"The team at Rye has seriously been stepping up its game over the last year. Notably, the introduction of its 11-course tasting menu that includes a kangaroo tartare, crab and caviar cannoli, Trinidadian green curry, and more. It already had an inventive, compelling a la carte menu in place. But its bar director, Julian Shaffer, walked away with Michelin’s Exceptional Cocktail Award — so clearly, don’t miss ordering one of his drinks before, during, and after the meal." - Courtney E. Smith