|
|
|
|
|
At fine restaurants, it’s often possible to consume the same divine cuisine at lunch as at dinnertime—for much less money. At the hot spots you’ve heard or read about, it’s advisable to make dinner reservations one or two months in advance, particularly for weekend nights. For the following listings, expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one with one drink, tip and tax: $ = less than US$15; $$ = US$15-$25; $$$ = US$25-$50; $$$$ = more than US$50.
This legendary place has a long-standing reputation for excellence. Miraculous meals are served in close quarters. The wine list is extensive and reasonable. Unless you absolutely cannot take another bite, do not pass up the creme brulee! Monday-Sunday 11:45 am-2:15 pm and 5:30-10:30 pm. Reservations imperative. Jacket and tie required lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 455 Madison Ave. (between 50th and 51st Streets), phone 212-303-7788. Chanterelle The contemporary French cuisine changes monthly, but the food, wine list and service are always first rate. Monday-Saturday noon-2:30 pm and 5:45-11 pm. We recommend lunch as an alternative to dinner at this pricey spot. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 2 Harrison St. (at Hudson), phone 212-966-6960. Daniel By
all accounts one of the best restaurants in New York. Specialties include
scallops with porcini, lobster consomme with fennel and caviar, and veal
shank with Swiss chard and cranberry beans. Lunch Tuesday-Saturday noon-2:30
pm, dinner Monday-Saturday 5:45-11:30 pm. Reservations imperative (call a
full month in advance). Most major credit cards. $$$$. Lunch prix fixe:
US$35 two-course, US$42 three-course, US$85 six-course tasting menu. Dinner
prix fixe: US$68 three-course, US$90 six-course, US$120 eight-course tasting
menu. 20 E. 76th St. (in the Hotel Surrey), phone 212-288-0033. HOT
AND TRENDY Tasty, creative Japanese food with a California twist. Robert DeNiro is one of the partners of this place, which serves a trendy downtown crowd of beautiful, wealthy people. The sushi is transcendental. Monday-Friday 11:45 am-2:15 pm, Monday-Sunday 5:45-10:15 pm. Reservations necessary (call 212-219-8095 one month in advance, 10 am-5 pm). Most major credit cards. $$$$. 105 Hudson St., phone 212-219-0500.
The food is French Vietnamese, the decor is tropical and the preoccupation is people watching, in order to see bigtime publishing folks, stylists and mannequins and such celebrities as Ellen Barkin, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell fill those cushy green booths. Daily 5:30-11:30 pm. Reservations recommended. Most major credit cards. $$$. 430 Lafayette St. (between Astor Place and 4th Street, East Village), phone 212-505-5111.
Contemporary American fare in a hip SoHo restaurant. Try the
grilled portobello mushroom salad and seared yellowfin tuna with Asian
greens. Lunch Tuesday-Friday noon-3 pm, dinner Monday-Thursday 6-11 pm,
Friday and Saturday 5:30-11:30 pm, Sunday 5:30-11 pm, brunch Sunday noon-3
pm. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$. 131 Sullivan St.
(at Prince), phone 212-677-4100.
