Founded by an enterprising Lithuanian immigrant, The Village Vanguard is one of the oldest jazz clubs, given that its been around since 1935. Today, a sizable international crowd packs the club, enjoying the great music and acoustics, an informal New York camaraderie, and a good selection of beer and cocktails. Musical giants from Leadbelly to John Coltrane to Wynton Marsalis have played here, and fresh talent, including "name-dropping artists" can be heard in this fabled Greenwich Village basement seven days a week.
Renowned chef Thomas Keller brought the sophisticated appeal of his acclaimed Napa Valley restaurant, The French Laundry, to New York City with Per Se, which now ranks alongside its sister restaurant as one of the best in the world. Per Se is situated in the Time Warner Center, and its prime location offers guests the opportunity to take in beautiful views of Central Park while enjoying seasonal, French-influenced American cuisine. Beyond the main dining room, there is a lounge bar, a wine cellar, and two private dining rooms that are perfect for celebratory occasions. No matter where you are, Per Se is as visually stunning as its cuisine is delicious, featuring earthy tones, a charming fireplace, and wood and stone accents.
From tofu, Saikoro steak and Surume Ika Yaki to the patent sake, you can get it all at Sakagura Restaurant. By now, you would have guessed that the restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine and of course, the staple rice-wine sake, without which the authenticity of the eatery would be incomplete. The place is known for being one of the best sake bars in the country, with a selection of over 200 varieties of sake that are imported from Japan. This beautifully decorated cozy joint serves green tea and it also has a fully stocked bar. However a meal here is not just about the star sake, but also the exquisite and delicious food that is perfectly prepared and plated, with dishes like the Salmon Sashimi with Roe on Rice and the Black Cod & Pickled Lotus, on the menu. Tasting events like the sake tasting dinner are frequently organized.
Popular with all types of patrons, Benjamin's is another notch on New York's steakhouse bedpost. The steak is USDA approved and you can enjoy your ethically sourced beef in muted, Gothic style surroundings, the ceiling soaring high above you. The steaks are all dry-aged and carefully selected by the chef - for non-steak lovers, there is a reasonable selection of salads and seafood to choose from. The sides are good and there is a selection of desserts. Be sure to make reservations.
Il Posto Accanto is a quaint trattoria that is owned by Chef Beatrice, who also owns the larger Il Bagatto located next door. The highlight of Il Posto is its extensive wine list that features a wide assortment of Italian wines which can be had by the bottle or carafe. At Il Posto, Chef Beatrice has created a menu which features various traditional Italian dishes like Calamari Alla Griglia, Bruschetta, and pastas like Penne Alla Vodka and Tortellini Con Rag. There is also a selection of meat and fish dishes, though if you find this excessive, you could always choose to make a meal out of a variety of small plates as you savor your wine.
Ardesia is a popular wine bar that has a patio with brightly colored flowers where one can spend a warm evening. There are around 30 wines to choose from, categorized into Old World and New World. The food is freshly prepared at the venue and consists of charcuterie, cheese and imaginative snacks to increase the appeal of the wine. Spend a lovely evening under the stars, amidst brightly colored flowers, with a glass of wine in hand.