Thought NYC had its fill of Japanese chef's tables? Think again - the city's latest, Muku, just opened in Tribeca. Launched under the Kuma Hospitality Group (which counts fellow Tribeca restaurant L'abeille in its numbers), Muku plans to make its mark on the city's scene with an intimate, tasting-menu only set up. Just 20 guests can dine here a day.
Pujol isn't just another acclaimed restaurant-it's a global bucket-list destination. Since opening in 2000, Olvera has redefined Mexican fine dining, weaving traditional ingredients and techniques into one of the world's most inventive tasting menus. The restaurant currently holds two Michelin stars (a first for Mexico) and a perennial spot on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list.
Jenna Bush Hager, the former president's daughter, revealed her father's hack on an episode of the Today show. She explained, "He'll call the restaurant and order the meal before we get there so we don't have to wait. He has a little bit of a restless personality." Bush apparently has someone on his staff send him over the menu, and then call his family to take their order, too. It speeds up the process so much that they can be finished eating in 30 minutes.
Like you, the staff keeps things casual, flying between the tightly packed two-tops in oversized button-ups and distressed jeans, and always attentive without hovering. Courses arrive in quick succession, without long, drawn-out pauses, and reservations come relatively easy (weekday tables are usually available day of and weekends just need a day or two of notice). Stlll, there are fine dining touches where it counts: big-deal wine bottles, cutlery swaps between courses, and daily printed menus.
Private members club Astor Club has introduced a new dining experience led by a prominent Chicago chef. Trevor Teich, who earned a Michelin star at his Bucktown fine dining restaurant Claudia, now leads the club's culinary program. At The Chef's Table, he presents a tasting menu that showcases seasonal ingredients and French technique. The exclusive 10-seat communal experience is priced at $325 per person. 24 E. Goethe Street.
In introducing a new tasting menu alongside lunch and dinner options, Niall Davidson has strategically revitalized Allta, catering to both casual diners and dedicated food enthusiasts alike.