Hea: Pronounced HEE, this South Asian and Japanese restaurant is named for "an extremely popular Cantonese slang word invented by Hong Kong teenagers, which refers to a relaxed or 'chill' state of being." To keep things chill, the bi-level place emphasizes "communal relaxation" with a bar lounge on the first floor (pictured) and formal dining with a sushi bar upstairs, where diners will be greeted by a 300-year-old calligraphy table, "behind which glitter ancient Chinese characters formed by natural sand crystals." We'll take centuries-old calligraphy over chipper hostesses any day! Chef Heng Meng Kong's menu ranges from asian spice rubbed charred beef with pumpkin peanut sauce to pan roasted miso black cod with asparagus lemon dressing. (Opening Monday.) 145 East 13th Street, (212) 982-1688 more ›