The New York Restaurants We Loved in January

Remember being a kid at a friend’s house…

… and realizing their pantry had all the treats your healthy parents didn’t? I’m talking Twinkies, Hostess Cakes, and Devil Dogs, of course. That’s exactly what it feels like when your fork meets the devil’s food cake at Claud. It’s nostalgic in all the best ways: deeply chocolatey, a little mischievous, and far more elegant than anything wrapped in plastic ever dreamed of being. It taps straight into that childhood thrill, then upgrades it with the grown-up glow-up that only the Claud/Penny team could pull off — ideally with a very adult glass of something alongside.

— Amy Schwartz, Senior Restaurant Marketing Analyst

This is a PSA announcement…

… that you should book a Sunday dinner at Ilis (the wood-fired restaurant from Noma cofounder Mads Refslund) stat: the kitchen is offering a $65 three-course dinner on only two Sundays this month, and I don’t think I’ve had this much fun eating a rotisserie chicken ever? No spoilers, just go ahead and book while there are still plenty of Resys left.

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

The perfect cocktail is…

… The Dead Rabbit’s Irish coffee. No other Irish Coffee comes close. It’s the perfect blend, with a fresh layer of cool cream and fragrant, freshly grated nutmeg on top. You can’t really go wrong with any of their drinks, but what sets The Dead Rabbit apart is that their food and ambiance is also unmatched — their turkey pot pie and shepherd’s pie make for the best cozy winter meal. Just don’t forget to have a Scotch egg to start.

— Kevin Chapin, Senior Partnerships Manager

It’s one of those New York institutions that always feels right…

Balthazar is great for an early dinner that feels special with their signature red leather banquettes, warm brass glow, and a dining room that hums with conversation. We started with the Bibb lettuce salad (simple, crisp, and dressed but not too dressed) and croquettes before ordering our usual go-tos: the steak frites and the chef’s cheeseburger. The vibe was lively and the ambiance festive, and the service hit the sweet spot of super attentive and genuinely friendly.

— Bill Lynch, Data Director

Sometimes your next great meal is hidden in plain sight…

That’s exactly the case with Hasaki: a chic, below-street-level sushi escape with warm lighting and bumping music. The nigiri premium set is the move: generous cuts of fish and a melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna scallion roll that almost feels like dessert. It’s the sort of sushi experience that makes you feel plugged in, like you’ve unlocked something others are still walking right past.

— Amy Schwartz, Senior Restaurant Marketing Analyst

I’m so glad to have finally made it…

… to Agi’s Counter for brunch; the space is so cute and charming, and the staff are so lovely and welcoming. The deviled eggs with anchovies made for a perfect snack to start the meal, and everything after that was just delicious. I’ve never been a fan of tuna melts, but I’m a convert now (for Agi’s version, at least). I can’t wait to go back for dinner to try the rest of the menu. Pro tip: Do not leave without trying the cheesecake, it is absolutely worth the hype.

— Amelia Lewis, Senior Product Designer

Love it when I find…

… amazing Resy restaurants that are in my neighborhood. Enter Mayahuel in Astoria, where I started with their sizable (and quite potent) Mictlan en Llamas cocktail, a nice prickly pear-based drink. My friend and I tried the prawns zarandeados and tuna tartare to start and both were great — the crispy sweet potato strips on top of the tuna tartare added a nice texture and a pop of sweetness. I ordered the carne asada made with skirt steak as a main and it was so good; bonus points that it comes with homemade blue corn tortillas. I definitely want to try their enchiladas Suizas next.

— Alexa Harrison, Communications Manager

For a side of storytelling with your meal…

… head to Junoon. Their “Journey Through India” tasting menu included a map that highlighted the regions the courses represented. There was an incredible gunpowder uttapam, rich in spices; a perfectly balanced goat galouti kebab, which was my favorite dish; and a deliciously spicy (but manageable) ghost pepper curry. Pro tip: Don’t worry about portioning the naan, they’ll bring more!

— Colton Lemmon, Senior Mobile Engineer

This place never misses…

… when it comes to good sashimi close to home (if you live in or near Prospect Heights, that is). When at Ozakaya, I tend to go for the chirashi but always keep a close eye on their specials — if you see it on the menu, treat yourself to the donburi set and ball out on the crab or uni add-ons!

— Kat Hsu, Senior Product Manager

I dined with Resy friends past and present…

… at Narkara and was really impressed by the creativity and warm hospitality at the restaurant. This isn’t traditional Thai food in any way, but they take the foundations of Thai cuisine and craft it in novel, innovative ways that really surprise and delight.

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

I had a proper solo feast…

… at Kings Co Imperial — I couldn’t help but get all of the must-haves, like the angry pig fried rice, their cold sesame noodles, the crispy garlic chick, some dry-fried long beans, and the wok-seared long dumplings. Everything was so delicious. My favorite are the very simple long beans, paired with pickled vegetables and ground pork; they hit every time. Bonus: Since I ordered for a small army, I got to enjoy leftovers for several days (and nothing beats that on a snow day).

