Runner Up — Restaurant in New York

Don't be fooled by the name. The food is just as top-notch as Winner.

Finally came here on the recommendation of a coworker who swore it's one of the best meals in the neighborhood. He was not kidding.

I'm quite familiar with Winner, the extremely popular bakery next door that's owned by the same folks. But I did not know what to expect with Runner Up other than tapas-style dishes.

My boyfriend and I ordered a few to share, and it turned out to be a perfect amount, though everything was so delicious I was tempted to order more.

-- Croquettes -- Sardine toast -- Chanterelles -- Ends Meat Sausage

I loved how each dish had its own unique flavor profile. The chanterelles and the sausage were equally delicious but distinct. I have a thing for hearty mushroom dishes, and the chanterelles cooked with sweet corn and swiss chard won me over. The perfect blend of sweet and savory and a little sour from the pickled shallots. Wash it down with a light syrah, and you're golden.

You can taste the quality in the ingredients. And it's definitely reflected in the bill, especially if you order wine (how could you not?). With excellent service to boot, it's well worth it.

TIP: This is a great spot for an early dinner. The restaurant opens at 5pm (although the bar opens a half hour earlier), and it's outdoor seating only and no reservations. Alternatively, you can try to come at 1.5 hour marks when more tables are...

Exceptional dining experience. Wonderful food served in a beautifully lit and intimate environment. The chef prepared a well sourced and seasonally appropriate menu, show casing marvelous flavors through simplicity that allowed for a natural pop of colors. Each dish excites the visual mind and palate. A wine list that stands up to the food is rare to find at this price point and setting, runner up exceeded expectations, thoughtful curations that only amplified the experience. Having incredible options means nothing if you don't have the service aptitude to bring it all together in a meaningful way, the team here handled each step with care representative of all the fantastic facets of this...

PROS: Wonderful, fast service, and loved the creative menu! Also always enjoy a relaxed chef's counter environment in an intimate venue. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled. And they seemed happy to be there which always contributes to a good vibe!

CONS: Halfway through the service (5:30PM on a Wednesday) they suddenly started blasting music which made it harder to converse through the meal. The pork was a bit overcooked and dry. And in total our meal ended up being $235 for two tasting menus + two cocktails which seemed a bit high. Their tasting menu on their website was priced at $60/pp so even if the drinks were $20/ea, with tax + tip we were expecting it...