The New York Restaurants We Loved in August

I had a fantastic meal…

… at La Tête d’Or. We started with the Caesar salad, the delicious New England mussels gratinées, and a beautiful hamachi crudo. All three dishes were excellent, and the way they prepared the Caesar table side was really fun; it allowed for some level of customization as well. For our entrées, we got the black truffle pasta (perfectly rich and well portioned), the filet, and the NY strip — just don’t skip the potato gratin, which was my favorite of the sides.

— Liz Vakil, Chief Product Officer

This place is always a treat…

… but is especially so in the summer, when Claud’s signature mille-feuille gets the tomato treatment. We also feasted on swordfish with corn and yellow wax beans, bavette steak drenched in an herby butter, and, of course, a perfect slice of chocolate cake.

— Alex Johnson, Senior Marketing Manager

I’m not proud to say…

… that I was caught red-handed at 9 p.m. on a Sunday night sweating from the summer heat and licking sauce off my plate. But Bong will do that to you. This pop-up turned brick-and-mortar packs a major punch into a small Crown Heights room: The flavors are as bold as the lime green walls that surround them.

We had the Cambo corn with a sauce made of sweet and salty coconut milk and scallion oil (the culprit of my plate-licking), before we moved on to other delicious bites. But nothing prepared me for Mama Kim’s lobster. The menu description said one word: “IYKYK.” Honestly, I still don’t know what made it so outstandingly delicious, but there was definitely a trifecta of chiles, ginger, and onion that didn’t hurt. The lobster sat regally perched on a bed of fresh rice that soaked up the juices. We ended with a sweet corn shortcake from 99 bakery, which was nothing short of a work of art.

I left the dinner with chile-smeared hands, coconut milk remnants in the corners of my mouth, sweat in places it shouldn’t be, and a reminder of the mountains a meal like that can move.

— Amy Schwartz, Senior Restaurant Marketing Analyst

I had a great dinner…

… at I Cavallini in Williamsburg. It’s one of those new spots that just gets it right, right away. The space feels low-key but thoughtful, like it’s been there forever in the best way. Food was on point across the board, but the standout for me was the panzanella salad with mussels — super fresh, kind of unexpected, and just really well done. Also, casually saw [co-owner] James Murphy at the bar, which made the whole thing feel even more exciting.

— Evan Stein, Regional Sales Director, NYC

My new favorite restaurant to recommend in Brooklyn…

… is Leland Eating and Drinking House, which exceeded all expectations. The freshness of the melon salad, the sheer comfort of the chicken jook, and the layers of flavor provided by capers, olives, tomatoes, and arugula within the yellowfin tuna puttanesca just made for a really fun and refreshing meal. The crème brûlée pie is absolutely not to be missed — that familiar crack of caramelized sugar atop velvety custard with the added texture of pie crust was the perfect conclusion to our meal.

— Spencer Tiedge, Global Dining Lead Financial Officer

For a perfect Greenpoint gem…

… head to Chez Ma Tante. We went for dinner and it was warm, welcoming, and unforgettable. The food — bright, thoughtful, and full of flavor — paired beautifully with their wine list. Standouts included the pig’s head terrine, the grilled tomato with haricots verts and pistachio pistou, the falafel with hummus and green harissa, and the pork shoulder with lentils and salsa verde. For dessert, the pistachio tart is a must — a savory-sweet dream. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

— Jessica DeGeorge, Partner Success Manager

Didn’t expect my favorite dish to be…

… the starting bite of our night at Gus’s: an incredibly dynamic and flavorful snack that was cucumber with melon. It was so unbelievably good and refreshing. But it also had so much depth of flavor and great texture thanks to some peanut dukkah — I also could’ve put their green goddess dressing on everything, too.

From there, my partner got their corn mezzelune, which was the ideal of a summer pasta (perfect for a warm, summer evening, without being too heavy), while I got the burger, which blew me away in its simplicity: just beef and pork, B&B pickles, onions, and Dijonnaise. I haven’t stopped thinking about it (nor their fries that came with it) since.

Pro tip: Gus’s happy hour is amazing — the burger and fries are $20, and their pastas are $15 (!).

— Dane Zunich, Business Operations & Enablement Manager

The perfect girl dinner on a Saturday night…

… takes place at St. Jardim. I loved the ambiance and the wine, the service was also amazing, and my favorite dish of the night was definitely the shrimp rice — it was creamy, not too heavy, and perfectly balanced with peas and bacon.

