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.
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.
Located on West 25th Street in New York City, the 40/40 Club offers a fusion of sports, entertainment, and luxury in an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and inviting. If you are a sports enthusiast, a connoisseur of fine dining, or simply looking for an upscale nightlife experience, the 40/40 Club is a must-visit premier destination that combines the excitement of sports with the elegance of a high-end lounge. The venue's interior exudes elegance with its sleek design, modern decor, and stylish furnishings. The space is tastefully adorned with sports memorabilia, luxurious accents, and high-end finishes, creating an ambiance that seamlessly combines sports and upscale entertainment. 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.