5 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in NYC

Welcome to your weekend planner, where Eater editors recommend restaurants, cafes, and bars — whether they’re new and hot or the old standbys. As always, please let us know if you’d like to see something specific.

March 6

For wine, amaro, snacks, and vibes inspired by coastal Italy: I know I probably don’t need need to hand over a natural wine bar recommendation in 2020, but I still will for Pips. The wine list is broad and enviable, especially to those of us who don’t yet have a place like Pips close to home. There’s a big focus on Italian-style aperitifs too, like an amaro from Forthave that’s made right in Brooklyn. Among the best bites on the menu are the sunchokes with labneh, chicken liver with blackberries, scallops, and the octopus — coated in black garlic and radicchio. It’s A+ for a date, too. 129 Atlantic Ave, near Henry Street, Brooklyn Heights —Patty Diez, project manager

For a sandwich shop that imports European cheese: The stretch of Third Avenue between East 26th and East 27th streets seems to be eternally under construction, but hidden under all that scaffolding is one of the Flatiron District’s most special sandwich shops. The inside of Lamazou can look and feel a bit like your parent’s garage, cluttered with things that you didn’t know you were looking for but now can’t live without. It’s a place where you can buy affordable European cheeses, cured meat by the pound, and a memorable sandwich that brings the best of both of those worlds together on a hefty baguette. Lamazou has more than 20 sandwiches on its menu, but the Troubador — stacked with imported Spanish chorizo, manchego cheese, and hot red peppers — is a great place to start. 370 Third Avenue, near East 27th Street, Flatiron District — Luke Fortney, reporter

For an encyclopedic menu of mofongo: Sitting on a busy stretch of Saint Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights, La Casa del Mofongo doesn’t take its name lightly. The entrance is marked by a towering pilon — the tool used to mash plantains for the Puerto Rican dish —and the menu boasts nearly 30 different types of mofongo. The portion sizes are generous; a friend and I ended up with several takeaway containers after a meal of mofongo con longaniza, a spiced pork sausage, and arroz con pollo, or rice with chicken. But carve out extra time to sit, as the service was pretty slow. 1447 Saint Nicholas Avenue, between W. 182nd Street and W. 183rd Street, Washington Heights — Erika Adams, reporter

For one of Lower East Side’s best lamb burgers: What constitutes a romantic restaurant? Beats me, but Pietro Nolita pushes at least some of the buttons. It’s small and semi-subterranean, and unabashedly painted hot pink. The menu is compact, the cocktails flow freely, and the prices are restrained. Maybe that makes a good date spot. Pastas dominate the dinner menu, including homemade vegetarian ravioli and gnocchi with a short rib ragu. Go for lunch or brunch and enjoy one of the Lower East Side’s best lamb burgers. Either way, there’s a full bar with invented cocktails. 174 Elizabeth Street, between Kenmare and Spring streets, Lower East Side — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For brunch classics in a no-frills setting: Sometimes, all that’s needed to kickstart the weekend is a classic brunch with pancakes, eggs, biscuits, coffee, and cocktails. And for those occasions, East Harlem Bottling Co. is the place to be. This cozy, bare-bones gastropub serves up massive portions of food, and on a recent trip, I got eggs that were sandwiched in spicy jalapeno biscuits, a fried chicken sandwich served with a mountain of salty, crispy onion fries, and a giant, fluffy pancake that was the ideal sweet note to end the meal on. Seating here is split up between the bar and tables, and the turnover is pretty fast, so the wait won’t be long if there is one. 1711 Lexington Avenue, at East 107th Street, East Harlem — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

February 28

For craft beers without the craft bros: Acclaimed Williamsburg beer counter Beer Street used to be one of Brooklyn’s best first-date spots, with dim lighting, an impressive selection of harder-to-find craft beers, and an intimate bar that never got too loud. Now, the team has opened their sequel, an expanded big-deal beer hall in Prospect Heights that could go down as Brooklyn’s best second date spot. At Beer Street South, the team is still partnering with East Coast brewers like Suarez, Hill Farmstead, Threes Brewing, and Hudson Valley Brewery, but this time around they’ve also expanded their menu of craft ciders and wines. This reporter is still crossing his fingers for food, but for now, Chuko Ramen across the street will do the trick. 550 Vanderbilt Avenue, at Pacific Street, Prospect Heights — Luke Fortney, reporter

