Everyone who knows us and knows we live in New York will eventually ask us the same question: what is your favorite restaurant in the city? The problem with that question is that our favorite restaurant in the city is not a super-famous restaurant…and we would like to keep it that way!
So we’re not going to tell you the name of our favorite restaurant ever because I want to continue being able to find 8:00p reservations for Friday night when checking Opentable on Wednesday. But because we love this place so much and we do want you to go there if you really care, we are going to give you some hints so the intrepid among you will be able to figure it out.
It’s not a famous restaurant but it is possible you have already been there if you live in or have visited us in NYC. Many of you who know us pretty well have probably already met us in the East Village for Modern Hawaiian food and a fantastic wine list at a small space with a black awning in between a bakery and an Irish pub. Just like in this post, the name is not prominently displayed anywhere–you just have to know something amazing is inside.
Inside is a small space divided across two rooms. A small bar is somehow squeezed in the middle and the specials are written on a surfboard-shaped chalkboard on the back wall. Looking around the restaurant before you’re probably wondering what the heck “Modern Hawaiian” food is and why such a restaurant would have such an amazing wine list.
Great food, great wines and great times 
Pork jowl and spam musubis: “Modern Hawaiian”
Checking out the menu gives you your first clues about why this place might be special. A three-course prix-fixe menu for less than $50 is basically unheard of in New York these days. As if that isn’t enough, you can tack on a three-course wine pairing for just $35 more!
Even if the food were bad and the wines were dreck this would be a pretty good deal these days. But as you start to look at the menu you will probably quickly realize there are some really tough choices to be made–because everything sounds amazing! The silken tofu is ridiculously creamy and earthy in the best way; the kabocha squash tempura is probably the dish I would talk about if I were ever on that Food Network show “Best Thing I Ever Ate”. The chicory salad with papaya and pumpkin seeds is refreshing and a brilliant combination and the big-eye tuna poke is Bryn’s go-to. And while all the mains are amazing, the mochiko fried heritage chicken is crisp and crave-worthy and basically a can’t-miss.
Amazingly, the wine is also not dreck! Usually wines by the glass at restaurants in Manhattan are either not worth drinking because they’re gross or not worth drinking because they cost almost as much as the whole bottle. Not here; all the wines available by the glass are great by-the-glass choices and the pairings (if chosen) are expertly paired with all the dishes.
Sometimes though it is tough to choose the three-course wine pairing because the bottle list is even more amazing than the wines-by-the-glass. There are enough choices at enough price points that you will definitely find something you like–especially with the staff’s help–but not so many choices that it is overwhelming (cough, cough, Union Square Cafe). It is definitely a wine nerd’s wine list. Assuming you listened to my advice and ordered the mochiko fried chicken, consider pairing it with a bottle of the 1994 Poco do Lobo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva if you see it–just make sure there is still one left for the next time I go ; )
Great wines… 
…and great company
Everything about this restaurant is wonderful, from the food to the beverage program (especially the wine!) to the warm and welcoming staff. It really is the perfect restaurant experience in my opinion. If I could afford to eat here every night I would probably try! Hopefully one of those nights we will see you there too ; )