between Lexington and Park avenues); 212-754-9494.
Marea, 240 Central Park South (Between 7th and 8th avenues); 212-582-5100.
Lincoln Ristorante, 142 W 65th Street (Between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues); 212-359-6500.
Torrisi Italian Specialties, 250 Mulberry Street (Between Prince and Spring streets); 212-965-0955.
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Gramercy Tavern, 42 East 20th Street (Between Broadway and Park Ave South); 212-477-0777.
La Grenouille, 3 East 52nd Street (Between Madison and 5th avenues); 212-752-1495.
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare Market ($225)
Situated behind a full-service grocery store just North of Boreum Hill is the Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare. During this unique dining experience, you may enjoy between 25 and 30 small plates, all hand crafted in front of you as you sit bar side in the kitchen. Reservations may take weeks to confirm, so plan ahead.
Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare, 200 Schermerhorn Street (Between Hoyt and Bond streets); 718-243-0050.
For chef and owner Thomas Keller, Per Se brings the best aspects of The French Laundry — his first restaurant in California's wine country — to the urban center that is New York City. Impeccable service is but one of the keystones that make the experience at Per Se one of the most memorable in the city. And it's also one of the reasons it’s reached Michelin-star acclaim (three Michelin stars, to be exact) for six-consecutive years since 2006.
Per Se, 4th Floor, 10 Columbus Circle (10th Floor); 212-823-9335.
Corton, 239 West Broadway (Between White and Beach streets); 212-219-2777.