The New York Restaurants We Loved in November
If there’s one thing you must know about the people who work at Resy, it’s that we genuinely love restaurants …
This month, we feasted on carbs after the marathon, were wowed by a vegan dessert, revisited old standbys and new openings alike, and went hard on the coziest of foods, from a bowl of silky udon noodles to a rich French onion soup.
Resy Staff Picks
For my sister’s post-marathon dinner…
… we hit up Vinatería, a favorite in my family’s neighborhood — they’ve been raving it about it for years, so I was so excited to finally check it out.
The restaurant was warm and cozy, which was perfect for that chilly day. The brussels sprouts were a highlight for me, and we also loved the calamari, which came with an amazing aioli. I’m quite sure that you can’t go wrong with any of the pastas, but we especially loved the short rib ragù and orecchiette with sausage, broccoli rabe, and cannellini beans. To celebrate my sister’s marathon personal record, the friendly restaurant manager sent out olive oil cake with berries — a perfect ending to such a lovely meal.
— Lindsey Block, Product Designer
Seafood hive, rise up!
Smithereens, a new New England Seafood spot in the East Village, should be on your Resy List. Highly recommend sitting at the kitchen counter to catch all the live action. We asked our server to send just enough food for three hungry diners, and what came of it was an incredible nine-dish journey. Do not skip the anadama bread — a hearty, traditional New England bread that should be ordered twice in order to sop up all the deliciousness. And don’t miss the apple cider donut as a little sweet treat at the end.
— Lala Liban, Senior Hotel Program Management and Innovation Manager
With the weather getting cooler…
… the perfect way to warm up is with a bowl of noodle soup, preferably from Raku. I had the pleasure of trying this spot recently and thoroughly enjoyed the inviting ambiance and big bowls of udon. I ordered the tantan udon with spicy miso pork, peanuts, and a perfectly cooked egg. Absolutely delicious!
— Santana Williams, Card Marketing & Programming
Three words: French. Onion. Soup.
… And Le Gratin’s rotisserie chicken. Both were so delicious, and perfect for a cozy date night or light dinner at the bar alone, with fantastic service to boot.
— Hannah Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Marketing
I personally subscribe to the cozy soup lifestyle all year-round…
… but it really kicks into high gear this time of year. And this past month I’ve had a few really stellar soups I can’t wait to have again soon. First up would be Kancil’s warming, gingery lala bee hoon, honestly one of the most soothing bowls of noodle soup you can possibly have. Second would be a bubbling cauldron of cazuela de mariscos from my favorite neighborhood Colombian seafood spot, Mister Cangrejo, in Jackson Heights. Third would be the cilantro-laden shio ramen from Takumen in Long Island City. And fourth would be my all-time-favorite jhol momo from Nepali Bhanchha Ghar, also in Jackson Heights. All of these soups are the perfect remedy for a cold, blustery day.
— Deanna Ting, New York and Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial
Didn’t expect to lose my mind…
… over a chocolate mousse when I ascended to the cozy drinking den that is Clemente Bar (upstairs from Eleven Madison Park). But wow, the pastry team worked some serious magic into making a vegan dessert taste this decadent.
And the rest of Clemente Bar was just as surprising and delightful, too. Highlights included an incredible cocktail with smoked sunchoke (called the 5th Leaf), perfectly crunchy sake pickles (your new favorite bar snack), the tonburi (which ate like a carrot tartare), a namesake martini (with green curry and saffron notes), and wall sconces that looked like white mushrooms (can someone please tell me where these came from?!).
— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer, Resy Editorial
The new lunch menu…
… at Kisa definitely hits the spot. I love places that are confident in doing just a few dishes well, and at Kisa, that’s the gamjatang and donkatsu. Both are so delicious and well portioned for such a great price ($18 and $17 respectively). I’m still thinking about the sauce on the donkatsu. I miss going to places where you know exactly what you’re going to get without thinking too much.
— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager
P.S. Here are some tips for how to get into Kisa.
I was so happy to revisit…
… Diner after far too long. I used to live nearby and I’d forgotten how much I love the whole experience from start to finish. We were able to sneak a few spots at the bar and started with a delicious stracciatella dish with sourdough, before ordering the burger (of course) and the pork chop. Everything hit the spot and reminded me why it’s still vibrant and relevant after 23 years in operation.
— Margo Valiente, Regional Sales Manager, New York
For delicious homemade pasta and outstanding service…
… head to Fausto in Prospect Heights. Perfect for a group or a cozy date, the warm atmosphere invites you in, making you completely forget you’re right on Flatbush Ave.
We started off with the little gem salad topped with Marcona almonds and sheep feta, and it’s currently holding the prize for best salad for me. The famous chitarra pasta did not disappoint, and the parsnip and sweet potato cappelletti topped with walnut and sage is the perfect fall pasta dish. The service was friendly and attentive, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit back. Pro tip: If you’re looking to host something, the wine cellar downstairs looks like an idyllic dinner party location.
— Sarah Slaton, Product Designer
This will be a staple as the weather gets colder…
I loved the cozy, neighborhood vibes at Jean Claude, which is perfect for date night, or to bring your parents to. I made a reservation for the wrong date on a Friday, and they were still able to accommodate us. We ordered the French onion soup, the escargots, the steak au poivre, and a crème brûlée. The service is great, they don’t rush you out, and the burger looked amazing, so I will be going back for that!
— Erika Greengarten, Restaurant Success Manager
I’m sad to admit it’s been a while…
… since I last visited a personal favorite, Jua. But I’m glad to confirm they haven’t missed a beat. The warm ambiance (with their beautiful wood-fire oven) and the attention to detail in the service were just like I remembered. We started off with their caviar kim and supplemental uni kim, and knew right then and there that we were in for an incredible meal. I loved their jook, a finer take on a home-cooked meal near and dear to my heart. Each dish, especially the final savory course of galbi and chan, felt like a piece of artwork, equally as beautiful as they were delicious.
— Charles Zhao, Director of Restaurant Product
From the first moment I stepped into the space…
… I knew I would love Borgo. It’s cozy and moody and lovely, all in the best ways. The food seals the deal, though. The cheese-filled focaccia cannot be missed — warm, cheesy, and crispy, it is simply divine. I also loved their chicken liver crostini and the warm fava purée to start, followed by the ravioli with mushrooms, sunchoke, and Parmigiano Reggiano and the fennel sausage on a bed of lentils. It was all delicious and I can’t wait to go back again and again.
— Jamie Goldstein, Resy Strategic Partnerships
For the most soul-warming…
… neighborhood spot for an Italian feast with friends (and for an absolute steal, price-wise!), head to Graziella’s. With five other great eaters, we enjoyed arancini and a pizza Margherita as appetizers, followed by the fennel salad, chicken parm, smoked rigatoni with spicy meatballs, lasagna, and the most delightful gorgonzola and pear pasta purses. Go there with people you love, stat!
— Isabelle Andrews, Director of Technical Product
For an awesome date night spot…
… head to Bunny, a cozy Turkish restaurant in Bed-Stuy with an intimate listening bar-inspired vibe. The night we went, we had their garlicky labneh, bitter sweet salad, currywurst, and su borek. My overall favorite was the labneh, but a real highlight of the meal was the bartender’s wine recommendations. You can make a reservation by DM-ing them on Instagram, but I’d recommend walking in, knowing you might have to wait up to an hour, and killing time at Bad Luck Bar across the street.
— John Long, Product Manager
Chef Alvin made our visit truly exceptional…
… at Sushi Saikou, an absolute gem in NoHo. His attention to detail is unmatched — every dish was crafted with such precision and passion. Beyond his culinary skill, chef Alvin’s charisma and warmth added a personal touch to our evening. He even went the extra mile to convert a skeptical family member into a true uni lover! Highly recommend for anyone seeking a sushi omakase experience.
— Max Berney, Lead User Researcher
A very happy anniversary to…
… Café Carmellini, which has officially been open for one year, and I truly don’t know a world before it. I took an old friend who was visiting New York for dinner and we shared the oysters (each topped with a ball of green apple ice) and the Italian chicory salad (very light and bright). I selfishly enjoyed the duck tortellini on my own and reluctantly offered one bite. It was special, yummy, and good.
— Hannah Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Marketing
On a Friday night…
… I went to Phoenix Palace with a group of girls and we had so much fun. We tried the majority of the menu and loved every bite. My favorites were the olive yaotiew, the lobster sticky rice, and the baby bok choy salad, which rivals my favorite salad at their sister restaurant, Potluck Club. Pro tip: After dinner, walk a few blocks to Lai Rai wine bar for wine and ice cream.
— Isabelle Andrews, Director of Technical Product
This red-sauce Noho restaurant had been on my list for a while…
… and Tucci really hit the spot with their upscale classics. I highly recommend the chicken parm with smoked vodka sauce and the meatballs, which were some of the best I’ve had in the city. The baby artichokes were crispy and delicious and we also loved the Caesar salad (who doesn’t?), the kimchi lasagna, and the eggplant agnolotti. If you happen to have room for dessert, the tiramisu is an excellent choice.
— Lindsey Block, Product Designer
Here to say that it is possible…
… to walk into 4 Charles on a Saturday at 4 p.m. with no wait! Definitely a “order-multiple-dishes and share-with-the-group” type of restaurant. The ambience is great and we got the burger, the French dip, prime rib, and the coconut cake for dessert, which was fantastic.
— Dan Snitzer, Card Membership Marketing & Programming
This is definitely not a surprise pick…
… but I wasn’t sure what to expect from this very much-hyped Italian spot. We managed to snatch a Tuesday night reservation at Don Angie, and expectations were more than met, with the buffalo milk caramelle with black sesame and kumquat as the standout. The chrysanthemum salad, the spicy cantaloupe with coppa, and the tiramisu were great, too.
— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager
I finally got around to trying…
… Kyu in Nolita and had such an awesome meal. The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for date night or a special meal with friends, and the menu feels special and fun.
My friends and I especially loved the tuna crispy rice (crunchy and flavorful), the burrata with bruléed oranges, and the baby back ribs, which were absolutely insane. I am not one to order ribs, but my friends insisted, and I truly would go back to Kyu for these alone. For those with a sweet tooth, we loved the dark chocolate s’mores cake. Everything is shareable and the overall vibe at Kyu is great — really a must try.
— Lindsey Block, Product Designer
Noëmie Carrant is Resy’s New York-based senior writer. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.
