Where I eat in Manhattan.
Apr 15th, 2011, 06:14 AM
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Where I eat in Manhattan.
Not necessarily a "best of" list.
Just a decent reference point if you're like us: 40-something, native NYC, foodie couple
Indian: Banjara (E. Vill), Brick Lane (E. Vill), Chola (UWS)
Inexpensive, old-school Italian: Arturo’s on Houston (G.V.), Stuzzicheria (Tri)
Mid-range Italian: Pepolino (Tri), Aurora SoHo, Morandi (W.V.), Crispo, (G.V.),Bar Pitti (G.V.)
High end Italian: Da Silvano (G.V.), recently had an outstanding meal at Felidia (Midtown E.), Maialino (Gramercy)
Value: Mooncake Foods (SoHo, + 2), Café Noir (SoHo)
Burgers: The Gauchito burger at Estancia 460 (TriBeCa), Corner Bistro (W.V), BLT Burger (G.V.)
Sandwiches: Faicco’s (Bleecker St, Greenwich Village), Katz’s (E.V.)
Pizza (Manhattan): slices: Pizza Box, Joe’s (Carmine St), pies only: Arturo’s, Spunto, Kesté (Carmine St) (All G.V.)
French: Bistro Les Amis (SoHo), Cercle Rouge (Tri), Balthazar (SoHo), Pastis (MPD)
Greek: Parea (Flatiron), Snack (SoHo), Pylos (E.V.)
Chinese: Suzie’s (G.V.), Mandarin Court for dim sum(Chi)
Asian: Mooncake Foods
Spanish: La Nacional (W.V./Chelsea), Despaña (SoHo)
Spanish Tapas: La Nacional, Tia Pol (Chelsea), Boqueria (SoHo +1), Despaña
Latin: Tauro (Hudson Square, weekdays, lunch only)
American: Minetta Tavern (G.V), Blue Hill (G.V.+1), Daisy May’s (Mid W.), Blue Smoke (Flatiron), Eleven Madison Park (Madison Pk)
Steak: Wolfgang’s (SoHo or Park Ave), Minetta Tavern
Euro-inspired American: Café Cluny, Extra Virgin (West Village), The Odeon (Tri), Union Square Café
Fish: Aquagrill (SoHo)
Raw: Giorgione (Hud Sq, better shucker here), Aquagrill (SoHo)
Pub: South’s, Walker’s (Tri), Broome St Bar (SoHo)
Just a decent reference point if you're like us: 40-something, native NYC, foodie couple
Indian: Banjara (E. Vill), Brick Lane (E. Vill), Chola (UWS)
Inexpensive, old-school Italian: Arturo’s on Houston (G.V.), Stuzzicheria (Tri)
Mid-range Italian: Pepolino (Tri), Aurora SoHo, Morandi (W.V.), Crispo, (G.V.),Bar Pitti (G.V.)
High end Italian: Da Silvano (G.V.), recently had an outstanding meal at Felidia (Midtown E.), Maialino (Gramercy)
Value: Mooncake Foods (SoHo, + 2), Café Noir (SoHo)
Burgers: The Gauchito burger at Estancia 460 (TriBeCa), Corner Bistro (W.V), BLT Burger (G.V.)
Sandwiches: Faicco’s (Bleecker St, Greenwich Village), Katz’s (E.V.)
Pizza (Manhattan): slices: Pizza Box, Joe’s (Carmine St), pies only: Arturo’s, Spunto, Kesté (Carmine St) (All G.V.)
French: Bistro Les Amis (SoHo), Cercle Rouge (Tri), Balthazar (SoHo), Pastis (MPD)
Greek: Parea (Flatiron), Snack (SoHo), Pylos (E.V.)
