NYC Restaurant List

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AUREOLE
New American
27 26 26 $73
Unknown
There's a new chef, Gerry Hayden, at this "fine dining" "benchmark" owned by Charlie Palmer that still remains a "last-meal-of-your-life" kind of place (despite the 'Grimes Effect'), featuring "precise" New American cuisine and desserts resembling "MOMA's sculpture garden"; romeos report that its "timeless" duplex townhouse (complete with "perfect flowers" and "better lighting than Barbara Walters gets") will "sweep your lady away"; for bargain hunters, there's a $20 three-course prix fixe lunch available at 2 PM.
(212) 319-1660
34 E. 61st St. (bet. Madison & Park Aves.) -- New York
20021004 042639
CAFÉ BOTANICA
French Medeterranian
22 26 23 $52
Unknown
"Breakfast is bliss" amidst the flowers and greenery that "mirror" this "delightful" Med-French's "lush" Central Park views; though the cooking's typically "delicious", its "good value" prix fixe deals and buffet "brunches fit for a king" are standouts.
(212) 484-5120
160 Central Park S. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.) -- New York
20021004 042639
CAPSOUTO FRÈRES
French
24 23 23 $53
Unknown
Your "taxi driver's nightmare" is finding this "out-of- the-way" ("Capsouto where?") TriBeCa "treasure" whose "imaginatively prepared" French meals, "romantic" setting and "welcoming" spirit merit a few "wrong turns"; luckily there are "no parking hassles", in case you drive yourself.
(212) 966-4900
451 Washington St. (Watts St.) -- New York
20021004 042639
71 CLINTON FRESH FOOD
New American
27 17 22 $53
Unknown
All-out "enthusiasm" reigns at this "ultra-hip" Lower East Side storefront where chef Wylie Dufresne's "vibrant kitchen" is "hot" to the melting point, turning out "delectable", "highly imaginative" New American fare that elicits "wows"; despite "high-end" pricing, the "close" quarters and "star status" guarantee it's a "struggle to get in", at least until Dufresne moves to his new nearby restaurant, scheduled to open in the spring.
(212) 614-6960
71 Clinton St. (bet. Rivington & Stanton Sts.) -- New York
20021004 042639
Crispo
Italian
Editorial Rating 8 FASV 9 8 8 8
Bar: M-Sa 17-26 Dining Room: M-Sa 18-24
A chef with a following opens his own stylish trattoria in the Village.
The Scene: With flickering sconces and rough-hewn brick walls, Crispo may look like an elegantly restored Italian farmhouse, but frenzied servers, tight tables, and wait-list hopefuls at the marble bar make it feel like a city-slick hotspot. In season, solace-seekers retreat to street-front patio dining, while foodies observe the kitchen through a wide window in the white-tile back wall.
The Food: Frank Crispo's confident cooking (honed at La Cote Basque and Zeppole, among others) drives this imaginative Italian menu. Start with prosciutto di San Daniele and peaches enlivened with tangy drizzles of aged balsamico, or braised baby artichokes, offset with slivers of toasted almonds and parmigiano. Homemade pastas are emphatically flavored, so half portions suffice: crabmeat agnolotti is sweet with carrot-butter, and sausage orecchiette, robust with broccoli rabe. Beautifully grilled mustard-glazed salmon with smoky pancetta slaw, and tender veal medallions with fontina, mushrooms in a marsala reduction are heavenly followed by creamy buttermilk panna cotta or homemade gelatos.
Insider Tips: Empire Room
Parties of 8-12 can call ahead to reserve the single, wood-encased private nook flanked with plush banquettes, gilded ornamentation and stained glass details--at no extra charge.
(212) 229-1818
240 W 14th St (7/8 Ave) -- New York
20021012 030250
Django
French
Editorial Rating 8 FASV 8 8 8 7
HoursMon-Fri 12pm- 2:30pm, 5-11pm Sat 6-11pm
Bohemian chic and bistro fare amid the spires of Midtown.
The Scene: This spacious 300-seater is known as much for its colorful cocktails as its contemporary French fare. While the downstairs bar attracts a younger, hipper crowd, the upstairs dining mezzanine tends to draw serious business types. But the corporate chill has been taken out of this former lobby by a gypsy-inspired decor that includes thousands of strands of glass beads hanging throughout the window-lined space.