For top Thai food in a festive setting: Occupying the former space of Do Hwa, the pioneering Greenwich Village Korean restaurant, Top Thai Vintage has a festive, Thai-village decor, including some charming wooden booths, and a menu that covers the most popular Siamese recipes. The food is all halal, so there’s no pork, but there’s a full bar. A couple of favorite selections on a first visit included a tart duck salad with pineapple, cashews, and baby plum tomatoes; and a version of the creamy Chiang Mai soup khao soi, with pickled mustard and chile paste on the side. 55 Carmine Street, between Bedford Street and Seventh Avenue South, Greenwich Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For tamales in small yet handsome premises: The East Village branch of Lower East Side mainstay Factory Tamal, which opened three years ago, is finally up and operating in a handsome but still small premises, beginning at 8 a.m. every day but Sunday, when it opens at 9 a.m. Early morning is just when I want a tamal from a list that runs from the classic (chicken mole poblano) to the quirky (bacon and cheese). If lunchtime has rolled around, check out the meal-size salads, Mexican tortas, or Italian panini, washed down with a mug of grandma’s cocoa. And the admirable breakfast sandwiches are available until the place closes at 7 p.m. 63 E 4th Street, between Second and Third Avenues, East Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For generous portions of French-African fare: On a recent trip to Ponty Bistro, a spacious, stylish restaurant in Harlem, I thought an appetizer and main would be just the right amount of food I needed after a day of mostly not-eating. I was so wrong. The escargot came out first: tiny, glistening, piping-hot pieces of meat poking out of mini, salty pools of of butter and minced garlic. That paired with pillow-y soft bread rolls with just the slightest crunch on the outside was enough to fill me up, but I kept going. A lobster BLT followed served with a massive portion of thinly-cut sweet potato fries. Fleshy chunks of lobster fell out from the soft brioche bun as I took a first bite, and that paired with the crispy bacon made me go back for a few more. Overstuffed, I bagged the rest for home, eagerly awaiting my midnight snack. 2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, at West 139th Street, Harlem — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For a little slice of Montreal: Ten years in and the original location of Mile End Deli in Boerum Hill — which recently underwent an expansion of the space — is still a lovely place to hang out on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I squeezed in at the end of the bar during lunchtime last weekend, picked up the menu, and instantly felt like I had been sucked into a loud, bustling Jewish deli in Montreal, given the wide variety of poutines, smoked meat, and array of bagels slamming down on plates around me. The service was brief and a bit frantic and the eggs scrambled with smoked salmon and a side of rye bread were fantastic, but next time, I’m headed straight for the smoked meat poutine. 97 Hoyt Street, at Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill — Erika Adams, reporter

February 21

For damn good Sichuan food: An offshoot of an excellent, now-defunct Sichuan restaurant in Little Neck, Queens (one of the city’s newest Chinatowns), the Upper West Side branch of Grain House mounts a smaller menu with fewer big-ticket items and more food from other provinces, but it’s still a damn good Sichuan restaurant, even by Flushing standards. Recommendations include sour string beans with minced pork, a particularly lively ma po tofu, triple pepper chicken, and, from the northern Sichuan city of Yibin, burning noodles. Running to 27 selections, the noodles are dependable and inexpensive. 929 Amsterdam Avenue, between 105th and 106th streets, Upper West Side — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For regional Mexican food from the state of Jalisco: Regional Mexican food is having a moment in New York City right now. One of the best places for a rotating list of regional hits is Calaca, a Bed-Stuy hole in the wall where the guacamole is small but mighty and the hosts might say, “It’s good to see you again,” on your first visit. This Mexican restaurant off of Franklin Avenue serves some memorable tuna tostada, but the star of the menu on my last visit was the restaurant’s torta ahogada: a salsa-soaked cochinita sandwich that’s common in the state of Jalisco, but rarely found elsewhere. It’s best when paired with a michelada and the one at Calaca is among the few in the city that come with a tamarind straw. 139 Putnam Avenue, near Franklin Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant — Luke Fortney, reporter

For a fast food meets sit down Sicilian place: In Sicilian, Amuni means “hurry up,” making playful reference to the nature of this new Bay Ridge restaurant as a sit-down place that also might be categorized as fast food. It channels Palermo focaccerias with its emphasis on sandwiches, salads, and snacks, but there’s also a list of baked pastas filled with things like ground meat and baby peas. One favorite on a first visit was the abundant basket of battered and fried artichokes; another was a muffuletta sandwich, first invented a century ago by Sicilians who had emigrated to New Orleans. 7217 Third Avenue, between 72nd and 73rd streets, Bay Ridge — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For an abundance of dulce de leche-filled sweets: The seating at one of Harlem’s newest entrants is limited: a row of half a dozen stools are lined up against a counter. But it’s just enough to enjoy the five different kinds of dulce de leche-filled cookies or alfajores that are available at Chilean bakery Dulceria. The quirky shapes and fun toppings — including one covered in powdered sugar — are just as pleasing to the eye as they are to taste, and on a recent visit I found it hard to stop at three. This charming bakery also has a vast selection of sweet pastries and savory sandwiches if the dulce de leche overwhelms — that certainly wasn’t the case for me. 2220 Frederick Douglas Boulevard, near West 120th Street, Harlem — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For impossibly creamy ice cream: The unseasonably warm weather on Presidents’ Day drew me in the door to Sunset Park ice cream shop Sweet Dynasty, and I’m already planning on making this a regular stop for summer treats. Stand-out ice cream flavors included a gently sweet, purple-hued taro ice cream, a nutty black sesame that’s a crowd-favorite, and a milk tea flavor that tasted exactly like milky tea. For my next visit, I’m going to take the shop owner’s recommendation and swirl the black sesame and chocolate flavors together in a milkshake — it has the exact flavor profile of a peanut butter cup. 5918 Fifth Avenue, between 59th and 60th Streets, Sunset Park — Erika Adams, reporter

February 14

For Balti-style cooking from the UK: This splendid Anglo-South Asian restaurant, right above where the L and G trains cross, offers the Balti cooking of the UK, which originated in Birmingham in the early 1970s. It represent an adaptation of fare from the Punjab, a region that straddles Pakistan and India, much of it cooked in a wok-like pan known as a balti. Though most of the menu at London Tandoori will be familiar, the dishes labeled “balti” are the ones to begin with, sweet with onions, with a little less sauce than is usual in northern Indian cooking. Also don’t miss the spicy potatoes called bomba aloo, and black pepper chicken, which ignites the mouth with black pepper rather than chiles. 524 Metropolitan Avenue, between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street, Williamsburg — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For fish roe pasta near Union Square: Far before nearly every hip neighborhood had multiple ambitious Italian restaurants, there was Basta Pasta. Opened in 1990 near Union Square, the restaurant bridged the cuisines of Japan and Italy, with pasta as the primary objective. It’s still open and thriving today, with compelling classics like a mildly sweet spaghetti riddled with fish roe and shiso and a gently spicy tomato-based tagliolini dish piled with soft crab meat. The space is unusual: Walk through the kitchen to get to dining room, where huge, emotionally wrenching paintings hang over simple white tablecloth-covered tables. It feels like a restaurant of a different era. 37 W. 17th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Union Square — Serena Dai, editor