LOCAL
FAVORITES Steak, seafood, lamb, venison, pasta and burgers prepared with great style. The restaurant, in a converted warehouse, is airy and spacious. The US$19.99 prix-fixe lunch is a steal. Lunch Monday-Friday noon-2 pm, dinner Monday-Thursday and Sunday 5:30-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 12 E. 12th St., phone 212-620-4020. Michael’s The cuisine is Californian at this upscale, but casual restaurant. Fresh fish dishes, such as poached Maine lobster, steelhead trout and soft-shell crabs rule the day, but there are also such meat entrees as porterhouse steak. The restaurant has a roomy feel, affording more privacy than you usually get in New York restaurants. Prints by David Hockney, Jasper Johns and John Cage, and art by Michael’s wife adorn the walls. Dennis Hopper photographs hang in the bathrooms. In the back, a glass-encased garden room is open for lunch. Monday-Friday: breakfast 7:30-9:30 am, lunch noon-3:45, dinner 5-10:30 pm. Saturday: dinner 5:30-10:30 pm. Most major credit cards. $$$. 24 W. 55th St. (between 5th and 6th Avenues), phone 212-767-0555. Casa Brasil Authentic Brazilian and Portuguese food on the East Side. Specialities are vatapa (codfish and shrimp with a peanut and coconut sauce) and tropeiro (black beans cooked with manioc flour, beef bits and scrambled eggs). For US$18.95, you can get a rodizio, which is an all-you-can-eat meal including 8-10 kinds of grilled meat, plantains, yucca and other side dishes, and a salad bar. Also Brazilian steaks and veal dishes, very reasonably priced. Sunday-Thursday noon-10:45 pm, Friday and Saturday noon-11:30 pm. Most major credit cards. $$. 316 E. 53rd St., phone 212-355-5360. Bubby’s This Tribeca restaurant serves Continental and American food with a Mexican flair. It started off with modest and charming surroundings and doubled its space in four years. There’s often a wait of 20-30 minutes, even in the winter. Brunch is popular partly because of the banana-walnut pancakes. Don’t pass on the apple pie—Bubby’s bakes all its pies from scratch. Smoking is permitted in one section of the restaurant. Breakfast Monday-Friday 8-11 am, brunch Saturday and Sunday 9 am-4:45 pm, lunch Monday-Friday 11 am-4 pm. Dinner Sunday 6-10 pm, Monday and Tuesday 6-11 pm, Wednesday-Saturday 6 pm-midnight. Limited menu midnight-3 am. Most major credit cards. $$. 120 Hudson St., phone 212-219-0666. An American Place New American cuisine is presented in this large, airy restaurant, decorated with art-deco furniture. Specialties are lobster stew and duck. It’s a favored hangout of the media at lunchtime. Monday-Friday 11:45 am-3 pm, Monday-Saturday 5:30-9:30 pm. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 2 Park Ave. (entrance is on 32nd between Park and Madison Avenues), phone 212-684-2122. Union Square Cafe Dine on innovative American cuisine in a large, airy setting. Try the roast monkfish with spicy curry sauce or seared salmon with onion-pepper marmalade. Monday-Saturday noon-2:15 pm, dinner Sunday-Thursday 6-10:15 pm, Friday and Saturday 6-11:15 pm. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 21 E. 16th St., phone 212-243-4020. Tribeca Grill Loft-like restaurant with an ornate mahogany bar. The limos aren’t lined up like they used to be, but you might still spot a celebrity filmmaker from the Tribeca Film Center upstairs. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2:45 pm, then midday menu 3-5 pm. Dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30-10:45 pm; Friday and Saturday till 11:15 pm; Sunday 5:30-9:45 pm. Sunday brunch 11:30 am-2:45 pm. Reservations recommended. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 375 Greenwich St. (at Franklin), phone 212-941-3900. The River Cafe Getting to this place requires a taxi ride over the East River to Brooklyn, but the outstanding New American cuisine, romantic interior and spectacular views of Manhattan reward those who make the trip. Prix-fixe dinner US$65. Daily noon-2:30 pm and 6-11 pm. