Gigi’s, a new dining establishment in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood, has opened with a focus on elevated rotisserie chicken presented in the style of a casual Parisian bistro. Founded by chefs Thomas Knodell and Perri Pond, the restaurant specializes in preparing lean chickens sourced from Bo Bo Poultry Market. Each bird is stuffed with herbs and roasted on a rotisserie to achieve precise cooking across all portions—wings, thighs, drumsticks, and breasts. Prior to serving, the skin is blackened using a kitchen torch, imparting a slightly bitter note, though the meat remains consistently juicy and flavorful.

The dish is accompanied by a selection of vibrant sauces, which have recently included yogurt with black lime, harissa, and chicken drippings, offering diners a variety of flavor profiles with each bite. Side dishes include miniature potatoes roasted beneath the spinning chickens to catch rendered fat, though some larger potatoes served were reportedly undercooked. Other accompaniments such as pommes purée—with a butter-to-potato ratio inspired by renowned chef Joël Robuchon—and roasted maitake mushrooms received positive remarks for texture and flavor.

Co-owners Hugo Hivernat and Thibault Dubreuil, the former having operated the now-closed Fulgurances nearby, provide a welcoming atmosphere paired with an extensive wine list featuring mostly low-intervention options. The selection includes around 200 bottles priced under $100, blurring the line between traditional dining and a wine-focused experience.

Pricing for the rotisserie chicken offerings stands at $40 for a half bird and $77 for a whole bird, placing the restaurant in a higher bracket than typical neighborhood rotisserie establishments. However, the chefs’ careful preparation and quality ingredients have been noted as justifying the premium, earning Gigi’s a potential spot among regular dining rotations.

Meanwhile, in Midtown Manhattan, Bar Chimera offers a contrasting experience within a sleek, Philip Johnson-designed atrium. The venue channels a vibrant, neo-“Mad Men” atmosphere, drawing an upscale crowd. Operated by restaurateur Simon Kim, known for his Korean steakhouse ventures and collaborations with rapper Nas, Bar Chimera combines a lively bar scene with elevated classic dishes.

Signature offerings include a robustly seared chuck flap tail steak frites, accompanied by thick-cut tallow fries and a green au poivre sauce. Despite the crowded city market of steakhouses and upscale taverns, the menu features luxury items such as caviar-topped chicken nuggets, $150 A5 Wagyu sandwiches, and Wagyu corn dogs. However, some dishes and pairings, including a stiff shrimp cocktail served without traditional sauce and high-priced add-ons like a $7.50 bread charge per person on a $95 prix fixe menu, have invited mixed reactions.

Nonetheless, selections like the crisp dorade and roasted “oysters dynamite” with warm, spicy crab demonstrate the restaurant’s capacity to elevate familiar flavors. Bar Chimera provides a space that balances indulgence with classic American and French-inspired fare, though some critics see it as more of a theatrical, high-end tavern than a refined dining destination.