— Richa Mehra, Consumer Product Manager

Consider this is an ode to vegetarian sandwiches…

… or really, just an ode to Superiority Burger. In the stellar lineup that is their sandwich offerings, my group of three picked the collard greens on focaccia with sharp Cooper cheese (the sandwich I will order every single time), the TFT (in which tofu makes a terrific fried chicken impression), and the yuba verde (a spicy hoagie-like contraption filled with tofu skin — what can’t tofu do? — and broccoli rabe) — each so singularly tasty and mind-bending in its own way. And while we forwent the apps and went straight for the sandwiches, we obviously did not skip dessert — it’d be a sin to do while at SB (the gelato-sorbet combo never ever fails).

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

For a wonderful three-course prix-fixe…

… head to Gabriel Kreuther. The meal started with some complimentary amuse-bouches, which consisted of an oyster, a small cocktail, and other bite-sized starters, alongside some freshly baked bread and a flavorful dip. I’d picked the shrimp tartare as my appetizer, and the duck breast as a main (the latter was my favorite dish: the duck was cooked to perfection and boasted a unique smoky flavor). I had the pineapple cake for dessert and my wife, the chocolate tart soufflé, which was also a highlight — the chocolate was made in-house and the soufflé itself was rich, decadent, and unforgettable.

— Colton Lemmon, Senior Software Engineer

This place did not disappoint…

While of course the pastas at I Cavallini are delish, it was our first course that blew me away: culatello di zubello (a slow-cured Italian meat) served on top of pillowy fried gnocchi, and a chilled cucumber salad with fresh herbs. Just be sure to save room for their tiramisu.

— Jillian Zankowski, Senior Partner Success Manager

I’m sorry to say it…

… but Bungalow is worth the wait. The space is gorgeous and shockingly large for an otherwise crammed neighborhood. The drinks were amazing — get the Kaali Peeli Taix (Tequila with mango, lime, and toasted black sesame seed salt, among others), it was so good and refreshing. For food, I’d recommend the entire menu — in our case, we only got vegetarian dishes and were thrilled with them: stuffed paneer, white pea guguni, and adraki aloo gobhi (the best aloo gobhi I’ve ever had) — and don’t get me started on the five cheese kulcha. I wanted to order a second round but I was already too full and couldn’t rally. Chef-owner Vikas Khanna was so nice; he was walking around saying hi to people and thanking them for coming. And very importantly, the playlist was banger after bang with lots of Bollywood hits — I Shazamed songs multiple times.

— Liora Fishman, Senior Email Marketing Manager

Even at 6:30 p.m. on a weeknight…

… Raf’s was buzzing. It was my first time there, and two of my favorite dishes were the fennel salad, which was topped with peaches and pistachios, and the leeks vinaigrette, a perfect take on the classic French dish. I’m excited to sit at the bar and try their burger next time I go.

— Josephine Shapiro, Senior Global Dining Strategy Manager

After laughing until our cheeks hurt…

… with Taylor Tomlinson at the Beacon, we headed into the magic of Pastis for a late dinner that transported us straight into old New York. The energy of the restaurant was electric — buzzing with conversation, clinking glasses, and the timeless hum of a well-loved brasserie. Our server Samantha welcomed us with warm, thoughtful hospitality that made the night feel even more special. We indulged in a lineup of French classics: buttery escargots, silky steak tartare, and rich bœuf bourguignon. The lobster frites were decadent and perfectly crisped, and for dessert, we shared the profiteroles and crème brûlée — pure joy in every bite. It was a quintessential New York evening: comedy, charm, and cuisine done just right.

— Lacey Larson, Head of Revenue Operations & Enablement

In my (made-up) restaurant dictionary…

… the definition of “innovative” is one word: Bridges. The eccentricity of their menu takes guts, but they do it in style: We loved the cured tuna with dates and spring onion (who knew tuna and dates could complement each other so well?), the Comté tart with tomatoes and currants, and the grilled sole with clams and rice. With a Cosmo in hand for every course, I sat back, watched the creativity in action, and enjoyed every minute of it.

— Amy Schwartz, Senior Restaurant Marketing Analyst

It’s hard to beat…

… the cozy, dimly lit, and comforting ambiance that every meal at I Sodi comes with. It was a perfect meal, thanks to an incredible faro salad, a tuna dish with cannellini beans in extra virgin olive oil, their famous lasagna, and pesto spaghetti, all paired it with a glass of wine.

— Ellen DiBona, Partner Success Manager

I’m already plotting my next meal…

… at Smithereens after an incredible first visit. The buckwheat pancake with smoked blue fish was a perfect mix of sweet and savory. Pro tip: Be sure to order whatever’s on special and save room for dessert. Smithereens has arguably some of the most interesting desserts in the city right now, like their candied seaweed and licorice mille-feuille and a seasonal donut.

