DINING
AUGUSTINE
From his first spot, Odeon, Keith Mcnally’s hotter-than-hot French restaurants have become New York landmarks with near-impossible-toscore reservations, so it makes sense that his latest—which has opened at the Beekman Hotel—is the boîte-to-be-at for French classics and an incredibly impressive wine list. 5 Beekman St., 212-375-0010; augustineny.com
THE BEATRICE INN
Angie Mar’s reimagined version of this West Village eatery has developed an almost sommelier-like approach to the cuts of meat it offers. Taking the reins from Graydon Carter and maintaining an impossibly cool crowd have been a breeze for Mar, who has kept the often-hard-to-find spot packed night after night. 285 W. 12th St., 212-675-2808; thebeatriceinn.com
CAFÉ MEDI
A dose of Mediterranean cuisine was deeply needed in the city, and Café Medi serves it up with both small and large plates in a space with Aegeaninspired murals and a cavernous skylight, giving this Lower East Side restaurant a truly coastal vibe. 107 Rivington St., 212-796-8040; cafemedinyc.com
CHEF’S CLUB NYC
The organizing principle behind this resto keeps it in a constant state of buzz: Celebrity chefs submit dishes to a menu that changes seasonally, so diners can taste Bryce Shuman’s radicchio tardivo, Curtis Stone’s charred octopus, and Eric Ripert’s croque monsieur in one sitting. The industrial-chic setting was designed by Rockwell Group, with a massive, eye-catching rock of salt suspended from the ceiling. 275 Mulberry St., 212-941-1100; chefsclubnyc.com
CUT NEW YORK CITY
Wolfgang Puck is off to a stellar start with his first restaurant in New York City, housed inside the hot new Robert A.M. Stern-designed Four Seasons Downtown. Each cut of meat is presented tableside, from porterhouse to Wagyu, and you’ll find guest after guest snapping the presentation for Instagram. INSIDER TIP: It’s worth arriving early to take a look at the hotel’s gilded chandeliers and photo-worthy staircase. 99 Church St., 646-880-1995; wolfgangpuck.com
EATALY DOWNTOWN
The second iteration of the Flatiron market and dining establishment, the Fidi location offers plenty of authentic and delicious examples of Italian cuisine, from fresh pasta to oysters on the half shell—perfect for midday power lunches and after-work glasses of wine. 101 Liberty St., 212-8972895; eataly.com
FLORA BAR
Located inside the Met Breuer, this seafood-focused restaurant from the team behind Estela is as hot as the art on the walls. Its subterranean feel makes for the perfect modern meal after a tour of one of the premier modern art collections in New York. 945 Madison Ave., 646-558-5383; florabarnyc.com
FOWLER & WELLS
Tucked into the Beekman Hotel, Tom Colicchio’s latest restaurant features a breathtaking stained-glass wall and an American-leaning menu. INSIDER TIP: Spend the night at the hotel upstairs and have your meal delivered right to your room! 5 Beekman St., 212-658-1848; fowlerandwells.com
IMPERO CAFFÈ
Trending in New York right now are stylish restaurants inside hotels. This Italian eatery in the hotel Innside New York offers pastas and pastries in perfect harmony from a menu built by world-renowned chef Scott Conant. The ragù is so good—and so in-demand—that it’s on the brunch menu, too. 132 W. 27th St., 917-4095171; imperorestaurants.com
KING
This bright and airy downtown eatery is new, hot, and hard to get into! The brainchild of two alums of London’s famed River Café, the restaurant attracts a super-cool crowd with a seafood-based menu that changes daily and features rustic dishes. 18 King St., 917-825-1618; kingrestaurant.nyc
LA SIRENA
The Batali & Bastianich team continues to drive the possibilities of Italian cuisine in new directions. This Michelin-starred spot checks a lot of boxes: a myriad of pastas, a superstar wine program, a lasting chocolate coppetta, and the most gorgeous balcony overlooking Mepa. 88 Ninth Ave., 212-977-6096; lasirena-nyc.com
LE COUCOU
Coming off multiple rave reviews, Le Coucou has become the hottest ticket in town. Refined French cuisine has never been more in vogue than at this Little Italy outpost from Stephen Starr and Daniel Rose. INSIDER TIP: If you can score a post-dinner table at the adjacent club, The Blond, then kudos to you! 138 Lafayette St., 212-271-4252; lecoucou.com
LE TURTLE
This chic French restaurant on the Lower East Side has become a haven for celebrities and socialites. Taavo Somer of Freemans and Carlos Quirarte of The Smile combined forces for the first time, and only accolades have followed. INSIDER TIP: Although healthy and veg-centric options dot the menu, stay tuned for the swine-and-wine dinners, which promise to be rowdy and rich! 177 Chrystie St., 646-918-7189; leturtle.fr
LORING PLACE
The reigning king of farm-to-table dining, Dan Kluger has finally opened his new restaurant, featuring a vegforward menu and custom aprons by friend Todd Snyder. Kluger’s love and appreciation for organic local fare comes from his days as executive chef at ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina. 21 W. Eighth St., 212-3881831; loringplacenyc.com
MIMI
This sexy French boîte may be minuscule, but the closely packed tables let you shop your fellow diners’ plates (there is lots of oohing and aahing), and the stylish staff is happy to walk you through the decadent and innovative bistro menu. The lobster with escargot butter is everything. INSIDER TIP: In order to give the kitchen time to prepare the soufflé—which is excellent, Btw—you have to order it at the start of the meal. 185 Sullivan St., 212-418-1260; miminyc.com
NIX
This Indian-inspired, veggie-heavy spot was the sleeper hit of 2016, with creative dishes like avocado, mint, and curry dip and ribbons of jicama with Fresno chili and blood oranges. It’s no surprise that the crowd is super chic given that the restaurant’s primary investor is Condé Nast alum James Truman. 72 University Pl., 212-498-9393; nixny.com