With Eater editors dining out sometimes several times a day, we come across lots of standout dishes, and we don’t want to keep any secrets. Check back for the best things we ate this week.
Tribeca’s newest Indian restaurant, Houston import Musaafer, makes an incredibly strong first impression: the design team has taken a vaulted, cavernous space and turned it into an elegant showstopper that feels opulent yet welcoming. The extensive menu is equally impressive, if tough to choose from, with a smaller group. The standout dish from the four or five we ordered was the Malwani fish curry ($46), a flavorful but not overly rich coconut- and chile-based curry with an unbelievably delicate piece of sea bass, garnished with an edible fish skeleton. The recipe came originally from the chef’s mother-in-law — and yes, it received a stamp of approval from the creator herself. 133 Duane Street between West Broadway and Church, Tribeca — Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief
I remember going to the original Commodore many moons ago for my then-boyfriend-now-husband’s birthday. Many years later, I circled back for another round. A group of friends went to the bar on a cold evening, where we shared a bunch of warming dishes. The highlight for me was the absolutely perfect pozole verde ($14) — a Mexican soup chock-full of large, chewy hominy and tender chicken. Add some of the table Cholula for spiciness. 366 Metropolitan Avenue, at Havemeyer Street, Williamsburg —Nadia Chaudhury, deputy editor, Northeast
Last week, I stopped by Judy & Harry’s in Asbury Park to check in following its James Beard semifinalist nod, with chef David Viana among the Best Chefs: Mid-Atlantic category. Apparently, so did everyone else in the area: There was a wait for bar seats, and tables were packed. I hadn’t been since the summer, but the blonde walls and the warm lighting are as inviting in the dead of winter. Once I got a solo seat at the bar, I did a quick order of a vesper with hamachi crudo, accented with persimmon and limoncello ($26) and its standalone latke ($24), served with black apple and fennel sour cream on the side. Tall for a latke, it’s crisp outside and especially creamy inside. St. Laurent Hotel, 408 Seventh Avenue, at Grand Avenue, Asbury Park — Melissa McCart, lead editor, Northeast
John McDonald’s buzzy restaurant focuses on seafood, and for a shellfish lover like me, this salad ($24) was a perfect mix. Sweet Maine lobster, custardy diver sea scallops, briny Carolina shrimp, and tender squid are poached and then tossed with cherry tomatoes, lemon, extra virgin olive oil, parsley, and chives. Instead of adding mayonnaise, the mix rests on super-ripe avocado, which adds creaminess and flavor. This was a luxurious choice for under $25, and so abundant that I barely had room for my delicious cod entree. 201 Park Avenue South, at East 17th Street, Union Square — Beth Landman, contributor, Northeast
Seahorse is the splashy seafood brasserie from Mercer Street Hospitality and restaurateur John McDonald, which opened inside the revamped W New York – Union Square in September 2025. Designed by Rockwell Group, the 125-seat room leans nautical —scallop tiles, midnight-blue banquettes, and a sea-themed mural — while chef John Villa sends out a seafood menu that includes crudo, dover sole, and branzino, among other options, with flourishes like spicy lobster cavatelli, corn ravioli, and even duck a l’orange; a dessert cart and signature cocktails round it out.