Chinese: Suzie’s (G.V.), Mandarin Court for dim sum(Chi)
Asian: Mooncake Foods
Spanish: La Nacional (W.V./Chelsea), Despaña (SoHo)
Spanish Tapas: La Nacional, Tia Pol (Chelsea), Boqueria (SoHo +1), Despaña
Latin: Tauro (Hudson Square, weekdays, lunch only)
American: Minetta Tavern (G.V), Blue Hill (G.V.+1), Daisy May’s (Mid W.), Blue Smoke (Flatiron), Eleven Madison Park (Madison Pk)
Steak: Wolfgang’s (SoHo or Park Ave), Minetta Tavern
Euro-inspired American: Café Cluny, Extra Virgin (West Village), The Odeon (Tri), Union Square Café
Fish: Aquagrill (SoHo)
Raw: Giorgione (Hud Sq, better shucker here), Aquagrill (SoHo)
Pub: South’s, Walker’s (Tri), Broome St Bar (SoHo)
Apr 15th, 2011, 06:43 AM
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"Just a decent reference point if you're like us: 40-something, native NYC, foodie couple"
How about for a 60 something, non-native tourist, foodie single?
This is a great list -- the 8 or 10 places on it I know are all favorites. I was happy to see Aquagrill on your list twice. It's funny, but in my last full month of New York dining (about 70 meals!) when someone asked what was my "favorite" I almost immediately came up with Aquagrill. The place has never failed to be perfection in every way, yet never the least bit pretentious, and although a bit pricey -- a great bargain in my book for the quality.
How about for a 60 something, non-native tourist, foodie single?
This is a great list -- the 8 or 10 places on it I know are all favorites. I was happy to see Aquagrill on your list twice. It's funny, but in my last full month of New York dining (about 70 meals!) when someone asked what was my "favorite" I almost immediately came up with Aquagrill. The place has never failed to be perfection in every way, yet never the least bit pretentious, and although a bit pricey -- a great bargain in my book for the quality.
Apr 15th, 2011, 08:33 AM
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Good idea, thanks for the recommendations. Girls trip planned for February next year and this is exactly the kind of information we need. It's nice NeoPatrick seconded Aquagrill, maybe that will be our splurge restaurant.
Apr 15th, 2011, 10:42 AM
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@4bams
Honestly, I've never had a good meal in the theatre district. Most of the restaurants up there are glorified catering halls, in my opinion, and there's little incentive for them to serve great food to tourists they may never see again.
I fully understand, however, that there MUST be some good food up there somewhere. I just tend to stay downtown.
@NeoPatrick
I share your enthusiasm for Aquagrill, but I must admit the shucker/raw-bar-guy at Giorgione has never once served me a clam or oyster with a piece of shell in it, or failed to separate the meat from the shell perfectly so it all slides away.
The raw bar service at Aquagrill can be a bit rushed and it can show.
That said, I highly recommend Ag's Roero Arneis by the glass with the east coast oysters.
Honestly, I've never had a good meal in the theatre district. Most of the restaurants up there are glorified catering halls, in my opinion, and there's little incentive for them to serve great food to tourists they may never see again.
I fully understand, however, that there MUST be some good food up there somewhere. I just tend to stay downtown.
@NeoPatrick
I share your enthusiasm for Aquagrill, but I must admit the shucker/raw-bar-guy at Giorgione has never once served me a clam or oyster with a piece of shell in it, or failed to separate the meat from the shell perfectly so it all slides away.
The raw bar service at Aquagrill can be a bit rushed and it can show.
That said, I highly recommend Ag's Roero Arneis by the glass with the east coast oysters.
Apr 15th, 2011, 11:48 AM
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You know, now that you mention it, I don't know that I've ever done raw bar at Aquagrill.
I know that it is customary for locals to suggest there's nowhere worth eating near the theatre district, and while it indeed does have more than its share of tourist "traps", don't forget there are thousands and thousands of "well heeled locals" living in those huge apartment buildings in that general area. Many really good restaurants rely on those people not just tourists. And while it makes sense for people who live (or work) downtown to sort of stay in that area to eat, it makes just as much sense for people "temporarily living" in the theatre district and going to a show there to stay in that area for dinner. On the rare night I'm not doing theatre, I'll happily trot off downtown for dinner, but it still doesn't make sense for me to do that when I have to worry about getting back to the jammed theatre district to make a curtain.
A few good ones in the theatre district in all price ranges (like the original list above): Esca, Etc.Etc, db Bistro Modern, Hell's Kitchen, West Bank Cafe, Bar Americain, Marseille, Osteria del Circo, LeBernadin, ViceVersa, Remi, Nizza, Bond 45 and even while you can't get much more touristy than Sea Grill overlooking Rockefeller Center, I'll maintain that the food, attention to detail, and service make it a very good choice in that price range. I'd say Balthazar is every bit as "touristy" as any of those places mentioned above. But that doesn't stop it from being good in my book.
