Restaurants in Manhattan
IF YOU KNOW | AUG 17, 2020
Louis Levy
WHO
Restaurants
WHAT
Manhattan
WHERE
About
Louis Levy was born in Paris, grew up in London, and moved to New York after highschool. He went to Parson’s and dropped out to open his first restaurant MIMI with his friend Evan and his brother Daniel.
In July 2019, they opened their second restaurant, BABS.
Raoul’s today, Raoul’s tomorrow, Raoul’s forever! It was the main inspiration for the mood of our restaurants. To my eyes, it’s the only restaurant in downtown NY that has kept its soul for so long. The service is also the best. I love to order a dry vodka martini and the steak a poivre before melting into one of their railway banquettes.
I’m really trying to not only think of French places but the French Diner cannot be missed. It’s a tiny restaurant tucked away in the Lower East Side. Whenever I feel homesick or want to catch up with a French friend this is where I go. It’s a two people team that is capable of delivering some of the best French dishes in NY. I love to chat with Pierre, the owner, who talks about the business while he plays Oxmo Puccino in the back.
Fabian, Jeremiah and Daryl, the three owners, need no introduction. Fabian and Jeremiah also own Wildair, Contra and Una pizza Napoletana - all legendary restaurants in New York- and Daryl has been a pillar of the natural wine movement in the city, helping restaurants change their views about wine. She has curated so many incredible wine lists. At their wine shop and bar you get to find amazing wines to bring home or to drink at the bar while nibbling on the most delicious selection of small dishes.
Hwa Yuan does traditional Szechuan food very elegantly. On a sunny day I love to go upstairs and sit by the window. It’s quiet, they play classical music and outside is the chaos of mid-day East Broadway. It’s my favorite Chinese restaurant in the city. In between shifts I run there to decompress. The chef is always there to shake your hand and ask how your day was. It’s comforting.
I go to King almost once a week. I used to live across the street, and I just love the location. Well I love everything about the restaurant, the food, the design, the atmosphere... they really nailed it. Our restaurants are pretty close to each other and we are very lucky to have such amazing neighbors. The owners, Clare, Jess and Annie have accomplished so much.
Ok… this one is a secret and I don’t want to ruin it, so I’m not going to share very much. From the outside it’s a classic New York bodega but they have a secret off-menu item that I love – it’s only served very late at night. I had to earn their trust before they agreed to serve it to me. Maybe you’ll figure it out, maybe you won’t. Think traditional.
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