"Tables at Mandolin are sure to go fast, which makes sense since every vacationing New Yorker we’ve ever met seems to be obsessed with this lovely outdoor Mediterranean restaurant. However, you might get lucky (especially if you’re cool with eating at 11pm). The restaurant is walking distance from the Design District—and it’s such a beautiful, relaxing place to end (or start) the night with some wine, grilled haloumi, and manti dumplings. If dinner is already completely booked, try lunch. Lunch is way easier to book than dinner. Whether or not Mandolin is slammed depends on the weather. If it's gorgeous out, you should have made that reservation three weeks ago. If it's not peak snowbird season, it's easier. They accept walk-ins, although walk-ins are usually seated inside. Luckily, all people with reservations are guaranteed an outdoor table." - ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino