The NYC Reservations You’ll Want to Access in Winter 2023

As bona fide lovers of French cuisine Yorkers are quick to jump to conclusions about what to expect when a new bistro emerges. At Libertine, founders Cody Pruitt and chef Max Mackinnon have smashed any pre-conceived notions with a menu built for deep-cut Francophiles. Occupying a space that’s been standing for the last 150 years, the team is bringing old classics to life, accompanied by an exclusively French natural wine list.

The Vibe

A glimpse into bistro life in the 11th arrondissment of Paris on a historic West Village corner. Custom enameled tables, curated vintage posters, and red leather banquettes make this newcomer feel like it’s been here since the beginning.

Can’t Miss

While the succinct menu intentionally lacks steak frites, it counters with iconic and near-forgotten Gallic stunners such as of oeufs mayo with trout roe, gratinéed scallops in seaweed butter, and duck served two ways.

By the Way

Tack on one of the unique beverages to any course — be it the heady martini (at least nominally in the style of Dukes in London), the deep bench of Chartreuse cocktail, or a fortified dessert wine.

That New York is a tough pizza town is almost too obvious to say — a lot of competition and a lot of talent. And yet Leo continues to stand out, three years after its auspicious opening. This is the team from Ops, in much a similar vein: sourdough pies, naturally leaning wines, an excellent chopped salad. But the little differences add up.

Bonus: Leo is partnering with a French dream team of Paris’ Bistrot Paul Bert, Ha’s Dac Biet, and winemakers Les Valseuses for a series of special pop-ups in late November. Global Dining Access members get presale access: Book for Nov. 27, Nov. 28, or Nov. 29.

The Vibe

Perhaps a bit less overtly vibe-y than Ops (can you really top having cans of tomatos as tabletop pizza stands?) but cozy and with a terrific outdoor space, in one of the most see-and-be-seen corners of Williamsburg.

Can’t Miss

Those little differences? We’d start by mentioning a couple of standout pastas (don’t let a meal here pass you by without the cacio e pepe) and, crucially, a New York-style pie that you can pile with toppings. Because the even best pizza nerds don’t take themselves too seriously. Also a clam pie that has competition only in New Haven (and maybe at Lala’s).

By the Way

The Leo wine list remains, low key, one of the best in Brooklyn — and always getting better. The naturalish focus is on point here, with two tightly composed pages full of talented Old World producers. (And a few Ozzies, Americans, and the like.)

Steps from Washington Square Park — one of the city’s most recognized gathering places — sits Family Meal at Blue Hill. Evoking the communal spirit of the meal shared among restaurant staffers before or after a shift, the current evolution of Dan Barber’s Manhattan sibling features a menu-less roster of dishes that shift daily with the harvests. Expect a bounty of shared plates starring local products, a low-key approach that’s just the counterpoint to Barber’s Stone Barns.

The Vibe

The mood is genial and intimate and the restrained, low-lit décor lets the craft shine.

Can’t Miss

There’s no set menu, but depending on the week, you can expect hyper-local ingredients during their respective peak seasons — You have a couple weeks left to catch the sweet corn.

By the Way

A vast range of Blue Hill market items are conveniently shoppable online — including pantry staples, sundries, and exclusive tableware collections.

Reclaiming its post at its original intersection of Beaver and William Street, the venerated Delmonico’s is welcoming guests back for the first time since closing in 2020. Established in 1837, this institutional steakhouse has weathered storms of all variety — from Prohibition to financial crises to global pandemics. With renovated interiors, executive chef Eddie Hong continues to perfect the classics that defined Delmonico’s in its early days while introducing new icons.

The Vibe

White tablecloths, crushed velvet booths, and ample wood paneling give this steakhouse a sense of old-school New York opulence.

Can’t Miss

Overlooking the signature Delmonico’s 18-ounce rib-eye, a menu mainstay since 1850, would be criminally neglectful. Respect for tradition may also lure you to the Chicken a la Keene or the Baked Alaska, both rumored to be invented here.

By the Way

To give a sense of its influence on American culinary trends, Delmonico’s was the nation’s first fine-dining establishment as well as the first eatery to be categorized by the French name “Restaurant.”

