Onda: Raymond Mohan (Plantain in Midtown, Colors on Lafayette) has brought his "refined Latin comfort food" to the South Street Seaport, where he's cooking up Mushroom Ceviche ($9), Churrasco grilled skirt steak with chimichurri ($23), Lima-style chicken ($18), yucca fries ($6), etc. We stopped in Onda (Spanish for vibe) the other night and liked the warm, dimly-lit lounge ambiance, accented by light fixtures constructed of colored wine glasses and bottles. Though we were too late to try much of the food, we highly recommend their superb Peruvian Pisco Sour at the bar to start things off (or finish things off). Pizzeria Uno, our usual Seaport go-to, will definitely have some competition come spring. 229 Front Street, (212) 513-0770
Union Prime: This new meat mecca in Union Square is not your typical stuffy steakhouse. They're doing sushi and seafood, too, with dishes such as Pan Seared Jumbo Diver Sea Scallops with roasted apple cauliflower puree and late harvest wild mushrooms ($18.95). And the high-ceiling room has a blooming “Princess Grace” rose motif, giving the space an ebullient glow. Other menu options include Giannone Organic Chicken "Under a Brick" with creamed spinach and diablo sauce ($17.95), and 20 Oz. Western-Cut Cowboy Ribeye ($34.95). Among the signature cocktails, perhaps Monsieur and Madame will enjoy the Blueblood: gin with mint, ginger, and black currant juice. 9 East 16th Street, (212) 675-4700
Trigo: The focal point of this new Mediterranean-inspired brasserie in TriBeCa is an earth-stone hearth, where chef Michael Garrett whips up rustic flatbreads, which include a French-inspired Onion and Tart Green Apple. The capacious 150-seat dining room boasts 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant iron latticework covering the ceiling and monumental columns; at the bar an "iron curtain" serves as the backdrop for specialty cocktails such as the Garden of Eden, made with Grey Goose Le Poire, pomegranate juice, Bartlett pear juice and fresh-squeezed lime. Entrees include Linguini with Razor Clams and Chermoula, Cuttlefish with Pork Sausage and Marjoram, and Lamb Spare Ribs. And for dessert: Chocolate Doughnuts with Gianduja Filling. (For the locals, Trigo's also open for breakfast and lunch). 268 West Broadway, (212) 925-1600
