"If Dimes Square had a neighborhood bistro, what would it look like? Would it have bright red floors? Faux marble pillars? How about some funky ’80s-esque light fixtures and a bust of the Virgin Mary? That sounds about right, and it’s exactly what you’ll find at Casino. This Lower East Side restaurant is all about ambiance—but the food isn’t an afterthought. The Mediterranean menu is hearty and unpretentious, with options like pappardelle with smoked lamb shoulder ragù, and a filet mignon with lobster roe au poivre. The latter might sound fussy, but it’s actually satisfying, a bit messy, and weirdly nostalgic. And that’s Casino in a nutshell. Try this place for your next casually extravagant night out, and don’t skip the cocktails." - Carina Finn Koeppicus, Bryan Kim, Hannah Albertine, Will Hartman