The New York Restaurants We Loved This Month

It’s my former home and still my favorite restaurant…

I was so happy to be back at St. Anselm after a fire shut them down last year, having a butcher’s steak at the bar. The menu is as strong as ever — I always love their kale Caesar, their orange and avocado salad, plus every single side you can image. The must-have is the sticky toffee cake à la mode; it’s pure heaven.

— Margo Valiante, Regional Sales Manager, New York

It feels like you’re in on a secret…

… dining at Alma. Nestled in a three-story restaurant in Red Hook — amazing rooftop with Manhattan skyline views included — Alma delivers big with bold Mexican dishes and knockout cocktails. We ordered carne asada, grilled camarones de la parrilla, and the half chicken with a rich, smoky mole negro, all of which were delicious. Their signature margaritas (citrusy and strong) hit the spot for a rooftop drink.

— Bill Lynch, Director of Data and Analytics

The pickled onion really sealed the deal…

… in the pull-apart meatball sliders at Stretch Pizza — tender and savory, they were a real hit. The cauliflower dish with hazelnuts and romesco was chef’s kiss, but the standout was the al pastor pizza — the slow-braised pork, salsa verde, and whipped pineapple ricotta made every bite bold and fun.

— Jessica DeGeorge, Restaurant Success Manager

There are far too many…

… “affordable” omakases in the city to count (if you can even call them that). But the one I trust the most with a special occasion is definitely Thirteen Water with its $75/person menu. It’s always consistent, inventive, and filling. My favorite bites remain the salmon tomato (don’t knock it till you try it) and the o-toro toro caviar. They recently opened a new location in Hudson Yards, which has a beautiful and intimate counter that’s perfect for date night.

— Harkirat Anand, Technical Product Manager

This is such an underrated spot in Greenpoint…

I’m talking about Gator, and on the scale of New York burgers, theirs should be ranked high — the cheeseburger with miso tempura mushroom and yuzu aioli was so unique and mouthwatering. Plus the skillet potato with labneh and marsala-caramelized onion were (delicious) flavor combos I’d never had before.

— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager

Just when I thought I’d tried the best burgers in New York…

… a newcomer arrived on the block. Soso’s (from the group behind The Tyger and Chinese Tuxedo) is serving up a salty, juicy, and decadent burger with a tangy sauce on a sweet, fluffy house-baked bun. Located on the south side of SoHo (hence “Soso’s”), the restaurant and bar is a funky, retro oasis decked out in wood walls, vibrant booths, and a colorful tiled floor, where the downtown city light shines through rainbow stained glass windows. It’s about as groovy as it gets.

Before diving into the burger, don’t pass up the wild mushroom skewers with soy caramel and yuzu kosho aioli. And you better push through that post-burger fullness to enjoy a Guinness sundae (chocolate ganache, brown sugar caramel, Guinness ice cream) that is both creamy and malty. Finished with their complimentary chocolate mints that come with the check (a lost art), this place leaves nothing to be desired — besides a return visit.

— Amy Schwartz, Restaurant Marketing Analyst

After walking past it many times…

… we finally tried Hellbender for date night, where we were greeted by a big jaguar in the window (a.k.a. Sabrina). The three-cheese empanada (with squash blossoms, salsa cruda, and Thai basil) was so big and so good, but the highlight of our meal was the heirloom bean salad (with roasted beets, salsa macha, pepitas, and watercress) — it was super surprising and had a great mixture of flavors. The service was great even though the restaurant was jam-packed — perhaps due to their recent review in the New York Times? We will be back!

— Linda Li, Chief of Staff, Resy Technology

I’m still dreaming about this meal…

Olle is definitely best with a group — portions are generous and you’ll want to try a few things. The star of the meal was the galbi-jjim, of course, which surpassed expectations. Don’t skip the fried rice add-on: When you get to the bottom of your galbi, a server comes to add a bowl of rice to the pot to make an à la minute galbi fried rice, tableside. There wasn’t a bad bite, though: we also had honguh jjim (skate in soy-garlic vinaigrette), gamjatang (spicy pork stew with potatoes), and the spicy braised pomfret, which was amazing.

Pro tip: If you do dine alone, there is a mini version of the galbi jjim served with a smaller portion of noodles (so smart!).

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer/Editor, Resy Editorial

A speakeasy hidden in plain sight…

… Bar Francis is a Clinton Hill gem. I was on crutches and desperate to leave the house, and it finally revealed itself to me, as though it’d lived in a parallel world for a couple of years.

They cater to everyone, but the cocktail names are always on point (they inspire a sense of reverie), and if you know spirits, they’re quite clever, too. Almost a month later, I’m still not over the Apricity — you could either look this word up or try the cocktail, but I recommend the latter, then the former. Their Big Ol’ Bag of Cuties drink speaks to the fun of peeling a mandarin, and is a gateway for the soon-to-be agave enthusiast. And I’m not sure why, but their snacks feel like you’re about to go down the shore — try the bay scallops with a deep-cut Gansett, the Summertime Citra Ale. It’s like going to the beach in the winter.

