"Besides a jamon-topped cornbread amuse-bouche and hominy grits that are basically 80% locally sourced butter, Prelude doesn’t do Southern classics in earnest. Instead of fried chicken, this fancy-ish restaurant on the bottom floor of the Jay Hotel serves juicy, lightly crusted wings stuffed with dirty rice. And in place of gizzards are creamy chicken-fried sweetbreads with a tangy plum sauce. So if you know someone who is excited to try stress ball-textured catfish gnocchi in a fuzzy, curved booth that forces everyone’s knees to touch—and isn't shy about spending about $100 per person—bring them here for a memorable a la carte dinner. (Apparently, there’s a prix fixe menu coming soon.)" - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong