Maison Yaki, HaSalon, Mel’s, and More: How to Access New York’s Best in Spring 2022

Located in Park Slope, directly across the street from its sister restaurant Olmsted, Maison Yaki continues to make the family proud. Chef and owner Greg Baxtrom blends classically French ingredients with the Japanese yakitori format. The smaller bite format is perfect for adding another order of your favorites throughout the meal. FYI: The multi-colored mushrooms growing on the bar will end up on your plate. Now that’s farm-to-table. Or would that be table-to-table? You get it.

The Vibe

Casual. Playful. Vibrant. Chef technique on full display.

Don’t Miss

The skewers. So many skewers. Japanese technique merged with French sauces produces works like the Duck a l’Orange meatballs. To be safe, you should also pop a few Pommes Dauphine before the meal really gets going.

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The backyard patio is open for a few rounds of pétanque, and the cocktails are on tap, if the night’s not ready to end after your dinner.

Israeli chef (and party host) Eyal Shani injects endless energy night after night into this Hell’s Kitchen space. There are two progressively rowdier dinner service times throughout the night. And leaning into weekend celebration, HaSalon is open Thursday through Saturday. If you opt for the second seating, don’t be surprised if you’re dancing on the table before the night ends.

The Vibe

A multisensory experience channeling the lively Tel Aviv nightlife that invites diners to cut loose.

Don’t Miss

The menu will often feature hyperbole and drama; the only thing meant to be taken super-seriously is the flavor. There will likely be an homage to that perpetually inspiring of ingredients: the tomato. Look also for the fun and theatrical 12-foot noodle, which consists of a single strand of pici pasta. Don’t worry, you’re allowed to stand up.

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Now through April 10, the first seating has access to a six-course tasting menu that changes weekly, always with a singular focal point.

If you’re more about the thrilling simplicity of Israeli street food that speaks for itself — using its indoor voice — HaSalon’s sister restaurant North Miznon is for you. Its expansive space spans two floors on a bustling block on the Upper West Side. All the square footage leaves ample room for Shani to present his favorite seasonal ingredients in all their grilled, charred, and seared glory.

The Vibe

A sprawling, two-story recreation of classic culinary elements from Tel Aviv.

Don’t Miss

Select a few notables from each whimsically named section of the menu, like the vegetarian Envelope of Burning Leeks, or the blunt and bold claim of A Great Steak on Charred Tomatoes. Get your forks ready and jockey for position: Everything is built to be shared.

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If you ever find yourself craving the perfect pita, swing by the Miznon outpost in Chelsea Market. Get there early.

The Vibe

Old school fine dining meets future fine dining, and style and finesse take center stage. Guests should expect to play along. (Read: proper dinner attire is required.)

Don’t Miss

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It used to be that if you wanted to try and snag a table at this historic cocktail bar, you’d need to cross your fingers, dial a dedicated phone line the day you wanted to arrive, and hope for the best. Then, last year, PDT opened online bookings (and we are very thankful for that). As a hidden-but-famous extension to the original East Village Crif Dogs location, it has been a North Star for the beverage industry since the mid-aughts. Today, award-winning bartender and 11-year PDT veteran Jeff Bell oversees the rotating seasonal drink offerings.

The Vibe

Right this way, through an unassuming phone booth, for a front-row seat to the cocktail mastery. Even if it’s not your first time, passing through the “secret” entrance still feels special.

Don’t Miss

The hyper-seasonal signature drink offerings change throughout the year as a means to stay on the cutting edge, but there’s always the option to fall back on a classic like the rum-based Ponche Al Pastor or the Benton’s Old Fashioned. Pair whatever you choose to sip with a seriously stacked dog from the Crif Dogs menu.

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PDT was never meant to be a “speakeasy.” The real story? The space in Crif Dogs was available and the liquor license was sitting unused. The rest is history.

The name of this Greenwich Village sushi bar refers directly to its specialty, hand rolls, but you’ll find all the delights of a traditional omakase experience at a price generous enough to let you top up your order if needed. Blaze by this gorgeous spot on West Houston street and you’ll miss a meeting of the minds — between brothers-in-law Brian Kim, the chef, and interior designer Jae Park, who together bring seasoned professionalism and sleek, minimalist décor.

The vibe

Work-of-art counter service.

Don’t miss

There are plenty of hand rolls to sink your teeth into: Blue crab with garlic butter, or miso black cod with kabocha puree. (To name a couple of specialties.) If you’re feeling ambitious in terms of volume, the Domokase signature course starts with a seasonal oyster and winds its way through donburi, sushi, hand rolls, and more.

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Take comfort in knowing that DOMODOMO’s claim to fame is that it’s the first hand roll-focused sushi bar in NYC. They know what they’re doing.

You know what they say: when one door closes, another three open … and after closing in 2020, the footprint of legendary Del Posto will house three new concepts. First up is Mel’s, where veteran chef Melissa Rodriguez is hopping back into the literal fire to bring this sourdough pizza concept to light. This opening is the anchor leg for the full suite of dining options taking over. Next will be the ultra-luxe Italian Al Coro and cocktail lounge Discolo downstairs.

The Vibe

All things “glowy and sexy” with help from emphasis on the wood-fired grill.

Don’t Miss

Clearly you’re here for the pizza, but how to choose? The menu is grand but surely you won’t go wrong to sample any of the Neapolitan-esque pies, like the Guanciale or the Basil + Pesto. If you want to see the team’s grill skills, there’s plenty of charred goodness to go around on the antipasti menu.

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Half the fun at Mel’s will be dipping into the wine cellar at Al Coro next door, which goes deep indeed.

The energetic, Korean-inspired Jeju is located in the crux of West Village dining options. It’s no coincidence that Jeju translates to “skill,” and “ability,” both of which are in flush supply here. Chef Douglas Kim brought the poise and sensibility from years of working in fine-dining mammoths like Per Se, and has funneled it into a passion project that turns heads.

The vibe

A warmly lit corner spot that gets serious about noodles. 

Don’t Miss

Ramyun is the name of the game, and whether it’s a trio of mushrooms or a meaty wagyu variety, there’s a Korean iteration of ramen for everyone at the table. Other standout items include the textural wonder of the toro ssam bap to start, and the impressive Elysian Farm rack of lamb (if it’s that kind of night).

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For any art buffs in the house, Jeju has taken over the space that originally inspired the iconic Edward Hopper painting “Nighthawks.”