For quality vegetarian Mexican food: From Sunset Park to Corona, Queens, one thing is clear: Much of New York City’s Mexican food is made with meat — but it doesn’t have to be. That’s the idea behind Brooklyn newcomer Boca Santa, a snug new Mexican restaurant that rolled into Bed-Stuy last year with an illuminated “TACOS” sign and a menu that’s mostly meat-free. Chef and owner Natalie Hernandez used to serve quesadillas out of Bed-Stuy dive bar Doris but transitioned to this full-service location in November, where the food has somehow gotten better while staying under $12 a plate. Start with the elote or guacamole and continue onward with Hernandez’s squash tacos topped with mole. BYOB 480 Madison Street, at Marcus Garvey Boulevard, Bedford-Stuyvesant — Luke Fortney, reporter

For good pastrami at reasonable prices: Named in honor of retired police sergeant Abe Katz, Sarge’s Deli was founded in 1964. It’s the rare Murray Hill restaurant open 24 hours, and offers the usual panoply of Jewish deli specialties, including good pastrami at reasonable prices piled higher on the sandwich than at perhaps any other deli in town. It’s also one of the few remaining delis where unlimited pickles and creamy cole slaw are provided in receptacles right on the table. 58 Third Avenue, between 36th and 37th streets, Murray Hill — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For Georgian food in an upscale setting: Georgian food, particularly khachapuri — the boat-shaped cheesy bread dish — has skyrocketed in popularity in NYC over the last few years. Chama Mama, is a newish entry, and it also serves some of the best Georgian food I’ve had in the city, all set in a stylish, modern restaurant. Penovani khachapuri is another version of the cheesy bread except that it’s made with puff pastry, and the flaky texture complements the gooey cheese. The megruli kharsho is a rich, orangish dish with a walnut sauce, tender pieces of beef, and grits that are grilled to take the shape of a piece of bread. Also good is the multi-layered honey cake that oozes dulce de leche, and the large collection of semi-sweet Georgian wines pair well with almost anything on the menu. 149 W. 14th Street, near Seventh Avenue, Chelsea — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

February 7

For homestyle Paraguayan fare: The empanadas filled with ground beef or cheese, either baked or fried, at El Diez — a Paraguayan combination bakery, restaurant, and pizzeria — are worth ordering. So, too is the Italian-South American food like gnocchi with tomato sauce, which is also inexpensive. But the most stunning choices on the menu are found in the homestyle section, things like sopa Paraguaya. It’s not a soup, as the name would imply, but a bouncy and cheesy cornbread that chews like dense and savory flan. Surprising and satisfying. 53-76 65th Place, near 53rd Drive, Maspeth — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For skewers and sake on the LES: Walk straight to the back of this restaurant and through the door that says “Do Not Enter” — which hides a tiny drinking den filled with rock-n-roll paraphernalia. Called Ronin Stones, this speakeasy is filled with posters, records, and TV’s playing old Soul Train videos. It feels like a music nerd’s basement, and indeed, most of the decor comes from owner Gaku Shibata’s personal collection. It’s a cozy setting for sake and yakitori; a selection of five skewers goes for $32. 69A Clinton Street, between Stanton and Rivington Streets, LES — Serena Dai, editor

For spicy Malaysian food: The menu at unassuming Greenwich Village restaurant Rasa stretches to pan-Southeast Asian specialities, but the Malaysian food is the way to go here. An appetizer called the Malaysian combo is a solid introduction with items like the murtabak, a stuffed pancake; some curry puffs with tender and spicy potatoes; and pulut panggang, sticky rice with salty dried shrimp that comes wrapped in a banana leaf. Beyond that, the tingly sambal entree with shrimp, and the saucy and mild Malay hokkien mee, a thick noodle dish with broccoli, won’t disappoint either. 25 W. 8th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Greenwich Village — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For a large variety of Lebanese bites: One of the latest places along Greenwich Village’s MacDougal Street Green is Feb 30, named after a Beirut restaurant famous for its oddball decor. At the heart of the menu are chicken shawarma roll-ups, but hummus and falafel are other wrap options, along with bowls and “shakers” — like snack-size bowls. Finally, shawarma burgers feature the same shawarma on a hamburger bun, optionally slathered with the garlic sauce called toum. 110 MacDougal St, between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane, Greenwich Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For a bakery that sells cake trimmings by the box: The snug, family-owned Abu’s Homestyle Bakery lines its glass display cases each morning with homemade cakes, cookies, breads, and whatever else is available that day — but those aren’t the things that made this Bed-Stuy bakery neighborhood-famous. Abu’s is one of the few places left where bean pies, a traditional staple for the Nation of Islam, are still available. Grab a few of the navy bean variety ($2 each), along with an overloaded box of their red velvet cake trimmings ($3), which is exactly what it sounds like and somehow tastes even better. 1184 Fulton Street, at Bedford Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant — Luke Fortney, reporter

