New on Resy: Maialino, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Uncle Boons

Only Danny Meyer could bring the essence of a Roman trattoria to the Gramercy Park Hotel. Maialino is an ode to the humble eateries dotting Italy’s ancient epicenter, bringing forth beloved classics from tonnarelli a cacio e pepe to the namesake maialino al forno (slow-roasted suckling pig with potatoes). Simple, hearty, and special, this is a bonafide New York institution that shouldn’t be missed.

You’re going to want to thank chef Max Ng after your meal at Momofuku Ssäm Bar. The Singapore native oversees this David Chang institution, preparing cutting-edge dishes infused with a dose of Southeast Asian goodness. A steamy banana leaf unfurls to reveal a whole skate wing coated in spicy shrimp paste, a bowl of velvety Maine uni over rice tastes of the sea, and Max’s curry-and-potatoes (topped with creamy burrata) is a sensational overload.

A Nolita icon that changed the Thai dining landscape, Uncle Boons is a funky little nook of a place, where exceptional street-style food shines. Order a beer slushie (it tastes better than it sounds) and go all out on yum mamoung (green mango salad), khao soi kaa kai (northern-style curry), and any of the charcoal-grilled goodies—a meal here is bound to be electrifying.

In a space that reads like a swanky brasserie circa 1970s Bombay, savor otherworldly Indian food. At Gramercy’s GupShup, chef Gurpreet Singh (from New Delhi’s acclaimed Indian Accent) delves into the world of fusion foods for dishes unlike anything you’d expect or see. Jackfruit is wrapped up in lentil flour tacos, fried pouches called puchkas are amped up with smoked salmon and curd rice mousse, and even guac gets a makeover (laced with cumin and with khakra crisps for scooping). But Singh also renders the classics beautifully, making this one exciting destination.

Dining with a (waterfront) view never gets old, especially when the food comes courtesy of Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Located in the Seaport, The Fulton is an ode to its namesake fish market, where delicate arrays of crudo, raw bar offerings, and stellar seafood plates make up the seasonal menu. Retreat to the terrace, the Brooklyn Bridge laid out before you, and take it all in.

Belcampo does not compromise when it comes to its meat, and lucky for you, this Hudson Yards locale is now taking reservations. The meaty goods, which are compassionately and sustainably raised on the restaurant’s California farms, are incomparable, ranging from an exquisite dry-aged burger (with duck fat fries, of course) to the imposing and beautifully crusted porterhouse. Now this is what meat should taste like.

Home to Harlem’s only Michelin star, Sushi Inoue dazzles on every front. At the helm is chef Shinichi Inoue, who has established this omakase destination as a temple to sushi: seafood is flown in from Japan, soy sauce is made in-house, and rice is tailored to the fish, with Inoue crafting one type for delicate pieces, and another for more intensely flavored cuts. Make a Resy at the counter, and let the chef take it from there.

Housed in a converted auto body repair shop, M. Wells reimagines the steakhouse format. Chef-owner Hugue Dufour brings his Montréal chops to this Long Island City hideaway, outfitted in crystal chandeliers and sultry red walls, where a wood-fired grill spits out nose-to-tail cuts like chicken-fried beef heart, pig’s head, Amish lamb saddle, and a dry-aged porterhouse for two.

An elegant and sleek locale, Perry St comes courtesy of prolific chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Tucked on the western confines of the Village, the restaurant is a true reflection of the Vongerichten brand (read: deeply French with American and Asian influences thrown in), with his son Cedric manning the kitchen. Must-orders include the rice cracker-crusted tuna, pan-roasted dover sole, and butter-poached lobster in a lemongrass and kaffir lime broth.

Find your (all-day) bliss at Thomas Keller’s twist on a traditional French boulangerie. Nestled inside the posh Time Warner Center, Bouchon Bakery & Café is a full-service affair where the very best of French viennoiseries collides against perfectly dressed salads, hearty sandwiches, and crave-worthy entrées (the daily quiche is a surefire hit).

