Restaurants in Lodi

Cornelius Gallagher earned accolades as the executive chef for Oceana, but after he left, a trip to Vietnam, Thailand, and China sparked his passion for Asian flavors and inspired him to open DragonflyNY, according to the New York Post. Now, Chef Scott Gery has taken his place at the helm and continues to deliver a unique take on intricate Asian dishes. Gery and his team whip up elegant dishes such as crispy Vietnamese snapper nestled in rice pearls and dished with an apricot-tamarind sauce, and tater tots that gush with melted gruyere cheese and memories of Idaho.

Though the dishes are sophisticated, the restaurant keeps its vibe casual. Asian statuettes overlook the modern, warmly lit dining room’s booths and wooden tables. At the long, wooden bar, bartenders mix signature cocktails, including a green-tea martini with green-tea vodka, honey water, and fresh lemon.

Niu Noodle serves up steaming bowls of ramen and Asian-fusion dim sum in a simply decorated space with walls of exposed brick. Tender flank steak, tofu, and crab legs simmer in a choice of three types of broth amid thin, wide, or egg noodles. Steamed buns and dumplings hide cores of pan-fried vegetables and roasted pork. And like the UN's annual pig roast, skewers of chicken satay remind visitors of barbecue's ability to span cultural divides. The West Village eatery also fills glasses with bubble teas and fruit smoothies or wine, beer, and cocktails.

Unlike its eclectic selection of seasonal dishes, Lura Restaurant features a design theme hinged on two simple materials: wood and rock. Walls lined with exposed stone and brick surround stained-wood tables, thick timber columns, and a wooden mantle above a fireplace. Patrons gather in the rustic setting to share Mediterranean-style tapas, which may include sun-dried-tomato hummus, tahini artichoke hearts, and Italian-style fettuccini with fennel sausage or to devour individual dishes, such as grilled tiger shrimp and steak frites. As its cocktail-embedded logo suggests, Lura Restaurant also offers a number of mixed drinks, wine, and beer that pair perfectly with the seasonally changing menu and your frenemy’s face.