There’s a lot to love about New York City restaurants. From decades-old mainstays to new culinary frontiers, the food scene here is a crucial part of the city’s social fabric and a major driver of tourism. From pizza by-the-slice to hefty pastrami sandwiches to creamy cheesecake, there’s no shortage of treats that give the Big Apple its unique flavor.
If there were a Restaurant Olympics, Estela would reign supreme. The Michelin-starred kitchen turns an endive salad into a dish that looks like it could be served at the last supper, and their raw scallops atop flattened dates are as ethereal as they are delicious. The New York City restaurant has earned a spot on many best-of lists, and with good reason.
When it comes to pit barbecue in Texas, few do it better than Houston’s Pinkerton’s. The longtime local favorite has earned a reputation for its mouthwatering beef brisket and savory sides, such as jalapeno cheese rice. Other lauded dishes include the pulled pork, the crispy catfish, and the duck and sausage jambalaya.
It’s no wonder that the Houston culinary scene has been attracting big names in the industry for years. Among those to relocate was Daniel Boulud alum Aaron Bludorn, who opened the high-end restaurant Bludorn with his wife, Victoria Pappas. The duo’s food is as refined as its elegant setting, with dishes balancing French and Asian flavors. The adobada pork taco is a crowd favorite, but the grilled cactus and octopus are also excellent options. best restaurants