— Kelly O’Grady, Implementation Specialist

For a riveting 11-course meal…

… book the omakase experience at Kinjo in DUMBO. The sushi ranged from traditional to more modern and fusion-y, but each piece just packed layer upon layer of flavor. While everything was excellent, my favorites were the hotate (scallop, salt, lime), the miso cod (cod, miso, parsnip purée), and the koji duck (shredded duck, pineapple hoisin, shiso). Be sure not to miss the chocolate panna cotta topped with maple miso glaze. Cocktails — especially the shiso and peach highball — are also on point. At $95/person, it feels like an especially good deal for such a quality omakase.

— Michael Hart, Software Engineer at Tock

Just around the corner…

… from the perpetual crowds lining up for Joe’s Shanghai, you’ll see a covered alleyway that feels like a portal. Step in to escape the bustle of Chinatown, pass Nakaji on your right, and stop when you see the noren — those traditional Japanese fabric dividers — covering a modern-looking door. You’ve arrived at Kono, where a traditional yakitori omakase awaits. The juxtaposition of clean Japandi design against chef Atsushi Kono’s B-boy rap playlist creates the perfect ambiance as you try every part of the chicken you’re unfamiliar with — the chicken tail and belly were our favorites.

— Max Berney, Lead User Researcher

For a great summery cocktail…

… head to The Wooly and get the Strawberry Spritz Forever. I followed this with the house ricotta dip (with a perfect side of crisp baguette) and their “Private Burger” — local dry-aged beef from Pino’s, muenster cheese, and an iceberg rémoulade — it was perfectly cooked and the sauce was fantastic. It reminded me of a Big Mac in the best way possible; like a more sophisticated, older brother to the fast-food burger. Dessert was a giant chocolate chip cookie à la mode — the perfect comfort food and and a perfect end to a great meal.

— Jordan McKosky, Software Engineer

I don’t think I have ever gone out of my way…

… to visit Midtown, but that all changed with my recent dinner at Golden HOF. This Korean pub from the Golden Diner team gave me the most unique dining experience I’ve had in recent memory. Some of my favorite bites included the rosé rigatoni, the gochujang chicken wings, and the cream cheese soft serve. As chef-owner Sam Yoo told us, “If you’re looking for a place to drink, snack, and let loose, go to HOF.”

— Shane Gilligan, Sr. Strategic Partnerships Analyst

My only qualm with…

… Golden HOF is that I wish I’d gone with a bigger group. (To experience more of the menu, of course — I’ll be back!). That being said, what a cool and vibey restaurant — there’s art on the walls you could purchase if you wanted to. The food is also a lot of fun: the crispy chive and ikura pancake was crispy and memorable, the fried chicken is a must (we got the gochujang glaze but I fathom all are perfect), the rosé rigatoni was cooked so well, and the carbonara rice cakes were super unique and flavorful. Pro tip: make sure to save room for dessert — they have an incredible soft serve that was reminiscent of a creamsicle.

— Lindsey Block, Product Designer

It’s no surprise that…

… combining neon lights and a disco ball would create something special. But add fried chicken, one too many cocktails, and a mic? Cue Go Go Sing, Coqodaq’s new karaoke and snacks concept, which somehow feels like a speakeasy despite it being in the back of one of the most popular restaurants in town. It’s a scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs getaway from its much more poised lunch and dinner counterpart. We prepared for our performances of heavy-hitters (like “Shallow” and “Don’t Stop Believin’”) with The Egg: Grey Goose vodka with lychee poured over a sweet, icy “egg.” We then chased renditions of Wicked hits with some snacks (the nuggets are where it’s at). This is not your mother’s karaoke. And it’s what every weekend should feel like.

— Amy Schwartz, Restaurant Marketing Analyst

If you like fish…

… the crispy snapper rad prik is an absolute must from Thai Diner. The kitchen scores it in a way where you don’t have to look out for bones, and the snapper is perfectly fried while still tender. It’s also a little spicy, which I liked. I’m still thinking about it months later and I can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu.

— Alexa Harrison, Communications Manager

You’ll feel right at home…

… the moment you step into il Gigante, a charming new addition to Ridgewood’s restaurant scene. We were immediately greeted by one of the owners, and noticed how gorgeous the space is (it was formerly Porcelain, and a scene from “The Irishman” was filmed there!). They brought us their delicious focaccia to start and we had burrata with arugula and tomato, the cacio e pepe with bucatini, and the cotoletta alla Bolognese (breaded pork cutlets topped with prosciutto and a homemade parmigiano sauce). The tiramisu was delicious, and I can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu.

