In 1986, sibling owners Maguy and Gilbert Le Coze opened Le Bernardin in New York after tasting phenomenal success with their 1972 flagship restaurant in Paris. It has continued to thrive under Chef Éric Ripert after Gilbert’s tragic demise in 1994. Seafood has been the inspiration behind the menu at Le Bernardin since inception. The tasting menu takes diners through delicacies such as Osetra Caviar, Dungeness Crab, Lobster Tail and Black Bass. Moreover, an extensive collection of around 900 wines complements every dish to perfection. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails from your eclectic lounge. The appetizers are tasty, and dinner is like a set menu but one that affords you the freedom to choose from different dishes for your meal. The flavors are good, given the chef’s experiments with different cuisines, not only French but a smattering of Asian as well, e.g., shrimps with coconut sauce. A dash of Caribbean is thrown into the mix, with the fruits added to the dessert.
Located near the scenic waterfront in Brooklyn, the now-legendary Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria offers excellent pizzas and other delicacies. Cooked in a brick oven, the pies emerge crispy, fresh, and pleasantly charred. The toppings always consist of choicest ingredients, including delectable sausages, bacon, meatballs, vegetables, and mozzarella cheese. Other dishes on the menu include a variety of fresh salads, desserts, calzones, along with an impressive beer and wine list. Over the years, Grimaldi's has earned its share of faithful customers, who consider this to be the best pizza in New York City.
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.
Chic and supremely popular, Gramercy Tavern is known among the Manhattan elite for its excellent service, superb food, plush interiors, and extensive wine list. The restaurant boasts two distinct dining options: you can enjoy a cozy, à la carte meal in the Tavern or indulge in the prix fixe experience in the Dining Room. Chef Michael Anthony proudly sources ingredients from local vendors, creating sensational dishes that change with the seasons. Whether you're snacking on treats like Wagyu pastrami and fluke tartare in the Tavern or reveling in courses like pork belly with peaches and strawberry brown butter cake for dessert in the Dining Room, you're sure to be amazed by Gramercy Tavern.
Owned by the legendary Chef Daniel Boulud, this award-winning French restaurant is considered by many to be the one of the best dining experiences in the city. The cuisine is contemporary, putting a fresh spin on traditional recipes and is both expertly prepared and exquisitely plated. Enjoy divine dishes like rabbit saddle with chorizo and tarragon mustard or wasabi-marinated hamachi with white sturgeon caviar and Meyer lemon coulis amid fine Italian Renaissance décor. Opt for the tasting menu or let the knowledgeable staff at Daniel help you create your perfect meal, complete with outstanding drink pairings.
Korea-based chef Jungsik Yim's eponymous restaurant has taken the city's dining scene by storm. On offer at Jungsik is a refreshing interpretation of Korean cuisine. Choose from a diverse menu that includes delectable creations like bibimbap, hodugwaja, octopus, and Wagyu Gomtang Mandoo. The wine list is exhaustive and has offerings from pretty much all the wine producing regions around the world. There's a choice of sake as well. The dessert selection includes a range of decadent treats. Diners also have the option of a multi-course tasting menu. The dining room sports a refined ambiance, with deep brown walls and plush white banquettes making up the seating area. The large Korean-inspired wooden motifs adorning the walls add a nice touch.
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.
Situated on Mulberry Street in New York, Yu and Me Books is an independent bookstore. Set in Chinatown, this cozy bookstore offers a fantastic selection of books across various genres. They even offer a selection of refreshing drinks like tea, coffee, and wine. Lined with books and pictures, this bookstore features several cozy corners where patrons can sit and immerse themselves in their favorite book. They even sell a range of audiobooks on their online store. This warm and friendly bookstore is a great place to visit for bibliophiles in the area.
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.
If you're in the area, Padabe Bakery in East Harlem, a family-run bakery and cafe selling a range of freshly baked products, is a must-try. Their products don't include any preservatives and are prepared using non-genetically modified organisms, which are claimed to contain more nutrients. The freshly baked pastries, which are made every day to preserve the essence of purity and fresh flavours, are the most well-liked items on their menu. There are also options that are vegan and gluten-free. Customers at this bakery have the choice of dining in, ordering takeout, or having food delivered to their place.
If you're a fan of fresh juices and smoothies along with piping hot beverages and delicious sandwiches, then Green Juice Cafe is the perfect place for you. Housed in Washington Heights, this boutique shop and cafe is a haven for those love digging into a tasty quick meal. Recommended favorites include a White Mocha, Americano, Chai Tea Latte and Iced Tea. Fresh Juices including Veggie Detox, Green Dream and Vitamin C Please are popular. Keep the hunger pangs at bay by gorging into sandwiches such as Lovely Nutella or Fruity Peanut Buttery Toast.
Tucked away in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, is a small and busy restaurant and gastropub, The Alcove. The tables seat approximately 30 people and the bar accommodates about 10 more. Ideal for brunch, The Alcove has an interesting decor, with a mannequin of an old man outside, who holds a menu for guests to see. Inside, the walls have menus, inspirational quotes written in chalk and post it notes. The busy decor reflects the pace of the establishment, where despite the rush, the owners and staff are welcoming and friendly. Peruse the menu at leisure and yet your food and drinks appear quickly. Featuring local craft beers such as Radiant Pig, Big Alice and Gun Hill, the drinks menu doesn't disappoint. Right from flavored mojitos to spicy margaritas and shots of rum chowder, the drinks menu holds its own. To nibble, go with the Alcove burgers topped with fried quail eggs and crunchy potato sticks, which come with a side of delicious truffle fries. Another popular choice is the Skirt Steak Lollipops that come in skewers and are topped with Chimichurri sauce. The tacos come with a slice of queso freir on the side; guacamole and carnitas tacos are the best. All in all it is a very friendly, unpretentious pub-next-door kind of experience.