Most Successful New Kid on the Block:The Musket Room
Within only a few months of opening its doors, the much buzzed-about Musket Room earned itself a Michelin star, as well as the acclaim of critics like Adam Platt. This hot spot is likely going to be around for a while, thanks to its modern New Zealand fare created by chef Matt Lambert (of Public and Saxon + Parole acclaim) that consistently delights diners chowing down in the casual AvroKO dining room. 265 Elizabeth St., 212-219-0764, musketroom.com
Best (Affordable) Prix Fixe Menu: Feast
Opened in the spring of 2013, Feast combines the comfort of a casually rustic American spot with the culinary variety of a tasting menu format. With “Feasts” ranging from $47 to $57 per person, complete with an additional wine pairing option, this East Village eatery offers modern, clean dishes rooted in fresh ingredients. 102 Third Ave., 212- 529-8880, eatfeastnyc.com
Best Restaurant for a Bachelorette Party
La Cenita Delicious, shareable plates that are lighter versions of Mexican favorites, a rollicking atmosphere and sleek, dark lighting in the former Abe & Arthur’s space — three things that are sure to make any girls’ night out a success. EMM Group’s latest creation also turns out a long list of creative, liquor-laden cocktails to sip while you celebrate. 409 W. 14th St., 646- 289-3930, emmgrp.com/restau rants/la-cenita
Best Restaurant for a Bachelor Party: Maysville
Maysville celebrates Southern cooking and the glory of whiskey. (In fact, it takes its name from a small town in Kentucky that is known as the birthplace of bourbon.) The acoustics are noisy — so your crew of gents won’t disturb anyone — and the food is hearty, making it the ideal place for a farewell to your single comrade. 17 W. 26th St., 646-490-8240, maysvillenyc.com
Best Date Spot: Antica Pesa
This Italian destination hits some particularly ideal notes for a romantic meal. The first American outpost of a beloved restaurant direct from Rome, Antica Pesa has an elegant and cozy dining room and simply fantastic pasta dishes to swoon over. The atmosphere is unpretentious and classy, so you’ll be able to focus on getting to know one another comfortably (and deliciously). 115 Berry St., Williamsburg, 347- 763-2635, anticapesa.com
Best Birthday Destination: The East Pole
From the minds of the Fat Radish team, recently opened The East Pole is fun and loud, and offers an Upper East Side-meets-cool-kid vibe that is hard to come by. A sleek dining room, energetic atmosphere and a long list of artisanal libations with ingredients like fresh lavender and egg whites all combine seamlessly to create that idyllic celebratory spot for a great birthday meal. 133 E. 65th St. 212-249-2222, theeastpolenyc.com
Best Small Plates: Pearl & Ash
This restaurant executes the perhaps overdone menu format of small, shareable plates better than most. Each plate makes up another surprisingly lovely part of a communal meal, with standouts like flavorful octopus with shiso and sunflower seed, as well as an impressive (and relatively approachable) wine list. 220 Bowery, 212-837-2370, pearlandash.com
Best Sunday Night Meal: Comodo
The concept of this eatery was born in the living room of chef-proprietors and husband-and-wife team Felipe Donnelly and Tamy Rofe, and has maintained that homey attraction. With comforting Argentine food and a rustically intimate dining room filled with simple wooden furniture, Comodo is the perfect place for a glass of red wine and hearty duck breast or decadent poblano pepper Bolognese. 58 MacDougal St., 646-580-3866, comodonyc.com
Best Restaurant You’ll Have A Tough Time Getting Into (But You Should Probably Try, Anyway): Sushi Nakazawa
That the chef here, Daisuke Nakazawa, used to apprentice with the namesake from famed sushi film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” should say enough. This tiny destination has fresh fish and an unpretentious vibe, so while the 10 (see, tiny) coveted sushi bar seats book up many weeks out, it’s worth the effort to snag one yourself. 23 Commerce St. 212- 924-2212, sushinakazawa.com
Best Hotel Eatery: The Elm
Nestled inside the trendy King & Grove hotel, The Elm has certainly done its part to help dispel the antiquated idea that hotel restaurants are subpar. Here, chef Paul Liebrandt’s food, which earned two stars from The New York Times’ Pete Wells, will attract you to begin with, but the casual and inviting atmosphere will make it that much more enjoyable. 160 N. 12th St., Williamsburg, 718-218-7500, theelmnyc.com
