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DINNING & DRINKING
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In all its diversity, New York City social life revolves
around dining out. Whether a powerbroker pays hundreds for a
meal at Asia
de Cuba or a slacker scrapes together some money for
pie at Lombardi's
pizza, each experiences Gotham's unique culinary fusion. Add
lively conversation with friends and you've found the real
New York City. With so many ethnic influences, so many
talented chefs making a name for themselves, so many
hotspots, so many hidden gems, so many delis, so many diners
New York offers something for everyone's palate.
Diners enjoy gastronomic delights across the five boroughs,
but the following districts are particularly noteworthy:
 Midtown
The old-monied dine at prestigious and elegant classics like
The
'21' Club and Le
Cirque. Meanwhile, cell phones ring and young turks
wheel and deal at up-and-comers like China
Grill and Judson
Grill. Superstar Jean Georges Vongerichten reinvents
fine dining at his eponymous Jean
Georges and the French-Asian Vong.
For something completely different (but quintessentially Big
Apple), true New Yorkers stop by the famous Carnegie
Deli for a massive sandwich.
Hell's Kitchen
A few steps west of the Times Square tourist traps lies this
former slum now transformed into an enclave of eclectic
eateries, many ideal for pre- and post-theatre dining. From
the gilded and stodgy Firebird
to the chic and sexy Luxia,
there's something for everyone. Old standards like the
family run Chez
Napoleon and the aptly named Landmark
Tavern coexist with trendy newbies like Bar
Nine and Revolution.
After, or instead of the meal, the Cupcake
Café supplies some of the best desserts in town.
Gramercy and Union Square
The city's new center of fine dining boasts top-rated,
understated establishments like the Gramercy
Tavern and Union
Square Café. The exceptional Latin American Patria
plus yuppie gathering spots Park
Avalon and Candela
provide additional excellent options. A neighborhood rich in
history, the landmark Pete's
Tavern still draws a relaxing pint and serves up
old-fashioned pub grub after over a century in business.
West Village
World-class restaurants like the neuvelle favorite Gotham
Bar & Grill and the stunningly romantic One
if By Land, Two if By Sea work their magic in the
brownstones of this historic neighborhood. Along the
village's crisscrossing streets lie cozy favorites like Home
and retro-enclaves like The
Grange Hall. Meanwhile, people continue to flock to
the Italian trattoria Pó.
East Village
Funky, inexpensive ethnic restaurants and hip bars draw
people here from all over the city. Well-known bargains like
the Life
Café, the Kiev and Dojo
are usually filled with local hipsters and students as well
as visitors. With gentrification, the slick and trendy
established themselves in the form of bohemian bistro
Opaline. Meanwhile, traces of old New York can be found at
and Lanza.
If you crave dessert, stop by the famous Veniero's
for some pastries and espresso.
Soho
Where the art world congregates, trendy dining
establishments will follow. The
Mercer Kitchen serves some of the city's most
innovative cuisine as the world's most fabulous people vie
for tables there (not to mention a couple of blocks over at Balthazar).
Elsewhere amongst the galleries and posh shops, black-clad
sophisticates socialize at oh-so-very-Soho classics Raoul's
and Boom.
Sunday morning, locals make their way to for Eggs Benedict and other brunch favorites.
Tribeca
Among Tribeca's spectacular loft spaces, masterful
restaurateur Drew Nieporant has created a mini-kingdom for
himself, along with friend and investor Robert DeNiro.
Nieporant offers diners amazing Japanese at Nobu,
fine French and stellar burgundies at Montrachet,
new fangled Middle Eastern at Layla
and New American at Tribeca
Grill. For something outside Nieporant's empire try
the flashy Odeon
or just sip Champagne at the Bubble
Lounge.
Little Italy
That's Amore! Along bustling Mulberry Street old-country
restaurants blare Frank Sinatra into the street while
barkers summon the crowds. For those who love red sauces
with their pasta or veal, choices abound. From Pellegrino's
to Puglia,
it's difficult to go wrong. For pizza, Lombardi's
serves some of the best pies in the city.
Chinatown
Like a trip to Asia without leaving Manhattan, the scores of
restaurants on Chinatown's dynamic streets offer every
variety of Asian cuisine (often at bargain prices). Dozens
of places serve the ever-popular dim sum, but 31 Division
Dim Sum House rises above the rest. Meanwhile, Joe's
Shanghai is the place for dumplings. For
those seeking Chinese style barbeque Big
Wong fits the bill and if one craves noodles at 3am,
New
York Noodle Town always hits the mark.
Elsewhere
What? Where's my Peter
Luger, you say? How could you have not mentioned the
Tavern
on the Green's crystal room? Or what about the River
Café with its glorious views? New York City's
selection of amazing places to feast and imbibe is ever
growing, ever changing and always exciting. |
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