I know that it is customary for locals to suggest there's nowhere worth eating near the theatre district, and while it indeed does have more than its share of tourist "traps", don't forget there are thousands and thousands of "well heeled locals" living in those huge apartment buildings in that general area. Many really good restaurants rely on those people not just tourists. And while it makes sense for people who live (or work) downtown to sort of stay in that area to eat, it makes just as much sense for people "temporarily living" in the theatre district and going to a show there to stay in that area for dinner. On the rare night I'm not doing theatre, I'll happily trot off downtown for dinner, but it still doesn't make sense for me to do that when I have to worry about getting back to the jammed theatre district to make a curtain.
A few good ones in the theatre district in all price ranges (like the original list above): Esca, Etc.Etc, db Bistro Modern, Hell's Kitchen, West Bank Cafe, Bar Americain, Marseille, Osteria del Circo, LeBernadin, ViceVersa, Remi, Nizza, Bond 45 and even while you can't get much more touristy than Sea Grill overlooking Rockefeller Center, I'll maintain that the food, attention to detail, and service make it a very good choice in that price range. I'd say Balthazar is every bit as "touristy" as any of those places mentioned above. But that doesn't stop it from being good in my book.
Apr 15th, 2011, 12:50 PM
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Fair enough, Neo. Maybe my problem is that I'm usually paired with people DYING to go to Carmine's. So, I've eaten there more than any place else, except maybe Becco.
The food's always "good enough" in those places.
Barbetta's pretty good, now that I think of it.
I'll try a couple of your suggestions.
The food's always "good enough" in those places.
Barbetta's pretty good, now that I think of it.
I'll try a couple of your suggestions.
Apr 15th, 2011, 01:44 PM
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Neo
There are many reasons why NY'ers do not eat in the Theater District.
About 65% of Broadway show goers are visitors. Thus the vast majority of the people who eat there are not from NY Metro area. Thus there is no impetus for a NY'er to eat there.
The residential areas usually offer better food values than the Theater District.
The Theater District has such a bad reputation for poor restaurants that few want to be the guinea pigs and find out those that are worthwhile.
BTW, Neo, Balthazar has a fabulous bakery with a curiously crammed space for the customers and an impossible view of the available breads but there are many superior French bistros that are not well known.
There are many reasons why NY'ers do not eat in the Theater District.
About 65% of Broadway show goers are visitors. Thus the vast majority of the people who eat there are not from NY Metro area. Thus there is no impetus for a NY'er to eat there.
The residential areas usually offer better food values than the Theater District.
The Theater District has such a bad reputation for poor restaurants that few want to be the guinea pigs and find out those that are worthwhile.
BTW, Neo, Balthazar has a fabulous bakery with a curiously crammed space for the customers and an impossible view of the available breads but there are many superior French bistros that are not well known.
Apr 15th, 2011, 02:16 PM
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I agree with everything you just said Audchamp. If I lived in the city -- anywhere outside the theatre district --there is little reason I'd ever go there to eat -- I agree. Absolutely.
The only concept I sometimes hear here though is the idea that a person who is staying in the theatre district and seeing a show there that night and returning to his hotel afterwards can't get a "decent" meal without taking transportation to another part of town and then worrying about getting back into the traffic and people clogged theatre district at showtime. Likewise, it only makes sense that if someone were staying at -- let's say the Soho Grand and seeing an off-Broadway show at The Flea he should eat somewhere around there. It would be silly to travel to the upper West Side and back for example to go to just a decent restaurant unless there were some compelling reason to go to a specific restaurant. There are many good restaurants all over NYC and that includes the Theatre District (but it may take a little more asking to prevent going to a bad one).
There are many decent, good, and even some wonderful restaurants in the theatre district that enable a person staying and being entertained there to eat without having to do the double transportation issue at peak travel times. When a person asks for such a recommendation, it's nice when they can get one and there are many to be given, rather than the offhanded "there's nothing good there -- you need to go elsewhere".
In other words as you said, "The Theater District has such a bad reputation for poor restaurants that few want to be the guinea pigs and find out those that are worthwhile." So it's nice when people give them good recommendations in the theatre district instead of making them become those guinea pigs and further giving business to the bad places. It's nice when people help posters find the "worthwhile" places -- they ARE there.
