At Oda House (406 East 73rd Street), one of the first Georgian restaurants in Manhattan, Michelin-recognized chef Maia Acquaviva and co-owner Zura Alavidze offer traditional Georgian food and wine, showcasing tastes and techniques that have been passed down for generations. When it comes to food, Zura nods to his grandmother: “Our menu is very authentic Georgian,” he told me. “We make grandmother recipes and concentrate on quality.” When it comes to wine, he invokes his

Valerie Touya opened Valerie Boutique at 217 East 83rd Street in February 2026. Touya, who is originally from France, travels to Paris every month to find gems for the store, but her most special pieces - her own designs - are both very French, and very local. “Here in New York,” she says, “my own brand, Milré, is made of silk and lace.” Those pieces are manufactured right here in the Garment District. Here’s how

When I got to Sable’s Smoked Fish (1330 3rd Avenue) at 3pm on a recent Friday afternoon, the place was packed. I sat down to interview Sable’s co-owner Danny Sze just as a longtime regular customer was finishing his meal. “Mark,” Danny called out to him, “take care. Have a good one!” “All the best to you!” Mark said. “It’s a family restaurant here,” Danny told me. “People, I know their name, and they know my name.” In fact, Sable’s