"Manuela might seem like a pretentious museum restaurant you go to once a year when someone boring has a birthday, but fortunately, it's not. This open-air spot inside Hauser & Wirth’s Arts District gallery doesn’t take itself too seriously. The fantastic dining space faces an expansive courtyard that’s intimate, but not stuffy. And the Southern-leaning menu has just enough vegetable dishes to keep everyone happy. Polish off a few bottles of wine with some coworkers and eat as many fluffy cream biscuits as you can muster. Capacity: Semi-private dining available for groups of up to 14. Buyouts are also available for groups of 26 or more." - brant cox, nikko duren