— Margo Valiante, Regional Sales Manager, New York

This is one standout dessert…

At Jeremy Salamon’s newest venture in Red Rook, Pitt’s, the pancake soufflé arrives at the table with a carafe of molten butter poured into its inflated core. But the less flashy pixie pie, with a tart citrus curd and saltine crust, should also not be ignored.

— Caryn Ganeles, Restaurant & Industry Content Manager

You don’t see much of it in New York…

… but I’ve always been fascinated with Scandinavian cuisine, and jumped at the chance to visit Hildur when it took over the old Gran Eléctrica space (IYKYK).

We did the brown bread service, which came with a delightful roe spread and cultured butter. For mains, we had the Swedish meatballs, which came with the classic lingonberries and puréed potatoes, and the half-roasted chicken — both were absolutely incredible. I should also mention that you must try one of their four martini options when visiting — I’d personally recommend the Vert, which was refreshing and flavorful (gin, Génépy, green apple shrub, mint). Sadly, they were out of the princess cake, but we will definitely be back to try it soon.

— Juliana Dutan, Sr. Business Enablement & Operations Manager

For a wonderful pre-theatre option…

… head to Sesamo in Hell’s Kitchen. As a solo diner, the hospitality was warm but not overwhelming. The food — modern Italian with Asian influences — was amazing across the board. I especially liked the tempura chicken parmesan with vodka sauce, Calabrian chile, mozzarella from Di Palo’s on Grand Street, and bucatini. They also have a thoughtful and well executed non-alcoholic beverage program.

— Robert DeFelice, Enablement Analyst

I finally went to…

… Francie in Williamsburg, and let me tell you, it was beyond worth the heftier price tag. Every bite was better than the last. My advice would be to go with at least three other people, so you can experience as much of the menu as possible.

We started with the Roman Army sourdough, which came with a sunflower spread and whipped lardo in the shape of a pig. We also got the English pea bomboloni, which was the perfect bite-sized app to start off our meal. The fusilloni with spring pesto was so good, I’d have eaten the sauce with a spoon if I could, and the tortelli with green garlic, morels, and fontina was incredible. We, of course, couldn’t miss the dry-aged crown of duck (first presented to you on a bed of flowers), which tasted incredible. Finally, to round things out, we ended with Francie’s adorable rubber duck dessert, the canard au citron, which was a lemony delight with a crunch. You have to go here ASAP.

— Lindsey Block, Product Designer

I absolutely loved…

… all of the small plates and seafood I tried at Theodora. The salt cod croquette special was a highlight, as was the red snapper ceviche and the octopus dish. I also can’t get over how beautiful the space is — especially when you’re seated in the back room under the skylights on a sunny evening.

— Amelia Lewis, Product Designer at Tock

A Resy team favorite that I had yet to try…

… Place des Fêtes did not disappoint. Besides the (unsurprisingly) stellar wine list, our meal was full of fun twists on classic dishes. Highlights include the sardine toast, the beets with bone marrow, the crispy maitake (this one kind of blew my mind), and the bone-in skate wing. Don’t skip dessert here: their seasonal choux and brown butter ice cream (probably the best ice cream I’ve had in a long time) was worth every bite.

— Adrien Gay-Bellile, Chief of Staff

It’s quickly become my go-to…

… for Thai food in Gramercy. I’ve eaten at Malii many times and always alternate between the pad see ew and the panang curry. But I truly believe you cannot go wrong with any of the dishes from their menu: The food is incredibly flavorful and the drinks complement the food perfectly.

— Isha Shrotriya, Product Services Analyst

If you want to pretend like you’ve taken yourself on a quick trip to Japan…

… head to Konban — it felt like an immersive experience the moment you stepped in, with its interior design and ornate ceramic plateware. The signature corn rib and mazemen were packed with flavor, and the ebi katsu and pork loin katsu were fried to perfection. Airy and crispy, I’d 10/10 recommend.

— Kou Pang, Product Marketing Manager

I recently discovered…

… Izakaya Juraku while strolling around the Lower East Side. I stopped in for lunch and had a fantastic experience. The Japanese dishes are great for sharing, and I loved their scallop and yakitori skewers. Best of all was their wide selection of Japanese beer. The service and timing of the dishes was perfect, and the whole experience felt like a true, traditional-yet-modern izakaya vibe.

— Gavin Maisel, Director of QA Engineering

Bonus: I celebrated my husband’s birthday…

… at Primo Waterfront in upstate New York with my family, and as always, the food, service, and atmosphere were excellent. Chef Ralph Bello surprised us with complimentary appetizers from his new tasting menu and even took the time to come out to chat with us. Our waiter, Nick, was incredibly attentive, treating us to free Champagne and a special birthday dessert for my husband. It was a fantastic experience.

— Monique Lewis, Executive Assistant

More New York staff picks, right this way.