Maguy und Gilber Lecoze kamen 1986 von Paris nach New York, wollten ein elegantes Restaurant etablieren und einfach nur kochen und Fischgerichte zubereiten. Damals konnte keiner ihren unglaublichen Erfolg auch nur ahnen. Seitdem hat das Restaurant jedes Jahr 4 Sterne erhalten. Sogar als Gilbert starb und der Chefkoch Eric Ripert sein Nachfolger wurde, hat die Liebe und Hingabe angehalten mit der jedes Gericht zubereitet wird. Obwohl es teuer ist, gibt es kaum etwas Vergleichbares in Amerika und auch nur wenige dieser Art in Europa. Ein Mittagessen zu USD 32 oder USD 42 (EUR 35,60 oder EUR 46,70) könnte ein gedankenvoller erster Schritt sein. Abendessen beginnen ab USD 75 (EUR 83,40) und nach oben sind keine Grenzen gesetzt - leider!
Das nahe dem Wasser gelegene legendäre Lokal Grimaldi’s bietet herrlichste Pizzas zu günstigen Preisen. Diese werden im Steinofen zubereitet und haben neben einem herrlich knusprigen Boden auch reichlich Belag, was den Verzehr zu einem wahren kulinarischen Genuss macht. Eine große Pizza kostet weniger als USD 15 (EUR 16). Keine Reservierungsmöglichkeit, wodurch man sich gemeinsam mit einer Vielzahl anderer hungriger Mäuler im Freien anstellen muss. Keine Kreditkarten.
PDT, which stands for Please Don't Tell, is a "secret" bar on St. Mark's Place. A call from a phone booth in Crif Dogs (the adjacent restaurant) is the only way to get in. Once accepted, a secret door opens up in the phone booth, leading to PDT. It's not much of a secret anymore though, because the club is hugely popular. Once inside, you'll find a crowded bar area steeped in darkness. The inventive cocktail selection is superb and a major draw. If you're hungry you can also order from the Crif Dogs food menu, which gets delivered to the club via a small pass. The friendly staff will give you great recommendations and ensure that you get the best deal.
For those who crave for a little IPA with their Donkey Kong, Barcade just might be the place. The lovingly-designed space combines hand-crafted pub furnishings with several classic arcade games. Draft and craft brews are the specialty of the house featuring East Coast heavy hitters like Peekskill and West Coast humdingers like Lagunitas, but there is also a full bar. So whether you like a shot of Jim Beam before a round of Centipede or a goblet of Belgian-style strong ale to accompany a rousing Ms Pac-Man tournament, Barcade can probably accommodate you.
Le Bain is popular both amongst regular party-goers as well as celebrities, with its unique interior design making lounging both luxurious and fun. Le Bain, which translates to "bath" in French, is also popularly known for the plunge pool located on the dance floor during the summertime. Although extremely exclusive and often requiring invites to get in, those who manage to enter are rewarded with a beautiful view of the city from the rooftop and excellent service from professional bartenders mixing up great cocktails and concoctions.
Apothéke is a cocktail bar located in Chinatown. The bar is known for its mixology-inspired cocktails made with fresh ingredients and creative presentation. The bar has a vintage pharmacy-inspired décor with antique furniture, apothecary jars, and various scientific instruments. The cocktail menu is divided into categories such as Stimulants, Painkillers, and Aphrodisiacs, each containing unique drinks with inventive names. The bar also offers a "Doctor's Orders" menu where customers can describe their symptoms, and the bartender will make a custom "prescriptions" tailored to their needs. The bar has been recognized as one of the best cocktail bars in the world and has won numerous awards for its mixology.
Iggy's is a bar from which people have come to expect much more than just a drink. There are 14 TVs on which you can catch all the live sporting action, a complete food menu, and the most popular bit, karaoke. You can sing your favorite songs at the bar with friends all day long, and in front of a packed room between 7p and 4a. You can also use the venue for private events, of which the kids' karaoke parties are perhaps the most popular.
Tre Otto is a friendly neighborhood restaurant that takes care of all those nasty cravings for ethnic Italian meals. Try the Arancina al Ragu pasta or the Spinach Ravioli pasta that are both excellent. Dining here is a pleasure always, with the welcoming staff and the happy smiles that greet one as they set about laying the food and ensuring a relaxing time. Tre Otto scores full marks for its delicious food and great service. However, what is more noteworthy is their attention to saving the environment that they show by using recycled paper, wood and materials.
If you are a guest at the Embassy Suites or not, a visit to the SkyLawn Bar located on the hotel premises is a must. This rooftop bar is bathed in green as it has an artificial lawn carpet and plants lending a garden appeal. It is set up with plush cushioned seating and on movie nights backrest chairs are arranged. Indulge in craft cocktails like Life Line, Rough Exposure with sides like the Charcuterie Board or Cuban Finger Sandwiches. You can organize your private events as it is available for rent.
Caffè Aronne is known for its flavorful organic coffee that is prepared with ethically sourced beans. You can rest assured of quality as the café utilizes fine quality beans that are sourced from various parts of the world. This café is also known for its unique catering service on wheels, an apé espresso bar. After enjoying a lovely cup of coffee, you can bag home coffee beans and other coffee products from their store.