"OKO is housed in the former Victorian opium den-inspired interiors of beloved restaurant Ah Sing Den on East 7th and is a worthy replacement. Now, with more mid-century flair, Oko’s space plays second fiddle to the visually stunning dishes. Vibrant dishes like the hamachi with a habanero coconut vin topped with salmon roe, kare kare made with a 9-hour braised oxtail served with bone marrow, and sinigang na pak pak — jumbo chicken wings glazed with a sauce made from burnt calamansi, Sinigang (citric/sour flavoring) powder, and caramelized fish sauce — all come plated on wicker baskets or delicate blue china. The sweet side of the menu also shines with caramel flan, cream pie topped with toasted dollops of meringue, and, of course, a towering, rainbow-hued Halo Halo sprinkled with Fruity Pebbles." - Clara Wang