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.
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.
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.
McSorley's is a Cooper Union landmark that first opened its doors around the Civil War. It is one of the former operating bars in the city. McSorley's serves two unique beers, McSorley's Lager and McSorley's Cream Stock Ale, and they are served two mugs at a time. Inside, you'll find sawdust on the floor and historic bric-à-brac alongside photos and news clippings. The menu is decent, with delectable appetizers like hearty cheese plates. Just be sure to keep the pub's centuries-old motto in mind: "Be Good or Be Gone!"
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.
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.
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.
Touted as offering one of the best cocktail menus around, The Raines Law Room is a haven for mixed drink connoisseurs. The drinks list is replete with flavors that will suit any preference, from bitter to sweet and crisp to spicy. Relax on velvet couches beneath classic murals that give the lounge a distinctly 1920s appeal, drink by candlelight in the garden, or enjoy the privacy of a banquet-style parlor. Whether you want a signature cocktail or prefer to order from the carefully curated selection of beer, wine, and champagne, The Raines Law Room will leave you at once satisfied and wanting more.