January 31

For Georgian food classics in a charming setting: Add this elegant spot on a side street in Brighton Beach to your list of Georgian restaurants in that neighborhood, and this may be the best. The lighting is subdued, the napery dark red, and the walls of sound absorbing brick, making Georgian House a fine place for thoughtful conversation or even a date. The nut-and-pomegranate-heavy cuisine is well rendered, with modern tossed salads added in; you can’t beat standards like chicken tabaka and charcoal grilled kebabs. And the khachapuri run to five varieties; the stuffed breads are served hot out of the oven. 129 Brighton Beach 1st Street, near Brighton Beach Avenue, Brighton Beach — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For steaming hot dumplings: The juicy boiled dumplings of Lan Zhou come in orders of eight for $4, and just the right amount of food for a solo dining snack. Service at the spacious and barebones restaurant is brusque, but the dumplings arrive hot and steaming. The knife cut noodles are also worth the extra 50 cents that the restaurant charges for them. 40 Bowery, between Canal and Bayard streets, Chinatown — Serena Dai, editor

For satisfying noodle soups: You’ll be glad to find your way into Raan Kway Teow, a little Thai restaurant in Jackson Heights/Elmhurst named after its thin noodles, kway teow: Glad because it’s a bit hard to find (the entrance is on 78th Street even though the address is on Jackson) and because those noodles are light and chewy, swimming in rich broths like hot and spicy tom yum or beef num tok that’s dark brown and smells like cinnamon. Most soups also come garnished with fried pork skins and a puffy meatball floating around in there for good measure. I’d get in, too, if I could fit. 78-14 Roosevelt Ave., on 78th Street, Elmhurst — Caleb Pershan, contributing reporter

For a comprehensive South Indian menu: Located on the East Side just south of the Queensboro Bridge, Adyar Ananda Bhavan mounts one of the city’s most comprehensive menus of southern Indian fare on a strictly vegetarian menu. That means oodles of dosas, idlis and utthapams, but also many full-meal rice dishes such as bisi bele bath from Karnataka and Hyderabadi-style vegetable biryani. For those that like to graze, there are thalis representing several Indian regions, as well as a selection of northern Indian curries. 1071 First Ave, between 58th and 59th streets, Midtown East — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For eclectic food choices in stylish, comfy environs: While the menu at Ruby’s Vintage, in Harlem, might be all over the place — there are Mediterranean, Thai, and Italian dishes to choose from — it’s all very good. The basil curry chicken, a green curry, packs just the right amount of heat; the brussel sprouts with sweet chili sauce have a nice, charred texture, and the sesame seeds sprinkled on top add an extra crunch; the burger, served in a brioche bun with tomato jam and caramelized onions, is also good. The bar serves up some stellar cocktails: I particularly enjoyed the Jungle Bird, a tropical concoction with rum, pineapple juice, and campari. The stylish interiors and comfy seating — particularly the u-shaped banquette near the entrance — are an added bonus. 2340 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, at West 137th Street, Harlem — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

January 24

For hearty Middle Eastern and Jewish deli food under the same roof: This offshoot of David’s Brisket House right near the Grand stop on the L train makes great pastrami sandwiches in three sizes. But the well-browned brisket and gravy at Pastrami Masters is just as desirable; ask that the gravy be served on the side and pour it on the sandwich with each bite. But to be truthful, the Middle Eastern food that shares the menu is even better, from a miraculous mujadara that’s strictly vegetarian though you swear it tastes like meat, to a baba ganoush substantially better than any other in Williamsburg, to a chicken shawarma platter that provides enough food for two. An uncrowded dining room makes for a leisurely lunch or dinner. 812 Grand Street, between Bushwick Avenue and Humboldt Street, Williamsburg — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For duck carnitas at an affordable rate: It’s hard to tell from the sidewalk, but the taco truck hunkered down in the backyard of Chilo’s, in Bed-Stuy, is serving up some of Brooklyn’s tastiest braised duck carnitas — with a single taco brimming with the stuff. It costs $7 but packs a wallop, and though the cost might seem a bit much for a taco, it’s a deal compared to the famed $86 duck carnitas at Cosme. This off-menu item is served sometimes and not others, seemingly without rhyme or reason, so call ahead. Also good are the tacos de carnitas, cochinita, and duck if they have it. Skip the chorizo, $13 mezcal margarita, and Chilo’s hot sauce challenge. 323 Franklin Avenue, at Clifton Place, Bed-Stuy — Luke Fortney, reporter

For a seasonal mimosa and a pastry: Melissa Weller’s bagels are rightly famous at her West Village restaurant High Street on Hudson, but the whole experience at the restaurant warrants sitting down for a meal, too. Go for a bagel platter if that’s what the mood calls for, and believe it when the server says the seasonal mimosa — a spiced cranberry concoction that brings back some holiday spirit — is worth ordering. Do not leave without trying the grapefruit curd kouign-amann, a masterpiece of caramelized crunchy edges, spongey dough, and tart, creamy filling. 637 Hudson St., at Horatio Street, West Village — Serena Dai, editor

For reasonably-priced, family-style dining: The so-called family sharing platter is a great deal at Frangos with enough food for five or six at this new Alphabet City Portuguese chicken joint. Eighty bucks gets you two large whole chickens smeared with a choice of sauces, either in a piri-piri vein, a fruity mango sauce, an almost Greek lemon and herb, or garlic and herb, which tastes as spicy as the piri-piri. Then you also get 20 chicken wings and four sides from a roster of 11. The ones my friends and I particularly liked included spicy rice, jalapeno poppers, and grilled cauliflower. This place is a haven of hotness if you choose. 182 Avenue B, between 11th and 12th Streets, East Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For luscious, Swedish baked goods: If there’s one bakery I’ve returned to over and over again these past few months it’s Fabrique, the NYC outpost of the popular Swedish chain, located on 14th Street. I almost unfailingly get the cardamom bun here — there’s nothing like combination of the warming spice, and the crunchy, crystalized sugar at the bottom of the bun. But in all my visits, I’ve also discovered several other pastries that I would gladly return for, including the chokladbullar, a rich, gooey chocolate ball made of dark chocolate and nuts that’s rolled in coconut flakes; the raspberry bun, which features a moist yellow cake with a jammy center; and the blueberry bun — similar to the cardamom bun, but with blueberry and cinnamon. There’s always room to sit in this airy bakery, and it’s the perfect spot for some weekend reading. The best part, though, is that you can look into the kitchen in the back, gaze at the bakers doing their magic, and inhale the lovely smell of cardamom. 348 W. 14th Street, near Ninth Avenue, Meatpacking District — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