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$$. Prix-fixe dinner US$75. 1 Water St. (East River and Cadman Place West; closest subway stations are Clark Street and High Street, each about six blocks away), phone 718-522-5200. The Water’s Edge Right across the East River in Queens. Fine Continental and American food in a light, airy room: Floor-to-ceiling windows offer superb views of Lower Manhattan and Midtown. From the E. 34th Street pier, take the complimentary private water shuttle leaving every hour on the hour from 6 pm on. Monday-Friday noon-3 pm and 6-11 pm, Saturday 6-11 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 44th Drive at the East River, Long Island City (four blocks from the 21st Street exit of the 23rd and Ely subway station, down 44th Drive), phone 718-482-0033. FRENCH/ITALIAN/GREEK Delicious French cuisine in a small, cozy SoHo setting makes this an ideal place for lovers. Monday-Saturday 5:30-10:30 pm, Sunday to 9:15 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 38 Dominick St. (between Varick and Hudson), phone 212-727-1188. Cafe des Artistes A romantic little bistro, the dining room is decorated with murals with nudes from the 1930s. The cuisine is Hungarian-Austrian. Lunch Monday-Friday noon-2:45 pm, dinner Monday-Saturday 5:30-11:45 pm, Sunday closes at 10:45 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 1 W. 67th St., phone 212-877-3500. Il Mulino Complimentary appetizers are served before you order. The staff aims to please, and the food would convince anyone’s Italian grandmother to return for more. The osso buco is tender and delicious. Do not pass up dessert. Monday-Friday noon-2:30 pm and Monday-Saturday 5-11 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 86 W. 3rd St., phone 212-673-3783. Le Madri Classic Italian cuisine with impeccable consistency, and an atmosphere straight out of Tuscany. Try the osso buco with portobello mushrooms or paper-thin pizza from a wood-burning oven. Monday-Friday noon-3 pm and 5:30-11 pm, Saturday 11:30 am-3 pm and 5:30-11 pm, Sunday brunch 11:30 am-3:30 pm and dinner 5:30-11 pm. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 168 W. 18th St., phone 212-727-8022. Montrachet Top-notch French cuisine in a low-key, pleasant atmosphere. Spectacular wine list. Monday-Thursday 6-10 pm, Friday noon-2:15 pm and 5:30-10:30 pm, Saturday 5:30-10:45 pm. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 239 W. Broadway, phone 212-219-2777. Novita Inventive Italian menu, with dishes such as black truffle and grilled shrimp salad or roasted red snapper with spicy shrimp stuffing. Monday-Friday noon-3 pm, Monday-Thursday 6-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11 pm, Sunday 5-10 pm. Reservations required. Most major credit cards. $$$. 102 E. 22nd St., phone 212-677-2222. Molyvos A restaurant even for diners skeptical of Greek food—this place is superb. Among its specialties are braised, marinated lamb and rabbit stew. For dessert, consider the Greek cheesecake or honey-drizzled fritters. Lunch Monday-Friday noon-3 pm (cafe open later); dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30-11:30 pm, Friday till midnight, Saturday 5 pm-midnight, Sunday 5-11 pm. Lunch special US$19.99 and Prix Theater, 5:30-6:45 pm, US$32.50. Most major credit cards. $$$. 871 7th Ave. (at 55th Street), phone 212-582-7500. ASIAN
AND ASIAN-INFLUENCED This beautifully decorated French/Thai restaurant offers highly creative cuisine to a chic clientele. Rabbit curry and lychee/papaya soup are among the offerings. Lunch Monday-Friday noon-2:30 pm, dinner Monday-Thursday 6-11 pm, Friday 5:30-11 pm, Saturday 5:30-11:30 pm, Sunday 5:30-10 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$$. 200 E. 54th St., phone 212-486-9592. Shun Lee Palace The large menu covers several regional cuisines, and the restaurant is spacious and luxurious. Begin with the fried dumplings and be sure to try the smoked duck. (Don’t bother with the desserts.) Daily noon-11:30 pm. Reservations necessary. Most major credit cards. $$$. 