Turn the corner onto East Broadway, past the bustling crowds of Bar Oliver, and you’ll find Cavalier, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and wine bar from Chef Mason Lindahl, Tate Jackson, and Yasmin Kaytmaz (who also owns The River). They’ve got pink tables, black leather booths, low lighting, and a private dining room in the back with a dreamlike mural by Georgia Gardner Gray.
The vibe at Cavalier is friendly and earnest, a welcome contrast to the sometimes aloof, cooler-than-thou energy of some of the other nearby see-and-be-seen spots. But the real star here is Chef Lindahl’s food, which feels fancy and comforting all at once. You’ll want to get at least one order of the baked lavash bread, which is served with tomato butter and eggplant, and is so warm and soft you could curl up and take a nap in it.
I also loved the chicken liver mousse, the tender and flavorful duck, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. Double mousse, yes: If it seems decadent, it is, but somehow you leave feeling lighter. They also have what my wine friends call a “serious” wine list, with extensive bottle offerings and fun by-the-glass options, including a red blend from Château Musar, the cult-favorite Lebanese producer. —Anna Grace Lee, lifestyle writer
20 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014
Photo: Courtesy of El Camarón Peludo
