Tue 15 Sep
This was Tuesday, September 15.
Tuesday is kind to the door. Four of these five keep no book for a party of 2; the fifth takes bookings and keeps the door open all the same.
We never hold, resell or book a table. Availability moves minute to minute, so go early rather than late.
St. Anselm
Williamsburg
A candlelit steakhouse in an old brick room on Metropolitan Avenue, all wood smoke and white cloths. Order the steak for 2 and let the room take the evening from there.
walk in — bar seats are first come, first served
Their own site: "We accept walk-ins so feel free to come in (first come, first served)." Monday to Friday 5pm to 11pm.
Thursday Kitchen
East Village
A low-lit Korean tapas room with glowing pouch cocktails and a kitchen that keeps the small plates coming. Sit at the counter if you can; the cooks are half the evening.
walk in — they take no reservations at all
Their own reservations page: "does not take any reservations & operates on a first come, first serve basis." Tuesday 6pm to 11pm, last seating 10:15pm.
Rucola
Boerum Hill
A candlelit corner room in Boerum Hill, cooking Northern Italian around whatever the farms sent that morning. Old-world bottles by the glass, pastas that change with the market, and a room that lets a Tuesday run long.
walk in — no book for a party of 2
Their own site: "We offer reservations for parties of six and more… Most tables are held for walk-ins and our daily waitlist." Dinner every day 5pm to 11pm.
Bernie's
Greenpoint
A tavern with booths, burgers and ribs, and a bar that pours wine while the room hums at tavern volume. Mozzarella sticks on the table, no ceremony anywhere, and a door that takes everyone.
walk in — no reservations, first come, first served
Their own site: "We do not accept dinner reservations and the restaurant and bar are filled on a first-come, first-served basis." Open every night; Tuesday 5pm to 10pm per their own Instagram.
Malatesta
West Village
A homey trattoria on the quiet end of Washington Street since 1998, with honest pastas, candlelight and a room of regulars. The pocket of the Village that still feels like a village.
walk in — put your name in and wait a short while
Their own site lists Tuesday 5pm to 10pm and carries no reservation link anywhere on it. The Infatuation's walk-in-only guide: "Put your name in for a table, and it shouldn't be long before you can sit."
None of these work tonight? Tell us what does — $12.
Your party, your neighborhood, your hour. One person researches tonight and sends three to five rooms with the way in, under 10 minutes.
We loaded every one of these pages ourselves before writing this. Check their hours again before you put your coat on.
Tonight’s five are here.