New on Resy: Au Cheval, Mission Chinese Food Bushwick, abcV

Au Cheval, the swanky diner that’s home to one of the country’s best burgers, has arrived in New York and is now taking reservations. This Chicago institution from Brendan Sodikoff—the mastermind behind 4 Charles Prime Rib—oozes with handsome furnishes (read: exposed brick, leather banquettes, Medieval-looking chandeliers). Aside from its famed burger, standbys include potato hash with duck heart gravy and a pork porterhouse with foie gras and roasted apples.

Danny Bowien’s second outpost of his wildly acclaimed Mission Chinese Food is just as electric, bold, and delectable as the original. Psychedelic Asian-American plates is one way of describing the food Bowien is doing here, where neon multi-colored lights lend a dramatic flair to drunken chicken noodles dotted with Sichuan peppercorns, “mouth-numbing” mapo tofu, and sourdough naan topped with whipped feta.

The meat-free lifestyle has never been more alluring than at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s abcV.  With its zany chandeliers and crisp white furnishings, the space reads as a chic futuristic lounge, where “high vibration foods” are on the menu. Spring for green chickpea hummus, avocado lettuce cups, dosa, and mushroom walnut Bolognese—the fact that all of it is vegetarian, and borderline vegan, won’t even cross your mind.

The food of Hanôi, Saigòn, and Huê gets the spotlight at this East Village newcomer, where a Gramercy Tavern alum helms the kitchen. Van Da, which translates to “warrior woman” (this is a female-led enterprise), will showcase Vietnamese specialties less explored, like Chả Cá Lã Vọng (branzino fried in turmeric), Bánh Ít Ram (steamed and fried mochi dumplings), and Bò Lúc Lắc (sautéed beef with crispy sunchokes).

Cozily sprawled on the first floor of luxurious ABC Carpet & Home, ABC Kitchen is a pretty serious New York institution. Everything here is sustainable, and the farm-to-table restaurant features heavenly seasonal goods, some from as close at Union Square Greenmarket. Pro-tip: there’s a reason why every table is graced with the crab toast with lemon aioli (order it).

Buzzy and moody, ABC Cocina explodes with vibrant, Pan-Latin fare that’s just as centered on seasonality as the rest of the ABC trilogy. You’re in for arroz con pollo laced with crackling skin and lemon zest, zippy Brussels sprouts topped with cheese and almonds, and some of the best fish tacos in town.

This Vongerichten gem stands on the outskirts of the Lower East Side. Driven by the market and inspired by the chef’s travels, glitzy Public Kitchen is a shining beacon of a hotel restaurant, where New York staples (think smoked salmon with potato latkes) brush up against wood-fired pies and Asian-laced dishes.

The acclaimed Eyal Shani is opening a second outpost of his Tel Aviv flagship, HaSalon (he’s the Israeli chef behind the ever-popular Miznon, where whole roasted cauliflowers have gained something of a cult following). Here, Shani is bringing in trusted Israeli chefs to cook up a lively dinner centered on the flavors of his homeland. Available only three nights a week, make a Resy starting April 18th.

Ariel Arce, of Air’s Champagne Parlor and Tokyo Record Bar, has introduced her latest concept: Niche Niche, a boozy deconstructed dinner party where the wine flows. The intimate 25-seat restaurant aims to recreate the best of entertaining, where a sommelier or winemaker will host a unique wine tasting paired with the family-style menu.

You can thank Take31 for the slew of modern Korean restaurants that are defining the New York dining scene. The casual yet always-bustling establishment—imagined by the same team behind Her Name is Han—opened in 2011, and has been doling out the kind of homey, delicious fare (read: cod roe seafood udon) that Korean expats and New Yorkers have been queueing up for ever since.

This delightful West Village restaurant evokes the charm of a European bistro, accented with vibrant Asian cuisine. Dynamic Thai plates grace Pinto Garden’s rustic tables, where chef Teerawong “Yo” Nanthavatsiri looks to his home city of Bangkok, and local produce, to compose a ravishing family-style menu—think crab fried rice bursting from a coconut, tom yum lobster ramen, and flaky roti topped with ground chicken and egg.

Haute Turkish cuisine sneaks its way to the Upper West Side at this stunning brasserie, imbued with colorful Middle Eastern splashes. Settle into Leyla’s beautiful dining room and build a small feast out of the pide (flatbreads, we like the lahmacun), meze (order the muhammara and kataifi zucchini fritters), and spice-laden entrées on offer.

Meaghan Dorman’s original Dear Irving outpost is just as much of a time-travelling cocktail parlor as its Hudson sibling. You could find yourself in a Rococo room, with 1700s French-inspired tufted boudoir seats and brocades. Or go next-door, and be transported to the swinging 20s, with its glittering beads and salacious gossip. But rest assured that whatever backdrop you choose, the drinks will more than enhance the illusion of a bygone era.

Smack dab in the heart of Manhattan’s K-Town, Osamil is a dimly-lit gastropub serving some exceptional cheffy plates. You’ll find the usual suspects of kimchi fried rice, bulgogi, and galbi, but Osamil pushes the envelope further and offers up delights (think uni bibimbap, pork shank doused in spicy radish kimchi, and doenjang-cured foie gras mousse with toast). Head to Osamil Upstairs for craft cocktails and bar snacks.

Jackson Heights scored a gem of a neighborhood bistro in the form of The Queensboro, a luminous locale with serious plates. Keith McNally alum Tony Liu mans the kitchen, which proffers a seasonal menu that has something for everyone: silky pasta, pizzas both classic and new (one is topped with eggplant, currants, and cocoa), and a decadent garlic bread, slathered in chopped juicy clams and garlic Parmesan butter, to name a few.

The first thing you’ll notice stepping into Chinese Graffiti are the dozens of Chinese bamboo steamers lining the ceiling. The Asian-American eatery seeks to bridge the cultural gap between the East and West, and offers a kooky menu of hybrid dishes: pork belly enveloped in cotton candy, wok lobster pasta, and hoisin meatball sliders are among the highlights.

Dip into nostalgia at La Central, Hôtel Americano’s sleek restaurant where the cooks assemble dishes that are inspired by the flavors and recipes of their childhoods. Helmed by Top Chef Masters alum Franklin Becker, the kitchen reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the Latin American diaspora, with Chinese and Japanese influences thrown in.

Sometimes, all you want is a very good steak and a stellar drink—and, when done well, there are few things more satisfying. In such cases, head to Wall Street Grill, FiDi’s latest steakhouse and Kosher fine dining destination, which sports a year-round roof deck, ethereal sushi, and a decadent selection of carnivorous offerings. Tuck in.

Bricolage comes from the team behind San Francisco’s beloved Slanted Door, where modern Vietnamese fare took center stage. And while Bricolage is much more casual—with a Park Slope edge and a plant-lined aesthetic—it doesn’t stray too far from its Bay Area roots. Reach for the papaya salad, savory banh xeo (a crêpe filled with shrimp and pork), and the exceptional fresh summer rolls, and dream of sunnier days on the coveted patio.

Ceviche by way of Park Slope awaits you at Surfish Bistro. A Peruvian native and Bobby Flay trainee, chef Miguel Aguilar looks to tradition and innovation to concoct ten-or-so citrusy ceviches (we like the mixto), alongside bright salads, seafood broths, and a mouth-watering selection of fork-tender meats.