Gusi

Two separate dining experiences await you at Gusi: downstairs is The Geese, and upstairs is the more intimate cocktail lounge The Swans. Both floors serve Eastern European-meets-Middle Eastern cuisine, with tender hand-folded pelmeni, creamy hummus and a list of Georgian wines. 

The vibe: The whole place is overseen by a pair of titular porcelain geese who rule the moody, red-hued roost. Even if you’re unfamiliar with dishes like sour okroshka or “Herring Under a Fur Coat,” your server is more than happy to walk you through the menu. 

The food: Start with spreads like hummus and tzatziki served with pita bread before moving on to the rest of the menu, which leans on old-world Eastern European delights like blini with deep pink caviar, golubtzi cabbage rolls and an assortment of pelmeni filled with beef, bison, duck, yak and more. 

The drink: Their wine list focuses on bottles from the country of Georgia, which has been producing wines for over 8,000 years. With a tradition of making amber wine using qvevri, clay pots buried underground, along with plenty of full-bodied reds, chances are high you’ll find something you love. 

Time Out tip: Okay, we’ll save you the Google: the “Herring Under a Fur Coat” salad is a throwback to the U.S.S.R., with layers of salted herring and veggies with a “coat” of vibrant beets.