— Kaisa Talaga, Senior Experiential Manager

I never knew I needed…

… flaky sea salt on my tiramisu until I was knee-deep in a shared bottled of wine at I Cavallini, stuffed to the brim, and came face to face with exactly that. With its much-loved sister restaurant The Four Horsemen just across the street, the expectations were high, but the tiramisu and its pasta friends rose to the occasion. The menu is refined but approachable, as is the space that surrounds it. The team is taking over the block with standout food and drinks, and I may just have to move in now.

— Amy Schwartz, Senior Restaurant Marketing Analyst

One of my favorite veggie plates in town…

… can be found at Swoony’s: brussels sprouts in horseradish sauce. Just be sure to start with the spinach and artichoke dip and some potato croquettes, and don’t forget their famous burger. Swoony’s is perfect for a nice, cozy dinner that still feels casual.

— Sarah Slaton, Product Designer

This restaurant’s a sleeper hit in my opinion…

The Commerce Inn is not the most talked about spot — especially given the competition of West Village dining — but I think it’s an excellent restaurant. It’s tucked away from the Village’s busiest streets, has a cozy vibe, and the food — upscale farm-to-table — is just fantastic. I love their large selection of vegetables and meat, which always seems to be rotating depending on the season.

— Julia McAvoy, Dining Membership Marketing Director

It doesn’t change a thing…

… that Thirteen Water bumped their prices from $75 to $85: this is still one of the city’s downright-luxurious-at-this-price-point omakases. The menu is always changing, always trying something new, and somehow always leveling up. The pacing is tight, the energy is fun, and it still feels like one of those under-$100 gems you want to gatekeep … but absolutely shouldn’t.

— Max Berney, Director of User Experience Research

I had such a great dinner…

… at Café Maud in the East Village with some friends — it’s the perfect cozy spot to hole up in on such cold winter days. We especially loved their rhymers club salad (kind of similar to a Caesar), the whipped roasted eggplant, and the pesto rigatoni. Also, you can’t leave without dessert — the key lime pie was fantastic and I’d go back just for it alone. I’m really looking forward to checking out their brunch menu soon.

— Lindsey Block, Senior Product Designer

It’s consistently been one of my favorite restaurants…

… in NYC over the past few years. When at Mokyo, get the corn dumplings — they’re incredible and never get old — and the wagyu oxtail spring roll, the cauliflower with gochujang and raisin labneh, and the Berkshire rib, which also hit the spot.

— Shane Gilligan, Business Development & Product Partnerships Manager

We celebrated my husband’s birthday…

… at Lingo, and it was such a warm and memorable experience. The space felt cozy and intimate the moment we walked in, and every dish we ordered was beautifully executed: the miso black cod was buttery and rich, the potato mille-feuille was crispy, and the squash donabe rice was fragrant and perfectly balanced. Their signature beef pie had a homey, comforting vibe to it and their sticky toffee pudding is exactly how want to end a meal. To top it all off, our server surprised us with a complimentary banana sundae, which speaks volumes to the level of hospitality here. We absolutely loved our time here and will be coming back for more!

— Alexis Yam, Business Enablement & Operations Manager

For an amazing last-minute dinner with friends…

… Uva Next Door in the Upper East Side has you covered. The space has a cozy vibe and the menu offers a lot of variety, from pizza and pasta to different kinds of entrées — my friends and I loved the lamb ragù pappardelle and the butternut squash risotto.

— Chelsea Scoli, Senior Digital Product Operations Associate

For a great French bistro in Midtown East…

… head to Les Vagabonds Boucherie. I with a group of friends and the service was incredible, the vibes were cozy, and the wine list, very well curated. We shared and tried most of the menu between the five of us. Everything was fantastic, but the my personal favorite was the duck à l’orange. I’ll be back for sure.

— Ryan Holly, Director of Resy Support

Everything was so charming…

… at JR & Son. The whole place has this cool, old-school New York Italian vibe that feels natural, thoughtful, and really fun. The food was so tasty, too — we started with the bread service and arancini salad, then shared the paccheri with pork sausage and broccoli rabe, plus the chicken parm. Everything was super satisfying, and we finished with their sundae, which was honestly incredible — a must order.

— Jessica DeGeorge, Partner Success Manager

I had such a satisfying meal…

… at Noi Due Carne. The veal dumplings were flavor-packed and super tender, and the hummus bassar (with spiced ground merguez) was so rich and delicious. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection, the cavatelli short rib ragù was hearty and easy to love, and the chocolate soufflé was the perfect way to end the meal — warm, light, and not too sweet.

— Joshua Block, Hospitality Product Director

More New York staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.