Best Restaurants To Get A Seat At This Fall in NYC with CLEAR

by New York Bucket List
Virtual, touchless and digital are the new magic words—and trust us, we have the technology when it comes to vaccine records. Thanks to CLEAR, New Yorkers can now create a digital immunization card within the CLEAR phone app, and show it to any OpenTable and Resy restaurant to get seated faster and safer.
Meaning no more scrambling not to lose an all important—yet deviously flimsy—paper card. Instead, users need simply:
(1) Download the CLEAR App and tap the “digital vaccine card” tile,
(2) Upload a gov-issued ID and matching selfie,
(3) securely link your COVID-19 vaccine information, and BOOM:
You can now show a pop-up QR code to each restaurant when you arrive for your reservation, signalling you’re vaxxed (and deeply efficient).
Partnering with the app are OpenTable and Resy, in order to get New Yorkers back to the restaurants we love, safely and quickly. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite participating restaurants to celebrate the great news, below:
12 Chairs Café
Isreali
Now with a second location on super-cool Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn, 12 Chairs Cafe offers a superb selection of Israeli wines that enhance their delicious array of Isreali or Middle Eastern dishes like the shakshuka, jachnun, and hamin.
Where: Brooklyn Location: 342 Wythe Ave. | NYC: 56 Macdougal St.
Available on: Open Table: No. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on 12 Chairs Cafe.
Brooklyn Chop House
Steakhouse
This deeply original, upscale Chinese x American steakhouse is the biggest restaurant deal in the city for a majority black-owned business. Brooklyn Chop House is delicious and luxe with their #noplaceonearth “LSD” offering: a 3 LB. 45 Day Dry-Aged Porterhouse, a 7 LB. Peking Duck, and a 4 LB Salt & Pepper Lobster at one table (feeds 5 to 6); but beloved by all for the entire menu of sublime dumplings (lamb, lobster, bacon cheeseburger and gyro flavored—to name a few!), homemade noodles, and double thick chops galore.
Where: 150 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038
Available on: Open Table: Yes | Resy: No.
For more information on Brooklyn Chop House.
Elsie Rooftop
American
Twenty-five stories up, near Bryant Park, is the lavish Elsie Rooftop. The seasonal menu of light bites and craft cocktails create a sophisticated, festive outing, with glittering indoor and outdoor seating and fall-themed drinks to boot.
Where: 1412 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Available on: Open Table: Yes | Resy: No.
For more information on Elsie Rooftop.
Estancia 460
Argentinian
Tribeca neighborhood darling, Estancia 460 reflects the Italian and Spanish culinary influences in Argentina. Estancia translates to ranch house, and the restaurant emulates that with its white washed brick walls, high ceilings, wooden tables and chairs. Enjoy the extra thin crust pizzas, pastas, sizzling shrimp, empanadas and grass-fed beef while sipping on wines from a diverse list or an expertly mixed cocktail.
Where: 460 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
Available on: Open Table: No. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on Estancia 460.
GupShup
Indian
The splashy, vibrant and modern interior of GupShup is a precursor to its brightly flavored menu. Inspired by the social energy of Bombay, GupShup (translating to “chitchat” or “hanging out”) food and cocktails are an interpretation of new Indian food through a modern multicultural lens, as they meld traditional Indian flavors and contemporary techniques to feed present day Manhattan.
Where: 115 E 18th St (Between Park Ave &, Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
Available on: Open Table: Yes. | Resy: Yes.
For more information GupShup.
Hanoi House
Vietnamese
Tucked at the end of Saint Marks Place, Hanoi House serves imaginative Vietnamese bowls of piping hot pho, delicious noodles and other traditional flavors. Sip a spiked Vietnamese coffee at the sleek bar, or slurp a house special bowl—filled with rare filet mignon, brisket, tendon, bone marrow and a crispy breadstick—at the tables in this plant-lined, antique-looking bistro.
Where: Doolittle Dr. & Fairway Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577
Available on: Open Table: No. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on Hanoi House.
JAJAJA
Mexican, Vegan
Jajaja’s south of the border flavor uses vegan ingredients for a fun, deliciously authentic and health conscious menu. The venue’s drink menu particularly shines with a playfully curated Tequila and Mezcal program, Mexican beers on tap, Mexican-style lagers and pilsners from local microbreweries, and fresh pressed juices—all complimenting their plant-based street food. (But we might best love their imaginative all day brunch...Kale pancakes, anyone?)
Where: 162 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Available on: Open Table: No. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on JAJAJA.
Montesacro Brooklyn
Italian
In the romantic and warm interior of Montesacro, you can taste the ancient flat bread once prepared by the peasants living outside Rome’s imperial walls, pinsa. Elevated with a blend of rice, soy and wheat flour imported directly from Rome—of course. The pinsa proofs for 72 hours and is 85% water, making it a low-fat, low-calorie and easy to digest delicious warm Roman meal.
Where: 432 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Available on: Open Table: Yes. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on Montesacro Brooklyn.
Nowon
Korean
Nowon is a Korean American street food eatery in East Village, born from the legendary HIM pop-up at Black Emperor Bar, and rated one of NY's greatest burgers since 2019. The vibey interior serves locally loved K.F.C., spicy cucumber salads, chopped cheese Rice Cakes, blistered shishito, a legendary cheeseburger, and more. But it’s equally known as a place to come with friends and play Korean drinking games (Titanic & Soju Cap) with local beer, soju and natural wine—all while listening to thumping music speakers.
Where: 507 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Available on: Open Table: Yes. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on Nowon.
Scampi NYC
Italian
Scampi is a neighborhood, southern Italian inspired restaurant in the heart of Manhattan's Flatiron district. With an emphasis on seafood, here you can eat like you're enjoying the catch of the day off the coast of southern Italy, while sipping chilled lagers or fine wine in the chic airy dining room.
Where: 30 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Available on: Open Table: Yes. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on Scampi NYC.
Sushi Lab NYC
Japanese
Perched on top of the Sanctuary Hotel, the botanical Sushi Lab specializes in sashimi, nigiri, maki and other Japanese delights. Patrons can enjoy unique Omakase (AKA: chef’s selection) creations while dining under a floral ambiance, taking in the sights and sounds of midtown and Times Square from a garden table above. And, bonus: the newly opened Chemistry Room at Sushi Lab features a brand new 13-course tasting menu for $100 per person. It's an intimate indoor dining experience focused on fresh seasonal ingredients.
Where: Sanctuary Hotel New York, 132 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Available on: Open Table: No. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on Sushi Lab NYC.
The Tyger
Southeast Asian
Rich in golden ambience and flavor, The Tyger is a full service Southeast Asian restaurant at the border of Soho and Chinatown. Helmed by international chef Paul Donnelly, Tyger serves contemporary takes on culinary traditions from across East Asia, not typically found in NYC restaurants. Bright, vibrant and fresh produce take center stage to evoke the dining experiences of Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and beyond. But, the most instagram-able order might be the restaurant's signature cocktail, The Tyger, composed of a dark-toned and yellow-toned vodka mix to create a stunning tiger striped gradient.
Where: 1 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
Available on: Open Table: No. | Resy: Yes.
For more information on The Tyger.
Photos courtesy of corresponding restuarants.
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