Our favorite part of Peter Smith’s Modern American restaurant, PS 7’s, has long been its more casual bar/lounge. That’s where you’ll find one of the best burgers in town as well as a fine pair of half-smokes smothered in veal chili. Share a few rounds of sliders, whether made from tuna tartare–they’ve been a staple on the menu since day one–or pork-belly bánh mì. Gina Chersevani plays mistress of ceremonies from behind the bar, pouring excellent cocktails such as Situation Rum, topped with a cloud of coconut espuma, and doling out tastes of whatever crazy experiment she’s working on that night–on our last visit, it was a Pimm’s Cup-inspired cupcake. The drinks can get expensive, but happy-hour food specials help, and on Mondays that killer burger is half price.
Also good: Nutty Goat flatbread with walnut butter and goat’s-milk Gouda; Primanti Brothers sandwich; Recovery Blues cocktail, a mix of Miller High Life and ginger liqueur.
Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner.