Here's Where to Find the Best Slice, Sandwich, and Wine List in New York City, According to a Best New Chef

“New York City is one of the few places where you can find everything and do anything,” says 2023 F&W Best New Chef Ed Szymanski. Since 2014, Szymanski has lived in New York City, spending any available time he has between opening and now operating two restaurant concepts (Dame and Lord’s) exploring the boroughs’ wide-ranging culinary scene. “You can pop from a wine bar to a high-end Mexican restaurant to a casual Thai spot to a classic French bistro all in the same night.” 

But Szymanksi’s favorite thing about the Big Apple is that even with so many restaurants and so much talent, it still manages to feel like a small town. Here are his recommendations on where to visit (and what to order) the next time you’re in New York City.

The ultimate slice

“This is a pizza town, and there are two slice-shop kings: Mama’s Too and L’industrie Pizzeria. Their slices are very different in style but couldn’t be more delicious.”

Taco time

“What Dave and Krystiana Rizo have created at Yellow Rose is so cool and fun. On a Sunday, I get frozen margaritas, chorizo and egg tacos, and maybe a shot of tequila before I stumble out to run errands.”

Cuckoo for coucou

“The desserts at Le Coucou manage to be refined and fun at the same time. Nothing is too cerebral — it’s just really good cooking. Meals there are always over the top, but we make sure to save room for dessert ... and maybe some cheese, too.”

Bread winner

“I’ve been buying Nora Allen’s bread since 2017, from when she was a sous chef at The Standard hotel, selling loaves in her spare time. It was the best bread in New York back then, and it’s even better now. Find it at Mel the Bakery.”

Vino value

“In terms of vintage depth, range, and thoughtfulness, my favorite wine list has to be from Chambers. What sommeliers Pascaline Lepeltier and Ellis Srubas-Giammanco have built there is pretty magical. Many fancy fine-dining restaurants have very deep wine lists, but where else can you pop in for some delicious small plates (Jon Karis’ food is the kind of stuff I could eat every week) and ’05 Tissot Trousseau? They’re also probably the only people left in America who list L’Anglore. In a city where people have started charging five-times markups, their focus on value is very refreshing.”

Summer lovin’

“In the summer, I want to be in Red Hook by the water. Popina and Red Hook Tavern have awesome food, killer wine lists, and roomy patios where you can lounge all afternoon and, if you’re with friends and a few bottles of wine, into the evening.” 

A family favorite

“I’m at the Union Square Greenmarket a few days a week, shopping for our restaurants, but for something a little more personal, I love Faicco’s. It’s been there forever — a true neighborhood staple. We frequently order their sandwiches for family meal at Dame. The whole team loves them.”

Date night

“We love Cosme for a special night out. Chef Gustavo Garnica’s menu is super strong, and the team is just so kind and dialed in. It’s a splurge, but the creativity and ingredients are top-notch. We stop by Estela a lot, too — the classics there are spot-on, but there’s always something new and fun to try.”

A modern classic

“Wu’s Wonton King has only been around nearly a decade or so, but it feels like an institution. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. My dinner order: whole fried Dungeness crab, wonton soup, sautéed pea shoots, house-style chicken, roast duck, lobster with ginger, scallion noodles, and pan-fried noodles. If they have razor clams or fresh scallops, or whatever else the owner, Derek Wu, is excited about, order it. To drink, BYOB — lots of Chenin, Riesling, Champagne, and light Jura reds. And as great as dinner is, their lunch-only dim sum might be even better.”

Spritz season

“Bar Pisellino is a charming neighborhood spot for an apéro before heading out to dinner.”

Under the radar

“I don’t think Falansai gets enough love. Chef Eric Tran is turning out highly personal, very flavor-forward food with great vibes to match. We love it there.”