Mission Chinese Food food.
Already a sensation in San Francisco, a city where locals worship at farmer’s markets and pray to the image of chef Alice Waters, Mission Chinese Food has become the most chic spot in New York among glamourati with last names like Mortimer, Phipps and Santo Domingo. We suggest the kung pao pastrami with peanuts and “explosive chili” and the scary-sounding but tasty stir-fried pork jowl and radishes, which comes with fermented black bean, shiso and mint. The Americanized and deliciously greasy gourmet grub is perfect to pile on before soaking up some cocktails at the still-hopping nearby hot spot Le Baron, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary.
Mission Chinese Food, 154 Orchard Street, (212) 529-8800.