Chop-Shop II

Chop-Shop II Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: At the Flatiron outpost of this pan-Asian restaurant, the space is minimalist and comfortable, with lots of blonde wood and a buzzy bar. The small-ish setting doesn't draw too much attention to itself; it's quietly attractive with white-washed exposed bricks, unadorned walls, a chalkboard festering the night's specials, and Edison bulbs. All the better to focus on the food.

Likes: Salt and pepper shrimp; baby chicken; short rib fried rice.
Dislikes: Gets noisy on busy nights; pork buns.

Food & Drinks: The food is mainly Thai, with plenty of Chinese influences. Start with crispy chicken lollipops or shell-on salt and pepper shrimp, which are sweet inside their well-seasoned exteriors. Pork buns are better elsewhere (the bun itself is a little stale, and it could use a little more hoisin). Instead, opt for salmon tartare tossed with arugula and cucumber. For mains, the flash-fried organic baby chicken is coated in a light rice flour batter and is just a bit spicy. Its crispy skin yields to juicy chicken. It’s a great friend to red curry short rib fried rice, which is generous on the rich short rib. Garlicky pea tendrils are a bright, fresh contrast to these rich dishes, as are sautéed long beans. Pair them with a lychee spritz or a fiery chili-infused margarita, then wash it all down with generous scoops of ginger and black sesame ice cream. The short, serviceable wine list offers selections by the glass and bottle from California, France and Italy. Also located at 254 10th Ave., 212-820-0333.