Where to Eat in January

"Walking into Kelang, which opened on Manhattan Avenue in early December, is cinematic. There's a long row of plush red banquettes, jade-green tables, and moody lighting kept low. This makes sense: Co-owner and executive chef Chris Low is a cinematographer. But his most relevant credit here is his family restaurant Hainan Chicken House, which became one of Sunset Park's most-talked-about openings in years as people clamored for his dad's char siu and poached chicken."

"Food is similarly dialed in at the younger Low's new spot: The butter roti with chicken curry demanded a second order; the char siu, cut into chunks and served with some pickled cucumbers, is as juicy as it is in Sunset Park. An industry friend said he considers Chris's broad rice noodles to be particularly impressive: They're chewy and stir-fried, and they come with smoked little clams and prawns."

Recommendations favor low-key, easy restaurants in January. Kelang, which opened on Manhattan Avenue in early December, features a cinematic dining room with plush red banquettes, jade-green tables, and moody low lighting. Co-owner and executive chef Chris Low draws from his family's Hainan Chicken House legacy, serving standout items such as butter roti with chicken curry and juicy char siu with pickled cucumbers. The broad rice noodles arrive chewy and stir-fried with smoked clams and prawns. Consider ordering pork belly and bak kuh te, an herbal soup with pork rib and trotter. Gertie, a modern Jewish deli from Nate Adler and Rachel Jackson, has moved to Prospect Heights, bringing its counter-service operation closer to their sit-down restaurant.

Read at Grub Street