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, named executive chef 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. Patrons can also enjoy delectable small plates and handcrafted cocktails from the lounge if they wish to do so.
Masa, located in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle is a thoroughly unique dining experience. There are no windows. There is no menu. You order a specialty cocktail made with top-shelf ingredients, then Chef Masa Takayama, just inches away, goes to work on a three-hour multi-course meal of the most mouthwatering, heart-melting sushi. But the fact that Masa is one of a microscopic few non-French establishments to be awarded The New York Times' coveted four star honors is evidence that being at the chef's mercy can only be a great thing. A step into Bar Masa next door is also worthwhile.
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 best dining experience in the city. The cuisine is contemporary, putting a fresh spin on traditional recipes, and it 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 decor. 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 bibim, hae jang, Thai lobster and Gangnam chicken. 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 green tea cremeux, peach fro-yo and sweet potato tarts. Diners also have the option of a ten-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.
Momofuku Ko has been called one of the greatest restaurants in the world. It is for this reason, and the fact that the restaurant only has a capacity of 12 diners at a time, that securing a seat can be particularly challenging to reserve a seat here. If you are lucky enough to do so, you will be treated to a ten-course meal of Asian fusion dishes that you won't soon forget. Diners sit at the kitchen counter and are served directly by the chefs who whip up delicacies as they serve. Trendy, exclusive and worthy of the hype, Momofuku Ko is a true New York City treasure.
Sitting in the heart of the Theater District, this friendly Italian restaurant was established in 1944, and is still going strong. Traditional Italian cooking and a warm atmosphere ideal for going out with families and friends alike, is what makes Patsy's such a loved establishment. The interiors are done up in mellow hues, with beautiful chandeliers and sconces creating a warm vibe. The artwork and photographs adorning the walls add a nice touch to the proceedings. Signature dishes at Patsy's include Chicken Contadina, Veal Rollatine Marsala and Lobster Fra Diavolo. There's a pre-theater menu as well. Throughout its rich history, the restaurant has been host to numerous celebrities, and its not uncommon to spot one dining beside your table. Check website for more.
So you think you know what hamburgers is all about? Wrong. One visit to Vizio's and you encounter hamburgers in every possible variety of stuffing. Try their ostrich burger, Kobe burger, bison burger, elk burger and even wild boar burgers! Not just that, there are a range of grilled foods, sandwiches, appetizers, side dishes and salads to indulge in. Pork Chops with mashed potatoes and gravy is yummy! All products used are natural and free of trans-fat, antibiotics, and growth hormones making it a haven for the health freaks. Their brunch menu including Eggs Benedict is very popular with locals. Top any of these with a 'fiberactive' or 'fruitilicious smoothie'. Or keep it simple and have a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice instead.
Serving Italian seafood creations to delighted patrons, Marea has already earned two coveted Michelin stars for their polished menu of authentic Italian coastal offerings. The chic interior is perfect for business or romance, and private dining rooms can be readily arranged. Chef Michael White's deft Mediterranean touch pairs globally sourced ingredients like sea urchin, lobster, oysters, marlin, scallops and octopus with rich sauces, fragrant herbs and bright, citrus flavors. Studying the menu alone will whet your appetite. If not, a glass of wine from their thoughtfully selected wine list will surely do the trick.
Amidst crystal chandeliers and high ceilings, savor popular Italian dishes like pasta, pizza and gnocchi at Serafina. This trendy restaurant is a popular place among locals to grab a quick bite and curb their hankering for food from the "Boot". Notable dishes on the menu would be the pizza marinara and the risotto. The menu is inspired by Northern Italian cuisine and successfully strives to recreate the same magic of the Apennines. The intimate venue is ideal for parties as well as cozy dinners. Be sure to try the desserts here too, especially the berry tarts and the Tiramisu.
With etched glass, marble and notable paintings accenting the granite bar, this sumptuous caviar spot located in the beautiful Alwyn Court building brings a special bit of Russia and Paris to New York. There is a prix-fixe dinner available, but most of the clientele passes that up for a taste of caviar. Other dishes on the menu are very good as well. Opt for the whole Dover sole and one of the magnificent desserts, if you decide on the prix-fixe.
Located right next door to the famed Carnegie Hall, the Russian Tea Room has a rich and long-standing history with New York high society. Originally opened by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1926, this elegant, red and gold architectural masterpiece has been host to countless celebrities, performers and politicians. The restaurant's ownership has since changed hands since its closure in 2002, after the death of former owner Warner LeRoy; it re-opened and returned with the same opulent and stately atmosphere.