DINING OUT MAY 2019: NYC

The Woo

Who doesn't like to dig into a Korean barbecue with friends or beloved ones from time to time? Only those who have never tried it before. Whether you are seasoned in Korean cuisine or a first-timer, The Woo is the culinary shrine that will surely baptize your taste buds with unique flavors. The restaurant, led by the third generation of Choi women, artfully recreates the refined Korean restaurant Woo Lae Oak that used to serve amazing experiences to its patrons long before the grill-it-yourself experience became mainstream. Start with Korean-style sharing plates, kimbap, sushi rolls filled with vegetables and lobster, beef, or shrimp. Then proceed to the centerpiece of the dining experience: the barbecue. The Woo offers an extensive list of grilled options from duck to yellowfin tuna. A few former favorites like Ke Sal Mari, a crab and leek dish wrapped in spinach crepes, will also be found on the menu. Visit and see for yourself the reincarnation of long gone yet still relevant, original Korean barbecue. 

206 Spring St.

New York, NY 10012

212.925.2364

thewoosoho.com

800 Degrees

Initially founded in Los Angeles, Woodfired Kitchen is now in New York. 800° Woodfired Kitchen, managed by Mario Zaniou with NBA superstar Dwyane Wade serving as the global partner of the brand, boasts a unique and innovative approach to the art of cooking with fire, the purest ingredients from renowned vendors and gourmet woodfired smokey dishes, creating an affordable fine dining experience. The space is designed in an upscale yet cozy style that makes it perfect for any occasion. Don't miss out on the lunch-only Power Bowls served with quinoa tabbouleh, kale, cucumber, avocado, cherry tomatoes and corn and lemon-tahini sauce with your choice of protein. If you can't make it to lunch, you will still have a chance to enjoy delicious food! Sample Creekstone Farms Prime Rib with horseradish cream, a Black Tie Pizza with Pata Negra Iberico Jamon and black truffle burrata. In a city that eats, sleeps and breathes vapors of freshly baked pizza, 800° Woodfired Kitchen should be on your list of must-visit restaurants.

1 E 33rd St.

New York, NY 10016

212.660.6419

800degrees.com

Leyla

Tired of ordinary dining experiences? A fusion of European, Asian and the Oriental cuisines, Turkish cuisine is the third richest cuisine after the French and the Chinese gastronomy. Located on the ground level of a townhouse at 108 West 74th Street, Leyla is a new Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant, where all plates are meant to be shared. Leyla comes from several partners, including Huseyin Ozer, one of the most respectable ambassadors of Turkish cuisine in New York City. The space is filled with Turkish adornments, paintings and tapestries. The dining highlights include a variety of flatbread dishes, a slow-cooked lamb shank with porcini orzo risotto, a beetroot carpaccio salad, and eggplant caviar with charred onion, bell pepper and garlic that comes with housemade toasted sourdough bread. Don't forget about the dessert menu, and sample a tahini or honey flatbread topped with toasted walnuts. Don't hesitate to visit this Turkish culinary fairytale called Leyla.

108 W 74th St.

New York, NY 10023

347.334.7939

leylanyc.com

BLT Prime

What defines an enjoyable steakhouse? Superior meat, of course, and the BLT Prime menu has plenty. Located in the heart of midtown, the restaurant fuses an upscale bistro design, enhanced by Madagascar ebony tables and cute suede booths, with steakhouse fare. Over the years, the BLT-brand has created a formula for perfect meaty dishes, using inspiring ingredients and incorporating modern accents. It successfully expanded its international presence to more than 15 restaurants in major cities such as Hong Kong, Aruba, Las Vegas and others. The restaurant's popularity makes sense when you take a bite of Certified Black Angus or USDA Prime steak seasoned with a wide selection of sauces, ranging from salsa verde to green peppercorn. Besides a generous selection of meat, the restaurant serves seasonal fresh seafood, salads and a weekly-changing Blackboard Menu offering seasonal dishes that highlight local ingredients. The extensive wine list features both New and Old World wines alongside hand-crafted signature cocktails. This May, indulge in fine meaty dining with BLT Prime.

1032 Lexington Ave.

New York, NY 10021

212.995.8500

bltrestaurants.com/blt-prime/new-york-city/

Ichiran

Craving for a big bowl with tasty broth? Head to Midtown. Located between Sixth and Seventh Avenues on 132 West 31st, Ichiran, which has over 70 locations in Asia, undeniably dominates the ramen scene in New York. The restaurant serves fantastic ramen with pork-rich tonkotsu broths in eclectic solo dining booths. Why eat alone? The original idea behind this unusual way of dining lies in Manabu Yoshitomi's, founder of the cult-popular Japanese chain, unique culinary skills. The legend says Yoshitomi's ramen is so tasty that people shouldn't be distracted from having a meal. That said, the experience at Ichiran, with all its dings, beeps and lights, reminds more of a ramen-based video game rather than implementing solitude. Ordering the classic tonkotsu ramen, you get to choose the richness, saltiness, and noodle texture by filling out a piece of paper before passing it to a server, who stands behind the booth remaining faceless. Eventually, the bowl filled with delicious broth slides back to the client, enveloping a person with warm, flavorful steam. Ichiran is undoubtedly the most must-visit ramen spot in NYC.  

132 W 31st St.

New York, NY 10001

212.465.0701

ichiranusa.com

Bustan 

The Mediterranean region is one of the richest on cuisine. Taste the quintessential Mediterranean plates in a contemporary, vibrant setting at Bustan NYC. Located in New York City's Upper West Side, the restaurant serves a broad range of cuisine including Italian, Greek, Spanish, and Israeli. Offering takeout for its customers' convenience, Bustan is also available for catering offsite events. For starters, dig into one of the restaurant's delicious appetizers, such as the tzatziki or the hummus. Are you coming with friends? Get a plate of roasted heirloom cauliflower or burrata to share. Continue to large plates with the Moroccan vegetable terracotta or the taboon baked whole branzino. Don't miss out on the restaurant's weekend brunch options that include traditional shakshouka with taboon baked eggs in spiced north African tomato sauce and Bustan Benedict made with challah bread, kale, roasted tomato, avocado and mint yogurt. Celebrate your dining experience with Rose Water Pannacotta that contains Earl Gray sauce, roasted coconut, peanuts and mixed berries. In the season of new beginnings, dive into the freshness of Mediterranean flavors with Bustan NYC. 

487 Amsterdam Ave.

New York, NY 10024

212.595.5050

bustannyc.com