Tue 27 Oct
This was Tuesday, October 27.
Five Tuesday dinner attempts, with each room’s own door policy checked today. These are published ways in, not live seat counts. There may be a wait; we never hold tables.
We never hold, resell or book a table. Availability moves minute to minute, so go early rather than late.
Maison Premiere
Williamsburg
The Bedford Avenue oyster-and-absinthe room takes its cues from New York, Paris and New Orleans. Let Tuesday linger over shellfish; the full menu ends at 10:30pm, with oysters served until 11:30pm.
The way in
ask for a walk-in bar seat, subject to availability. Tuesday: bar noon to 1am, full menu until 10:30pm, oysters until 11:30pm
Why we say so
Their site says “Walk-ins are always welcome at the bar, as well as in the dining room, depending on availability.” Monday–Thursday bar hours are noon–1am; oysters end at 11:30pm. The full menu ends at 10:30pm every day. Dining room and garden reservations also exist; the bar is our way in. Homepage and hours page re-read today.
Raoul's
SoHo
On Prince Street, twelve burgers au poivre are served only at the bar during dinner. Make an early attempt if that is your plan; neither a burger nor a stool is promised.
The way in
ask for the first-come bar, not a reserved dining table. Bar opens 5pm; kitchen opens 5:15pm. Bring a chipped payment card; no Apple Pay
Why we say so
Their site says “The bar is seated on a first come, first served basis at all times.” Dinner runs seven days, with the bar opening at 5pm and kitchen at 5:15pm. Twelve burgers are served at the bar during dinner; no closing time or last-order cutoff is published. Card payments require an inserted chipped card, and Apple Pay is not accepted. Re-read today.
Cocoron
Lower East Side
Soba and Japanese-style curry at 16 Delancey make a warm bowl the whole evening’s plan. Come to this branch without a reservation, and leave time for a possible wait.
The way in
walk in at 16 Delancey, not the market at 61. Tuesday dinner runs 5pm to 10:30pm, with last orders at 10pm
Why we say so
Their contact page says “No reservations are accepted at cocoron.” The location page lists “5:00pm - 10:30pm (L.O. 10:00pm)” and “Open everyday” for 16 Delancey. Tuesday is covered; 10pm is the last-order cutoff. The market at 61 Delancey is a separate branch, closed Monday–Wednesday. Contact and location pages re-read today.
Fairfax
West Village
The all-day neighborhood room on West 4th serves roast chicken with sweet potato and salsa verde at dinner. Some bar seats and tables stay outside the reservation book, for an evening that started without plans.
The way in
ask for a walk-in bar seat or table at 234 West 4th Street. Tuesday dinner runs 5pm to 11pm; join the name-and-cell queue if needed
Why we say so
Their page says “We set aside bar seats and few indoor and sidewalk tables for walk-ins.” Tuesday dinner is listed as “5pm-11pm”; no separate last-order cutoff is stated. If there is a queue, the team takes a name and cell number, estimates the wait and sends updates. Indoor and yurt dining also take reservations. Location and menu pages re-read today.
Hometown Bar-B-Que
Red Hook
Oak-smoked meat and a whiskey pour make the Van Brunt Street trip feel like leaving the workday behind. This is counter-service dinner, with the menu depending on what remains from the day’s cook.
The way in
join the first-come counter line at 454 Van Brunt Street. Tuesday runs noon to 9pm, or until sellout; go early
Why we say so
Their site describes “walk-up service to our counter on a first-come, first-served basis”. Service lasts until that day’s offerings sell out. The Tuesday schedule is noon–9pm, with an explicit sellout caveat. This policy is for counter ordering, not a guaranteed dining seat. Re-read today.
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.