January 17

For fiery, soupy noodle dishes: Located among the new condo shopping centers springing up around Prince Street in Flushing, Taiwanese newcomer Four Four South Village excels at noodles, often in soups. The interior provides some very comfortable seating and, for what is basically a noodle parlor, a soupçon of elegance. Spicy beef and tendon soup is so spicy that the broth is fiery red, and the tendon comes in big hunks, utterly satisfying for the hot food addict. Other specialties include sesame oil chicken soup, pork knuckle rice, noodles with soybean paste, and side dishes (called “luwei”) that run to kelp knots, pig’s ear, and braised bean curd. 38-06 Prince Street, near 38th Avenue, Flushing — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For exciting yet homey Indian fare: Harlem’s Indian restaurant set within a two-story brownstone recently re-opened after an almost two-year renovation. The space at Chaiwali is largely unchanged: There’s plenty of seating both at the bar and at tables spread out over two floors, plus exposed brick walls, dark wood, and antique-looking lamps. The food was a little more hit-and-miss than the first iteration, but there are still some solid options like the pink anari beet bhel, a take on Indian puffed rice street food snack bhel with the addition of pureed beets and pomegranate seeds; and a butter chicken that replaces the typical tomato-based sauce with a carrot based one, making it feel just a tad healthier. This time around, Chaiwali is leaning more heavily into vegetarian options like the tangy achari gobi, a cauliflower dish with pickling spices, and a lush kale burger served with avocado, and fries that have turmeric in the batter. 274 Lenox Ave, at West 124th Street, Harlem — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For fat dumplings in the Financial District: This is the first weekend that the MáLà Project’s FiDi restaurant will be open on the weekends, in its pivot into Chubby Princess. Still serving northern Chinese food but with more table service, the restaurant has added items like dumplings and noodles, plus a booze menu. If fish dumplings are available, get them. The plump dumplings encase fluffy fish, flavorful on their own or with a dab of accompanying black vinegar. Also, try the tomato-and-egg dish with rice. It’s a little sweet and entirely warming, an absolutely no-frills dish with home cooking vibes. 200 Water Street at Pearl Street, Financial District — Serena Dai, editor

For juicy and crunchy Chinese dumplings: This former branch of Vanessa’s recently morphed into a new place called Kent’s Dumpling House. The main difference is a new sign, while some of the old personnel remain. The menu is slightly different, too, and in my estimation, the food is slightly better. Pork and chive dumplings were superb, thick-skinned and juicy, with more pork than vegetable, seared to crunchy brownness on the bottom. Another delight was the wedge-shaped sesame pancake sandwich with rich and loamy Sichuan beef inside that the original Vanessa’s branch on Eldridge introduced to the city. A few Japanese flourishes and over rice Cantonese meals remain on the menu, too. 220 E. 14th St., between Second and Third avenues, East Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For fun catch-up drinks in the West Village: I had never been to Fedora before a friend suggested it for celebratory cocktails when we couldn’t get seats at the nearby ultra-celebratory bubbles spot we had planned to visit. On a Thursday around 6 p.m., we walked in and were seated right away at a four-top for drinks, which is a rare delight. I loved the Thyme After Time, with thyme-infused gin and yellow chartreuse; there was a balanced, perhaps surprisingly excellent pumpkin spice cocktail on the menu as well. 239 W. 4th Street, between Charles Street and West 10th Street, West Village — Sonia Chopra, director of editorial strategy

January 10

For delectable Mexican-Middle Eastern fusion: One of the most interesting new restaurants to come along in a while is located on Hoboken’s main drag, steps from the PATH station. Six-month old Loquito specializes in what might be called a reconstructed taco arabe, a specialty of the Mexican city of Puebla that features a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of pork al pastor. In Hoboken, the taco is taken back to its Lebanese roots by using lavash and offering fillings of pork, falafel, beef, and chicken shawarma. The results are delectable, whether using the scotch bonnet hot sauce provided, or asking instead for the thick, white garlic sauce called toum. 217 Washington Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, Hoboken — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For inventive cocktails and snacks: It’s easy to miss the plainly-marked door for NR, a new-ish cocktail bar and ramen spot from West Harlem’s cult favorite Rokc, located on East 75th Street. Inside, there’s old world charm — but not in a hokey way — with exposed brick walls, dark wood paneling, and some lotus-shaped lights hanging from the ceiling. Despite it being a cocktail bar, there’s plenty of room in here, even for groups. The bartender is friendly and efficient and will whip up a drink after only a few questions on preferences. On a recent trip, I got a delightful cocktail with chamomile-infused vodka, egg whites, and limoncello, along with a variety of other ingredients. Also good were the mussels which come topped with a mound of cotton candy (yes!) that’s melted at the table with a generous pour of beer broth. 339 E. 75th Street, near First Avenue, Upper East Side — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For a variety of filo-based pastries: Walk into the door of the small Armenian Arsi’s Pateserie and see cooling racks on wheels all over the tiny premises, both before and behind the counter. The specialty of the house is filo-based pastries at bargain prices, including a wonderful sheet-style spanakopita (spinach pie) at only $3 a square, and a selection of bureka (flaky turnovers) filled with cheese, mushrooms, or potatoes. Other sweet and savory pastries available at this bakery, which is one of Sunnyside’s best. No place to eat your goodies, alas, but there’s a small park two blocks east and the weather this weekend should be warm. 39-39 47th Avenue, between 39th Place and 40th Street, Sunnyside — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For a chill football hangout with solid bar food: It’s football playoffs, baby, and if you’re like me and want to watch somewhere that you can also eat a decent meal, head to Royale. The Alphabet City bar is a not-crowded place to watch a game, accompanied by great burgers and fries, and the staff is exceedingly welcoming. Bring a group. 157 Avenue C, near 10th Street, Alphabet City — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor

For solid, hearty Italian fare: Bed-Stuy’s Saraghina almost seems like it does too much to be good at it all — there’s a bakery, a pizza restaurant, and a tapas bar — but, somehow, it works and works well. During a recent dinner in the rambling restaurant space, the Neapolitan-style pies were as good as antipasti like crispy Brussels sprouts and fennel salad with apples and hazelnuts; and given Saraghina’s bakery credentials, the focaccia, with salt and rosemary, was unsurprisingly a highlight. Note that reservations are available via phone call for between six and nine people, making it the ideal spot for a group on short notice. 435 Halsey Street, at Lewis Avenue, Bed-Stuy — Monica Burton, associate restaurant editor

January 3

For laid-back Korean drinking fare: We’re all familiar with the izakaya, a type of Japanese establishment specializing in drinks and bar food, the eats of an international nature, though adapted for Japanese tastes. Zusik is a Korean gastropub right on 14th Street that partly duplicates an izakaya menu, but with Korean notions of its own to accompany a selection of cocktails, wine, sake, and beer (a flagon of draft Korean beer is the best deal). Most dishes are either small plates or rice bowls. In the latter category, find eel over rice in a thick sauce, while the former includes mandoo (dumplings) stuffed with pork and deep fried. There’s quite a bit to be explored on the menu; my favorite thing was marinated short rib on an elongated hump of truffled mash potatoes. 202 West 14th Street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, West Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For a chill cocktail and hot dog in Prospect Heights: It’s possible that my brain is broken because I accept $16 to $18 cocktails as the total norm, but I revisited Bearded Lady recently and was delighted at the plethora of complex options under $15. These cocktails aren’t phoned in, and neither is the service, which is congenial and unpretentious. If the eggnog is still there, order it — with an entire egg, the drink embodies the creaminess and spiciness of the classic holiday drink without the heaviness. If it’s not, the Ginger Prince will be more than fine, and anything will go well with an ultra-snappy Chicago dog. 686A Washington Avenue, at St. Marks Avenue, Prospect Heights — Serena Dai, editor

For a table-service bagel breakfast: There aren’t a ton of Jewish appetizing restaurants in New York City, but Barney Greengrass on the Upper West Side is a go-to. This 112-year-old establishment has tables on which to nosh on bagels, smoked fish, latkes, and any character of Jewish fare. Do be ready to spend a lot in cash only. 541 Amsterdam Avenue, between 86th and 87th streets, Upper West Side — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor

For breakfast pho: In the mood for a quick bowl of pho or banh mi sandwich? A handful of perfectly fried spring roll with lettuce and basil leaves for wrapping? Homespun cafe Thanh Da, though mainly carryout, has a charming little dining room and staff to match. And there’s no better place in Brooklyn (unless it’s Little Saigon Pearl in Bensonhurst) to feel like you’re actually in Vietnam sitting in someone’s parlor. Open 8 a.m. (for pho!) to 7:30 p.m., seven days. 6008 Seventh Ave, between 60th and 61st streets, Sunset Park — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For cheap burgers in a chill cafe setting: Set in a wood-filled small room on 20th Street is Hall, a serene cafe serving Japanese-ish burgers. They come in wagyu, prawn, short rib, fried chicken, and vegetable varieties, and though they’re small, they pack a lot of flavor. The size also means the price is low — with all of them ringing in under $12 at lunch. There’s a full bar, too. 17 West 20th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Flatiron — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor

December 27

For especially good seafood tacos: Just when you thought the Baja fish taco craze had petered out, along comes another place dispensing them. In this case, it’s newcomer Summer Salt, across the street from Madison Square Park, offering what it calls a Baja, California kitchen. The space is large and the decor nautical, with a few too many portraits of what kind of looks like the Gorton Fisherman. The fish and shrimp tacos are especially good, partly owing to the excellence of the tortillas. Fish is beer battered and set on a bed of crema, shredded cabbage, and pico, and guacamole costs extra. Good carnitas, too, available as tacos or burritos, but skip the tough and flavorless french fries. Unusual for this sort of fast casual establishment, frozen margaritas and beer available. 30 E. 23rd Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For a strong dose of Irish cheer: Chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips are just some of the hearty Irish dishes on the menu at classic Irish pub Molly’s in Gramercy. The food is good enough, but what you’re really there for is the atmosphere. Sawdust covers the floor, antique chandeliers light the bar, there’s a wood-burning fireplace, and, currently, Christmas lights hang on the ceiling. Stretch the holidays a bit longer alongside a good Guinness. 287 3rd Avenue, between 22nd and 23rd streets, Gramercy — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor

For ambitious Mexican food: The long-running Mexican restaurant La Palapa has a decor like a restaurant in a Dallas strip mall, circa 1980, which means warm curving woods, woven textiles, and the occasional folkloric or religious motif. The menu is more ambitious than most other restaurants of this type, with a nice Oaxacan black mole available with duck; outsize, cheese-filled chiles rellenos; and chicken enchiladas in dark red salsa with a hint of raisin. Mixed drinks run to ones made with tequila and mezcal, and the joint is owned by Mexican cookbook author Barbara Sibley, who grew up in Mexico City. 77 St. Marks Place, near First Avenue, East Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For Singapore street food and other flavorful South-East Asian dishes: An offshoot of the popular Union Square South-East Asian restaurant Laut, and located just a few blocks north of it, Laut Singapura is worth a visit for dishes like the roti telur, an Indian-style flaky flatbread stuffed with onions, chile, scallions, and served with a curry dip; the nasi lemak, which comes with coconut rice, the Indonesian spice paste sambal, anchovies, beef rendang, and a crispy fried egg on top; and the Indian mee goreng, a type of noodle dish that’s served at street carts in Singapore. The space is definitely a bit over the top with its green velvet seats, marble tables, and gold lotus-shaped mirrors on the wall, but the food is deeply flavorful. They recently added brunch and cocktails to their menu so that’s a plus too. 31 E. 20th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For a group dinner in Chinatown: To celebrate the end of the year, a group of friends got together at Noodle Village on Mott Street. It was the perfect cold-weather meal: We split spring rolls and scallion pancakes and all ordered noodle dishes. The food is affordable, the service spot-on, and the space big enough to accommodate our group of six on a chilly Thursday night. 13 Mott Street, between Worth and Mosco Streets — Sonia Chopra, director of editorial strategy

December 20

For affordable omakase: The number of semi-discount omakase establishments has been multiplying lately, and the competition among them has intensified. Open one month, the latest is Mojo Omakase, a shallow and extensively windowed storefront with only a dozen stools and two sushi chefs. The $65 meal with a one-hour time limit includes 11 pieces of sushi, kicked off with a miniature sashimi salad. The pieces arrive seasoned with things like truffle salt, seaweed, pickles, caviar, and a miniature green stem I didn’t recognize with orbs dangling off it. Fish highlights included mackerel, yellowtail, and a hand roll with toro and wagyu beef that had been flamed with a torch, a common technique here with the fish, too. No other dishes besides sushi and sashimi available, and you won’t need soy sauce or wasabi. 177 Ninth Avenue, between 20th and 21st streets, Chelsea — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For some solo ramen: The compact mazemen restaurant Niche was a tough seat when it opened, but now that the buzz has worn off, it’s far easier to sit down and try Shigetoshi Nakamura’s broth-less ramen. The bright space houses just one communal table in the middle, so don’t go with a huge crew. In fact, arriving solo is ideal to try the steak mazemen — a rich, meaty pasta packed with garlic and topped with chunks of chewy, charred steak. Wine and beer is available. 172 Delancey Street, between Clinton and Attorney streets, Lower East Side — Serena Dai, editor

For a tasty twist on steak frites: Any dish that adds fries to the mix is a dish for me. Lomo saltado is a highly underrated take on steak frites, in my opinion, that mixes thinly sliced steak, onions, tomatoes, french fries, soy sauce, and vinegar all in one. The Peruvian dish is full of flavor and in top form at Flor de Mayo on the Upper West Side. The restaurant mashes up Peruvian and Chinese fare to great results in other dishes such as squid ink fried rice in a bustling and merry space. 484 Amsterdam Avenue, between 83rd and 84th streets, Upper West Side — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor

For hearty, comforting Thai food: Up Thai might be the go-to destination for Thai food on the Upper East Side, but the stylish-yet-homey Thep Thai is also worth a visit. The hanging plants over a long central table in the restaurant add a nice touch of warmth, as does most of the food on the menu. One of the standout dishes here is the khao soi — a soupy noodle preparation from Southeast Asia that Thep makes with succulent pieces of chicken on the bone, and crispy egg noodles, among other ingredients. Also good are the pad see ew, the avocado massaman curry, and the pork belly. 1439 Second Avenue, at East 75th Street, Upper East Side — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For rare Southwestern fare: The newly opened Banty Rooster with a Southwestern culinary theme comes via Denver restaurateur Delores Tronco-DePierro, and the premises, a stone’s throw from the Jefferson Market Library, offer several airy seating areas. Highlights of a recent meal include a plate of fried chicken skin with a buttermilk dressing that reminded me of Charleston’s Husk, a chile focaccia with house-churned butter, and a pork collar surmounted by a little heap of Hatch chiles (I wish the heap had been larger). Don’t miss the lard cookies called biscochitos, flavored with anise and cinnamon — though here they’re made with butter. 24 Greenwich Avenue, between 10th and Charles streets, Greenwich Village — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

