First Look

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

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

By Robert Sietsema September 22

The Lucali Pizza Sequel Needs Time to Rise

By Ryan Sutton September 8

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

By Ryan Sutton August 11

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

By Robert Sietsema July 27

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

By Ryan Sutton July 22

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

By Robert Sietsema July 19

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

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

By Robert Sietsema June 8

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

By Robert Sietsema May 7

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

By Ryan Sutton April 28

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

By Robert Sietsema April 20

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

By Ryan Sutton April 13

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

By Robert Sietsema March 26

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

By Robert Sietsema March 23

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

By Robert Sietsema March 22

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

By Robert Sietsema March 9

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

By Robert Sietsema March 3

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

By Robert Sietsema February 3

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

By Robert Sietsema January 25

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

By Ryan Sutton January 19

Peter’s Crunchy Red Tacos Leads Bushwick’s Booming Birria Scene

By Robert Sietsema January 4

An Engineered-Meat Skeptic Reviews Galioto’s Impossible Meatball Hero

By Robert Sietsema December 23, 2020

Pastrami Queen’s New UWS Outpost Is Bursting With Fatty Pastrami and Superior Matzoh Ball Soup

Senior critic Robert Sietsema takes a first look at the Jewish deli’s offerings, including Hanukkah-ready sufganiyot

By Robert Sietsema December 16, 2020

Milu’s Crispy Duck Redefines Fast Casual

By Ryan Sutton December 8, 2020

East Village Tex-Mex Destination Yellow Rose Serves ‘Wonderful’ Tacos on Flour Tortillas

By Robert Sietsema November 16, 2020

The East Village’s Newest Thai Restaurant Has a Tantalizing Mix of Regional Cooking

By Robert Sietsema June 25, 2020

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East Village’s Charming New Thai Street Food Spot Opened After a Flood and a Pandemic

By Robert Sietsema June 8, 2020

A Pastry-Packed New Italian Spot Brings Sweet and Savory Sicilian Treats to the Village

By Robert Sietsema May 20, 2020

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What If Black Tap Were Pricier and Tasted Worse? Meet Salt Bae’s New Burger Spot

By Robert Sietsema and Ryan Sutton February 28, 2020

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Is Soho Diner Really a Diner?

By Robert Sietsema February 19, 2020