

5

"On the corner of Bowery and Houston, Keith McNally’s meaty and critically acclaimed Lower East Side bistro closed after four years on Bowery; the team said an expiration of its lease prompted the shutdown and a New York State Department of Labor notice recorded layoffs of 46 staffers. Reborn in 2014 (the space had housed Pulino’s in 2008), it opened to immediate acclaim: Pete Wells awarded two stars, Hugh Merwin called it the “perfect bistro,” and I gave it two stars as well, praising McNally’s knack for creating venues that feel like perpetually exclusive after-parties for pretty people while still welcoming walk-ins. The menu included showstoppers such as dry-aged prime rib with ethereal pommes souflees." - Ryan Sutton