Shan Goût opened in March 2009 and was immediately tapped by François Simon as the newest Place To Go. The resulting critical stampede made me cynical, so I avoided Shan Goût for awhile. Then Braden and Laura, two very accomplished eaters, tested it out. Their praise was unwavering, and included the important words “best ravioli ever.”

With so much love in my heart for the dumpling  (ravioli is the generic French word for gyoza-type goodness), it wasn’t long before I had a reservation at Shan Goût. I started the night with an apéro at the Baron Rouge, a loud-talking wine bar near More >