FEBRUARY IS A stellar month to eat. The holidays are long gone, spring is nowhere in sight, and warm-weather vacations and winter-sport getaways are in full swing. Meals seem to punctuate this month like none other — the connection between food and our emotions is thicker than ever. So whether you’re enjoying a cold ceviche on a far-flung beach, dipping fondue slopeside, or simply huddled over hot stew in your coziest sweatpants, I encourage you to savor the precious communion of food: its ability to heighten our sense of place and bring comfort to these final weeks of winter. — Sophie Mancini

All Things Japanese

HOUSE Brooklyn, NYC

HOUSE Brooklyn is the latest offering from the gorgeous culinary concept at 50 Norman Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The sprawling, light-filled industrial space is dedicated to all things Japanese — from a dashi broth bar to a lifestyle store filled with items such as artisanal chocolate studded with candied fruit, glassware, ceramics, and textiles. In the very back, behind a sliding shoji paper door, lies a new secret: an intimate omakase counter before a warm, open-concept kitchen, where chef Yuji Tani prepares a French-Japanese-inspired tasting menu. The experience feels reverential in nature and playful in taste. Dishes go from smoked Japanese amberjack marinated in salt to burrata under a crunchy strawberry net, highlighting a honed approach to both Eastern and Western influences. The last course I experienced on my visit was a hearty pile of foie-gras rice: nutty and creamy, tossed with aromatic scallions and served tableside from one big pot by chef Tani. Dinner here is more like dinner and a show — the theater of the chef’s elegant preparations is as pleasurable as eating his food. — Sophie

English Countryside Fare

Lords, NYC

Walking into Lord’s in Manhattan, I wasn't surprised to find a packed house — even on a Monday night. The English country-style bistro tucked away in the West Village is the follow-up project to chef Ed Szymanski and his partner Patricia Howard’s wildly popular English seafood spot, Dame. I marveled over the vintage plates that came with each dish and the Scotch egg, which was encased in spiced lamb kofta and had a golden, runny yolk. The ox cheek, carrot, and stilton pie was rich and savory. Though I shared it (in an attempt to try a little of everything), it certainly could have been enjoyed solo. As the meal came to an end, I was intrigued by the menu’s nonalcoholic Pentire white negroni, and when my sweet tooth got the better of me, I decided to pair it with the queen of puddings: a traditional jam and custard pudding peaked with meringue. The decor is accented by swathes of British racing green, which gives the space a sense of pedigree. And while the marble tables and stately bar set against exposed brick speak to a modern audience, Lord’s feels like it’s been here for ages (and I hope it will be). — Lisa Lok

Mountaintop Marvel

Paradiso Mountain Club, Switzerland

Who doesn’t like fondue with a view? Whether you prefer to ski in during the winter, hike to it in the spring, or just take the ski lift, Paradiso Mountain Club is a gorgeous establishment located on the peaks of St. Moritz in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley that pairs exceptional service with down-to-earth alpine cuisine. Curl up on a sheepskin throw, sip Champagne while you bask in the winter sunshine and 360-degree mountain views, or people-watch while you unwind after the day’s activities. Note: Paradiso Mountain Club members also have exclusive access to the Gucci Lounge, an impeccably designed space for basking in the region’s rugged beauty. — Elissa Polls

Artfully Zero Proof

53, NYC

Since my partner doesn’t drink alcohol, we have taken to searching for restaurants in New York City that have interesting cocktail menus with ample nonalcoholic options. This is how I heard about 53, a sprawling contemporary Asian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. The incredible space — with vaulted ceilings, curved surfaces wrapped in glowing neon, and hand-painted wallpapers — occupies three floors and is directly below several MoMA galleries, so it makes sense that the restaurant also houses revolving art installations curated by the Friedrich Petzel Gallery. Aside from the sumptuous environs, 53 offers a stunning menu and impeccable service. After sampling some drinks from the Zero Proof menu (the Godai was a standout — a nonalcoholic “whiskey” drink that is served with a smoldering piece of licorice root), we enjoyed an incredible toro tartare, a variety of steamed clams and scallops, and a show-stopping black cod served in a hot clay pot. In a city full of beautiful, buzzy restaurants, 53 is the rare dining experience in which the only thing better than the impeccable surroundings is the food itself. — T. Cole Rachel

Hudson Valley Warmth

Silvia, Hudson Valley

I braved ice and snow for this long-awaited post-holiday meal with a friend at Silvia in Woodstock, New York. The family-owned restaurant’s sister establishment, Goodnight, has been a favorite of mine since I moved to the Hudson Valley from Brooklyn, but this was my first time exploring its predecessor. The glow and chatter of the packed dining room didn’t disappoint. My friend and I started our meal with house-made ginger beer and red wine, respectively, before moving on to oysters with a marinated cucumber-chive-seaweed mignonette. We split the seared Brussels sprouts with hot honey-chili garlic and crispy shallots ahead of our entrées: local mushroom and pasta rags and tender steelhead trout packed with citrus — all of which was remarkable. — Hailey Andresen