<i>It set the standard for the idea of "towering" or stacked food</i>


NP, what is "towering" or "stacked" food?

Do you know anyone who knows anyone who has a table at Rao's?

Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn.

Back in the 1980s Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar and Grill sort of invented the idea of different foods stacked up on a plate, instead of the usual side by side. I'm sure you've seen this done many, many places since. It is sometimes called "vertical food". I guess the idea really is that all the foods on the plate are meant to go together and to be eaten together, so why separate them out.

I did a bit of googling. While this is a sort of odd review, I think, it does show some typical "stacked" foods.

http://ebweng.blogspot.com/2008/02/a...es-gotham.html

If you want old school steak, NY style, Peter Lugers in Brooklyn wins. No pretenses, just great food, good service and the old NY favorite porterhouse steak.

I'll second Gramercy Tavern. Not just the best of what NY can offer but the warmth that reflects the best of refined American food/American service at its finest.

Also consider the Four Seasons restaurant, not to be confused with restaurants at the Four Seasons hotel. Expensive but if you're not having drinks, it may still be possible. Very NY, in my opinion.
All of these are somewhat expensive, but I suppose you were looking for something a lil more special on your last night.

<i>Back in the 1980s Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar and Grill sort of invented the idea of different foods stacked up on a plate, instead of the usual side by side. I'm sure you've seen this done many, many places since. It is sometimes called "vertical food". I guess the idea really is that all the foods on the plate are meant to go together and to be eaten together, so why separate them out.</i>

Actually, I don't think I've ever seen that. I guess I don't get out much!

Rao's: Not worth the effort or the money. Mediocre red-sauce Italian. Ridiculously expensive. Impossible reservation. You have to know Frankie. A late friend was his dentist. Big deal.

Wow... Now I'm confused :) Will do a bit more research and look at the options suggested here. I really liked TC's input above and also the Gotham Bar and grill sounds interesting too. A good steak is hard to beat :)

Here's another poster who says - avoid Tavern on the Green and Carmine's. For something that is first rate New York: Chanterelle, Felidia, Bouley, Beacon, I Trulli.

<< I really liked TC's input above and also the Gotham Bar and grill sounds interesting too. A good steak is hard to beat>>

Gotham Bar and Grill is not really a bar and grill, not really a steak house. Take a look at its menu and you'll begin to understand.

http://www.gothambarandgrill.com/content/view/14/

No matter the place, it's best to choose one with a history you appreciate, atmosphere that's to your preference, and a very appealing menu (with excellent reviews for the food and service).

Pearl Oyster Bar-18 Cornelia St. off Bleecker

"Dining out as an experience in itself", reminds me of my first New York meal at Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIg1K34fUxE The link is to a YouTube video, and I learned that the current owner won the restaurant from Sammy in a poker ame 35 years ago.

Another restaurant with an intrinsic New York feeling with its incredible sunset view of Central Park is Dizzy's CocaCola Jazz Club. The food is not so great (but I think it's fine) but the view and music are memorable. http://www.jalc.org/DCCC/

I do not think of Union Square, Gramercy, and Gotham as particularly New York. Good American crative or pretentious can be found throughout the country these days. And although we like Gotham the best out of the lot, there is nothing that screams NYC.

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that there's no more "intrinsically New York dining experience" than the cafe at Rockefeller Center. In the summer, you'll can dine atop of the area that's used for skating in the colder seasons. The food is decent and the ambiance screams "New York City"!

"And although we like Gotham the best out of the lot, there is nothing that screams NYC."

Ouch. So you ARE telling me they took away the Statue of Liberty in the Gotham? Boo. Hiss. It always made me smile, and nothing says New York like a Statue of Liberty!

Lissa, Although we haven't been for quite some time, one of our favorite local spots is Vince and Eddies. I'm sure it is mentioned in someone's guide book, but is hardly one of the "IN" spots. I even recall seeing Carrie standing in front of V&Es in one episode of Sex and the City. We adore the lamb with cherry sauce and they make a marvelous Cosmo. It is quite convenient to Lincoln Center if you are attending a performance there. While not 5 star, it always feels very NY to me. I'm sure NYers on this forum have many such places that they frequent.

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants...page=2#reviews

We just got back from NY and were so luck to get a table at Babbo! Have to say.. this was the best dining experience of my life and we have traveled a lot!

"And although we like Gotham the best out of the lot, there is nothing that screams NYC."

Ouch. So you ARE telling me they took away the Statue of Liberty in the Gotham? Boo. Hiss. It always made me smile, and nothing says New York like a Statue of Liberty!

Neo-

How about all the tourists with the green spongey Statue of Liberty head dresses?

I thought you would like my comment since it is complimentary about the rest fo America.

Re Adu's comment that Union Square, Gramercy, and Gotham do not "scream" NY. Must differ.One needs to have some sense of restaurant history in NY going back over 30 or so years ago. Back in those days NY was a desert as far as restaurant dining was concerned. Craig Clairborne of the NY times was one of those who changed all that and a new breed of restaurants started appearing in town. One of the leaders of that movement was Danny Meyer who opened Union Square and it was a new breath of fresh air in service, food, et al. He followed up with Gramercy Park and we were off and running. Gotham came on a bit later - but it comes out of this movement of innovative chefs, new cuisines. So - yes - in this context I would say that Union Square et al are quintessentially New York.