The Food: At first glance, Django's menu offers bistro standards no different than most Gallic establishments. There's an unexpected attention to detail, however, in the glimmering copper pot holding the lobster bouillabaisse and in the small round of bone marrow served alongside the hanger steak. A lightly piquant mustard-harissa oil contrasts the subtle richness of the ostrich carpaccio, while the pappardelle with mushrooms and spring vegetables benefits from a drizzle of truffle oil. Desserts range from a simple tarte tatin to a sublime banana tart with a walnut, honey and Grand Marnier parfait.
(212) 871-6600
480 Lexington Ave (46 St) -- New York
20021012 030250
Dos Caminos
Mexican
Editorial Rating 7 FASV 7 8 7 7
Sun-Mon 11:30am- 11pm Tue-Thu 11:30am-12am Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am
High-end cantina scene shows off tequilas and trend- setters on Park Ave South.
The Scene:Dos Caminos's popularity is due in no small part to co-owners John McDonald (Canteen, Merc Bar) and Steve Hanson (Blue Fin, Fiamma, Ruby Foo) who've brought their mix of PR buzz and exquisite design sense to this sprawling space. It feels more intimate than its 250-seats, however, thanks to a series of cutout screens and a cluster of whimsical hanging lanterns made from tree trunks.
The Food: The lure of guacamole and margaritas isn't lost on Dos Caminos. The strawberry-basil margarita is deliciously sweet and tangy, while the frozen prickly pear version is deceptively potent. Guacamole is made tableside so you can dictate just how spicy you want it. The kitchen satisfies with starters like rich tostaditas with avocado and chipotle- tomato-roasted pork and lighter, yet just as flavorful, soft tacos with grilled sea bass. Main courses are more hit-or-miss, although fans of shellfish will be pleased by both the lobster tumbada, a dish similar to paella, and the garlic-lime marinated grilled shrimp.
Insider Tips: More Than Enough In addition to sangria, cervezas and specialty cocktails Dos Caminos has over 150 different tequilas. More...
(212) 294-1000
373 Park Ave S (26/27th St) -- New York
20021012 030250
Epicerie and Cafe Charbon
French
Editorial Rating 7 FASV 7 7 7 7
Su-Th 1130-1630 1715-24 FSa 1130-1630 1715-28
Old-world France pays a visit to a trendy block in the Lower East Side.
The Scene: The owners of Flea Market, the French-bohemian haunt in the East Village, have recreated a Parisian street scene--Epcot-style. Faux storefronts lead into Cafe Charbon, a veritable Gallic bar adorned with aged-wood tables, white tiled floors, and Gauloise-puffing bon vivants. Next door, Epicerie's casual dining room is playfully postmodern: stocked with everything from French laundry detergent to fancy foodstuffs, it looks like a Target advertisement en Francaise.
The Food: The daily-changing menu, scribbled on chalkboards and translated by friendly, French-accented servers, features reasonably priced, unpretentious bistro fare. Rustic dishes outshine elaborate efforts: creamy duck terrines and oversized bowls of mussels delight, but anis-scented escargot are disappointingly under-seasoned. Crispy duck confit and bacon-wrapped mahi-mahi are simple and succulent, yet the steak--sliced, dry, and under-whelmed by bland bearnaise--comes with oil-saturated frites. The caramelized coconut-banana tart, however, is worth the trip alone.
Insider Tips: Word on Wine Wines by the glass range from $5-$8 and the bottle list includes many excellent French values under $30.
(212) 420-7520
168-170 Orchard St (Stanton St) -- New York
20021012 030250
Fresh
Seafood
Editorial Rating 8 FASV 8 8 8 8
Daily 5pm to 11pm
An aquatic theme, and superior seafood, makes a splash in deepest Tribeca.
The Scene: Awash in tones of blue and beige, with arching walls that mimic rolling waves, this large L-shaped room is anchored by a glassed-in kitchen. In the early evening, a local business crowd holds forth followed by a well- heeled downtown set. Servers seem to employ a zone defense: Every time a diner makes a move, in swoops a different employee.
The Food: Chef/owner Martin Burge is creative but avoids the kind of overcomplication that plagues many fish houses. Sauteed grey sole is prepared with a nutty brown meuniere sauce, and a perfectly deep-fried flounder benefits from a gingery soy broth. One of the best main courses is a buttery salmon filet set over sweet baby eggplant and caramelized treviso. The most outlandish sounding dish on the menu turns out to be one of the best: succulent roasted halibut cheeks alongside seared fois gras set over a roasted peach in balsamic vinegar. Disappointments are minor, like the awkwardly thick slab of tuna belly in lemony soy vinaigrette.
