The Hit List: Mission Santina

By Ben Leventhal January 21, 2015

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Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong

Welcome to the Hit List, our weekly rundown of bars and restaurants, getting you to the right table at the right time. Like the president said last night, we’ve seen America at its best. And by that we mean we’ve been to Brodo. From the Torrisi Brothers’ new seafood joint to Korean barbecue 2.0, here are the places we’re recommending this week. 2 New, 5 Returning

1/MISSION CHINESE
2/SANTINA
3/THE POLO BAR
4/SHUKO
5/BRODO
6/RAMEN LAB
7/KANG HO DONG BAEKJEONG

1/MISSION CHINESE 2 Weeks On
Because Danny Bowien’s new assumed flagship deep down in the bowels of Chinatown plays. It’s Chinese on paper, but way outside the box. It might be the only Chinese restaurant in the world with a seriously good pizza. Returning to the Hit List. // Chinatown. No reservations and long waits in the main dining room, but plenty of space for walk-ins at the bar.

2/SANTINA Debut
Because here’s another new restaurant from the Carbone team. Coastal seafood in a Renzo Piano space under the Highline is the pitch. It’s at a fever pitch this week, so walk-in or book the nosebleed seats via OpenTable. // Meatpacking. Call (212) 254-3000 for reservations.

3/THE POLO BAR 2 Weeks On
Because, like we said, Ralph Lauren now and forever. It’s heavy on the mahogany-equestrian clubhouse vibe. Returning to the Hit List this week and not going anywhere anytime soon. // Midtown. Call (212) 207-8562 for reservations.

4/SHUKO 9 Weeks On
Because it’s, “one of the best new omakase experiences in town,” says Adam Platt. We’re listing for your information, though fair warning: access on this one isn’t going to be easy. Returning to the Hit List. // Union Square. Email us or call (212) 228-6088 for reservations.

5/BRODO 11
Because, yes, we’re still talking about this place. It’s ‘the world’s first comfort food’ and it’s cold as a mother out there. Also, bone broth trend alert. Trust the process. Returning to the Hit List. // East Village. Walk-up window.

6/RAMEN LAB 2 Weeks On
Because knows-his-stuff critic Robert Sietsema says the 9-seater’s shoyu ramen is “one of the most perfect bowls of ramen imaginable,” which is the justification you need to brave the inevitable wait and very uncomfortable space. Returning to the Hit List. // Nolita. Walk-ins, waits, etc.

7/KANG HO DONG BAEKJEONG Debut
Because, when this Seoul-based Korean barbecue chain opened in Los Angeles, Jonathan Gold called it, “the barbecue restaurant that Koreatown didn’t know it needed.” That’s probably the case in NYC as well, so here we are. Anthony Bourdain has been in, obvs. Talking point: Baekjeong translates to “butcher” in Korean. // Koreatown. (212) 966-9839. Walk-in only.

8/SURPRISE RESY PROTIP
Debuting on Resy tomorrow are GG’s and Bara, both in the East Village. On GG’s you’ve heard the buzz. At Bara, brace for primetime.

9/HITTING SOON
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