In 1986, sibling owners Maguy and Gilbert Le Coze opened Le Bernardin in New York after finding phenomenal success with their flagship restaurant in Paris, established in 1972. The duo won numerous accolades at the helm of this culinary destination, and 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 its conception. The tasting menu takes diners through courses filled with delicacies like Osetra caviar, Dungeness crab, Lobster Tail, and Black Bass. Moreover, an extensive collection of around 900 wines complements every dish to perfection. Patrons can also enjoy delectable small plates and handcrafted cocktails from their eclectic lounge. The restaurant offers chic spaces for private dining too.
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.
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. A visit to PDT is quite an interesting experience indeed.
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.
This upscale sports bar-styled nightclub offers patrons a classy place to enjoy the finer things in life, most notably cigars, drinks and sports. Comfortable leather couches, large high definition screens and a selection of sports memorabilia give the 40/40 Club an inviting environment. For the true sports fan, keep an ear to the bar to find out about exclusive events like signings and personal appearances by the creme de la creme of the sports world, including Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Jose Canseco.
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.
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.
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.