The Resy Lineup: Silky Udon, Meat Pies, A Dinner Program Helping Small Restaurants, and More
Welcome to the Resy Lineup, your regular dose of recommendations on what to eat, drink, and see — updated on a weekly basis.
In this edition: Silky udon soup, greenhouse cocktails, meat pies, and a subscription to a dinner program trying to help save some of the New York’s small restaurants.
Week of January 11
The Restaurant Rec
Raku, because nothing settles the soul quite like a bowl of noodle soup. And Raku’s udon reigns supreme — the bouncy, silky, handmade noodles nesting in a variety of delicately perfumed broths. We like the niku (beef short ribs) with a dollop of chile oil, and the thick curry option, especially if you’ll be doing the slurping outdoors.
The Drink Proposal
The Thorn in My Side cocktail, sipped sidewalk-side at Il Fiorista’s lush (and heated) individual greenhouses. Made with mezcal, rose, galangal, sweet basil seed, bergamot, and seltzer, the Thorn is an incredibly well-balanced drink.
The Stay-At-Home Move
A weekend dinner series, courtesy of LIC’s cutting-edge steakhouse M. Wells. Expect a rotating list of not-for-the-faint-of-heart favorites — last week’s picks included Peking duck with all of the fixings and Russia’s salmon-in-a-pie coulibiac for two. Otherwise, there’s charcuterie and meat pies for the larder. Stock up and order it all here.
The Splurge
A subscription to the Summerlong Supper Club, a 16-week dinner program that wants to ensure that your favorite restaurants will still be here come summer. How does it work? For $800 upfront or $50 a week, you’ll be getting one three-course meal a week from places like Atoboy, Café Mogador, Rahi, and Llama Inn, amongst others. The supper club starts Jan. 17; more info here.
Week of January 4
The Restaurant Rec
Benoit, because nothing says dead-of-winter comfort better than bistro food. And this Alain Ducasse stalwart is part of the genre’s crème de la crème, boasting classic dishes that still surprise and delight. The ideal order? Onion soup gratinée, followed by cassoulet, with a crème caramel to finish it off. Best to eat it all outdoors on their heated terrace, where you’ll keep snug and warm. Or you can get it for pickup and delivery, too.
The Drink Proposal
A glass of sherry paired with the funky, dry-aged steak from meat extraordinaire St. Anselm, because in the words of our latest Wine Hit List, you haven’t lived until you’ve had this beatific combo.
The Stay-At-Home Move
Chinese takeout in the shape of Spicy Moon in the West Village, which this month’s Resy Hit List hails as a breaker of expectations, turning a roster of Szechuan dishes entirely vegan. For your New Year resolutions’ consideration, whether you’re looking to cut down on meat or continuing to support the city’s small restaurants… it’s over here.
The Splurge
The early bird catches the worm, and that is especially true at Crown Shy, where a 5 p.m. dinner for two will run you considerably less than a table at prime time. Same award-winning menu and finger-licking good chicken… which happens to be executive chef James Kent’s favorite dish on the takeout menu.
From The Tipline
A worthy read and a look into the mind of one of New York’s most venerated industry leaders: Gabrielle Hamilton of Prune.
Week of December 14
The Restaurant Rec
Shabu Tatsu, because hot pot might be winter’s best outdoor food. And because this Little Tokyo OG been going at it since 1991, keeping devoted patrons cozy with shabu shabu, sukiyaki, and ishiyaki (hot stone grilling). Pro tip: Get to know the owner before you make that Resy.
The Drink Proposal
Any of the cocktails on tap from Double Chicken Please. But especially the delightfully boozy (and surprising) cocktail #9, made with Bacardi, St-Germain, verjus, sherry, banana, and walnut. Get it delivered, with a terrific chicken sandwich on the side for good measure.
The Event Invite
Don’t miss out on the Oxalis Winter Market, a December ode to Europe’s enviable holiday markets. Drop by the French restaurant every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this month for mulled wine and cider, classic European stews, a pop-up bar devoted to sherry, and gifts from Oxalis and their industry friends, and so much more.
The Stay-At-Home Move
Don’t quote us on this, but AOI Kitchen’s omurice could cure any ail. Picture a pillowy omelet atop a steaming bed of fried rice. This is next-level Japanese home cooking and what you’ll be wanting to eat once the blizzard hits, so take note: AOI also does excellent Japanese beef curry and tonkatsu sets.
From The Tipline
Still looking for that perfect present for the New Yorker in your life? Cue our latest gift guide for city dwellers of every stripe, from the cool kid to the bad cook. Bonus: You’ll be supporting small restaurants in the process, too.
Week of December 7
The Restaurant Rec
Thaimee Love, because if you’ve never had chef Hong Thaimee’s food, you’re in luck. At this newly debuted six-month pop-up, the acclaimed chef pulls from her family’s recipes to deliver a true taste of her native Chiang Mai, doling out fried trout, slow-braised short rib green curry, and a Thai tea kit (amongst other boxed goods). Patio dining right this way.
The Drink Proposal
Hot toddies and vin chaud at King. Every December weekend, this exceptional corner fixture is turning its takeout window into somewhat of an Alpine outpost, serving up raclette and hot chocolate in addition to its boozy drinks. A most decadent way to stay warm as you schuss down the wind tunnel 6th Ave is bound to be.
The Event Invite
Pre-game Hanukkah with Fany Gerson this Wednesday, Dec. 9. During this virtual event, the founder of La Newyorkina and recent doughnut sensation Fan-Fan will go into her Mexican-Jewish upbringing, how she opened a doughnut shop in the middle of a pandemic, and best yet, how to make sufganiyot, or sweet jelly doughnuts. Tickets here.
The Splurge
It’s not that Anthony Mangieri’s pies are splurgy. It’s the how you’ll get them that might have a cost. See, his quintessential pizzas are, for the moment, only available at the Jersey outpost of Una Pizza Napoletana. Whether you own a car, rent a car, Uber, or are blessed enough to live in Jersey, you know what to do.
The Stay-At-Home Move
A Momofuku package fit for the holidays. Available from Dec. 9 to 23, this deluxe pack ($178) is a proper feast for the lazy (or bad) cook. Get ready for the loaded potato salad, a bitter greens and persimmon salad, an apple crisp studded with miso, and the pièce de résistance: A slow-roasted bo ssäm with black pepper gravy and cranberry sauce. Reserve here.
From The Tipline
Hot opening alert: Francie, a modern brasserie from a couple of industry vets is live on Resy! Get the rundown on all you need to know over here.
Week of November 30
The Restaurant Rec
Gaudir, because chef Cédric Durand serves up one of the best paellas in New York City. His tribute to Spain’s tapas bars is one cozy little haunt in East Harlem, and the ensuing classics are like nothing else: tortilla española, patatas bravas, and pulpo a la plancha are as close to the Mediterranean coast as you’ll get. And pro tip: You’ll want a gin & tonic with all that. Paella away.
The Drink Proposal
The Ginger Smash at Employees Only. Made with muddled ginger root, kumquats, gin, apple liqueur, and freshly-squeezed lemon juice, it’s best sipped outside on their alluring West Village patio, with people-watching on the side. For more intel on the Resy bar scene, go here.
The Event Invite
Think stand-up comedy is a thing of New York’s pre-pandemic past? Think again. This Thursday, Dec. 3, Greenpoint’s glitzy boutique hotel is hosting Comedy Night at the Top of the Box, starring the city’s reputable Mad Love Comedy troupe. Best yet? It’s all taking place on a sprawling rooftop with heat lamps, socially-distanced seating, and panoramic views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond. Tickets here.
The Stay-At-Home Move
A New York night at home courtesy of the Polo Bar, because this splurge-worthy package is a greatest hits collection of Polo favorites and trinkets — think Ralph’s corned beef sandwich bites, the Polo Bar chips with Osetra caviar and crème fraîche, pigs in a blanket, six wooden polo mallets, and a holiday playlist to tie it all together. Claim your box here.
From The Tipline
Celebrate the holidays and support restaurants. That is the name of the game this December, and as the gifting season descends upon us, we’ve made it easier for you with a curated selection of edible treats, books, and merch for every food-loving person in your life. Right this way.
