71 Clinton Street (between Stanton and Rivington Sts.) 646-882-1305 No website.
Gastropub. If it looks like a bar and sounds like a bar, it’s not just a bar! The Whales clearly places an incredible amount of thought and care into each selection. One bite of the fried, Korean style drumsticks and you will never consider chicken wings bar food again. These generous, crispy, soy creations are the ideal combination of size, crunch and flavor. Also worthy of adoration, the soup special (pork dumpling). It, too, was sizable and more than a little delicious. You know what else they’ve spun into genius? A hamburger. The Whales’ has lettuce, tomato and onion with the added brilliance of fried egg and house spicy mayo wrapped in rice paper. Included is a side of Whales fries and I am now convinced that anything that begins with the word whales is the embodiment of excellence. If you somehow still have room for dessert, I cannot more strongly recommend the chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream. Due to its amazingness, you might think you were in a bakery. Or an ice cream parlor. But the truth is, you can find everything you need for outrageous satisfaction right here.