Emilia-Romagna has a certain romantic ring to it, likely due to the Northern Italian region encompassing  storied cities such as Parma, Bologna, Modena, and their bevy of culinary delights. Which is why Rezdôra, which hones in on the region, is worth getting excited about. Helmed by Stefano Secchi (who trained under Massimo Bottura), Rezdôra is anchored by ethereal handmade pasta, so go heavy on the primi—the tagliatelle al mattarello is something else.

A Williamsburg hotspot through and through, Baby’s All Right houses a restaurant, bar, and live music venue under one roof. And while the dinner menu veers Korean, with dishes ranging from kimchi fried rice to double-fried Korean fried wings, brunch is when the funky space sees the most action, with biscuits and gravy, short ribs and grits, and bottomless beverages to boot.

A tucked-away pearl among the bustling Lower East Side, Wayla is where Bangkok native and chef Tom Naumsuwan extols the flavors of his youth, unleashing kua kling kung (extremely spicy stir-fried shrimp), sai oua (juicy pork sausages), and a daily rotation of his mother’s curries. Meander further inside this underground spot and you’ll be rewarded with a twinkly backyard garden, where cocktails were meant to be sipped.

The regulars at this Clinton Hill charmer would love to keep this neighborhood spot to themselves. Alas, Locanda Vini & Olii is simply too delicious not to be shared. Housed in a converted old-fashioned apothecary (which still boasts wooden cabinets and sliding ladders), Locanda deals in soul-warming Tuscan fare. Tuck into saucy tripes “alla Fiorentina,” sage pappardelle with braised wild boar, and the prettiest plate of grilled duck breast atop a bed of chickpeas, alongside regional Italian wines and fizzy cocktails.

You know what pairs well with rare whiskey? Vegan barbecue. Yes, vegan, and we’d trust no one but Ravi DeRossi (Avant Garden, Mother of Pearl, Death & Co.) to make the concept work. At Honeybee’s, a modern bourbon-tinged saloon, chef Amira Gharib makes brisket out of spiced veggies and hot wings out of crisped cauliflower, with the soul of Texas-style barbecue ringing true in every dish.

A tailor shop turned neighborhood eatery, Otis seems straight out of a Williamsburg fairytale. Exposed brick, wood furnishings, and lush plants set the mood, while the open kitchen fires up a concise menu of American plates with a Mediterranean twist—think gigli pasta laced with pork shoulder, miso, and pesto, and pearl couscous with roasted veggies, alongside a serious cocktail bar with all the libations you’d ever need.

This Greenpoint locale, with its checkerboard-tiled floors and live jazz soundtrack, is decidedly Italian, slinging rustic and simple plates that’ll have your heart sing. So order a glass of wine (or two), and pore over the menu—we love the roasted asparagus, spaghetti neri, and house-made cannoli.

Oysters, cocktails, and a hint of Paris abound at this Lower East Side drinking den. And Sel Rrose does not disappoint, doling out fresh and briny shells, alongside poached calamari, herbaceous cocktails, and bubbly drinks. It’s enough to make you want to hum La Vie en Rrose…

Max Brenner is as close as you’ll get to living out your childhood Willy Wonka fantasies. You’re rewarded as soon as you step into this temple to cocoa, where the sweet smell imbues the air. And that’s because chocolate comes in every shape and form here, from a decadent chocolate martini to a pulled pork burrito topped with a chocolate-y mole sauce, to every choco-infused dessert you could dream of.

Good tunes and great cocktails await at this handsome space. With its mid-century flair, glossy wooden accents, and cushy leather chairs, Analogue is an escape from the city, where shaken cocktails and stiff drinks take center stage. Throw in a turntable and some excellent finger food, and let the day mellow out in the most pleasant way.

Time is money, and New York knows it best. Case in point: Sushi on Jones, a sought-after sushi counter, where a playful twelve-course, 30-minute omakase is yours for only $58. Creamy uni, melty toro, and rich wagyu parade one after another in flashes, one delectable bite after another. Thirty minutes later, you’ll be wondering: was it all a dream?