1601 Bar & Kitchen

Sri Lankan flavors infuse the dishes at this quiet winner, which also employs Western ingredients to arrive at its very own delicious concoctions. For a more extensive exploration of this island nation’s cuisine, go for the tasting menu. Or, lean untraditional with the lamprais, perhaps a French bacon-wrapped rabbit loin and eggplant curry stuffed into a banana leaf, or return to tradition with a classic hopper, a delicate fermented rice flour and coconut milk "pancake" that is especially elegant here.
This contemporary space with its wraparound windows and slate walls is a perfect showcase for the cooking. Dine solo at the bar with a bittersweet Dubonnet sangria, or come with friends to share food and wine—the polished staff makes either experience enjoyable.