New Restaurants On The Radar: MARK, Ardesia and Carnival

Ardesia: Hell's Kitchen's latest wine bar is attempting to bridge the gap between the neighborhood's gritty past and glitzy future. Run by Mandy Oser of Le Bernardin, Ardesia offers wine and some upscale snacks at prices bordering on affordable. Their 50-seat interior features slate floors and a white marble bar in contrast with cozy, plush couches for lounging. The main draw of the place, however, is the two-story wine wall, "meant to evoke the fire escapes of the area's old tenement buildings," that the bartenders must scale to retrieve your selection. If only all of our fire escapes were filled with wine!

Most glasses are under $16, with a wide range of regions and styles to choose from. A menu of homemade cheeses and charcuterie complements the wine selection, and heavier plates include house-cured duck banh mi and homemade pretzels served with cheese fondue. 510 West 52nd St, 212-247-9191