— Alex Larson, GTM & Strategic Initiatives Manager

Loved, loved, loved…

… Theodora. We had the perfect seat right at the counter in the heart of the open kitchen and totally felt part of the action. The staff was warm and engaging, and every dish was a hit. Highlights included the heirloom tomato carpaccio, the sourdough toast with ricotta and brown butter, the black cod with a miso beurre blanc, and the seeded laffa with a smoky eggplant dip. It’s a fresh and seasonal menu, with a cool and trendy vibe — don’t miss out!

— Jessica DeGeorge, Partner Success Manager

This place absolutely rewards those who stick out its long lines…

With a little bit of patience and good company, you’ll step into Tomi Jazz, a wonderful, dimly lit hideaway full of knickknacks, buzzing chatter, and amazing jazz music. Start off with a couple of the croquettes and definitely make sure you get the cod roe udon (it is to die for). Depending on how the night’s music makes you feel, go with a Calpico soda float or The Clever, an earl grey cocktail. It’s a great, lively gem to spend your night.

— Emily Gao, Product Management Intern

What Annie Shi has created…

… at Lei is truly something special — I’ve never been anywhere else like it. We loved everything we ordered, from the chilled celtuce with shallots and red vinegar to the play on Spanish tortilla (a Chinese omelet with aged white jade radish and scallion oil). After only one visit, my meal at Lei has already made it into my top favorite meals of the year.

— Alex Larson, GTM & Strategic Initiatives Manager

The standout dish…

… of our meal at Comal was definitely the mil hojas potato with hoja santa and salsa macha, which was so flaky and delicious. Other highlights were the comal rice (which rotates with the seasons) and the excellent soft serve. Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu mezcalita.

— Richa Mehra, Consumer Product Manager

For a warm, intimate dining experience…

… with gracious service and a well-curated, seasonal menu, head to Claud. Highlights included the squash blossoms, a beautifully cooked pork chop, and an elegant mille-feuille. Of course, the devil’s food cake was a standout, rich with more than a touch of salt that added balance. Every detail, from the food to the atmosphere, felt carefully considered.

— David Gold, Senior Partner Success Manager

A long holiday weekend has many perks…

… including the exodus of NYC locals, meaning you’ve got a much better chance of walking into some of the city’s hardest-to-book restaurants. Such luck got me a table at Tatiana, and boy, was it a treat.

Even the wait was a pleasant experience — the crowd was energetic, the lovely staff served us iced hibiscus tea as we waited out in the heat, and the general manager was incredibly friendly; she met every hopeful diner with a smile, committed to do her best to get us seated.

When the food started rolling in, each dish was better than the next. The cornbread and smoked jerk cod came with a warm buttermilk soubise that perfectly offset the spicy seasoning. The hamachi escovitch was one of the most surprising and refreshing bites, perfect for a summer evening. The new kathi roll was so flavorful; the famous suya was a generous portion of tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat; and a single bite of the takeout mushrooms — served with scallion pancakes, a plum sauce, and ginger — was an explosion of flavors and textures that was satisfying in a lick-your-fingers kind of way. Finally, the nostalgic and decadent cosmic brownie with a donut ice cream closed out the meal on the sweetest of notes.

Everything we ate will live rent-free in my head for a long time, and the service was exquisite on top of it all. Tatiana absolutely lives up to the hype and I am counting down the days until I’m lucky enough to dine here again.

— Hillary Dheri, Director of Global Dining Strategy

Bonus: It’s easily one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time…

Nestled right in the heart of lively Grove Street in Jersey City, Kat Khao is a new Vietnamese Japanese fusion spot that completely blew us away. We started with the vegan summer roll, which was a beautifully balanced mix of perfectly seasoned and layered vegetables with crispy taro chips. Then came the unshaken beef, seared just right and served with a rich, peppery gravy that brought everything together. But the real showstopper? The crab garlic noodles, which were cooked to absolute perfection and just bursting with flavor. I seriously can’t wait to go back and work my way through the entire menu.

— Kou Pang, Senior Product Marketing Manager

More New York staff picks, right this way.

Noëmie Carrant is Resy’s New York-based senior writer and editor. Some of her other favorite meals this month included a perfect BLT from Edith’s Sandwich Counter, next-level mushroom tacos and lamb neck birria from an A TÍ pop-up, and a hot dog paired with ice-cold Vespers from Chateau Royale. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.