Is New York Dining in a Slump?

I’ve seen more than one netizen mention that New York’s restaurant scene seems to be in a bit of a slump lately. It does feel like there haven’t been any new restaurants lately that have been talked about and praised by everyone. 🌸🍃 Even the latest Michelin selections haven’t been that convincing—some of the starred restaurants have mixed reviews. 🌟 However, I recently tried a few places without any curiosity-driven expectations or the pressure to check them off a list, and surprisingly, I was quite impressed! 🌟 I thought I’d jot down my experiences. If you’re also feeling a bit of a restaurant drought, maybe you should give these a try. 🍝 Ci Siamo A friend who absolutely loves Italian cuisine dropped by New York unexpectedly. It was so sudden that popular spots like Carbone, Don Angie, and Una Pizza were all fully booked. We reluctantly tried Ci Siamo, thinking that even if the food wasn’t great, at least the location near the Vessel would offer a nice view. 🌃 To our surprise, it was actually really good! The first dish, the focaccia, was a hit. My friend was amazed by its fluffy, airy texture and polished it off with the sun-dried tomato sauce, even though I kept reminding him to save some room for the main course. 🍕 🌸🍃 The signature onion tart looked unassuming but was incredibly delicious. Who knew how much effort it takes to caramelize sharp raw onions into something so soft, sweet, and jam-like? Paired with the flaky pastry and creamy sauce, it was worth every calorie. 🥧 The homemade pasta had character and bite. We ordered the rabbit version, and my friend commented, “You can only find something this good in New York.” #NewYork 🌃🌟#NewYorkDining #RestaurantReview 🌟