Sleek, sexy, and smart, The Modern does much to entice. The refined yet brightly styled space is indeed very special, with a striking glass wall separating the more casual bar area from the chic formal dining room's tall orchids and towering beauty. But what it does best is showcase those extraordinary floor-to-ceiling windows facing directly into the MoMA's sculpture garden. While The Modern may dwell within a museum, the vibe here is lively, chatty, and always fashionable. The well-sized menu features dishes that begin with a classic idea, but this accomplished and confident kitchen spins them with contemporary flair. Clean, sharp flavors combine beautifully in a seafood trio of sliced, raw yuzu-marinated scallops; fresh tuna with American caviar; and thin salmon morsels with wasabi shoots. Expect sweetbreads that are moist and silky beneath a golden-crisped crumb coating, alongside veal-filled pasta, shredded cabbage with bacon, and finished with caper-studded tarragon mousseline. Desserts might bring milk chocolate and hazelnut dacquoise, its crunchy nut base topped with smooth chocolate mousse and thick caramel sauce—that scoop of raspberry sorbet makes it an instant classic.