The New York Restaurants We Loved in January
At Resy HQ, our New Year’s resolutions involve dining out even more than we did the year before, and so far into 2024, we’ve made a lot of progress. Despite the chilly temps, we’ve braved the cold to seek out our favorite comfort foods, from pasta and Chinese food, and to check out some standout newcomers, like Naks and Neeloo. We hope you’ll join us and to give you some inspiration, we’re sharing some of our favorites.
Resy Staffer Spotlight: Tess Gostfrand
As a born-and-raised New Yorker, Resy restaurant product marketing manager Tess Gostfrand admits her ultimate comfort foods fall into two categories: pizza and Chinese food. “It’s red-sauce Italian and Szechuan Chinese food in a takeout container — that’s most of what I survive on and what I crave all the time,” she says. That doesn’t mean she’s opposed to fine dining, though. “I like white tablecloth fine dining restaurants — I worked in them — but I also love my staple comfort foods. I love both.”
And as a former restaurant hostess who’s worked in Boston; Charleston, S.C.; Miami; and New York, the six-year Resy veteran also knows just what a challenge the industry can be — but also how much joy you can find in it, too. She does note, however, that no one beats New York’s dining scene. “New York is the show,” she says. “If you want the best of everything — menus, food, people cooking the food, the people serving you — it’s like ‘A team’ only. The variety and quality of service and food is unbeatable. It’s harder to have a bad meal in New York than to have a good one.”
Her advice for fellow diners? Use Resy Notifies. “I hit off Notify all the time,” she notes. Also, tip well, and introduce yourself and say hello to the staff because it goes a long way. Here, in her own words, are her favorite Resy restaurants in the city.
The One That Feels Like Home: Graziella’s
You could go here four times in a week and eat completely different food each time because their menu has everything. I go here at least once a week and order in as much, too. It’s just really warm and nice. Inside, they have a rooftop patio, a bar, and a dining room, and they also have an outside street patio, so they have any kind of vibe you’re trying to go after — as long as you’re going to eat with or like your Italian grandmother. Dining here is always going to be great. My tops are their lasagna and the pizza, which is so similar to the pizza next to my high school growing up, so it’s very nostalgic. I had the chicken parm calzone last night and it was so good. This is also where we all had lunch after I got married at the courthouse last year.
The One That Always Slaps: Frankies 457 Spuntino
If I want to take it up a notch I go here. I love Carroll Gardens; it’s one of my favorite neighborhoods. Frankies always slaps. It’s so consistent and they’ve got the same servers who have been there before. Similarly, you can have a bustling inside dining room experience or you can sit in the back. It feels very familial and nice. I love the cold rib eye with olive oil and sea salt. And the cavatelli with hot sausage and brown sage butter is the most delish thing ever.
The Beautiful One: Altro Paradiso
I used to work there so I’m a bit biased. I was a hostess there also. I love it there. It’s the most beautiful restaurant ever. It was such a great place to work and gape at the gorgeous light wood and light fixtures. It has such a great vibe. The menu is amazing. Ignacio [Mattos, chef and owner] is very talented and everyone he has in the kitchen is so talented. Family meal there was the best lunch I can remember. So now I love dining there. When I was a hostess and the waitlist would get packed, we would hand out arancini as a thanks for waiting so now I’m just addicted to those; before they made it from the kitchen to the bar, I would sometimes have one, too. They have miso in them, and it just sets it off. It’s very indicative of Ignacio’s cooking, having this hidden ingredient or flavor. I love the arancini. The cacio e pepe is to die for. All the Negroni options I really appreciate; I love a spread. The Milanese is a no brainer. And the piece de resistance — the fennel salad — is a must. It’s shaved fennel piled to the ceiling with Castelvetrano olives and Provolone cheese where everyone else does parm.
The One That’s Always There for Me: Han Dynasty
I used to go to the one in the city growing up, but now I got to the one in the DeKalb Market. I love to go to the movies there and then have Chinese food. That’s my dream date. I love it there, and I order in from there, too; I double tap that place frequently. I love the wontons in chile oil, dan dan noodles, the salt-and-pepper steak, and the three cup chicken. I always get that if I’m sick, along with a bag of soup. They’ve been there for me the longest.
The One That Brings Me Back: Hwa Yuan Szechuan
I also love this spot, which is also a great movie and Chinese place with some good theaters near there. It’s where the cold sesame noodle dish was invented, and it’s one of my favorite things to eat. They sauce the noodles for you tableside, and then portion it for everybody. It’s such a spectacle and a show. It reminds me of Shun Lee, this place uptown, and it’s so nostalgic; it reminds me of my childhood. It was the first white tablecloth restaurant I ever went to, and I used to go there all the time because it used to be close to the Resy office.
