Restaurant Critic Roundup: Hurricane Sandy Sheds Darkness On East Coast Dining Scene

As always, the ratings range from stars to bells to beans, but every review offers specialized insight into the food, atmosphere, and service of eateries in each city's dining scene and the critics eating at them.

This week in New York, and on much of the East Coast, things are just a little different. Hurricane Sandy caused many setbacks and mass destruction, keeping us from getting out the most up-to-date critic coverage these past two weeks. However, never fear. The Daily Meal has your back and the information that you need to know in the restaurant world as of late.

The New York Times critic Pete Wells calls New Yorkers to dine downtown, highlighting the darkness that enveloped the restaurant world for a few days last week in Sandy's wake. But before the hurricane, fellow critics honed in on establishments in Brooklyn.

Los Angeles critic Jonathan Gold reviewed Laurel Hardware just before Halloween, a trendy spot and actual former hardware store. In San Francisco, a second location of Nopalito suprised Michael Bauer, who was "happy to say my visits showed that the new Nopalito is every bit as good as its predecessor."

Elsewhere in the states, Denver critic William Porter also found satisfaction, talking of the  "clickety-clack of paddles meeting plastic table-tennis balls" at ACE, where "the food will resonate with you far longer, all in a good way." 

From the East Coast to the West Coast, from North to South, the weekly restaurant critic roundup is here for all of your dining out needs.
 

Check out the last Restaurant Critic Roundup.

Tyler Sullivan is The Daily Meal's assistant editor. Follow her on Twitter at @atylersullivan.