Insider Tips: Noise Control The dining room, with a high loftlike ceiling, is not terribly loud, but if you want a little intimacy ask for one of the tables under the large ocean mural.
(212) 406-1900
105 Reade St (W Broadway/Church) -- New York
20021012 030250
GOTHAM BAR & GRILL
Contemporary
27 25 26 $63
Unknown
"Quintessential NY dining" finds a "benchmark" at this "resplendent" Village New American that generates enough "electricity" to be ranked No. 4 for Popularity this year; Alfred Portale's "exquisite" "architectural food" still "towers above most", and the "elegant", "soaring space" and "impeccable service" "hit the mark" whether the occasion is a "lovely evening" or the "bargain" $20 prix fixe lunch.
(212) 620-4020
12 E. 12th St. (bet. 5th Ave. & University Pl.) -- New York
20021004 042639
GRAMERCY TAVERN
Contemporary
27 26 27 $66
Unknown
Still "as good as it gets", Danny Meyer's "brilliant" Flatiron/Gramercy "tavern for our time" (rated No. 2 for Popularity) "continues to amaze" with Tom Colicchio's "intensely delicious" American cuisine and "out-of-this- world" desserts from pastry chef Claudia Fleming; the "tasteful" "modern colonial" decor and "wonderful service" are a "sheer delight", and while it's a "so-civilized" way to "blow the budget", the "front tavern room" is "more relaxed" (no reservations necessary) and easier on the wallet.
(212) 477-0777
42 E. 20th St. (bet. B'way & Park Ave. S.) -- New York
20021004 042639
Lola
Southern / New American
20 19 18 $45
Unknown
"Always a party", this Flatiron Southern-New American is known for its "crammin', jammin' bar", "jazzy" live music and popular "hand-clappin'" Sunday gospel brunch ("make reservations"); while devotees cheer "fun, fun, fun", the unconverted complain it's "overpriced" and over-"crowded."
(212) 675-6700
30 W. 22nd St. (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.) -- New York
20021004 042639
PARK AVENUE CAFE
American
25 23 23 $60
Unknown
"All-American cooking goes Uptown" at this "top- rate" Eastsider where Neil Murphy's "clever" cooking is as much a "work of art" as the "folk art" decorating the room; ok, it's "très spendy", but from the "splendid bread basket to the opulent desserts", there are "no disappointments here."
(212) 644-1900
100 E. 63rd St. (bet. Lexington & Park Aves.) -- New York
20021004 042639
PEARL OYSTER BAR
Seafood
26 13 18 $37
Unknown
Think "Maine on the Hudson" to get the gist of this Village "seafood luncheonette" where "superb" fish, lobster rolls and "fried oysters from heaven" translate into "lines that wrap around the block"; despite only 26 seats and "assembly-line" service, "you'll forget the squeeze" once you taste Rebecca Charles' "unbelievably good" cooking.
(212) 691-8211
18 Cornelia St. (bet. Bleecker & W. 4th Sts.) -- New York
20021004 042639
RM
Seafood
Editorial Rating 9 FASV 9 9 9 9
Mon-Sat 5:30-10pm
A celebrated chef spawns an exquisite temple to seafood.
The Scene: Downtown divas, uptown doyennes, and smartly-suited business diners line RM's plush banquettes, hoping to spot chef/owner Rick Moonen, whose fish-centric cuisine buoyed Oceana for more than a decade. The decor is sea-chic: aquatic sculptures and oversized photographs of rippling waves wrap the warm-hued series of formal rooms. Doting teams of servers proudly recite the provenance and sustainability of ingredients.
The Food: Moonen pushes seafood to extremes, skillfully stopping just before layers of aromatic sauces and meaty counterpoints threaten to upstage his delicate fish preparations. A captivating crab and smoky pepper amuse bouche precedes outstanding first courses--Yellowtail "tataki", spice-seared and barely cooked in the center; pan-roasted scallops with oxtail and tomato-mustard jam; cucumber sorbet and paddlefish caviar refresh briny oysters. Potato-wrapped baked Walleye in creamy leek-truffle-chanterelle froth, and caper-olive Loup de Mer (Mediterranean bass) roasted with tiny gnocchi are divine second courses. Halibut confit, inconceivably light with olive oil and fennel cream, is merely heaven-sent.
