Chef Stefano Secchi's Flatiron pasta room runs Emilian hand-rolled pastas in New York City: tortellini in brodo, anolini, gramigna. Michelin star since 2022.
Signature dishes: Tortellini in brodo, Tour of Emilia tasting
Must order: The Tour of Emilia: five hand-rolled pastas, $98.
Tip: Reservations open 28 days out on Resy. The bar runs walk-ins from 17:30 and serves the same pasta tour.
Address: 27 East 20th Street, NYC, NY 10003, New York City
Raoul's has poured Cotes du Rhone and seared steak au poivre on Prince Street in SoHo, New York City since 1975. The bar burger is the off-menu cult order.
Signature: Steak au poivre, Au poivre burger
Order: Steak au poivre or the off-menu bar burger.
Tip: Ten burgers a night, only at the bar, only after 19:30. Get there at 19:00 and put your name down with the bartender.
Shun Lee Palace has served Cantonese and Hunan food on East 55th Street in New York City since 1971. T.T. Wang's General Tso's chicken originated in this room.
Signature: General Tso's chicken, Peking duck
Order: Beggar's chicken, ordered 24 hours ahead.
Tip: Order the General Tso's the first time as a history lesson; on return visits skip it for the Hunan beef.
Andy Nusser and Mario Batali's Gramercy tapas counter in New York City has held a Michelin star since 2009. Andalusian small plates, deep Spanish wine list.
Signature: Sea urchin panini, Bone marrow with oxtail
Order: Sea urchin panini and the bone marrow with oxtail.
Tip: Counter seats are easier than the dining room. The next-door Bar Jamon takes walk-ins for the same kitchen.
Ignacio Mattos's Houston Street Nolita room in New York City runs Mediterranean-leaning small plates. The burrata with salsa verde has been on the menu since 2013.
Signature: Burrata with charred bread, Beef tartare with sunchoke
Order: Burrata with charred bread, beef tartare, ricotta dumplings.
Tip: The counter is first-come; bar tables take walk-ins. Wine list is unusually long for a 60-seat room.
Pastrami Queen on Lexington serves kosher pastrami sandwiches on the Upper East Side of New York City. Modest counter, oversized sandwiches since 1956.
Signature: Pastrami on rye, Potato knish
Order: Hand-cut pastrami on rye with mustard.
Tip: Counter is tiny and seats fewer than a dozen; the takeaway line moves faster than the dine-in queue.
Sammy's Roumanian reopened on Stanton Street in 2024 after the Chrystie basement closed in 2021. Romanian-Jewish steakhouse, schmaltz on every table.
Signature: Skirt steak, Chopped liver, Karnatzlach
Order: Garlic-rubbed skirt steak with seltzer-and-chocolate-syrup egg cream service.
Tip: Tables are mixed at long shared boards; book the early seating by phone (646-410-2427) if you want any chance of hearing your tablemate.
