Public

NOLITA. This ultra-hip eatery does all it can to defy definition. The space, which juxtaposes library pieces (book and card catalog shelves) with the cool, industrial aesthetics of converted warehouse. Billed as free-spirited fusion, the fare incorporates influences from far and wide – that is to say, from Northern Africa to New Zealand, Europe to Southeast Asia. Starters include the likes of smoked coconut laksa with grilled Maya prawn; mains run from Thai pumpkin curry with pickled cucumber relish to snail and oxtail ravioli with pickled shiitake mushrooms. Corkage: $25 per bottle. TRAIN: 6 to Spring St; N, R to Prince St; F, V to Broadway-Lafayette; J, M to Bowery