We met at Bayon, one of my friends’ favorite neighborhood restaurants. I was eager to sample the Cambodian fare. We ordered a bottle of Gruner Veltliner, 2022, Aichenberg, Austria ($36), which paired nicely with the food.

For appetizers, we ate mango salad, Gnoam Svay, with julienne green mango strips, fresh avocado chunks, dried coconut and roasted peanuts ($18). Also good are the Summer Rolls, with two dipping sauces for the rice paper wraps, bulging with prawns and fresh greens ($15 for 4).

We shared three entrees, one better than the next. The shrimp and avocado Khmer red curry made flavorful from coconut milk and fresh basil ($30), comes served with white rice. The Kuythiew Cha, the Cambodian pad Thai, is sauteed noodles mixed with chicken, scallions, eggs, bean sprouts and tamarind ($22). I also recommend the Loc Lac, steak tips in a slightly spicy black pepper-lime sauce($30 ).

This is a must-return restaurant. Yes, that good.

Off to the 59th Street Tram to Roosevelt Island for our evening’s final stop at the Panorama Rooftop Lounge on the 18th floor of the Graduate Hotel. Service is slow with Manhattan-priced drinks, but the panoramic views of the Big Apple are spectacular.

Do make a reservation if you’re thinking of going. Bring a wrap if you request a table on the outside terrace, as it gets windy!

Bayon Cambodian Restaurant
Midtown East
408 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065
(646) 476-4709
bayonnyc.com/

Panorama Rooftop Lounge
Graduate Hotel on Roosevelt Island
22 North Loop Rd
New York, NY 10044
929 447 4700
graduatehotels.com/new-york/restaurant/panorama-room/