Expect upscale Shanghai cuisine that goes far beyond great soup dumplings at China Blue, the second project from the team behind Midtown’s Sichuan-leaning Cafe China. Consider ordering the crispy skin-on eel, lion’s head meatball, and some soup dumplings. The prices are higher and the portions smaller than Chinatown spots serving the same cuisine, but the quality and ambiance are high; the space channels Shanghai circa the 1930s.

Located in a quiet northwestern pocket of the neighborhood, this Michelin star-holding spot serves up upscale Greek fare in an environment that isn’t super-fusty. The menu sticks to traditional Grecian classics, like moussaka, shrimp saganaki, a mixed grill for two that’s packed with loukaniko pork sausage, chicken souvlaki, lamb chops, and burger-esque beef bifteki. There’s also an entirely Greek wine list.

This not-so-secret sushi speakeasy is nestled in a snug space below Japanese restaurant Daruma-Ya. High-quality fish flown in daily from Japan is featured in traditional-leaning omakase, as well as in a la carte nigiri and maki. Four omakase varieties are offered at the sushi bar, running from $120 to $210 per person, gratuities included, while table service is a la carte.

Located inside a beautiful old carriage house, Smith & Mills serves up a brief menu of shareable small plates, like smoked whitefish toast and chicken meatballs, with a few entree-sized dishes like steamed mussels and a burger. It’s a solid pick for a drinks date that might involve a snack or two; just note that it’s walk-in only. Owners and childhood friends Matt Abramcyk and Akiva Elstein also run Yves, located next door to Smith & Mills, and the erstwhile Soho spot Navy.

This perpetually popular Andrew Carmellini-helmed restaurant serves up satisfying Italian fare in a large corner space. There’s a strong power breakfast (and lunch) crowd, dining on zucchini frittatas and standout lemon ricotta blueberry pancakes. Homemade pasta is a strong suit here; there’s also a tasty Piedmontese-style steak tartare with hazelnuts and black truffles. Dessert is definitely worth checking out, too.

Chef-owners Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson are veterans of iconic Keith McNally spots Balthazar and Pastis, and with Frenchette, the duo has created a super-hot, evolved take on the traditional French brasserie experience. Highlights include appetizers like veal tongue and mackerel, both thinly sliced, the guinea hen, and a duck frites entrée, as well as two-person dishes like roast chicken and dry-aged cote de boeuf. Another surprising (and surprisingly affordable) item is the $7 baloney sandwich, constructed from mortadella and grated cheese. Don’t miss the “brilliant,” all-natural wine list. Bar seating up-front will be easier to nab, but don’t be surprised by a wait even there.

Chef and partner Markus Glocker has amassed a glowing three-star Times review and a Michelin star for relatively affordable, French-focused, fine-dining restaurant Batard, opened with major Tribeca restaurateur Drew Nieporent. Choose between two courses for $59, three courses for $79, or four courses for $95, with at least five options to select from for each course. On Mondays, the restaurant waives its corkage fee, making a fancy BYOB tasting menu meal a reality.

A cozy bi-level space houses this charming Italian spot, which is equally suited to a romantic, no-reservation-needed date spot or group catch-up. The pastas are the move, many of which feature housemade noodles, like the lasagna or squid ink spaghetti with shrimp. Most dishes are less than $20, which is a relative bargain for the neighborhood.

Tucked inside a circa-1920s office building’s ornate arcade, the scent of fresh-baked bread wafting throughout, Arcade Bakery serves excellent baguettes, croissants, pizzas, and more. Owner Roger Gural is a former television producer with an affinity for making his own breads and pizzas, which led to a total career shift that’s involved stints at Bouley Bakery, Amy’s Bread, Almondine, and Bouchon Bakery. The narrow space contains a number of unique pull-down tables and deep shelf-like seating on which to perch.

At Marc Forgione’s Laotian restaurant, there’s a tightly edited menu of small and large plates. The Southeast Asian spread from chef Soulayphet “Phet” Schwader — he’s Laotian by lineage and raised in Kansas — includes bamboo-grilled quail, crunchy coconut rice with spicy sausage, and chili prawns with ginger scallion toast. Khe-Yo serves brunch, too, offering some unexpected and well-priced morning fare like char siu pork or hen of the woods mushroom banh mi, sausage-filled fried rice or omelet, and a range of customizable market bowls.

In December 2017, this ramen bar took over the 14-seat space formerly occupied by kaiseki restaurant Brushstroke’s ultra-successful omakase, Ichimura. The Noodle Bar was created in tandem by executive chef Isao Yamada and ramen chef Kyoji Noda, both of whom hail from Fukuoka, the birthplace of creamy, very porcine tonkotsu ramen. Beyond a faithful take on tonkotsu, there’s duck ramen and lobster ramen on offer, plus surprises like soba served with jamón Ibérico and cherrystone clams or cold udon topped with sashimi.

This casual, pubby Austrian-German spot comes courtesy of chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, who also runs Wallsé and Upholstery Store in the West Village, and Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Gallery. A range of schnitzels and slew of sausages are highlights. The space is filled with a plethora of posters and a collection of geese and duck figurines — fitting since the restaurant’s name means Blue Goose — and lively sidewalk seating when it’s nice out. Also of note: the well-priced Austrian wine list.

This lively Korean barbecue spot offers up a satisfying mix of meats to grill at the table, like brisket and short ribs, and also less expected proteins like 28-day dry-aged ribeye, pork belly (served plain or coated with black pepper), and filet mignon. Also check out the wide range of bibimbap varieties on offer, as well as Korean stews, and more modern creations such as wagyu kimchi fried rice. Indecisive about the slew of meats on offer? Opt for the $119 menu that feeds three-to-four people and comes with four types of meat and a range of sides and appetizers. Downstairs, there are private karaoke rooms for belting out a couple tracks after the meaty feast. Gunbae also regularly offers half-price “ban-gap” specials where a specific meat is half off on a certain date.