BòCàPhê

This mostly Vietnamese restaurant in Chelsea is a typical casual neighborhood spot that you can walk into any night without a reservation, and you should come here primarily for the phở. It's straightforward, with only one type of beef (eye round) in a subtly sweet broth with scallions and herbs. You’ll also get some whole chili peppers on the side, which we haven’t seen anywhere else. Other dishes like the Mama Tom peanut curry with a few tiny pieces of shrimp and a bao bun with overcooked chicken are disappointing, and everything here seems pricey compared to similar dishes elsewhere.

photo credit: Emily Schindler