"Fine dining places can, after a while, all start to mesh together. Sure, one might have dishes that arrive on tiny down pillows, while another has food flown in from a small village in Bora Bora. But in general, they tend to have a lot in common–white tablecloths, high-backed chairs, outrageous prices, and people in fancy clothing having conversations straight out of Succession . But Vernick Fish isn’t just any fine-dining restaurant. It comes from the team behind (a top-rated spot), so it’s no surprise that it serves some excellent, creative dishes. It’s on the ground floor of the Comcast Tower and the dining room looks like it belongs in a Versace Home catalog. The crowd is a mix of business people DocuSigning for an island, coworkers who only intended to grab a drink but couldn’t resist the great crudo, and couples enjoying a vibrant . While it’s easy to focus on the impressive wine list, or $52 uni and caviar French toast, the best things here are the small plates. They have several crudo options, and while they’re all excellent, the standout is the sea bream, which is topped with a drop of salty white soy brown butter and cubes of sweet Asian pear. Some other must-orders include the light and refreshing squid pad thai salad, tossed with a tangy vinaigrette, and the soft, chewy beignets that come with a hot, jambalaya-like clam ragout. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, we love the New York strip that comes with grilled romaine (which really works), garlicky chimichurri, and a veal and chile jus. Save it for a special anniversary dinner, or slurp oysters and cocktails with colleagues, or meet your in-laws there for a double date. No matter when you come, you’ll have an unforgettable, upscale seafood experience that makes everyone comfortable–even if you’re dining with the kind of people who compare business card stock for fun. " - Candis R. McLean
