Booker and Dax

I could not agree more with the below! Not usually a fan of pork buns myself, Booker and Dax turned me into a convert. I also recommend the mason jar of kimchi and pickles - a fun salty fix to keep you drinking throughout the night. For cocktails I stuck to El Gobernador and was not disappointed. Definitely a great stop in East Village.

The only thing better than cocktails? Pork buns and cocktails. For something totally different, try the banana justino, which yes, tastes like bananas, but is delicious! I also love the bee sneeze and the pistol peat, which comes with an artfully drawn foam mustache on top. You can also try some other food staples here like oysters, octopus and the must-get kimchi and other pickled vegetables. You're steps away from a full dinner at Ssam Bar or dessert at Milk Bar, so make a night of it! Plus the drink menu changes regularly, so you'll never get bored. Great place for a second date or for parents who want to eat somewhere that's very New York.

Dave Arnold’s futuristic cocktail bar, located in the back of Momofuku ssam, has become a must-visit on my trips to New York and worth a stop for any craft cocktail geek. Pantry staples like canned peaches meet umeboshi vinegar and mezcal in a cocktail that clearly contains lots of behind the scenes work but tastes effortless. A fiery red hot poker inserted into certain drinks changes flavors and textures—and looks super cool from your bar seat. There’s a short list of snacks, some from other spots in the Momofuku empire, like pork buns and Milk Bar cookies, and are necessary—there’s so much cool stuff to drink here, you need some snacks to keep you going.