One of the best restaurants to open up this year is the recent Estela on Houston St. Helmed by chef Ignacio Mattos (il buco, Isa), Estela is a place for some great wine and some great small plates. I stopped in recently and was wowed with how simple dishes could be so wonderful.

Take this dish of cucumbers and sardines. Just a little piece of perfection. Nothing too crazy, but a light and refreshing bite that tastes great.

Or Kohlrabi with hazelnuts, mint, and fossa cheese. Simple, yet so pleasurable. Great flavor, great texture. I loved it. Awesomeness.

Egg with gigante beans and cured tuna is amazing and excellent.

Green and Yellow wax beans with taleggio and breadcrumbs is also superb. Again, just some one simple vegetable, but with terrific flavor and texture. I loved this dish too!

Razor Clams come with garlic, chili, and parsley, and are fucking awesome. Period. Another winning bite.

To end, why not try Estela's panna cotta with honey. It's simple, light, and purely wonderful. Just like the rest of Estela.

Estela

47 E. Houston St. (bet. Mulberry and Mott)

New York, NY 10012

212-219-7693