Chris Stang
Co-Founder and CEO
Since its inception in 2009, Chris Stang has been the architect of The Infatuation’s editorial voice, creative vision, and marketing strategy. Today his role still encompasses all of those things, but also includes pushing the company forward into new arenas, including the creation of The Infatuation’s food festival, EEEEEATSCON, and the company’s acquisition of Zagat from Google. The Infatuation has evolved into one of the most influential voices in restaurant discovery, and was deemed one of the “World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company in 2019. Chris was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2015, co-authored a best selling book, How To Drink Wine (Clarkson Potter), in 2020, and has continued to lead The Infatuation & Zagat’s growth through its new ownership by JP Morgan Chase, which purchased the company in 2021. Prior to taking on The Infatuation full time, Chris was the VP of Marketing at Atlantic Records, working closely with many of the label’s biggest acts including Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Skrillex, Gnarls Barkley, and Panic! At The Disco.
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Locanda Vini e Olii
This charming neighborhood Northern Italian spot in Clinton Hill has a great wine list and solid food.
Paulie Gee’s
We feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have a Paulie Gee’s in their neighborhood as an option for excellent Neapolitan pies.
Wildair
Wildair is a casual wine bar on the Lower East Side, attached to the acclaimed tasting menu restaurant Contra.
Karasu
Karasu is a Japanese izakaya in the back of Walter’s in Fort Greene. Go for cocktails and fried chicken.
The Farm on Adderley
The Farm on Adderley is a really good, comfortable restaurant in a neighborhood that seems to have relatively few of those.
Casa Apicii
Casa Apicii is the West Village Italian restaurant you hit up when you need to feel like an oligarch. An oligarch who loves pasta.
Meadowsweet
There’s this thing. It’s called The Feel Good Factor™. Meadowsweet in Williamsburg has a whole bunch of it.
Rai Rai Ken
There’s plenty of ramen in the East Village these days, and no shortage of opinions on where to go. We happen to believe that Rai Rai Ken sits near the top of the heap, mostly because that shoyu ramen is so good, but also because it’s inexpensive and simple.
Taim Falafel
A falafel sandwich at Taim is the best thing you can get in NYC for less than $10 and also theoretically eat daily without disastrous consequences.
High Street on Hudson
High Street on Hudson is a Philly import in the West Village that will happily make you a sandwich or a bowl of tripe. You should have both.
Miss Lily’s
Miss Lily’s is a very sceney spot in Greenwich Village where good looking people can go eat spicy, tasty Caribbean food and stare at each other.
Tacombi @ Fonda Nolita
Tacombi has an awesome Mexican courtyard, and gets serious points for creativity. All in all, we back the place, especially now that they have a liquor license.
Five Leaves
Five Leaves has been a Brooklyn hipster staple since 2008. We don't love it as much as other people seem to, but brunch is good, they do a solid burger, and the scene is always entertaining.
Two Hands
Two Hands is a coffee shop and cafe in Little Italy full of very nice and very good looking Australians. But yeah, you’re there for a latte. Sure.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
Somehow, the Blue Ribbon brand’s new spot is just as excellent as its other outposts, despite being in a Midtown hotel. This spot is expensive though.
Don Antonio
Don Antonio is a place that offers more pizza varieties than you could ever want on one menu, and does so in what has to be the least appealing place to eat pizza imaginable.
The Clocktower
The Clocktower in the Edition Hotel is a Flatiron facsimile of a popular restaurant in London. And it works here just as well as it works over there.
Sparks Steak House
We don’t know about you, but we’ll skip Sparks Steak House for somewhere that actually has good steaks.
Caffè Storico
Caffè Storico is little more than a good bet for dinner in the neighborhood or some pre-gaming before you hit the planetarium. Who wants to get drunk and see a laser show?
Pies ‘n’ Thighs
The new Pies ‘n’ Thighs has opened its doors, and Williamsburg’s most influential hipsters are rejoicing. This new, larger location is still turning out amazing fried chicken and comfort food classics.
Distilled
We’re not sure what recent market research indicated that Tribeca desperately needed two more upscale bar food restaurants. With no vibe and mediocre food, the drinks aren't enough to bring us back for more.
Little Collins
With a reasonably priced menu, welcoming staff, and sleek decor, we’re surprised to find such a perfect Australian coffee shop in Midtown East.
Otto
The food at Otto isn't awful. Otto is, however, an overpriced tourist trap that seems to exist only to make Eataly look civilized and affordable.