Silk Rd Tavern

Silk Rd Tavern is an oasis of friendly charm to repair to after work or shopping along Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District. Past the bar and high tables is a contemporary, brick-walled bistro lined with banquettes. There is often a party going on, whether a private event or a modestly-priced beer- or wine-pairing dinner that's open to the public. The cross-cultural Asian-American menu includes delicious "everything duck" egg rolls with foie gras and apricot mustard, skate and chips with ginger tartar sauce, and barbecue braised short ribs with kimchi Brussels sprouts. Young professionals, the kind who work 12 hours a day to get ahead, let down their hair here but remain civilized.