December 13

For a throwback diner-style brunch: Working class eateries known as luncheonettes were a fixture of industrial areas in Manhattan during much of the 20th century, but then started fizzling as factories and warehouses closed and were torn down or turned into luxury loft residences. One of the few remaining is Johny’s Luncheonette. Though founded in the 1990s, it has a much older feel, with a long formica counter flanked by twirling stools, and a menu that comprises old favorites like pancakes, burgers, omelets, and heroes, many featuring unexpected combinations of ingredients with grin-inducing themes. Open on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. until midafternoon, it constitutes a great place for a non-alcoholic brunch. 124 West 25th Street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, Chelsea — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For some satisfying pita sandwiches: Cortelyou Road — the focal point of Ditmas Park’s burgeoning dining scene — has many great restaurants to choose from, but one of the unassuming locations on the street is Mimi’s Hummus. This charming Middle Eastern restaurant — with its simple wooden tables and chairs, and string lights hung up on the walls — seats about 20 people. Start with the small plates, but don’t be tempted to order the five dish sampler — the portions here are very generous, so you may want to start with just the labneh and the beets — they are excellent. The star attraction here however are the pita sandwiches, particularly the Iraqi pita, a wonderful mix of eggplant, potato, boiled egg, tahini, and amba — a tangy condiment that’s popular in the Middle East. 1209 Cortelyou Road, between Argyle and Westminster roads, Ditmas Park — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For hard-to-find pho on the Upper West Side: The Upper West Side is dripping with ramen, but pho is another story. That’s why the recent opening of Pho Shop on 72nd Street was such a welcome sight to locals. It’s serving up all sorts of Vietnamese fare, with the focus on pho, and it’s a satisfying entry that may not be the city’s best, but is more than good enough. On my visit, I slurped up the bún bò Huế, which was significantly spicier than other versions I’ve tried, but still fragrant with lemongrass and full of beef. And the thicker noodles than vermicelli were great fun to chew. 141 West 72nd Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues, Upper West Side — Stefanie Tuder, senior editor

For a relaxed Greek trattoria meal: Avlee has been serving homey Greek food on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens for several years now. The warmly lit space is small, but getting a seat somehow never seems to be an issue. The menu is full of satisfying Greek favorites, like moussaka (both traditional and vegetarian), whole grilled fish, nearly a dozen salads, and souvlaki platters, which come with your pick of sides like lemon potatoes, gigandes, and spanakorizo. There’s also a cute mini market in the back of the restaurant selling olive oil, soaps, and other Greek products, great for perusing as you wait for takeout, which Avlee also does very well. 349 Smith Street, between First Place and Carroll Street — Monica Burton, associate restaurant editor

For classic Taiwanese fare: You’ve doubtlessly delighted in the modern Taiwanese fare that’s been appearing all over town, savoring popcorn chicken, beef noodle soup, and bubble teas in all their permutations. Step inside Taiwanese Gourmet on Elmhurst’s Broadway for all that and more. Dishes include dried radish omelet, pig stomach and pickled mustard green soup, stinky tofu, the dish of ground pork and garlic chives nicknamed fly heads, and the legendary three cup chicken — a dark and sweet poultry braise, redolent of ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and Thai basil. 84-02 Broadway, at St. James Avenue, Elmhurst — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

December 6

For late-night nachos: The acclaimed al pastor makers of East Harlem restaurant Taco Mix opened a tiny restaurant on the Lower East Side, and it’s entirely worth keeping in mind when seeking post-bar drunk eats this weekend. Tacos are of course always a solid move, but why not go for some pork-laden nachos? They don’t skimp on toppings, and you’ll undoubtedly be the king of your party when you suggest getting them before hopping on the train. Open until 1 a.m. on weekends. 158 Delancey Street, between Suffolk and Clinton streets, Lower East Side — Serena Dai, editor

For a cheesy excursion: The other four branches of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, a smalltime cheese manufacturer, are located in Washington State. The cheese we’re talking about is not mozzarella, either, but artisanal American cheese of a cheddary sort, made on the premises in a vast vat that takes up space on the ground floor. That floor is where you can score mac and cheeses and grilled cheese sandwiches in a relaxed setting, making an agreeable lunch. Downstairs is a wine bar that showcases small plates, many of which unsurprisingly involve cheese. This place is worth visiting, not only for its casseroles and sandwiches, but for its dissimilarity to other cheese focused establishments in the city. 900 Broadway, at 20th Street, Flatiron — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

For a comforting South African minced meat dish: A cozy wine bar on the Upper East Side serves bobotie, a South African meat pie-esque dish with Indian and Malaysian influences. Kaia Wine Bar’s bobotie is made with ground beef and topped with an egg custard that’s baked to perfection with just the right amount of charring on top. The kick from the Malaysian curry flavor is wonderfully balanced by the sweetness of the raisins, and the yellow rice that are all baked into the dish. At $23, it’s definitely on the pricier side, but it’s good to share, and will leave you feeling sated for the evening. 1614 Third Avenue, between East 91st and 92nd streets, Upper East Side — Tanay Warerkar, reporter

For a wide-ranging Thai menu: I think most New Yorkers have some affection for their local Thai takeout place, even if it serves the same dishes as any other. But Boran, my closest Thai takeout in Carroll Gardens, does so much more, making it well worth the trip for dine-in visits, too. The menu is extensive and includes a long list of curries, fish dishes, and other regional specialties, like the miang pla too appetizer, which consists of bite-sized pieces of mackerel in a lettuce wrap with rice noodles, red onion, ginger, and lemongrass alongside a dipping sauce (available only for dining in). And although calling Boran a Thai takeout is really doing a disservice to this far-ranging Thai restaurant, it’s worth noting that those takeout staples, like the massaman curry which comes with flaky roti, are excellent. 462 Court Street, between Third and Fourth places, Carroll Gardens — Monica Burton, associate restaurant editor

For standout West African fare: Citi Grill is a new West African spot in Jersey City, in the neighborhood south of McGinley Square that’s becoming a restaurant destination. The dishes hail from various African countries: Starches run to cassava porridge, jollof rice, and plantain or white yam fufu, which can be paired with whatever toppings are available on a given day. My friends and I enjoyed a luscious lamb mafe in a thick peanut sauce, and a whole grilled tilapia with a piquant mustard and onion relish. Begin your meal by asking what’s available, and the hostess will not steer you wrong. Wash your meal down with sweet purple bissap (hibiscus) and ginger drinks. 140 Monticello Avenue, between Astor Place and Emory Street, Jersey City — Robert Sietsema, senior critic