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.
Celebrated Japanese cuisine expert Hirohisa Hayashi is the head chef at the quaint Hirosiha in Soho. The restaurant serves Kappo cuisine prepared by using traditional Japanese methods like stewing, brewing and simmering. Minimalist and elegant décor gives way to an upscale ambience with the open kitchen being the focal point. Guests can order dishes off the menu or select a set seven or ten-course tasting menu. The menu at the restaurant is seasonal, thus making use of the best ingredients available in every season. The chawanmushi and Soy-Based Washu Short Rib are stand-out dishes that can be complemented with a good sake menu too.
Sushi Nakazawa brings to the table a one-of-a kind sushi experience in New York, the result of a partnership between Chef Daisuke Nakazawa and Alessandro Borgognone. A student of sushi all his life, Chef Nakazwa earned his spurs under the mentorship of Ono Jiro. Eleven years after his painstaking practice with fish, he opened Sushi Nakazawa in 2013, a place that serves some of the finest and freshest sushi, among other Japanese culinary delights, in New York, and his Omakase (chef's choice of sushi) is perhaps the best. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable leather chairs and soothing, soft lights. With authentic ingredients, a versatile sake collection and a refined sushi experience, Sushi Nakazawa is primed to cast a spell on whoever walks in through the resto’s doors.
Owned and operated by chef Gabriel Kreuther, this sophisticated restaurant and lounge exudes elegance. The restaurant is set in the beautiful neighborhood of Midtown, overlooking Bryant Park. The interiors are a chic affair with high ceilings, exposed beams, ornate chandeliers, and spaciously laid-out tables with candle lighting in the evenings. The menu is inspired by Alsatian cuisine and offers a diverse range of scrumptious light bites and mouthwatering mains. Brandt Beef Skirt Steak, Fennel-Cockle Velouté, Herb Crusted Hawaiian Mero, and Compressed Hamachi are some of the highlights of the menu. The desserts are rich, creamy, and heavenly. Take your special someone here for a date, and you'll have a memorable evening to remember.