Chef Justin Hilbert serves highly inventive, but completely accessible American fare at this critically acclaimed Williamsburg restaurant. The dining room is cool and comfortable, and the bar is a fine place to catch a drink, even if you're not staying for dinner. The restaurant offers an $85 per person tasting menu, but you can also order a la carte.

Blanca is one of the biggest dining surprises of the year. After garnering acclaim for his tasting menus at Roberta's, chef Carlo Mirarchi decided to bring the operation to whole new restaurant next door. The meal includes about 25 small courses, including pasta, fish, meat, and vegetable dishes. Reservations for the $180 dinner are only available by phone on the first of the month. (Photo)

The Pines is the new restaurant from Aaron Lefkove and Andy Curtin of Littleneck, and chef Angelo Romano, formerly of Roberta's and dearly departed Williamsburg restaurant Masten Lake. Romano coaxes a lot of flavor out of simple proteins and fresh market vegetables, and his pastas are incredible. The dining room has a nice, worn-in feel.

The third restaurant from the Colonie team offers a menu of modern farm-to-table cuisine from Per Se vet Brad McDonald. The space has a living plant wall, a chef's counter, a bar, and plenty of natural light. Governor is a great date night spot.

At La Vara, chefs Alex Raij and Eder Montero are serving a style of Spanish cuisine that has Moorish and Jewish influences. The food coming out of the kitchen here is unique for New York, but it's also very easy to enjoy. Make sure to order the fideúa and the chicken hearts.

Chef Nate Smith knows how to cook burgers and pastas — both of which are always great at Allswell — but he also has a knack for cooking vegetable and seafood dishes. The best thing to do here is to order several (or all) of the middle course dishes and share them in a group.
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Reynard is the new all-day restaurant in the Wythe Hotel from Williamsburg dream team Andrew Tarlow and Sean Rembold, of Marlow & Sons and Diner. The space is airy and bright, and the menu features the same style of slyly inventive American cooking that made Marlow and Diner such big hits. Order any of the grilled or baked dishes, and make sure to try one of the super-smooth house cocktails.

Pork Slope is the new bar and restaurant from Dale Talde, Dave Massoni, and John Bush, who opened the wildly popular restaurant Talde earlier this year. The bar serves cheap beer as well as fancy craft ales, and the food menu includes Talde's version of Southern comfort foods like fried chicken, pulled pork, chili, and a fried shrimp sandwich. This restaurant offers strong value — most of the entrees are under $14, and the burger is just $6.50.

Head to this cozy Vinegar Hill House spinoff for oysters, wine, and meaty shareable plates like homemade pâté and bone marrow with bottarga. The space has a laid-back, vaguely Southern Californian feel.