Spring Restaurant Rush: Raf’s is an unequivocal yes
Where to dine well in NYC
RESTAURANTS • Recon
FOUND subscribers weigh in on some highlights (and lowlights) of the latest crop of Manhattan restaurant openings:
→ Raf’s (Noho, opened 3/15, above):
“Still there is no gas at Raf's and the electrical connection is temporary (note the rough ConEd setup out front), but I am nonetheless an Unequivocal Yes on this place. Raf's is all the things — softly swanky, diminutive, very delicious, on Elizabeth Street north of Houston (a perfect restaurant block, perhaps?), and in a space with history. When you go, you'll leave thinking about how to return as soon as possible. Plus, on offer is the well-known path to this eater’s heart: a perfect roast chicken.”
“A dip into Paris, fab vibe, and the chicken might be one of the best since Barbuto.”
→ Mischa (Midtown, opened 4/17):
“Some restaurants are interesting, others are delicious and few are both interesting and delicious — this is in the interesting category. There’s a horseradish cocktail I liked and the desserts were good. That’s about it.”
“The big news here is the prime rib ($120), a masterful and generously proportioned slab of prime dry-aged beef that instantly ranks up there with my favorites (Smith & Wollensky, Gallaghers, Keens, The Grill) and is way funkier than any of them.”
→ Ma-dé (Nolita, opened 4/26): “Tough to get in; not many seats worthy of your time. But delicious, complex dishes, tapas style.”
→ Principe (Soho, opened 3/9): “The space, an old art gallery on upper West Broadway, appealed to me. But you should know before you go whether you’re a Saint Theo’s/American Bar person, because that’s the DNA here. Aside from the raw bar starters, the food was a no for me.”
→ BONUS: Golden Swan (West Village, opened 5/24):
“Quite early, but for sure file under promising. Nice to have that corner back as a restaurant. Already a who's who of West Village machers: a Lauren here, a Blumenthal there.”
“Swanky clubby vibe, food is not why you go.”
Got any intel on the above or other new spots on our Spring Restaurant Rush Nines (like Seoul Salon, Virginia's, Greywind, Superiority Burger, and Press Club Grill)? Email found@foundny.com.