Go for: An ingenious sampling of Caribbean cuisine where there’s no wrong order
Our server warned us on more than one occasion that Kabawa chef Paul Carmichael ensures all his diners leave with full, happy bellies. But as New York City pre-fixe menus aren’t typically associated with ample serving sizes (let alone extra side dishes), I could not anticipate just how deliriously full—and happy—I would stumble out the door by the meal’s end. From the cassava and chutney starter course, it’s impossible to leave a single crumb behind. With a $145 price tag, you’re sure to get your money’s worth with a starter, main, and dessert, plus three small bowls of rice, beans, and salad. Carmichael, who grew up in Barbados, has crafted an ingenious interpretation of Caribbean cuisine, drawing inspiration from the tastes of Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and beyond. There’s truly no wrong way to order; my personal favorite dishes were the Octopus breadfruit tostón, a ridiculously tender goat shoulder with spicy scallop creole, and the coconut turnover for two. While you wait for each dish to appear, enjoy your front-row seat of the kitchen at center stage, where the cooks work their disciplined magic. In a testament to Kabawa’s ethos of fine dining without the fuss—replaced instead with a palpable joy—Carmichael pays us a visit before dessert, smiling ear to ear, and demonstrates how to crack and peel open a tamarind pod with our fingers. And with that tactile wisdom imparted, he blows a kiss goodbye. —Hannah Towey
Roscioli
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Go for: A family-style meal that relieves you of control in the best possible way
In 2023, this beloved Roman institution opened its first international outpost in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, in a two-level space on MacDougal Street. For the $95 prix fixe menu, head downstairs into the cozy wine room and let the chatty and erudite team talk you through what’s on offer for the evening, determined by the seasons and the night’s Italian-regional inspiration. What makes this dining experience a little different from other tasting menu seatings is that dishes are not portioned individually for each diner but rather served family-style; the kitchen fills each bowl and plate with enough food for the number of diners. On the surface, this feels like a minor, inane distinction, but I found it quite smart: My dining companion and I were able to mix-and-match how much they and I had of each dish, depending on our tastes and cravings, and ensuring that no food waste was left on the table. Of course, since the dinner is served in the wine room, there’s an option to add a $55 classic wine pairing or indulge in a $135 Reserve pairing. At $150 for food and drink that takes you on a culinary tour of the Italian peninsula, this tasting menu offers great value. —M.O.