155 E. 55th St., phone 212-371-8844. Hatsuhana Order the prix-fixe dinner to sample a little of everything. A la carte specialties include tempura and salmon teriyaki. Monday-Friday 11:45 am-2:45 pm and 5:30-10 pm, Saturday 5-10 pm. Reservations required. $$$ a la carte, US$25 prix-fixe dinner. 17 E. 48th St., phone 212-355-3345, also at 237 Park Ave., phone 212-661-3400. Mitali One of the best Indian restaurants in all of New York. Recommended: the shrimp curry or the tandoori chicken. Daily noon-midnight. Reservations advised. Most major credit cards. $$. 334 E. 6th St., phone 212-533-2508. Match This hot spot serves up unusual dishes with an Asian twist. The very trendy diners at this place tend to like the spicy duck pizza with shiitake mushrooms or wok-seared bluefin tuna with soba noodle salad. Monday-Wednesday 11:30 am-2 am, Thursday till 3 am, Friday-Sunday till 4 am. Reservations recommended. Most major credit cards. $$$. 160 Mercer St., phone 212-343-0020. (Also an uptown Match at 33 E. 60th St., phone 212-906-9177.) LATE
NIGHT/BREAKFAST It’s common to see stretch limousines pulling up in the wee hours, bringing after-club diners to this hip art-deco diner. You can order anything from turkey sandwiches and omelettes to tofu fajitas. Open 24 hours daily. No reservations. Most major credit cards. $$. 210 10th Ave. (between 22nd and 23rd Streets), phone 212-243-2736. ADDITIONAL DINING EXPERIENCES Lola The perfect place to enjoy a good meal, a few drinks, some live music and maybe dance a little. Relaxed, upscale restaurant that books bands Tuesday-Saturday. Dining in back where just the right amount of light and music is provided, whether it’s pumped in through the speakers or filtered in from the bar. Grand piano and original art add to the inviting atmosphere. The signature dish is fried chicken, but the seafood dishes and desserts are terrific, too. On-site tarot readings Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday. Gospel brunch Sunday with seatings at 9:30, 11:30 am and 1:45 pm (US$27.95). Lunch Monday-Friday noon-3 pm, dinner daily 6 pm-midnight. Reservations are recommended because Lola fills up quickly, especially on nights when there’s live music. Tuesday is jazz, Wednesday blues, Thursday-Saturday R&B and funk. Don’t be surprised if the diners start dancing. Most major credit cards (but not Discover). $$$$. 30 W. 22nd St., phone 212-675-6700. For a hipper environment for lunch (Monday-Friday noon-3 pm), try Lola Bowla two doors to the west (phone 212-675-5544). The menu is Asia-Pacific influenced. $$$. The Jekyll & Hyde Club Dine in a three-story “haunted house” complete with lightning, thunder and smoke. The walls are decorated with skulls, large beetles and scary masks. Statues of Zeus and the Sphinx speak, and gargoyles come to life. If you don’t lose your appetite, try the pumpkin tortellini or Oriental chicken salad, Cajun fries or buffalo wings. Monday and Tuesday 11:30 am-midnight, Wednesday 11 am-midnight, Thursday 11:30 am-midnight, Friday 11:30 am-1 pm, Saturday 10:30-1 am, Sunday 11:30-midnight. Reservations for parties of eight or more. Most major credit cards. $$-$$$. 1409 6th Ave. (at 57th Street), phone 212-541-9505. Compiled from the New York City Web Chelsea Area $$-$$$ - The Granville Decor similar to an English men's club. $$ - Park Avalon Trendy menu - 255 Park Avenue S. 212-533-2500 $$ - Sal
Anthony's $-$$ - Cafe
Bondi Ristorante $-$$ - Crab
House $-$$ Zen
Palate Midtown $$$$
- Rainbow Room $$$$ -
"21" Club $$ - Billy's $$ - Jewel
of India Theatre District and Carnegie Hall $-$$
Hard Rock Cafe $-$$ -
Official All-Star Cafe $ - Film
Center Cafe $ - Motown
Cafe $ - Virgil's
Barbecue Roadhouse $ - Planet
Hollywood $ - Island
Spice $ - Carnegie
Deli
Back to the site directory Search This site by keyword graphics and incredimail stationery If
you'd like more information about anything within this site,
|
