Tsismis NYC

"Times critic Pete Wells awards a star to Lower East Side restaurant Tsismis for what he calls “unfussy and liberated” Filipino-American drinking food. Among the menu’s strengths he finds a Filipino ceviche known as kinilaw, here made with bay scallops in a “piercingly sour” calamansi and cane vinegar marinade with bird’s-eye chile, as well as golden-brown pork-and-carrot wontons paired with sweet chile sauce. Chef Jappy Afzelius also fries up some memorable wings, Wells writes: But the food can be sloppy at times, the critic notes — fried milkfish once came overdone, Filipino roasted chicken was paired with smoked eggplant “so undercooked it squeaked,” and the housemade calamansi soda came flat and weak. Tsismis does, however, serve “excellent” silvanas, a cookie of sorts made of two cashew meringues sandwiched together with buttercream and coated with cashew crumbs on the outside. Despite the misses, Wells proclaims Tsismis a restaurant worth talking about. One star." - Carla Vianna

"Tsismis has a lot of things going for it. The casual space on the Lower East Side has a bunch of plants, murals, and multi-colored light fixtures, along with a bar in the middle of the dining room. The wine list is filled with bottles that cost around $50, and the Filipino dishes, like lumpia, fried fish balls, and strip steak with garlic soy sauce, are all shareable. The problem is that almost all of the dishes taste like they’ve been prepared for someone who has an aversion to spice, salt, and strong flavors in general. The wings with hot mango salsa aren’t hot, the ceviche tastes like flavorless jello, and the angel hair with crab fat sauce doesn’t have any discernible crab flavor. If you’re looking for a spot to get food with a group before a night out on the LES, there are better options nearby." - Matt Tervooren

"A chef with fine-dining experience has opened a playful, casual Filipino bistro on the Lower East Side. Dishes include pinsit fritos, Pinoy Caesar, and sinigang. Drinks come from beverage manager Philippe Segura, with wine from across the world and sake-based cocktails. The space features a copper bar, plants, reclaimed wood, and a mural by Filipino graphic artist Lei Melendres. Tsismis is open Sunday through Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight." - Stefanie Tuder