Best New Restaurants February 2018 New York City

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.

boucherie (2 images)

_{Images: Melissa Hom}

Boucherie
Gramercy Park

You’re here because: 222 seats of French grub, romance and general joie de vivre is exactly what date night calls for.
You’re dining on: The Chef’s famed Escargot de Bourgogne. Or just grab a baguette sandwich to go.

225 Park Avenue South (map)
Website

_{Image: Eduardo Cerruti and Stephanie Draime for Dimanche Creative}

Brigitte
Lower East Side

You’re here because: You popped in for their sophisticated Apéro Hour for cocktails and Scallop Ceviche but decided to stay forever — or at least for dinner.
You’re dining on: Smoked Paprika Dusted Octopus and New Zealand Lamb Chops. It’s Brazilian-inspired fare realized through French techniques. Sultry, but not too rich.

37 Canal Street (map)
Website

ophelia (2 images)

Ophelia
Midtown East

You’re here because: A swanky, Sinatra-era jewel box in the Beekman Tower has date night written all over it.
You’re dining on: Small plates like Pork Belly Sliders and Hudson Valley Foie Gras accompanied by loud cocktails like the Purple Tuxedo with gin, lavender and — yes, really — gold.

3 Mitchell Place (map)
Website

Harrow (2 images)

The Harrow
Hell’s Kitchen

You’re here because: The best nights out with friends start with an easy, breezy bistro dinner.
You’re dining on: Deconstructed and surprising Cider-Braised Bacon Dates, the best West Coast oysters money can buy and fresh-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies that will haunt your dreams.

720 10th Avenue (map)
Website

Tetsu Basement
Tribeca

You’re here because: The best way to enjoy Michelin-star Chef Masa Takayama’s kaiseki (aka traditional multi-course Japanese dinner) is in an intimate, softly lit 39-seat hideaway.
You’re dining on: A rotating omakase-only menu, meaning Chef’s Choice or bus. So sit back, relax and enjoy.

78 Leonard Street (map)
Website

bar belly (2 images)

Bar Belly
Chinatown

You’re here because: Cocktails and oysters go together like Trump and Twitter. See also: a built-in piano and a costume chest that guests are very much encouraged to sample from.
You’re dining on: A raw bar nonpareil, including an all-you-can-eat mussels spread on Mondays. Beyond that, go in for some sharable Bigeye Tuna and Moroccan Spiced Lamb Meatballs.

14 Orchard Street (map)
Website