New on Resy: Pastis, Una Pizza Napoletana, Jean-Georges

Keith McNally’s emblematic French brasserie is back, and this time around with restaurateur Stephen Starr in tow. The brand-new Pastis captures the scene of the OG locale, with well-heeled patrons nestled in red vinyl booths, tucking into tartare and sipping on pét-nat. And though it stands in the Meatpacking District, Pastis comes with all the trappings of a buzzy Paris bistro—mosaic floors, subway tiles, mirrored walls—and with all of the parsleyed escargots, filet au poivre, and boudin blanc to satisfy your inner francophile.

It was a sad day in New York when pizzaiolo Anthony Mangieri closed shop and left for the West Coast. Thankfully, the maestro is back, and has enlisted Jeremiah Stone and Fabian Von Hauske of Contra and Wildair for the wine, apps, and dessert. Puffy and blistered, the pies at Una Pizza Napoletana stun in their delicious simplicity—one bite will fool you into thinking you’re in Napoli. Don’t skip dessert; the salty-sweet gelato is divine.

Does New York dining get any more iconic than at Jean-Georges? Vongerichten’s eponymous restaurant continues to dazzle more than two decades after opening, and that’s because the Central Park West institution is a paragon of fine dining. Choose from a parade of Vongerichten’s signature hits, where French technique meets Asian sensibilities—think Santa Barbara sea urchin with chili and yuzu, and broiled squab with corn pancake and foie gras.

Don’t let the bubbling pies at Roberta’s distract you, you’re here for something else entirely: Blanca, a critically-acclaimed restaurant, that hides at the back of the iconic pizzeria’s take-out space. You’ll find yourself inside a sleek kitchen, where a counter with twelve leather stools awaits. So, prop yourself up, and enjoy the front-row seat to the kitchen acrobatics—you’re in for a seemingly endless array of explosive dishes that’ll have you rethinking Bushwick dining.

To celebrate Russ & Daughters’ centennial in 2014 (yes, it’s been around for that long), the city’s preeminent Jewish deli opened up a sister establishment. Thus, Russ & Daughters Cafe was born, a tastefully retro space and an ode to the classic delis of lore, with the comfort food to match: think pillowy knishes, creamy chopped liver, luscious lox atop bagels, and homemade shrubs and sodas. This is one breakfast spread that shouldn’t be missed.

Sylvia Woods was the force behind this storied Harlem icon, and she wasn’t dubbed the “Queen of Soul Food” for nothing. Open since 1962, Sylvia’s Restaurant is a community treasure that’s anchored in its roots, and still owned and operated by the Woods family. You’re here for the homestyle plates that’re as soul-warming as the woman herself, so pay tribute to this Harlem legend and get Sylvia’s “world-famous, talked about” bar-b-que ribs, catfish fried to golden perfection, and decadent mac & cheese.

Adjacent to Jean-Georges, this bona fide gem is its more casual dining space that turns into a lively scene come night. And for those seeking a Vongerichten experience without the dining theatrics, Nougatine has you covered, with a similar market-driven menu, and a lot of Jean-Georges excellence.

A seamless blending of East and West, Tuome is a Michelin-starred gem tucked in the East Village. Here, among exposed brick and well-worn wood furnishings, chef Tomas Chen whips up a seasonal menu rife with hits, from the tender octopus drizzled in XO sauce to the luscious noodles laced with snow crab and dashi butter. It’s an exquisite sensory overload, and we’d expect no less from an EMP and Jean-Georges alum.

New York nightlife queen Ariel Arce is back again, this time with a retro joint where blues, soul, and jazz prevail. Special Club is an ode to the swinging clubs of lore, where the nightly acts are best enjoyed with something from the extensive sake, Champagne, and wine list. Food-wise, you’re in for quick, tasty bites—from spicy pickles to broiled king crab.

Quirky food and drinks come with a serious side of sustainability at this all-day venture. SF cocktail maven Claire Sprouse and chef Kirstyn Brewer are behind Hunky Dory, which has emerged as a brunch favorite for the Crown Heights crowd. Highlights include cod “tots,” celery root sandwich, smashed cukes, and mackerel escabeche—eating responsibly has never tasted this good.

Heat permeates the air at this lauded Chinese destination. And that’s because the Málà Project makes use of Sichuan peppercorns liberally, where every order guarantees some level of intense heat. The standout here is the Sichuan dry pot, where an eclectic array of cuts, from sliced lamb to beef tongue, are tossed and turned in chili oil and peppercorns (read: pick your spice level carefully).

Tanoreen reflects the story of mother-daughter Rawia and Jumana Bishara, who lovingly prepare the dishes of their homeland. And this might be some of the best Palestinian food you’ll ever have. The critically-acclaimed (read: Michelin Bib Gourmand, James Beard nominee) Bay Ridge restaurant wows with its homestyle plates. So, gather a crew, and delve into spiced lamb grape leaves, velvety hummus, shish kabobs, and spinach-feta pies.

Every dinner at NoMad locale Lamalo should start this way: with a bounty of dips and spreads alongside fresh-out-the-oven Jerusalem Laffa bread. Lamalo radiates with the warmth of its Middle Eastern cuisine, where owner Gadi Peleg (Nur) looks back on the flavors of his childhood in Israel. Expect cabbage shank braised overnight in a silan-verjus glaze, slow-roasted short rib on the bone, and grilled chicken with spearmint yoghurt.

It’s Old Havana at this colorful Meatpacking District locale, where chef Carl Ruiz extols the flavors of his Cuban roots. La Cubana is a live music, cocktail-sipping destination, so order an array of traditional staples, from empanadas and croquetas to carnivorous delights—lechon asado (roasted pork shoulder), ropa vieja (braised flank steak), and carne con papa (braised short rib).

A hi-fi record library-and-cocktail bar of this caliber could only exist in Brooklyn, and Public Records calls Gowanus its home. The minimalist space lets the music fill the air, showcasing rare records on a custom analog sound system, with craft cocktails and vegan bites (think stone bread with lingonberry jam) as your listening companions.

Located on the third floor of the boisterous fish-for-your-meal restaurant, Sushi Zauo promises a more intimate, counter-seat experience. Put yourself in the hands of the sushi chefs; an omakase comprised of fish from Japan unravels like a dream.

Promising good times and fine wines, La Ventura explores the world’s coastal cultures in its food and drinks. Helmed by Empellón alum Peter Lispon, the all-day café and cocktail bar draws on inspiration from Southern California to coastal Italy, doling out jerk sunchoke kebabs, swordfish Milanese, and marinated pineapple with hibiscus granita.