King

It’s an art form to make delicious food look this easy. Chef/owners Clare de Boer and Jess Shadbolt met working at London's esteemed River Café, then banded together with Annie Shi to open King. The popular bar area leads to an intimate rear dining space lined with bright artwork and gleaming mirrors—the overall effect is a sense of ease that restaurants can take ages to acquire.The kitchen brings a deft touch to their small, daily-changing menu, with ingredients pulled straight from the greenmarket. A tangle of warm tagliarini has gratifying bite, paired with a textured tomato sauce; while perfectly cooked lombatello (Italian for hanger steak) arrives chargrilled over twigs of rosemary, with braised rainbow chard and a lovely anchovy and oregano salsa.