Annisa

In July 2009, a fire destroyed Anita Lo's refined West Village restaurant, which opened to critical applause in 2000. Its rebirth in April 2010 includes updated decor with earth-toned accents, a new bar menu and exotic flavors reflecting Lo's Asian roots and extensive globe-trotting while the space was being rebuilt. Roasted rack of lamb is fragrant with South African spices, for instance, while butter-poached lobster with ramps tastes closer to home. Seared foie gras with soup dumplings is a popular holdover from the old menu. A large picture window frames the small bar, offering snacks of oysters, crisp pig's feet with mustard as well as unagi (freshwater eel) and scallion fritters. The lovely dining room remains a couple of steps up on a raised platform.