First Look

A series of early reviews on New York restaurants by critic Robert Sietsema.

Find Some of NYC’s Best Vietnamese Food at the Latest Ha’s Đặc Biệt Pop-Up

By Robert Sietsema January 20

Searching for New York’s Next Great Corn Tortilla

By Ryan Sutton January 19

Palestinian Fare Finds a Glorious, 100-Seat Stage at Al Badawi

By Robert Sietsema December 2, 2021

Step Inside Manhattan Chinatown’s Newest Food Court

By Robert Sietsema November 15, 2021

A Famed Florentine Shop Brings Square, Stuffed Sandwiches to NYC

By Robert Sietsema November 11, 2021

Lodi’s Pastries Are Ushering in a New Era of Dining for Rockefeller Center

By Ryan Sutton November 3, 2021

This Persian Teahouse Proves Every Pastry Should Be Made With Rose

By Ryan Sutton October 28, 2021

Semma Puts a Rare Spotlight on Regional South Indian Fare in Greenwich Village

By Robert Sietsema October 25, 2021

Find One of NYC’s Best Green Chile Cheeseburgers Yet at This Ode to Santa Fe in Williamsburg

By Robert Sietsema October 15, 2021

At Tortazo, Chicago Chef Rick Bayless Is Slinging Out Fancified Tortas and ‘Not-Bad’ Margaritas

By Robert Sietsema October 14, 2021

One White Street’s Tasting Menu Hammers Out Classic Luxuries

By Ryan Sutton October 7, 2021

Two More Greasy Burger Joints Slip Into Lower Manhattan

By Robert Sietsema October 6, 2021

Sami & Susu Channels a 1960s Cartoon, but Its Food Is the Real Deal

By Robert Sietsema September 22, 2021

The Lucali Pizza Sequel Needs Time to Rise

By Ryan Sutton September 8, 2021

A Japanese Soba Parlor Makes Its U.S. Debut. The Prized Noodles Are Worth the Waitlist.

By Ryan Sutton August 11, 2021

Gloriously Greasy Burgers Are the Star at Four New Downtown Manhattan Spots

By Robert Sietsema July 27, 2021

Why You Shouldn’t Eat at the New Momofuku Ssäm Bar Just Yet

By Ryan Sutton July 22, 2021

Kuttanadan Gifts NYC With Cuisine From the Center of the Spice Trade

By Robert Sietsema July 19, 2021

Find Stellar Tacos and Ceviches in a Laid-Back Atmosphere at Tacos Güey

The restaurant from chef Henry Zamora joins the city’s ever evolving wave of casual and inventive Mexican cuisine with a loungey atmosphere

By Robert Sietsema July 1, 2021

What to Eat, and What to Avoid, at Little Island

By Robert Sietsema June 8, 2021

Iconic Chef Edna Lewis’s Influence Is Everywhere at the Newly Reopened Gage & Tollner

By Robert Sietsema May 7, 2021

Why You Should Be Eating Korean (and Nashville) Fried Chicken at Chick Chick

By Ryan Sutton April 28, 2021

Masala-Stuffed Chicken Wings Are Among the Standouts at Sona’s Flatiron Debut

By Robert Sietsema April 20, 2021

What to Order at Dhamaka, One of NYC’s Most Exciting New Restaurants

By Ryan Sutton April 13, 2021

Planet Taco Arrives With a Bewildering-Yet-Delightful Mix of Tacos in the East Village

By Robert Sietsema March 26, 2021

Ranking the Smoky, Thick-Sliced Brisket Sandwiches From Four New Barbecue Spots

By Robert Sietsema March 23, 2021

Cheese-Oozing Focaccia and Bursting Buzzetti Are NYC’s Newest Pizza Hits

By Robert Sietsema March 22, 2021

With Its Signature Jerk Chicken, Peppa’s Is Better Than Ever in Lower East Side Debut

By Robert Sietsema March 9, 2021

Nostalgia Is in Short Supply at Jersey City’s New Automat

By Robert Sietsema March 3, 2021

St. Louis-Style Wings Take Flight in NYC — but Do They Exist?

By Robert Sietsema February 3, 2021

Two New Hot Dog Purveyors Come to the Rescue in Pandemic Times

By Robert Sietsema January 25, 2021

Xilonen Bolts Out of the Gate With Game-Changing Mexican Fare

By Ryan Sutton January 19, 2021