The New York Restaurants We Loved in February

There’s an amazing grilled cheese with tomato …

Available for brunch at Sailor. Everything there is great, from the neighborhood and family-friendly vibes to the staff. Our server had incredible recommendations, too. And while there can be a bit of a wait, you can just put your name down on the list and pick up a coffee nearby — Peckish is a favorite of mine — and then walk in the park.

— Annie Lindahl, Product Manager

With winter comes indoor activities …

And since Broadway is only a few train stops away, I’m always looking for places in Midtown to eat before a show. Dinner at Le Rock is equal parts decadent and pragmatic and I loved every bite. It’s street level so you do need to walk outside, but that makes your escape from the cold that much faster. The service was personal, and the food was delish. I second the leeks vinaigrette and profiteroles recommended to me by Deanna [Ting, Resy’s New York editor], and I’ll tack on the bison au poivre for in between.

— Tess Gostfrand, Senior Manager, B2B Product Marketing

After hearing all the rave reviews from all my co-workers …

I had to make my way to Eyval and I immediately fell in love. The space is bright, busy, and warm, with the aromas hitting you as soon as you walk in. I don’t think I have a single complaint about the meal. We ordered as many breads and dips we possibly could, with our favorite being the mushroom borani with yogurt, poached egg, and black truffle. Of course, the star of the show were their famous lamb ribs with tamarind glaze, walnuts, and berries. A combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy, I could go back and eat multiple plates just to myself.

— Charles Zhao, Director of Restaurant Product

The ceviche here was otherworldly …

And I can’t tell you how special an experience it is to dine at a place like Rosella. I really loved how intimate the restaurant was, and the closeness of the space gave way to lots of wonderful conversation with their team about their sustainability practices and mission. They shared with us that they had recently started sourcing their wagyu from New Hampshire, and they were so excited to be working with a regional farm. There is so much intention behind how they craft their menu, and it was really special to experience that as a diner.

— Gina Chun, Senior Technical Product Manager

I was taking a leisurely stroll through the West Village on a brisk Saturday …

And saw a Via Carota with no line. I wasn’t expecting to go out for lunch, but I had to take advantage. We started with the Castelfranco salad and carciofi alla griglia, followed by the tonnarelli cacio e pepe and the polpette. The salad was truly one of the best salads I have ever had with the perfect balance of salty, sweet, bitter, and crunchy. This is something that I would never be able to create at home, and is worth a visit to the restaurant alone. The tonnarelli is always on the menu and is, in my humble opinion, the best representation of the dish in New York. A visit here is like transporting yourself to Italy and it is well worth the visit — especially when you don’t have to wait in line.

— Will Stern, Senior Manager, B2B Product Partnerships & Business Development

It’ll come as a surprise but …

The hippie salad at Cozy Royale is probably one of the best salads I’ve ever had, and I still think about it to this day. It was the perfect balance to the heavier cheeseburger and French onion soup and, as the name suggests, the spot was definitely as cozy as it can get. It’s the perfect place for a snowy night when you just want something homey. I can see why it’s so popular, so my advice is to get there early and put your name down. And if you’re there on a weekend, stop by Land to Sea afterward for a jazz night!

— Felicity Lin, Senior B2B Marketing Analyst 

Still on my winter-induced comfort food kick …

I’ve sought out comfort food in its many forms all over the city and have been rewarded richly. I started off the month with my favorite koong karee from Soothr for an early Lunar New Year feast, where plump shrimp gets sautéed in a creamy egg curry sauce. I followed that up with rich ricotta gnudi from relative newcomer Neeloo, a January staff pick from fellow former Resy staffer Lala Liban. The gnudi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and I loved how well the sage and wild mushrooms balanced the ricotta so beautifully. Over at Gulaabo, another ideal spot to dine before or after a Broadway show, my friend and I went all in on the non-vegetarian kebab platter (those lamb chops and tandoori prawns are not to be missed!). Later, like my fellow Resy staffers Felicity Lin, Will Stern, and Jon Bonné, I experienced the joy of a perfect winter salad, with the Italian chicory insalata from Café Carmellini. (If you go there, don’t sleep on the veal tongue, rabbit cacciatore, or grapefruit sorbetto, either.) And finally, a first-time visit to Tolo reminded me of so many childhood memories: The crispy sweet-and-sour fish reminded me of one of my Po-po’s favorite dishes. And the little rice noodles with XO sauce tasted just like something my Po-po used to make for us.

— Deanna Ting, New York & Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial

I celebrated my friend’s birthday at Ruthie’s …

With an epic meal that I cannot wait to repeat. My girl is a regular there and an eater, so we had most of the menu and I loved every single bite. Ruthie’s has a great vibe: It could be date night, a cozy catch up, or a group hang. My favorites were the spinach dip, Carolina Gold rice with crab, the sizzling steak that comes out loud and fragrant and causes the best kind of scene, and, of course, the pineapple upside down cake.

