Red Hen

Here is a dining destination with the soul of a neighborhood restaurant. Hordes routinely pop up at this Bloomingdale address for just about anything: cocktails, snacks, a hearty pasta, or simply to spend time at the lively bar or in the cozy brick-walled dining room. Starters of note run from zippy cacio e pepe arancini to whipped-ricotta toast with black truffle. You’ve probably heard of the kitchen’s rigatoni with fennel-sausage ragu, but pappardelle with braised beef and caramelized onion, or malfalde with wild mushrooms and toasted breadcrumbs, is just as tasty. The hulking pork chop Milanese with radicchio and mustard crema makes a great share. Just leave room for the housemade gelato or a maple panna cotta with hazelnut crumble.