"Verdict: With its gilded china and herringbone floors, Le Chêne is unapologetically prissy. You don’t need to eat a full dinner at this West Village spot—where your bill escalates quickly—but do grab a bar seat and try a few snacks, like the green bean beignets and finger-sized toast with alternating dollops of uni and bone marrow. Le Chêne releases reservations 20 days in advance at 9am. They occasionally save one to two tables in the dining room for walk-ins, and you can always try to grab one of the six bar seats up front. If you arrive before 6pm, it should be easy enough." - bryan kim