November 3-16
The Restaurant Rec
Dirt Candy, because if you haven’t had the fall menu yet, you are missing out, plain and simple. Amanda Cohen and her team take on harvest season like few others do, and the way they twist and turn vegetables over the course of five delightful and eye-popping courses (we’re still thinking about that mushroom crêpe cake) is something else. So, toast to their incredibly well-deserved Michelin star, let yourself be taken care of by the lovely staff, and if you can swing it, book a chef’s counter seat to watch the chefs at play. You won’t regret it.
The Drink Proposal
The namesake cocktail at The Nines, a boozy mix of reposado Tequila, mezcal, yellow chartreuse, passion fruit, and yuzu, best sipped at the bar under the careful eye of the jacketed bartenders, a briny olive in hand, as the live pianist bangs out the Peanuts theme, if you’re so lucky. (Can’t seem to get a Resy? Here’s how to get in.)
The Event Invite
It’s giving season, and if you’re looking to dine for a great cause, look no further than Cool World on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The Greenpoint brasserie will be cooking a one-night-only, three-course prix-fixe benefitting Food with Fam — a hyperlocal org that fights food insecurity in New York. Come for the $75 ticket at 5:30 p.m. or the heftier $150 ticket at 8 p.m. — both will offer the same menu, with the latter including an extra welcome cocktail and wine pairings. Save your spot.
The Takeout Move
It’s been a delight eating through the comforting New Mexican dishes of Santa Fe BK (read: this is the place to go for chile rellenos), but let’s not forget our first loves at Melissa Klein and John Watterberg’s cozy Williamsburg spot: the breakfast burritos, best grabbed on the go, and available every morning until 3 p.m.
The Birthday Parties
15 years in the industry is no small feat, and that’s the landmark a North Carolina standby has just achieved. We’re talking about Poole’s Diner in Raleigh, and on Nov. 15, chef and owner Ashley Christensen will be taking over her friends’ kitchen at Txikito in Chelsea for a $125 four-course feast of Poole’s iconic comfort foods. Get your tickets now and if you’re unfamiliar, know that they’re very famous for their macaroni au gratin (pic here).
Also, everyone go wish Oxalis a very happy birthday! Nico Russell’s excellent Prospect Heights gem turns four on Nov. 8, and though tickets have already sold out for their party (Notify away), now’s a great time to (re)visit and raise a glass — perhaps over their $150 carte-blanche menu, the $75 bar prix-fixe, or brunch, which is officially coming back on Nov. 27.
From The Tipline
Mark your calendars: Dame and Daily Provisions are combining mighty forces for a one-night dinner collab this Saturday, Nov. 5! Head to DP’s West Village location to try the fried fish sandwich and sticky toffee pudding cruller combo with a glass of wine. You may want to get in line before they open at 5 p.m. before they sell out.
October 20 – November 2
The Restaurant Rec
M. Wells, because we cannot think of a better hideaway on a chilly, autumn day. The reconverted garage digs are pretty cozy already, but it’s the kitchen that elates: smoked sturgeon chowder, heritage goat tagine, duck in a pumpkin, and perhaps the best onion soup in New York City (yes, truly) are but just a few of the excellent revamped bistro plates you’ll want to tuck into. Right this way.
Pro tip: And because it’s never too early to plan for Thanksgiving, note that M. Wells’ incredible tourtières (aka meat pies) will be coming back for the holidays, and they’re already available for pre-sale. You know what to do.
The Drink Proposal
The signature Sua Smash cocktail at East Village speakeasy 11 Tigers, because it’s pretty exceptional (think gin with yadong — a Thai herbal liqueur — green Chartreuse, muddled basil, lime, and chili). Heads up that the Japanese-Thai izakaya menu is very fun, too.
The Event Invite
There are still tickets left to what promises to be a stellar collaboration between two Thai superstars: Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon of Kalaya in Philadelphia is popping over at chef Hong Thaimee’s Greenwich Village restaurant, Thaimee Love, this Friday, Oct. 21 for a $120 nine-course Thai feast. Get your tickets before it’s too late (the second seating already sold out!).
Also on our radar: A Diwali brunch at Sona and a Filipino American Heritage Month feast at Essex Pearl on Oct. 23, a Diwali pop-up at Nura on Oct. 24, a seafood tasting at Clover Hill on Oct. 25, plus all of the Halloweekend events.
The Splurge
If you’re looking to celebrate and go all out, Tom Colicchio has you covered. His flagship restaurant, Craft, is currently offering an impeccable six-course menu of what’s best in season, and right now, that’s squash risotto studded with lavender granola and truffle, stuffed rabbit loin with pancetta and butter beans, and a rack of lamb, among other delights. $185/person for groups up to six.
The Takeout Move
The pancakes that have made Sunday in Brooklyn’s renown will soon be available to home cooks far and wide … Mark your calendars: Monday, Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m., a limited edition of the pancake mix with hazelnut praline is set to drop online.
From The Tipline
This just in: Upper East Side sushi destination Hiramasa is officially taking Resys for lunch! And in the Lower East Side, Anthony Mangieri is turning Una Pizza Napoletana into a proper Italian caffè on Saturday mornings (starting Nov. 5), featuring espresso, sweets, and more.
October 6-19
The Restaurant Rec
Fradei, because the excellent tasting menu spot as you know it is coming to an end. No, the restaurant isn’t closing, but its opening and defining chefs, Sam Schwarz and Robbie Cox, will be taking off. Your last chance to try their riveting $110 five-course menu is October 26. Book now or forever regret it.
The Drink Proposal
Oktoberfest is upon us, and Brooklyn’s ultimate biergartens are celebrating this weekend and next. Drop by either location of Black Forest (in Fort Greene and Cobble Hill) for a proper party, featuring a live German oompah band, costume and mug holding contests, an unlimited beer package (3 hours for $45), and more, the weekends of Oct. 7-8 and 14-15. Prost!
The Event Invite
You’re cordially invited to what may be the last barbecue of the year: Otis is throwing a Still Smokin’ event on Oct. 17, featuring pop-up chefs Tony Sousa and Conner Updegrave, who’ll be serving fun skewers straight off the binchotan grill. (The patio is heated, for those wondering.) Tickets here.
The Splurge
There’s nothing like a decadent Sunday Roast to finish off the week, and thankfully, Gus’s will soon provide. The new chop house is kicking off its traditional British feast this Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m., featuring roasts (lamb rump, beef prime rib, pork belly), seasonal vegetables, and a twist on Yorkshire pudding, too.
Plan Ahead
Perpetually packed hotspot Claud will be hosting its first-ever pop-up on Tuesday, Oct. 25! Resys are out now for the $150 collaborative eight-course dinner, featuring Los Angeles-based and rising star chef Miles Thompson. Save your spot.
From The Tipline
You heard it here first: Eastern European standby Tzarevna is completely rebranding and giving way to Yo+Shoku, a pop-up dining experience in the same space. The menu will take cues from the owners’ Ukrainian, Taiwanese, and Russian heritage, so get ready for borscht curry udon, maitake mushroom gratin, and more, starting on Oct. 20.
September 22 – October 5
The Restaurant Rec
Gus’s Chop House, because there’s nothing like expertly cooked, (relatively) affordable meats. This new venture from the team behind Popina reads more like a neighborhood gastropub than a glitzy steakhouse, and everyone who dines there is better for it. Get lost in the wine list (or order the twist on the Negroni if it’s still there), don’t overlook the chicken dripping in French onion jus, get the hashbrown and leeks “à la wedge,” and eat to your heart’s content.
The Drink Proposal
The Key Lime Pie cocktail at Double Chicken Please, because the team here never ceases to impress us. Their latest mind-bending drink (Bombay Sapphire, winter melon, and sweet cream, among others) is as creamy and tart as the dessert, so do give it a sip and thank us later.
If you’re looking for an excellent happy hour however, Sweetbriar’s got a Somm Select deal (Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the front lounge only), during which rotating reserve wine specials will be available by the glass and affordably priced (half-off pizzas included).
The Event Invite
Blue Smoke has been hosting pitmasters from all over the nation this month, and there are only two takeover nights left, so get booking (a regular Resy the night of will do). This Friday (9/23), it’s Ruben Santana of Bark Barbecue who’ll be offering a taste of his central Texas and Dominican style, while next week (9/30), you can hi to a local: Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats from Bed-Stuy. Menus here.
Otherwise, Rosh Hashanah is coming up soon and a host of Resy restaurants are ready to feed you: Kubeh has you covered with a $95 four-course menu on Sept. 25 and 26; Edith’s is throwing its first-ever celebratory dinner this Sunday with a $125 four-course affair; and Gertie is hosting a $65 family-style feast showcasing old recipes from the Jewish Food Society on Sept. 28.
The Splurge
If a 15-course tasting menu for $50 is hard to believe in New York City, you’re going to want to book Han Dynasty’s Oct. 3 event, stat. The Upper West Side location will be showcasing spice-laden Chinese banquet style dishes served family style at communal tables (unless you buy a full 10 tickets, that is) for one night only, so act quickly — tickets are selling out.
Plan Ahead
Anito Lo, the celebrated chef behind the cherished and shuttered Annisa, is heading to The Musket Room on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and she’s bringing her legendary foie gras soup dumplings with her. The $250 five-course collaborative menu will showcase Lo’s French and Asian cuisine style with a sake pairing to boot. Tickets here.
The Takeout Move
There are too many delicious treats you’re going to want to try at Lysée, the new pastry boutique from chef Eunji Lee of Jungsik fame. So, make a Resy for the sit-down café area (here’s a dish by dish look at some of her favorite pastries if you can’t make up your mind), and walk out with more sweets to-go than your stomach could possibly bear.
From The Tipline
Set your alarm for Tuesday, Sept. 27 at noon — Lord’s, the follow-up restaurant from the folks behind Dame, is dropping their Resys then, with the first bookable dates starting Monday, Oct. 3.
