The Hit List: El Rey Opens for Dinner

By Vanessa Deleon February 25, 2015

Oh, hey. It’s the Hit List, our weekly rundown of what’s what in the world of New York City bars and restaurants. This week, you’re all about El Rey and Jimmy’s Corner and more monkey bread. Because you are where you eat, here are our picks for the next seven days. 3 New, 5 Returning

1/EL REY
2/DIRT CANDY
3/HUNT AND FISH CLUB
4/JIMMY’S CORNER
5/UPLAND
6/MISSION CHINESE
7/SANTINA
8/THE POLO BAR

1/EL REY Debut
Because Nick Morgestern has been slow-playing us the whole time. They’re on the Hit List on account of their new dinner menu, which is equal parts hipster, Venice, Middle East and delicious. // Lower East Side. Walk-in or call (212) 260-3950.

2/DIRT CANDY  3 Weeks On
Because, yep, here comes the buzz train. That’s because it’s effen good. Amanda Cohen will be the grand master of kale before this is over. // Lower East Side. (212) 228-7732.

3/HUNT AND FISH CLUB Debut
Because it’s getting crushed in the press right now, and the attitude-to-neighborhood ratio is off upfront, but there’s another story here. The crowd is legitimately A-list and sometimes a deliberately elegant dining room can pop. // Times Square. Reply to the Hit List for reservations.

4/JIMMY’S CORNER Debut
Because we gotta be doing this more, talking great bars. And speaking of West 44th between 6th and 7th Aves, here we are. You’re not going to say this isn’t one of the best bars in New York. You’re just not, because that would be silly. // Times Square. Walk-in, saddle up.

5/UPLAND 17
Because Jesus H with this whole crispy mushroom. Justin Smillie’s Italian brasserie remains white hot. Now we’re in the haters gonna hate phase of it, but you’re better than that. // Park Avenue South Corridor. Book Now at Upland

6/SANTINA 7
Because maybe those crazy chandeliers are crazy in a good way. Did you say that already? Yes. Still. PS get the rice. // Meatpacking. (212) 254-3000.

7/MISSION CHINESE 7
Because as Dave Chang would say, Dave Chang is dead. Danny Bowien is the new Dave Chang. Maybe that’s crazy, maybe it’s not. You gotta go see what this is all about — or go back and see the rest. // Chinatown. No reservations and long waits in the main dining room, but plenty of space for walk-ins at the bar.

8/THE POLO BAR 7
Because, yes, sometimes the restaurant of the year opens in January. It’s only not atop this list because it’s so punishingly hard to get in. It is what it is. Research has shown Polo player etchings on tumblers do make the Negronis taste better. // Midtown. (212) 207-8562.

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