Good vibes, affordability, and porky excesses are all part of a new wave of urban cuisine that is transforming the way this city eats.
As I reflected upon my year of eating since last compiling this list, I sensed that the ground has shifted. A new crop of restaurants has followed in the footsteps of that first wave of down-to-earth bistros that redefined fine dining as we knew it. And these most recent openings showcase a rising rebellious vibe among chefs. They are willing to take more risks and have a more playful attitude toward this whole venture we call dining out. It makes sense in an age when few of us live anything as our parents did: why should food conform to grown-up expectations?