— Tess Gostfrand, Senior Manager, B2B Product Marketing

After years of wanting to go …

I finally made it to Hart’s. It’s tiny and cozy and welcoming, and I already want to go back. For my fellow chilled red enthusiasts, do know that Hart’s has multiple bottles on its menu. Other highlights: a winter citrus salad that is sunshine on a plate, pillowy bread served with fluffy ricotta, and a perfect clam toast.

— Alex Johnson, Senior Manager, Marketing

I bid a sad farewell …

To Chez Ma Tante’s brunch a few weeks ago. I set a few Notifies when I heard they were closing, and I snagged a last-minute table on a sunny Saturday afternoon. We shared a few glasses of wine, an unreasonably delicious seasonal quiche, chicken pâté, Caesar salad, some of my favorite chips and aioli around, and, of course, an order of pancakes for the table. I’ll miss this Resy favorite and neighborhood staple but will remain hopeful for some news of a reopening in the future. In the meantime, I’m grateful to still find this chef duo’s incredible cooking at Le Crocodile and Bar Blondeau.

— Isabelle Andrews, Director of Product

Love it when a restaurant is absolutely not overhyped …

In this case, Libertine, whose French-ness rang true in every dish we ordered off the — in real bistro form — chalkboard menu: oeufs mayo amped up with trout roe, poulet à la (decadent) crème, and a saucisse-purée that brought me back to my French grandmother’s countryside home.

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer, Resy Editorial

As a self-proclaimed member of the Hand Hospitality fan club …

I was a little embarrassed to admit I hadn’t been to Ariari yet, but once I finally made the trip this month, I knew I should’ve gone earlier. I wasn’t sure how I felt about sitting outside on a cold day, but as soon as we entered their covered outdoor space, it almost felt like we were inside with all the warmth and decorations they’ve done an amazing job curating. All the dishes were a delicious surprise and what I’ve come to expect from the trailblazing restaurant group. The scallop DIY gimbap was a fun way to start the meal, and each handroll I made gradually got bigger and bigger. The creamy dolsot al-bal stone bowl was packed with umami and textures; I found myself scraping the last bits from the bowl.

— Charles Zhao, Director of Restaurant Product

I wish I lived within walking distance …

Of Vic’s in Noho, because it is the type of neighborhood spot that everyone needs. Not only is it delicious, but my kids love it and they love my kids (or so I think they do). I so appreciate how they adapt pasta dishes for young tastes (e.g. butter and cheese), serve up crayons and coloring paper, and have strong cocktails and great service for the adults. And that rainbow cookie ice cream is addictive.

— Aaron Ginsberg, VP, Strategic Partnerships & Industry Development

Bangkok Supper Club has lots to crush on …

There’s the charcoal-grilled beef tongue, and the green beans with tofu cream, but the sleeper hit is Max Wittawat’s yum khai dao. True, I’d  heard about it beforehand, and honestly I kind of hoped I wouldn’t love it, because it sort of too-perfectly captures the high-low philosophy that Wittawat and partner Jenn Saesue are finessing with BSC. Here, it’s a homespun fried-egg salad almost too simple to be served anywhere but basic cafeterias and food halls: a fried egg, plus a few vegetables, tossed in dressing. But Wittawat is having fun, re-envisioning it through his Bangkok-inspired fine-cooking lens. Under his hand, it has become the Thai equivalent of jammy eggs, amended with grated egg yolk and trout roe (“egg on egg on egg”), plus celery, cilantro and tomato — a dish that hints at luxury while offering flavors that are beautifully edited and focused. Or think of it as a Thai twist on the reappearance of oeuf mayo, a simple French dish that too has become a cheffy darling for reinvention. Besides, if you’ve enjoyed the hits at Fish Cheeks (somtum corn salad, anyone?) you know: This is a group that can make even a simple salad into something sublime.

— Jon Bonné, Managing Editor, Resy Editorial

I went for a brunch date …

At Artesano and was not disappointed with the amazing spread of Peruvian dishes. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was polished but relaxed. I’d have to say the best dishes to note here were the lomo saltado and the burger. And for drinks, you can’t go wrong with the chilcano or the Pisco sour.

— Joao Chavez, Senior Mobile Engineer

Dirt Candy never fails …

To surprise and delight. I went there for an early birthday celebration with some friends for their tasting menu with wine pairing, and it was just so good. I love everything about the place, especially how the staff comes together; the collaboration they have is truly palpable. I also loved how all the wines they spotlighted were from women-owned wineries.

— Lacey Larson, Head of Restaurant Operations and Enablement 

Resy lost a real one last month …

When our friend [and former Resy senior revenue enablement manager] Lala [Liban] left to join another part of American Express. She’s not far, but we miss her dearly. But we did make sure to send her off at Tuome, one her top recs, with an epic dinner featuring dim sum towers, three orders of the snow crab pasta, and a few bottles of wine. Tuome is a warm and cozy oasis and it was the perfect place to send off our girl.

— Tess Gostfrand, Senior Manager, B2B Marketing

Deanna Ting is Resy’s New York and Philadelphia Editor. Follow her on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Follow Resy, too.