The One That’s My No. 1: Atoboy
My No. 1 restaurant that I wish I went to all the time is Atoboy. I went there for the first time in 2018 and just totally fell in love. Go with four or more people so everyone can try almost everything on the menu and you can double up on the stuff you know you want. The special rice always hits. The supplemental fried chicken is an absolute must. I keep going back and it’s consistently the best, most cared for you will ever feel in a restaurant, and the food is so phenomenal. Ahris [Kim] is the director of operations for the restaurant group now and she’s so smart and cool and used to be the general manager; I love her. Grayden [Kough] and Tyler [Friedman], our coworkers, also used to work there as well. It’s those extra layers that make you feel so warm.
You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu …
At Fossetta, a new Italian restaurant and wine bar on the Lower East Side. I so enjoyed their fresh focaccias — specifically the garlic cream and fontina focaccia — tons of antipasti, and every pasta on the menu. It’s the perfect spot for a light bite and some wine, or a full dinner.
— Jamie Goldstein, Senior Manager, Resy Strategic Partnerships
It was a perfectly cozy evening …
Thanks to Huda in Williamsburg. The newish opening from the team behind La Bonne Soupe delivers on all fronts: fun food, a cushy setting, warm staff, and a buzzy energy courtesy of the killer playlist full of Arabic hits (or so my Lebanese dining companion told me). Don’t miss the batata harra (an A+ potato dish) and the maracona bil toum (Levantine gnudi in a lemony garlic sauce). I’m already eyeing the stuffed cabbage with leeks and foie gras for my next visit.
— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Staff Writer, Resy Editorial
I finally made it to Rolo’s in Ridgewood …
On a cold, windy Saturday morning, fiending for a proper burger to blow away the cobwebs from the night before. We started off with the fresh green salad (health is wealth — it is January after all), which was shortly followed by the burger, the Mrs. Crispy, and their famous potatoes. The Mrs. Crispy is a piece of crispy ham on top of their soft and doughy polenta bread, with soft runny cheese and a few eggs. The brunch absolutely hit the spot, and I am dying to return for dinner to enjoy their green lasagna. Don’t miss out on their drinks either; they’re some of the best in the city.
— Natalie Weil, Experiential Marketing
I loved stumbling upon Neeloo …
When looking for a reservation for my family who was in town. The restaurant is family owned; the whole family works either in the kitchen or in the front of house. Chef Moser, originally from Nice, blends French and New American cuisines beautifully! Dishes not to miss: Fougasse (the best bread), golden beets and poached pears, grilled octopus, eggplant and market squash, and the incredible wagyu. Ending with the white chocolate mousse will be the perfect sweet end, too.
— Lala Liban, Senior Revenue Enablement Manager
It was my husband’s birthday …
So we went all out at the one and only Don Angie. We started out with the BBQ calamari and chrysanthemum salad, then had the steak, Japanese sweet potatoes, and of course, the lasagna for two. The welcoming staff made the experience a memorable one and if I had one piece of advice to share it’d be to get there early, and get your name on the list.
— Kara P., Senior Hospitality Coordinator
I hadn’t been this excited about a restaurant opening in a while …
And Naks lived up to everything I’d hoped for. I caught up with a friend over their 18-course kamayan feast and it was really special. Chef Eric Valdez brings you through each dish, what it means to him, and how he’s adapted it in a unique way, making the entire experience engaging. The Naks team aims to conjure feelings of “surprise and admiration” during the meal, and they undoubtedly succeed. The cocktails are fantastic, each course is more interesting than the next, and they even send you home with a gift! I highly recommend it!
— Isabelle Andrews, Director of Product
I don’t know what there isn’t to love …
About Crown Shy. The space is so beautiful and sleek, the service is so warm and welcoming, and the food is out of this world, every single time. This time around, we tried their winter special: gnocchi with white truffles shaved on top. They were the most pillowy, beautiful gnocchi I ever had, and I don’t think I can ever eat gnocchi anywhere else again. It was truly a perfect anniversary dinner. My only advice for anyone who goes: You have to get the gruyere fritters!
— Gina Chun, Senior Technical Product Manager
I went to Winona’s …
And it was so so good. The buttermilk rolls and half golden chicken were for sure the highlights of our meal, but I’d be remiss not to mention the tagliatelle and little gem salad. Honestly everything was delish!
— Harper Dodd, Senior Software Engineer
Coqodaq is changing the fried chicken game …
And they’re doing it in a stunning restaurant with the most luxurious hand washing station at the entrance — something I think every restaurant should have. Get the spicy chicken and never look back.
— Tabatha Goloborodko, Interim Experiential Marketing Director
Cozy winter dining gets perfected …
At Pastis. I’ve been twice in the last month, once outdoors and once at the bar, and everything we had was great. The chicken kiev, a Saturday night special, is incredible, with crispy breaded chicken filled with garlic, butter, and herbs served over mashed potatoes. It melts in your mouth and is the perfect comfort food meal. You also can’t go wrong with the French onion soup. If you go, you should know that bar seating is first come, first served, and if you dine outdoors, bring a jacket — they have a great setup with heaters — and get ready for all the amazing people watching.
— Callie Randall, Premium Loyalty Strategy Manager
My winter dining habits often revolve around …
Two of my favorite major food groups — soup and pasta — and I made sure my long weekend was filled with both from start to finish. First up was the incredible beef phở from Mắm over in Chinatown — probably my favorite in the entire city because it’s so beefy (they hand-cut the brisket to order) and the broth is so clear and complex. And if you go, do not forgo an order of the housemade tofu topped with scallion and chile. I followed that up with hot pot over at Dalongyi in Long Island City where I couldn’t get enough of the spicy beef tallow broth. (Pro tip: They’re BYOB.) Later, a friend and I caught up over some pillowy ndunderi with black truffles over at Principe. And finally, I made it over to Popina in Carroll Gardens to check out chef Justin Smillie’s cooking (he’s there until Feb. 25). The pastas were excellent, of course (especially the malfalda corta with mushrooms), but I’m still thinking about the perfectly charred black garlic bavette steak topped with Jimmy Nardellos.
— Deanna Ting, New York & Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial
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It’s tough to get all the basics right …
But Cafe Colette in Williamsburg did that perfectly. I went there for brunch and had the most simple but perfect meal: eggs over easy with their charred sourdough and hashbrown. Pro tip: Do not skip the hashbrown; it’s a perfect square of crispy, buttery, salty potato.
— Alissa Vitiello, Senior Account Associate (NY, NJ, CT)
I’m still thinking about a hit of a brunch …
At Radio Star, nested on the waterfront edge of Greenpoint Avenue. I was blessed to dine there during a sunny day (given the solarium-esque greenhouse windows, you may want to bring sunglasses depending on where you’re sitting on such days), drinking too many of their briny RS martinis, with a trio of shared-for-two hits: the smoky pork griddle sandwich, cauliflower quiche, and merguez in a blanket.
— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Staff Writer, Resy Editorial
To ring in the new year …
My friends and I celebrated New Year’s Eve at the newly opened Kazumi Omakase in Greenwich Village. We enjoyed the 13-course sushi omakase with some Champagne, of course! With so many omakase options in the city, this is definitely a must try. Pro tip: Stop by Analogue or Mace down the street afterward for a nightcap.
— Emily Lyons, Experiential Marketing Senior Analyst
I loved everything …
About Swoony’s: The cozy vibe, the welcoming staff, and the menu that made us want to order one of everything. Even though the restaurant is relatively new, it feels like it’s been a Carroll Gardens fixture forever. Our favorite bites were the whipped goat cheese, which comes with chile crunch for a perfect sweet-salty combo; creamed spinach, finished with toasty breadcrumbs; and the cheeseburger which — and I mean this as the highest compliment — comes with fries that taste like McDonald’s.
— Alex Johnson, Senior Manager, Marketing
The wagyu burger lives up to the hype …
Over at Monkey Bar. Not only was it so rich in flavor but the server’s other recommendations were spot on. The truffle tagliatelle was so creamy and buttery with generous portions of truffle in it. And the whitefish Caesar salad is to die for; instead of anchovies, they use whitefish, and it was one of the best Caesar salads I’ve ever had! I’m also glad they serve half portions of certain pastas and salads because their full-size portions are huge.
— Jina Park, Director Restaurant Partner Marketing
On a whim …
I decided to check out this one-time prix fixe lunch collab between Frenchette and Hainan Chicken House. No other details were provided (or needed), and I’m so glad I went. The char siu choucroute stole the show with unbeatable crispiness, and fattiness, of the pork to the deep, umami smoky flavors of the sauerkraut that was served with it. The meal started off with crisp crudité, oysters paired with small sausages, and even included a stracciatella paratha, all of which were stellar in their own right. I really hope 2024 includes more pairings with these restaurants; I’ll definitely be visiting them both in the meantime.
— Mike Hearing, Director of Platform Engineering
Every dish was perfection …
At Roscioli. We did the à la carte and had the burrata and prosciutto as well as the famous cacio e pepe, plus a wintery radicchio salad and a true sleeper hit: the fregola pasta. I had to stock up on olive oil and breadsticks in the alimentari on my way out, too.
— Tabatha Goloborodko, Interim Experiential Marketing Director
P.S. Here’s how to get into Roscioli.
The service was absolutely impeccable …
At Café Carmellini from the moment we walked in, from the hostess and the bartenders to our server. They gave amazing recommendations, and the ambiance was incredible as well; it would be perfect for a date night or a group dinner or even a business dinner. We had the artichoke florentine (my favorite), cannelloni with lobster and golden Osetra, and the duck-duck-duck tortellini. And if you can, I highly recommend going to Portrait Bar before or after.
— Callie Randall, Premium Loyalty Strategy Manager
Deanna Ting is Resy’s New York and Philadelphia Editor. Some of her other favorite meals this month took place at Naks, Tuome, La Bonne Soupe, and Corima. Follow her on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Follow Resy, too.
