The May Hit List: Seoul Salon, Mischa, Margot, and More

Korea’s vibrant sool jib drinking culture gets the spotlight at this latest restaurant from the dynamic duo behind Atoboy, Atomix, and Naro. The beauty of a spot like this is how perfectly it works for a late-night drink and a snack (do consider the Newtro Negroni and crispy anchovy pasta if you dine at the bar) or, if you prefer, get something a bit heartier, with plenty of shareable dishes for you and your crew in the dining room. (We highly recommend sharing the sweet soy sauce braised chicken, their take on sweet, spicy, and tangy Andong jjimdak — one of the best ways to start or end a night out.)

What even is American cuisine, or New American cuisine, you might ask? At this Midtown stunner from acclaimed chef Alex Stupak (Empellón), the answer is, honestly, a little bit of everything — from hot dogs and deviled eggs to apple vareniky to a gai lan Caesar. As you might surmise, the menu here takes classic “American” dishes and subverts them in new, delicious ways, drawing on the chef’s own personal history and experiences, as only Stupak could do.

Ursula has, in just a few years, become one of the city’s standards for delicious New Mexican-inspired cuisine. And now in its newer, bigger space in Bed-Stuy, there’s even more to try, like a green chile fried mushroom “sangwich,” escabeche with spicy pickled nopales, and blue corn pancakes. Don’t delay.

Walk-ins only. Email them directly for parties of six or more. 

In her native France, Margot chef Alexia Duchêne is known as a “Top Chef” semifinalist and Alain Ducasse prodigy, but she’s traded Paris for New York — Fort Greene to be exact — as the chef of newly opened Margot. If you were lucky enough to taste Duchêne’s cuisine at her Fulgurances Laundromat pop-up last year, you’ll know that she’ll be serving up contemporary French classics — emphasis on the sauces — with a bit of a Brooklyn bent. And if you didn’t, well, now’s your chance, with a great list of natural–minded wines to match.

Yes, some of your favorite Dhamaka standards are no longer on the menu (we’re looking at you, paplet fry) but there couldn’t be a better time to (re)visit Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar’s groundbreaking restaurant that embodies their mission to change people’s perceptions of what Indian food can be, and to preserve and share their culture through food, one dish at a time.

Yes, we know New York is rife with many a wine bar these days (see below for more proof), but this new one, which opens soon — from the same team behind Fausto and LaLou — will be one to keep on your radar. The wines and food of Spain take the spotlight, with more than 150 organic, and biodynamic wines from all over Spain, and a tapas-heavy menu that’s also got fideua, ham-and-cheese croquetas, plenty of conservas, and so much more. On sunnier days, do head to the back garden patio.

Bar Vinazo opens on May 4.

It’s all good — super good — at this new East Village cocktail bar led by two of New York’s veteran cocktail experts: Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez (Ghost Donkey, Saxon & Parole) and Greg Boehm (Katana Kitten, Mace, and The Cabinet). Yes, there are margaritas and plenty of mezcal and Tequila to go around, but it’s doubtful you’ll find another bar serving up a molé Negroni with fat-washed mezcal and molé spices, or a mushroom margarita with huitlacoche. For food, don’t overlook the lamb birria grilled cheese or the quesadilla bombas.

Walk-ins only. 

At Lingo, former Bessou chef Emily Yuen gets to put her own personal spin on Japanese cooking, and that means a beef and bone marrow pie featuring Japanese curry spices and a kombu dashi, or milk bread served with a slightly sweet sake butter. Dining here feels intimate and welcoming — similar to how Yuen’s food leaves you feeling.

Justine’s on Hudson has a winning combination in its exceptional wine list — built around the portfolio of wine importer Neal Rosenthal — and its kitchen, led by chef Jeanne Jordan, who combines her Filipino roots and Jersey upbringing with classic French techniques for a menu that reflects the best of what seasonal cooking can, and should be.

Beloved pan-Asian comfort foods get a nod at this new small-plates specialist in Long Island City that serves coffee from Coffee Project New York by day, and cocktails by night. Think fried chicken and ube waffles for weekend brunch, and shrimp wonton noodles and Korean barbecue wings for dinner. And definitely don’t sleep on the coffee in the daytime.

Walk-ins only. 

On May 11, chef Colin Wyatt (an alum of Eleven Madison Park and Daniel) of Portland, Maine’s acclaimed Twelve, returns to New York for a one-night pop-up: a special dinner over at Place des Fêtes. Much like Fêtes chef Nico Russell, Wyatt is known for using local ingredients and fashioning them into something sublime, so you can (and should) expect an unforgettable meal.