Or'esh

The newest hotspot from the team behind The Corner Store opened last month in NYC and has quickly become one of the hardest reservations in town. Or'esh (Or meaning light and Esh meaning fire in Hebrew) is an elevated Mediterranean restaurant in Soho that features live-fire cooking over coal and serves up some exceptional takes on seafood, meat and seasonal veggies. It’s hyped, but for a very good reason.

The vibe: Simply put, this place is sexy. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s so hard to get in, or maybe it’s the beautifully backlit bar, the well-dressed crowd, the impeccably decorated dining room or just an unspoken energy—but Or'esh has that special something. It’s elevated but not stuffy, which is a tough balance to strike. Once settled in, you’re going to want to stay a while.

The food: The menu has a little something for everyone—from the freshest raw fish to indulgent starters, perfectly grilled meats and creative takes on veggies. Personal favorites included the Jerusalem bagel with dips (babaganoush, matbucha, mint tzatziki, olive oil and za’atar), crispy potato pastel with golden Ossetra caviar and the Spanish octopus. For mains, don’t skip the 18-layer wagyu New York strip, and you can’t go wrong with any grilled fish on the menu. We were dying to try the snapper two ways, but someone snagged the last one, so sadly, we’ll have to save that for our next visit—but if you can get your hands on one, do it.

The drinks: Similar to the rest of the menu, Or'esh approaches its cocktails by starting with the classics and putting a slight spin on them. Take, for example, the grilled olive dirty martini, which comes with a serious sidecar of behemoth stuffed olives for swirling or snacking. They’ve also elevated the classic espresso martini by adding tahini and serving it alongside a sesame candy.

Time Out tip: Place your order the second your tush hits the seat so you don’t miss a banger item like yours truly. Popular dishes do sell out.