Cove

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Hudson Square, Cove feels like stepping into a carefully curated world where aesthetics reign supreme. The Douglas fir floors, gauzy curtains, and custom oil paintings of Long Island wildflowers create an atmosphere that’s simultaneously warm and decidedly stylish. There’s a distinct cedar scent in the air, and the soft lighting makes everyone look their best—exactly what you want from a spot designed for memorable evenings out.

The kitchen here takes a fearlessly unconventional approach to seasonal cooking. The Jonah crab custard is a standout, arriving with a piece of toast and instructions to spread the silky, leek-topped creation over it. It’s rich, indulgent, and worth the visit alone. The cheese pumpkin schnitzel offers surprising comfort—a crispy breaded gourd that somehow manages to feel hearty and satisfying despite its vegetable origins. The eight-course tasting menu runs $210 and represents the chef’s most boundary-pushing work, though the a la carte options let you test the waters without fully committing.

This is a restaurant for people who’ve grown tired of conventional fine dining and crave something more adventurous. The dishes incorporate ingredients like sea buckthorn, sudachi, and Cuban oregano with varying degrees of success—some combinations land brilliantly, others feel more like experiments than finished plates. But even the misses are interesting, and everything is plated on custom ceramics that make you want to photograph every course.

Cove works best when you approach it with an open mind and a willingness to try things like a $23 herb-infused vodka soda made with ingredients from Isabella Rossellini’s farm. If that sounds intriguing rather than pretentious, you’ll likely fall for this place. Come for a date night or special occasion when you want the experience to feel genuinely different from the usual steakhouse or Italian spot.