Insider Tips: Prix Fixe Only
At $55, the 3-course prix fixe is a bargain. Chef Moonen delivers a six- course tasting menu for $100. A la carte ordering is only available at the side bar or in the upstairs smoking lounge.
(212) 319-3800
33 East 60th Street -- New York
20021012 030250
RIVER CAFE
Fancy
25 27 24 $70
Unknown
"All occasions are special ones" at this beautiful, barge-based Brooklyn waterside "escape", a "fabulous date place (even with your husband)" thanks to that "priceless view" that you "pay dearly for" (dinner $70 prix fixe only); its more-than-"memorable" American menu now comes courtesy of chef Brad Steelman, who joins an illustrious list of alumni - David Burke, Larry Forgione, Rick Laakkonen and Charlie Palmer - who all earned their stripes here.
(718) 522-5200
1 Water St. (bet. Furman & Old Fulton Sts.) -- Brooklyn
20021004 042639
Trust Restaurant & Lounge
Contemporary
Editorial Rating 7 FASV 7 6 8 6
Daily 18-24 Downstairs lounge, 18-2530 Upstairs lounge, W-Sa 18-2730
Meatpacking District for the masses.
The Scene: Trust looks like another hip, upscale Meatpacking District lounge, but it's actually the most democratic space to open west of Eighth Avenue in recent years. Hordes of fresh-faced young professionals press together around the main bar and lounge area beneath obligatory flat screen TVs; off to the side, the restaurant seats about 70. The simple, serene decor looks expensive, but it's actually built for punishment.
The Food: Better than you'd expect, though somewhat overpriced. If you don't mind shouting to be heard over the sound system, you'll find simple, effective snacks: lobster rolls spiced with tamarind and rolled up in taco-like wraps; a combination raw salmon, tuna and yellowtail tartare. Not surprisingly, many of the dishes are aimed at the bar crowd, but main courses like pork tenderloin encrusted with mustards and herbs, and halibut with escarole, gnocchi and tomato fondue will satisfy those in search of a proper meal.
Insider Tips: Private Parties Trust has a well-appointed upstairs area that can be hired out for private parties.
(212) 645-7775
421 W 13th St (Washington St / 9th Ave) -- New York
20021012 030250
UNION SQUARE CAFE
Contemporary
27 24 26 $60
Unknown
What alchemy keeps Danny Meyer's original Cafe NYers' No. 1 favorite for the sixth year in a row?; the answer is an "appealing amalgam of three different, muraled dining areas, an "urbane", "comfortably casual" ambiance, genuinely "friendly" service and "good value" for chef Michael Romano's "always fresh, wonderfully prepared" "regular American food"; other restaurants may beat USC in specific areas, but no one "makes it seem so easy."
(212) 243-4020
21 E. 16th St. (bet. 5th Ave. & Union Sq. W.) -- New York
20021004 042639
VERITAS
New American
27 23 25 $75
Unknown
A "mind-boggling" number of "treasures in the cellar" make this Flatiron New American an oenophile's fantasy, but chef Scott Bryan's "symphonic" fare provides such a "lovely chorus" that some conclude "in food, veritas"; true, it's "expensive" ($68 prix fixe dinner only), but worth it for "luxurious" dining that "deserves all the accolades."
(212) 353-3700
43 E. 20th St. (bet. B'way & Park Ave. S.) -- New York
20021004 042639
CAFÉ DES ARTISTES
Contemporary
24 27 23 $60
Unknown
"Everything glows" at this "famously romantic" Lincoln Center-area "grande dame" via George and Jenifer Lang, where "glorious" French fare, "truly courteous" service, bowers of flowers and lovely Howard Christy Chandler murals combine to produce an incredibly "seductive" experience that "makes one thankful to be a NYer"; though a meal here can be "expensive", the prix fixe menus are bona fide "deals."
(212) 877-3500
1 W. 67th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. & CPW) -- New York
20021004 042639
NYLA
Cajun
Editorial Rating 5 FASV 5 7 4 4
11am-3pm, 5:30pm-12am Lounge open until 2am
Britney brings a little LA (Louisiana, that is) to NY with her stylish new restaurant--but she left the good cooking at home.