Anyone with an ear to the ground of the New York dining scene has been quietly vibrating with anticipation for Bangkok Supper Club. The celebrated team behind Fish Cheeks brings their flair for authentic Thai flavors to a new West Village home, but this time playing on specialties from Thailand’s capital. All the dishes spun off chef Max Wittawat’s charcoal grill are meant to be shared among a lively crowd.

The Vibe

With the grill serving as the engine at the center of the restaurant, you’ll be instantly immersed in late-night Bangkok energy, with an upscale feel.

Can’t Miss

It’s early days so the menu is bound to evolve, but guests are already writing home about the pork jowl garlic rice and the massaman beef cheek curry.

By the Way

Bangkok Supper Club is the newest member of the family, but don’t lose sight of the first-born. Fish Cheeks is also a Global Dining Access partner and is well worth a (repeat) visit for Thai comfort foods that span a variety of regions. (Especially since BSC has quickly become one of the hottest tables in town.)

Led by award-winning industry vets GN Chan and Faye Chen, The Coop proves that there’s still innovation to be mined from a cocktail program. The back room of the Lower East Side imbibing hive serves up a full spectrum of dizzingly creative cocktails that should have no business working as a beverage, and yet suddenly, you’re ordering another…

The Vibe

A little moody. A little swanky. Inviting midcentury modern furnishing.

Can’t Miss

Look carefully, the cocktail menu could be confused for the dinner offerings. Head-turning options include the rum-based Japanese Cold Noodle and the Mango Sticky Rice. An accompanying nosh is always wise — order up a couple of the namesake titular chicken sandwiches.

By the Way

Before finding a more permanent parking spot on the LES, Double Chicken Please served food and drinks from the back of a 1977 VW minibus converted to a mobile bar.

Decades before omakase spots became as commonplace as the all-day café, the legendary Eiji Ichimura landed in New York eager to debut his special set of skills to skeptical New York diners. Flash forward 43 years (and countless hours refining his interpretation of edomae-style) chef Ichimura makes a final return to the city he won over. His latest 10-seat sushi counter creates an intimate and tranquil setting to enjoy 20 courses curated by a master.

The Vibe

The design details have been considered almost as much as the craft itself. Think 200-year-old ceramic plateware created by one of Japan’s most prominent contemporary ceramic artists, against the backdrop of a screen painting that dates back to the Edo period.

Can’t Miss

One of the signature perks at landing a spot at chef Ichimura’s counter is experiencing his housemade mochi rice cracker filled with Hokkaido bafun uni and Kaviari caviar, as well as the exclusive chilled Japanese tea list.

By the Way

If you’re wondering what it takes to become a sushi master, consider the fact that Ichimura tailors his painstaking process to each individual species of fish.

Nestled into a bustling Clinton Hill block, Place de Fêtes (named for a plaza in east Paris, even if the vibe can feel Iberian) weaves together all the details of a restaurant experience that make you want to book a standing weekly reservation. This European-style wine bar is the latest from the adept Oxalis team and boasts curated offerings that feature exceptionality in all forms — be it simply fermented small plates or a perfectly smoked whole fish.

The Vibe

A rustic brick interior adds a homey touch while pinpoint recommendations from the friendly staff take the pressure off navigating the robust (mostly Spanish) wine list.

Can’t Miss

Your best approach is to choose a couple of options from each section. The anchovies adorned only in olive oil and the sardine toast are both deceptively satisfying. For larger shares, consider the grilled beef shoulder.

By the Way

Snag a reservation on the earlier side to get a shot at ordering one of the chalkboard specials before they sell out.

Inspired by fresh seafood that defines the port city of Busan, the team behind Her Name is Han presents a new glimmering East Village jewel box. Ariari, translated to “pave your own way,” is a lovingly nostalgic endeavor that showcases a different side of Korean gastronomy.

The Vibe

Relaxed and intimate with a retro tinge. Settle into the cushy vinyl chairs and get to ordering.

Can’t Miss

Big appetites will be heftily rewarded here. The scallop gimbap invites you to delicately build up to a solid lineup of standouts, such as the hot stone bibimbap with fish roe and sea urchin cream or the lamb-stuffed fried pepper.

By the Way

If you’re looking around wondering why this place looks familiar, you might be absorbing the remnants of Oiji, the modern Korean trailblazer that occupied the space prior to Ariari’s arrival.