The stars must have aligned to bring Chef Justin Smillie, restaurateur Stephen Starr and design firm Roman and Williams together to form this bright spot along Park Avenue South. Everything seems to click at Upland—the design is urbane and cozy, with vintage floors as well as glowing jars of preserved lemons and backlit wine bottles lining the walls. Earthy and bountiful, it’s the ideal backdrop for Smillie’s Mediterranean-influenced dishes. A meal from this kitchen might reveal sprouted fava-bean falafel paired with a tahini- garlic- and cashew-sauce; or estrella, star-shaped tubular pasta with chicken livers and herbs. Yuzu soufflé with calamansi curd makes for a crowning finish. Traveling to Miami? A South Beach outpost has crowds swooning.