The Scene Britney Spears and her partners (among them, celeb-restaurant veteran Bobby Ochs) have created a whimsical, girly dreamscape at the Dylan Hotel. Pastel chiffon drapes the three-story ceilings, beaded lampshades twinkle on tables, and oversized red banquettes evoke a playful elegance. Britney clones spiral up a steel staircase to the mezzanine, crossing a catwalk (past suggestive O'Keefe-style projections), while chaperones hobnob with the cocktail crowd. Servers are unapologetically under-informed.
The Food Nyla's colorful cuisine, a montage of Louisiana favorites and international inspirations, lacks focus. "Southern Sushi" tastes as strange as it sounds: the rice-heavy po' boy roll suffocates tempura oysters. Unmelted smoked gouda and soggy pastry spoils a caramelized onion tart, but copious crab meat saves a bland gumbo. Entrees suffer from carelessness: Braised short ribs are stiff and dry, and a wild mushroom etouffee disappoints with every stringy bite of duck. The best thing about the fried chicken is the crispy corn and potato Johnny cake. A chocolate mousse pyramid was pleasingly creamy, even without the raspberries it was supposed to come with.
(212) 682-2860
52 E 41st St -- New York
20021107 171658
Patria
Nuevo Latin
Editorial Rating 9 FASV 9 9 8 8
Lunch M-F 12-1430 Dinner M-Th 18-23 FSa 1730-24 Su 1730-2230
New York's original home to pan-Latin cuisine has only improved with age.
The Scene
At this popular Flatiron spot, swirls of aquamarine blues and greens punctuate the clamorous, multi-level dining room. Andrew DiCataldo, the new executive chef, has replaced Douglas Rodriguez (who has since opened Chicama and Pipa). The mood is always festive, and the staff seems to be having as much fun as the customers.
The Food
Patria's colorful, vertical food--which in the past had a tendency to be more visual that flavorful--is better than ever. Start with a limey ceviche tiraoito or the spectacular baked oysters, garnished with a stack of crispy plantains, crumbled bacon and watercress. Main course winners include the signature suckling pig with white beans, seared tuna over a sweetish slab of calabaza with roasted poblano chiles, and the crisp roasted duck leg over sweet plantains and an apple cider reduction. Don't try to analyze this food; just eat it.
Pros: festive food
The Bar Scene
If you don't want a full meal, settle into the lively bar and nibble on some appetizers as you down one of the best margaritas in town. Expertly made mojitos are equally dizzying.
(212) 777-6211
250 Park Ave S (20th St) -- New York
20021108 065717
Hudson River Club
Contemporary
Unknown
Unknown
It's hard for me to praise HRC's cuisine enough. Try, for an appetizer, the roasted oysters with leeks or the foie gras terrine; then a "filet mignon" of tuna (cut thick, like the steak it's named after); and finally one of pastry chef Martin Howard's incomparable desserts, like "The Statue of Liberty Dessert" (chocolate version) which boasts cake, ice cream and mousse (all chocolate), and a chocolate liberty "crown." Go for a walk on the water after your meal to stretch your legs and savor the moment.
(212) 786-1500
4 World Financial Center 2nd Fl (Vesey St) -- New York
20021108 065717
Oyster Bar (The)
Seafood
Unknown
Mon-Fri 11:30am- 9:30pm Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm.
One of the oldest establishments in Manhattan is still a mainstay for seafood-loving New Yorkers.
The Scene
The Oyster Bar opened on the lower level of Grand Central in 1913, when Grand Central Terminal was a new, state-of-the-art train station. After suffering damages from a fire in 1997, the restaurant was restored to its former old-New York glory, complete with cavernous architecture and white-tiled ceilings.
Seated at diner-like counters, in the dining room or in the wood-paneled saloon, the clientele ranges from celebrities and dignitaries to commuters, businesspeople and tourists.
Eat/Drink The 450-seat restaurant offers seasonal seafood from all over the world, including 20 to 30 varieties of oysters and 20 to 30 types of fish. Made-to-order seafood chowders, stews and pan roasts are also offered. The extensive wine list features over 75 choices by the glass; domestic and imported beers are also served, as well as over 20 single malt scotches.
Toto, I Don't Think We're in NY Anymore The Oyster Bar fares so well in New York that Kansas City is gearing up to host a Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant franchise in its downtown "Freight House" this year.
Insider Tips
One of New York's Best
Nominated for best place to experience the real New York, Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant is the quintessential New York eatery, popular with New Yorkers of every stripe.
