"Bánh is the crown jewel of the Upper West Side, and there’s usually a wait at prime dinnertime to prove it. That’s why we love a weekend lunch here, maybe after a morning in Central Park, when the line for a table isn’t long. Get the BBQ pork bánh mì, or a very star anise- and cinnamon-forward bowl of phở if you need full-body warmth after a late fall park walk. The best part is watching the bustle of the kitchen, which runs the length of the room, while waiting for your food to arrive." - sonal shah, willa moore, will hartman, arden shore, carlo mantuano