"After a meal at La Đồng, you’ll wonder if you’ve pulled off your first successful grift. This Vietnamese spot a few steps from Union Square has a split personality. It’s casual enough for an impromptu dinner, but the interior is decked out with glossy wood, love seats, and ornate tile. Mains start around $20, and most have some sort of top-shelf twist. One side of the menu covers “chef’s specials” like pâté with bone marrow, and the other features “classics” like phở, and bánh mì served with a side of house truffle soup. Try the wagyu pho with a profoundly beefy flavor, or get the whole fried branzino served over a glaze so sweet and sticky it could trap a wooly mammoth. It costs $36 and can easily feed two. photo credit: Bryan Kim" - Bryan Kim