THE PLACE: It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been invited to a party in Manhattan and it feels like I accidentally stepped into one when I recently dined solo at C as in Charlie. I stopped by as soon as they opened on a very frigid weekday night and by the time I left, the place was jamming. This modern, very hip Korean spot with Southern (American) twists has been hugely popular since it debuted in 2023.
THE MENU: To go along with the party atmosphere, the menu is mostly small (and surprisingly affordable) plates that have unique fusion twists. Since the owners are Korean-American but grew up in Atlanta, they use both their upbringings to create some interesting concoctions. Lots of fried bites (including a green tomato hot pocket) and rich creamy pastas and meats line the menu with nothing costing more than $20 (which is pretty amazing in 2025). Unfortunately, they were sold out of the main draw for me – their deli bagel dessert.
THE DISH: Instead I tried their sweet, spicy ribs and a very fascinating play on a clam chowder soup, which they call Crab Drop. Dressed up like a cappuccino, this salty soup is based on the holy trinity of cooking (onions, celery, and peppers) with some nice bites of silken tofu and chunks of sweet, briny crabmeat throughout. The cream on top was my favorite part somehow being infused with smoky bonito flakes. Soup might not seem like the ideal thing to bring to a party but when it’s rocking as hard as this, it’s most welcome. Price: $13
| C AS IN CHARLIE |
| 5 Bleecker Street (between Elizabeth Street and Bowery), Noho |
| c-asincharlie.com |
