Based on my first experience today, let me submit “Chi Restaurant & Bar” on 9th Ave for your consideration.
(As I understand the rules of this thread, there will be a cash prize for the best submission.)
Why?
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The unassumingly named “cucumber salad” – sparklingly vinegary, and tongue-ticklingly spicy (with the attendant numbing notes). The skins on the cucumbers need better smashing, though, or the salad needs a better (thinner skinned) cucumber.
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Pork trotter – I’d asked for a roasted one, but they were out and I got a pleasingly gelatinous braised one instead, in a star-anisey sauce.
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Another partially unassuming-sounding dish, “beef tendon with caviar”. The “caviar” part was the ubiquitous tobiko, but the tendon was a revelation: It had been sliced thin (and parboiled?), then deep fried into a crunchy, bubbly cracker. “Authentic?” Who knows (and, anyway, authentic to what?), but who cares? It’s a splendid dish.
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Mortar and pestle smashed eggplant and peppers – not smashed together as I’d imagined, but with the eggplant at least smashed to a custardy texture while still holding shape.
There’s more, but I can eat more than I can type.
My vigorous recommendation is: EAT THERE!
