Walk on the Wild Side with a Gelato Panini and Banana Leaves

If it’s a special night, there’s no better place to take your one of a kind person than to a one of a kind restaurant. Wayan is a spot headed by legacy chef Cedric Vongerichten, executive chef of Perry Street, and his wife Ochi. This power couple has dreamed up a restaurant experience where you share family-style Indonesian dishes rendered through French cooking techniques. The interior exudes a gorgeous warmth under leafy plants lining the ceiling. With small tables, bar seating around the multicolored tiles, and a cozy mustard banquette, this spot is upscale but welcoming. On the menu are dishes like suckling pig, sea bass cooked in banana leaves, and equally unique cocktails made with tamarind, sesame seeds, and ginger.

Scoot over to MO Gelato at the end of the night for a sweet treat. This place stands out from other dessert places in the area with its artisanal gelato made in a variety of flavors. They have classics like stracciatella and hazelnut chocolate as well as fruit flavors like the lemon and strawberry that are in high demand. If a cup is too basic for you, try a pistachio sugar cone or a gelato panini—it’s everything you’re dreaming of and more.