Table Stakes: November

To keep tabs on every New York restaurant and bar 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). Bon appétit.

Tetsu
Tribeca
You’re here because … Three words: Chef Masa Takayama. A former recipient of three Michelin stars for his famed restaurant Masa, the man serves a mean fish.
You’re dining on … Tuna butsu guacamole. Truth be told, we could have left after that, but we decided to stay for the playground of rotating omakase and Masa’s first ever burger.

78 Leonard Street (map)
Website

The East Pole Fish Bar
Upper East Side
You’re here because … It’s about time Tom and Anthony Martignetti opened a sister restaurant to the OG East Pole. This one’s little — so make a reservation stat.
You’re dining on … The best local daily catches from Island Creek Oysters to Montauk. If you’re not ready to saddle up to the weekly whole-fish special, go for the lobster burger and roasted corn and clam chowder.

964 Lexington Avenue (map)
Website

Legasea
Times Square
You’re here because … Everyone’s here.
You’re dining on … Fried chicken. Seriously, bring five people and order the bucket. And pair it with oysters, crab beignets, the whole branzino and a round of perfect martinis.

485 7th Avenue (map)
Website

The Osprey
DUMBO
You’re here because … You need a good excuse to visit the stunning 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
You’re dining on … Head-on prawns. Definitely. Beyond that, don’t miss the branzino or the seared scallops with chorizo. To boot, this is hands-down the best table service we’ve had all year. Cheers!

60 Furman Street, Brooklyn (map)
Website

Tonchin
Midtown
You’re here because … One of Japan’s most iconic ramen houses decided to cross the Pacific. And their first outpost is in — where else? — Manhattan.
You’re dining on … Well, Tonkotsu-style ramen, for starters. We like the Spicy Dan Dan with Berkshire pork, veggies and egg. But before that, order the curiously spicy fried chicken wings and a glass of tomato Champagne. We know it sounds weird. Just drink it. It’s outstanding.

13 W 36th St (map)
Website

The Lobster Club
Midtown East
You’re here because … It’s Picasso meets Japanese action film.
You’re dining on … More than just lobster — but do get the lobster cocktail. Then pepper it with ‘80s-style dishes like wagyu and uni, sansho octopus and the must-get yuzu black bass.

98 East 53rd Street (map)
Website

Okuda
Chelsea
You’re here because … It’s a sushi speakeasy, and those are two words that go well together in our experience.
You’re dining on … Michelin-starred Chef Toru Okuda’s nine-course, $195, ultra-high end tasting menu at a seven-seat counter. There’s also a private room with six seats, but what’s the fun in that? The atmosphere is minimal by intention: the food speaks volumes, and its presentation is nothing short of fine art.

458 West 17th Street (map)
Website