(212) 490-6650
Grand Central Terminal 89 E 42nd St (Park Av) -- New York
20021108 065717
Odeon
Contemporary
Editorial Rating 7 FASV 7 8 7 7
Mon-Thu 12pm- 12am Fri 12pm-3am Sat 11:30am-3am Sun 11:30am-2am
A hotspot in the '80s; an institution in the '90s; an icon today.
The Scene
The Odeon is the Dennis Hopper of the New York restaurant world, a place that partied hard in its youth, became a legend in its middle years and now lives a sort of stylish, buttoned-down life that doesn't entirely make people forget its past. The interior is as comfortable as an old sweater, with its familiar burgundy and black banquettes and lazy ceiling fans. An open floor provides lots of room for strollers, and pre- schoolers are given crayons for scribbling.
The Food
Thankfully, the brasserie-style menu remains relatively unchanged. Some of the best meals are the simplest, like lusty sandwiches of grilled chicken breast with melted Gruyere, sliced steak with mushrooms and a very good burger. Gallic plates of pate with onion marmalade and a frisee salad with Roquefort and bacon are also reliable. A kids' menu plays all the favorites: hot dogs, pizza, burgers, chicken nuggets, with pancakes and scrambled eggs on weekends.
Pros: reliable food
(212) 233-0507
145 W Broadway (Thomas / Duane Street) -- New York
20021108 070538
Ecco
Italian
User Rating 9.8 FASV 10 10 9 8
Mon-Fri 11:30am- 11:00pm Sat 5:00pm-11:00pm
"I had the pleasure of dining there last night. What a great place. You could not want for nothing...This place is the real deal. great ..."
"This is such a wonderful restaurant - it has really old school Italian - and a wonderful feeling when you walk through the door. Also, ..."
(212)227-7074
124 Chambers St (Church Street / West B) -- New York
20021108 070538
Il Mulino
Italian
Editorial Rating 8 FASV 9 8 9 7
Mon-Fri 12pm- 2:30pm Mon-Sat 5-11pm
Rich Italian food served with a flair for the carnivalesque.
The Scene
The powerbrokers who frequent this thoroughly Old World Italian restaurant are greeted with a hearty "salaam!" as they enter. Maitre d's engage in cheek-kissing patrons near the bar, where the most arresting feature is a giant bottle of grappa, the contents of which are served to each diner at the close of the meal. Il Mulino has fewer than 20 tables, and reservations are hard to come by.
The Food There's nothing particularly experimental about Il Mulino--big, red-sauce and garlic-laden portions are the kitchen's stock-in-trade. Meals begin with a medley of antipasti; in between, sample everything from rack of lamb to linguini and clam sauce to Il Mulino's famous veal chop. Prices are high, particularly on specials, for which the waiters carry on the dubious tradition of describing without any mention of a price tag.
Pros: richly flavored food,
Cons: overpriced
(212) 673-3783
86 W 3rd St (Sullivan / Thompson St) -- New York
20021108 070538
Knickerbocker Bar and Grill
Contemporary
Unknown
Tue-Thu 12pm-1am Fri-Sat 12pm-2am Sun-Mon 12pm-12am
The Scene
The Knickerbocker Bar and Grill is a spacious bar and restaurant with a refined, gentlemen's club ambience--wood paneling, brass rails, framed vintage posters, white tablecloths, luxe booths and discreetly dim lighting. Elegant drinks, classy jazz duos and classic American cusine are its forte.
(212) 228-8490
33 University Pl -- New York
20021108 070538
Raoul's
French
Unknown
Mon-Sun 5:30pm- 2am
"Plus ca change...."
Trendy newcomers come and go on this stretch of Prince Street, but this original '80s hotspot shrugs them all off with a Gallic gesture. Then as now, it appeals chiefly to a junior Soho set that seems to find the dark, smoky room, narrow bar, and brasserie menu the last word in urban sophistication. And, yes, the steak au poivre is still outstanding.
(212) 966-3518
180 Prince St (Sullivan / Thompson St) -- New York
20021108 070538
Ouest
Bar
6.7
Unknown
One glance at the words "fresh lime juice" adjacent to the El Tesoro and Cointreau in their margarita, and I knew this was my kind of place. Michael the bar manager keeps it simple but fresh and creative with drinks like a Junipero and King Eider Vermouth Martini. Try the Bloody Mary, made with Stolichnaya, a float of Junipero gin and a pickled asparagus garnish.
(212) 580-8700
2315 Broadway -- New York
20021108 132653
@SQC.
Bar
6
Unknown
Bartender Sam Swartz mixes a classic American Beauty with an unlikely blend of brandy, port, dry vermouth, creme de menthe and orange juice. (Order it with VS cognac.) He does another unusual signature drink year-round called the Estellini Startini--a 100-percent blue agave reposada margarita, topped with the chef's strawberry granite. Finally, if you just want to sip some tasty spirits, the blueberry-infused applejack is appropriate to the season.
(212) 579-0100
270 Columbus Ave -- New York
20021108 132653
BlueLady Lounge
Bar
Unknown
Unknown
West 57th Street has really become music street, and I'm not talking about Carnegie Hall. I like listening to jazz in a relaxed bar atmosphere instead of the clubs where they hustle you in and out. Upstairs at the BlueLady, the Calvados Sidecar is a good idea for a winter evening; it's mixed with fresh lemon juice and Cointreau, rather than triple sec, at your request. (On the ground floor is a giant pyramid of ice and oysters--wake me and I will hurt you!)
(212) 245-2422
104 W 57th St -- New York
20021108 132653
Le Bar Bat
Bar
8.7
Unknown
Pete Fogel, an ex-Rainbow Room bartender who recently took over the music bookings, brings in a fresh downtown scene. If the crowd doesn't work for you, hide out at the Borneo Room bar with Fausto and wait for the next group with his Maker's Mark Manhattan.
(212) 307-7228
311 W 57th St -- New York
20021108 132653
Carnegie Club
Bar
Unknown
Unknown
If it happens to be Friday night, don't even think of leaving the neighborhood without a stop here. When you walk in the door, you will almost trip over the chair of the first saxophonist of the Ernie Savage Big Band. Settle into the bar, which is ten paces away from the band, and order a classic champagne cocktail.
(212) 957-9676
156 W 56th St -- New York
20021108 132653
Ciel Rouge
Bar
7.8
Unknown
Head down to Chelsea to a little place that looks like an Eastern European bordello. Settle in with bartender Ryan Carey's Bitches Brew, a nod to the Miles Davis Album, made with peach brandy and fresh juices. In the cockpit bar, Ryan's never more than arm's length away from his library of over 1000 CDs, and he plays good music all night long.
(212) 929-5542
176 7th Ave -- New York
20021108 132653
Alfama
Bar
8.6
Unknown
Don't get too cozy: We're heading south to the West Village and Alfama, where the change of seasons is always reflected on the menu. Resident magician Tarcisio Costa mixes two Madeira drinks--the Funchal, with apricot, lime and vermouth, and the Porto Santo, with seasonal fresh figs, a hint of Pernod and orange juice.
(212) 645-2500
551 Hudson St -- New York
20021108 132653
Blue Ribbon
Bar
9.1
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Now we're on the fast track to Tribeca, but if you're a whiskey drinker and you need a snack, make slight detour to Sullivan Street. Insinuate yourself into a spot at the bar for a bowl of spicy Thai fish soup accompanied by a neat Lagavulin Scotch--they go together like a horse and carriage.
(212) 274-0404
97 Sullivan St -- New York
20021108 132653
Grace
Bar
8.2
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In Tribeca we're making three quick stops for great cocktails combined with perfect food matches. First at Grace have a Pear Manhattan and a plate of the mini spring rolls. Pay and walk to the corner of Franklin and West Broadway ...
(212) 343-4200
114 Franklin St -- New York
20021108 132653
Layla
Bar
7.9
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Order a Morrocan Margarita, prepared with pomegranate juice, and a plate of the grilled merguez sausage with date, eggplant and pancetta caponata.
(212) 431-0700
211 W Broadway -- New York
20021108 132653
Dylan Prime
Bar
7.9
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Still hungry? Then walk to Dylan and have the oyster- stuffed Carpetbagger Steak followed by a dessert of Pietini cocktails. That's right, Pietini ... and don't scoff until you've tasted these pie-in-a-martini-glass creations of Michael Waterhouse. They come in Key lime pie with a graham cracker- and cream-rimmed martini glass and Pie a la Mode--vodka with Berentzen Apfel Liqueur and maple syrup with Licor 43-laced cream floating on top. They're spot-on flavor matches for the real pies!
(212) 334-4783
62 Laight St -- New York
20021108 132653