To keep tabs on every New York bar and restaurant opening is folly. But to keep tabs on the most worthy? Yeoman’s work, and we’re proud to do it. Thus we present Table Stakes, a monthly rundown of the five (or so) must-know spots that have swung wide their doors in the past thirty (or so). Let’s get it.
Greenwich Steakhouse
West Village
You’re here for: The legendary Victor Chavez. The former Executive Chef at Smith & Wollensky’s just moved into a three-story Village townhouse.
You’re dining on: All of it. Every dish is guaranteed to induce audible moans. Highlights from the red- and white-meat-heavy include a three-pound Prime Dry Age Porterhouse with Bone Marrow Sauce, Double Cut Roast Lamb Chops, a Roasted Veal Chop and any and all selects from the raw bar.
62 Greenwich Avenue (map)
Website
Otway
Clinton Hill
You’re here because: You respect a group of talented women that butcher their meat in-house.
You’re dining on: Offal-focused dishes you’re likely not to find anywhere else. Think duck-heart skewers, fried tripe with a house sauce and squab with root vegetable tart and bird’s liver.
930 Fulton Street, Brooklyn (map)
Website
The Wooly Public
Financial District
You’re here because: When Death & Co. and Maison Premiere alums are in charge of a place’s contempo concoctions, we’re at the ready. Plus, it’s the closest any of us are getting to the iconic Woolworth penthouse.
You’re dining on: Forward-thinking indulgences like Peking Duck Tots and The Private Burger: dry-aged beef, applewood smoked cheddar, house B&B pickles, special sauce, lettuce and tomato on a sesame bun.
9 Barclay Street (map)
Website
Hanoi House
East Village
You’re here because: The Vietnamese fare is smart and so are you. While baby boomers might not be eating Pho, the rest of the world is diving right in.
You’re dining on: Family-style feasts with hits like classic Pho Bac with rare filet mignon and Cha Ca turmeric-scented white fish with dill and charred sweet onions, peanuts, sesame crackers, rice paper, ginger and tamarind dipping sauces.
119 St Mark’s Place (map)
Website
Lady’s
Fort Greene
You’re here because: You want a right good meal before hitting BAM or Barclays with your date.
You’re dining on: Honey butter pizza. We need not say more.
572 Fulton Street, Brooklyn (map)
Website
Ikinari Steak
East Village
You’re here because: You want excellent steak at a modest price and believe in standing desks. Indeed, aside from 10 seats, Ikinari is a stand-up place. As in: you literally stand.
You’re dining on: A slab of a ribeye, sirloin, filet or assorted steak cut and weighed in front of you and served sizzling.
90 East 10th Street (map)
Website
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