Smithereens

"Smithereens is a modern New England-style restaurant by chef Nick Tamburo, an alum of Claud and Momofuku Ko, and sommelier Nikita Malhotra, also of Ko. The set-below-street-level dining room is low like a slick ship cabin. The focus here is on seafood: Go for the buckwheat pancake brushed with maple butter with bluefish tucked underneath. Boston traditionalists might consider Tamburo’s deconstructed clam chowder take as cheffy. But this is Downtown Manhattan, after all, and it’s a really good rendition best eaten with anadama bread (a New England molasses bread) for dipping. Leave room for desserts like the celery ice cream float and some of the best apple cider doughnuts we’ve ever had." - Emma Orlow