2020 NYC Hit List

by Anjelika Kour

January 19, 2020

Some new, some old - but all an absolute hit. The ever-changing New York City restaurant & bar scene is on it's new era of evolution - with natural wine bars, newly found champagne appreciation, and a botanical approach to food preparation all coming into the spotlight.

New York City | Dining

Verōnika

Elegant Eastern European-inspired dishes with quite a becoming wine list. Interior, nostalgic of Bouley with a little mix of Cou Cou & New-York-French-brasserie - but less Augustine, more Lafayette vibe. Wall art, reminiscing of the good old - Goldbar! 💀

Special Club

Ultra cool hidden Japanese jazz club in Soho named after the exclusive designation of champagnes - Special Club.

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

When you man EIGHT solid pages of champagne in small font you know this must be the place. 🍾 P.S. Compagnie is the reason city of New York's restaurants have such a hard time getting their hands on Jacques Selosse (the bar simply buys out the numbered, highly-coveted stock before anyone else).

Riddler

A champagne bar like no other in the heart of the West Village featuring a uniquely impressive champagne list, simple menu with fine execution, and a grand bathroom "art" piece not to be missed.

HŪSO

Elegant caviar speakeasy on the Upper East Side. The most intimate locale for the best of caviar-filled romantic encounters.

Manhatta

Another gem from the restaurant genius of Danny Meyer and the amazing folks over at the Union Square Hospitality Group. This time on the 60th floor of a Downtown Manhattan skyscraper (in the very-happening Financial District), this restaurant will wow you with views for days and dishes to remember. Buttery escargot paired with pork sausage, foie gras on a bed of duck rillette, squash & cherries, and mushroom bone-marrow scallops - are just a few of the amazing divine inventions (& interventions) you will find on this swanky prix fixe menu. Make sure to pop into the Bay Room for a drink on days you are not dining at the exquisite establishment or before/after the fact.

TWA Hotel

Enjoy the golden age of aviation at this original 1960s Saarinen-designed flight terminal at JFK. Dive into the plush sunken lounge in the lobby, enjoy the stellar Gerber Group drinks served inside of a 1939 Constellation airplane parked out back coined the Connie by Howard Hughes himself & don't forget to checkout the plane-spotter paradise pool on the roof (open year-around with 95 degree heating in wintertime). And then - come fly with me ✈️

Undercote

A secret bar hiding underneath one of the greatest meat joints in town (Michelin-starred Cote restaurant), featuring the largest selection of Special Club champagnes in the United States. Each day the Sommelier - Daniel Ng - selects a new bottle to be enjoyed by the glass in this chic darkness. 🥂