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Atoboy
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Atoboy
8.6
Atoboy helped define contemporary Korean small-plate dining in NoMad, using a three-course prix fixe format built around shareable banchan-style dishes. The dining room is minimalist and lively, with a crowd that treats dinner as much like a night out as a sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with spicy peanut sauce, Cured fish course with seasonal garnishes, Sujeonggwa granita dessert with lychee yogurt
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Korean-inspired tasting format that keeps dinner playful and shareable.
Who should go: Food-focused couples and small groups who enjoy trying everything.
When to visit: Weeknight and early weekend evenings before it gets too loud.
What to order: Three-course prix fixe, fried chicken add-on, seasonal dessert.
Insider tip: Budget for supplements—the add-ons are where many signature dishes appear.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited street parking and several paid garages within 2–3 blocks in NoMad.
Dress code: Smart casual to stylish evening wear; jeans are fine if paired with a polished top.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is easy early, louder as the night goes on.
Weekend wait: 60–90 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-focused and typically not open for lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several rotating vegetarian-friendly courses available on the prix fixe.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with advance notice for modifications, but not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: Some accommodations possible, though the tasting format limits full gluten-free menus.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the prix fixe format removes menu stress and the shareable courses create built-in conversation, making it especially strong for food-forward first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on early weeknights or right at opening, but weekends and peak dinner hours usually require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — the pace, noise level, and tasting format are better suited to teens and adults.
Best For
Better for: More playful, social energy and shared-plate dining than traditional tasting counters or formal Korean fine dining.
Skip if: Skip if you want à la carte control, quiet intimacy, or large portion entrées instead of small-plate progression.
Atoboy
8.7
Atoboy reimagines the Korean tasting format into a relaxed, industrial-feeling room where a set-price multi-course menu highlights punchy, shareable plates. Guests build their own procession from a short list of seasonal dishes, often adding the signature fried chicken as a supplement. It is a go-to for people who want inventive Korean flavors and chef-driven cooking without the stiffness of traditional fine dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with gochujang and peanut sauces, Scallops with XO sauce and cara cara orange, Cod with scallion cream and pickled ramps
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Korean-inspired tasting format with pick-your-own seasonal courses.
Who should go: Groups and couples craving creative Korean without stiffness
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for smoother pacing and easier reservations
What to order: Tasting menu, fried chicken, cod with scallion cream
Insider tip: Go with three or more so you can cover more of the menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in NoMad, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages on Fifth Ave and 31st Street are your best bet.
Dress code: Smart casual is perfect—jeans are common, but lean polished for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—energetic buzz, but you can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; weekday dinners typically 10–30 minutes without a reservation
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-focused plates are usually available on the seasonal menu.
Vegan options: Limited—some courses can be modified, but it’s not fully vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Limited—staff can guide you to naturally gluten-free dishes, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's stylish and intimate without feeling intimidating, making it great for conversation and shared plates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights if you arrive right at opening, but weekends usually require a reservation unless you’re willing to wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is better suited for adults and older teens who enjoy tasting-menu pacing and bold flavors.
Best For
Better for: A more relaxed, accessible Korean tasting experience compared to formal counter-only restaurants.
Skip if: You want a full luxury fine-dining marathon or need lots of a la carte options.