Tired of the same-old, same-old? These three innovative NYC restaurants will keep you coming back. Two are new, one isn't; all are fabulous. All three are downtown, one in NoHo, one in the East Village, and the other near the Flatiron District. Grab a taxi or an Uber and enjoy a wonderful meal thanks to three great chefs.
Gato – Bobby Flay has gone international again! New York City has missed this super chef
whose well-loved Latin restaurants Mesa Grill and Bolo have been
absent for many years. The original
master of BBQ and Spanish cuisine, Bobby has created a menu of small plates as
well as larger entrees, all designed for sharing. In a room as beautiful and inviting as they
come, Flay’s cooking stands out against the Rockwell Group’s gorgeous
design. With tile floors, suspended
metal lighting, and warm woods, Gato’s central bar area and dining spaces are
inviting. Even the bread brought out at the beginning is exceptional – be sure
to try the olive bread.
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| Bar Bites, Gato |
A menu of bar “bites”
is designed for ordering on a plank of threes – choose from bites like
artichoke heart with sea urchin and quail egg, or chorizo crepinette with apricot
mostarda and pickled Brussels sprouts, and the tangy piquillo filled with raw
tuna, with a drizzle of saffron sauce. The appetizers are equally satisfying.
Many Spanish restaurants offer octopus dishes, but no one prepares it
like Bobby Flay. The roasted octopus is
crunchy and a tad sweet, covered with a tangerine vinaigrette and bacon sauce
that is an absolute standout. Main courses like the red prawns beautifully
presented with Meyer lemon and garlic are similarly delicious. 324 Lafayette
Street, 212.334.6400.
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| Octopus, Gato |
Cosme – There’s a reason that Enrique Olvera has the number
20 restaurant in the world, Pujol from Mexico City. His Mexican cooking is way
beyond that found in the more typical taco restaurants in other cities
including New York. While New York City has strong contenders in the more upscale
category, like Alex Stupak’s triad of Empellons (Cocina, Taqueria, and Parlor),
Olvera’s menu mixes up tastes that elevate Mexican to a fine dining
experience. Most ingredients are sourced
locally, although some arrive from their original homes, including octopus
swimming in briny water from Spain.
Dishes are unusual from appetizers to dessert. For the adventurous, try the uni tostada with
avocado, bone marrow salsa and cucumber; and the thinly sliced vinegary scallop
aguachile appetizers, and the two-person duck carnitas with white onions and
radishes as a main course. Small plates
are shareable as well, so plan so you have room the one-of-a-kind husk merengue
with corn mousse and a chaser of the house’s special Mezcal. The room is warm and sexy at the same time, a
wonderful refuge from the cold outdoors. 35 East 21
st St., 212.913.9659.
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| Degustation |
Degustation – Not a newcomer like Gato and Cosme, Degustation
is the most elevated of Jack Lamb’s restaurant group. With 16 seats set around a U-shaped counter
and open kitchen, Degustation shows off Nicholas Licata’s mastery of precision
preparation and Iberian, French and American cuisine. While you can order off the a la carte menu, it’s
the $80 tasting menu that really shows off Licata’s talents. Let him decide what to share with you,
whether it’s his scrumptious Hawaiian blue prawn paella, or the wild boar ribs
with romesco. Or perhaps a serving of the
irreverent Brussel sprouts dolled up with Funyuns and cashews. A sophisticated wine list explained by knowledgeable
servers matches well. Cozy and small,
Degustation will leave you feeling warm and satisfied. 239 East 5
th St., 212.979.1012.
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