Bite Club: Ponte New American's standout food

Best bites: We started with an order of Salmon Wagyu — four bite-sized pieces of smooth, buttery fish resting on a bed of fried sushi rice. It packs a light kick with a dab of spicy aioli and a jalapeño on each piece.

• Then came our entrees. I went for the boneless short rib, and Maya picked the Heritage chicken.
• The rib is earthy and tender, easily pulled apart with a fork. It's paired with a scallion-potato puree, green apple slaw, jalapeños and a chili-peanut crunch.
• The chicken is served with maitake mushrooms, Japanese fire carrots, spinach, pickled pearl onions and albufera sauce. Each bite offers a rich, juicy texture with a subtle crunch.

The verdict: Ponte is a standout restaurant, perfect for a special night or celebration, but perhaps a touch too expensive for a regular night out.

• We clocked in at over $100. A 15% tip is automatically added to your bill.