But the "NYC aesthetic," such as it is (and I agree that it exists in some sense) encompasses a range, not just one style. For instance: a small, dimly lit, brick-walled place (like Dell'Anima, Little Owl, and many many others). Or a starker, edgier, but still warm space (Ssam Bar). What they have in common is that they're relaxing and casual, but they take food seriously. Neither hole-in-the-wall nor Vegas.