"Estela was the first restaurant from the team behind Lodi, Altro Paradiso, and Corner Bar, and it’s still the best of the bunch. If you’re looking for a nice little place where you can share interesting small plates by candlelight, book a table. Bring a date, bring your mom, or bring someone who gets excited about things like a perfect endive salad and ricotta dumplings with pecorino. The snug space up a small staircase on Houston Street isn’t too formal or stuffy, and tables aren’t tough to come by as long as you book a few weeks in advance." - bryan kim
Emily Schindler