The only concept I sometimes hear here though is the idea that a person who is staying in the theatre district and seeing a show there that night and returning to his hotel afterwards can't get a "decent" meal without taking transportation to another part of town and then worrying about getting back into the traffic and people clogged theatre district at showtime. Likewise, it only makes sense that if someone were staying at -- let's say the Soho Grand and seeing an off-Broadway show at The Flea he should eat somewhere around there. It would be silly to travel to the upper West Side and back for example to go to just a decent restaurant unless there were some compelling reason to go to a specific restaurant. There are many good restaurants all over NYC and that includes the Theatre District (but it may take a little more asking to prevent going to a bad one).
There are many decent, good, and even some wonderful restaurants in the theatre district that enable a person staying and being entertained there to eat without having to do the double transportation issue at peak travel times. When a person asks for such a recommendation, it's nice when they can get one and there are many to be given, rather than the offhanded "there's nothing good there -- you need to go elsewhere".
In other words as you said, "The Theater District has such a bad reputation for poor restaurants that few want to be the guinea pigs and find out those that are worthwhile." So it's nice when people give them good recommendations in the theatre district instead of making them become those guinea pigs and further giving business to the bad places. It's nice when people help posters find the "worthwhile" places -- they ARE there.
Apr 15th, 2011, 02:40 PM
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Over the yrears we have eaten a number of the better known Theater Disrtict restaurants including Ollie's, Carmine's, Joe Allen's, Landmark Tavern, Becco, Trecolori, Un Deux Trois, Virgil's, Pomaire, Victor's, Le Bernandin, Hallo Berlin, Maria Pia, Esca, and many places that no longer exist.
I think I am one of the few people who find Le Bernardin over rated and my favorite of all of them is Pomaire and Virgil's if we are with kids. Otherwise I would not recommend them. It is not an off-hand comment but one based on decades of bad meals.
I think I am one of the few people who find Le Bernardin over rated and my favorite of all of them is Pomaire and Virgil's if we are with kids. Otherwise I would not recommend them. It is not an off-hand comment but one based on decades of bad meals.
Apr 15th, 2011, 05:40 PM
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Yes, SueNYC. Katz's moved across the street to a bigger space. They now feature a VIP room where Lindsay Lohan is a regular and Mark Ronson spins on Thursday nights.
Ha ha ha ha ha
correction: Katz's is officially on the Lower East Side.
I also screwed up "Chola (UWS)". It's on 58th between 2nd and 3rd (UES).
Ha ha ha ha ha
correction: Katz's is officially on the Lower East Side.
I also screwed up "Chola (UWS)". It's on 58th between 2nd and 3rd (UES).
Apr 15th, 2011, 06:00 PM
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Neo, if you consider some of the places you mentioned in the West 50s, like Le Bernardin and Osteria del Circo, as being "in the theater district," then, yes, there are desirable places there. I'd add to your list (all with excellent pre-theater prix-fixe menus) Estiatorio Milos, the "21" Club, Beacon, Petrossian and Seasonal, among others.
These are worlds better than the run-of-the-mill, mediocre theater district places such as those on "Restaurant Row" that resort to circus-style street barkers to rein in the tourists.
And Warren (Adu), we've talked about this occasionally face-to-face, but you frequently disparage Le Bernardin. What is it about this three-Michelin-star, four-New York Times-star place that turns you off so? Is it the highest-caliber service, the extraordinary preparations by Eric Ripert, or the beautiful wood-paneled, high-ceilinged dining room? Le Bernardin is often thought of as New York City's number one restaurant in all categories. Did you have a bad experience there?
These are worlds better than the run-of-the-mill, mediocre theater district places such as those on "Restaurant Row" that resort to circus-style street barkers to rein in the tourists.
And Warren (Adu), we've talked about this occasionally face-to-face, but you frequently disparage Le Bernardin. What is it about this three-Michelin-star, four-New York Times-star place that turns you off so? Is it the highest-caliber service, the extraordinary preparations by Eric Ripert, or the beautiful wood-paneled, high-ceilinged dining room? Le Bernardin is often thought of as New York City's number one restaurant in all categories. Did you have a bad experience there?
