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.
Eno Terra sits amidst lush surroundings in a beautiful mansion steeped in history. The majestic setting is just the beginning of your experience though. Drawing inspiration from the region's rich agricultural bounty, the restaurant presents a diverse menu of Italian specialties that offer a good mix of the traditional and modern preparations. Most of the kitchen's ingredients come from the restaurant's own Eno Terra Canal Farm with independent growers and suppliers also chipping in. The seasonally changing menu offers a good mix of classic and contemporary preparations, with seafood dominating the proceedings. The delightful wine list is a globe-trotting affair with American and Italian wines making up a major part of the list. A romantic charm envelopes you as you enter the historic building, with the wood-dominated interiors accentuating its striking features. An excellent bet for an intimate meal, Eno Terra is also apt for memorable group dinners and private functions. Check website for more.
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 truckloads of classic arcade games. Draft 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. See website for frequently updated draft list, special event announcements, Happy Hour info and more.
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. A visit to PDT is quite an interesting experience indeed.
The Rocky Hill Inn is a cozy neighbourhood bistro and pub, much loved by the localites. It features an extensive menu of wholesome food like Shepherd's Pie, Braised Short Rib, various burgers and quite a few salads. Here one can relax like in an English pub with the adjacent bar providing the beer on tap, TV screens and WiFi. The outdoor patio is also a good place to unwind. Do not leave without trying out the turkey burger that is supposed to be one-of-a-kind.
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.
JJ. Bitting Brewing Company is a longstanding brewery in New Jersey. As the first in the state post prohibition, it prides itself on home-grown brews and a sustainable brewing philosophy. Occupying a three-story building, their pub downstairs boasts of an array of ales. Sample their Victoria's Golden Ale, Avenel Amber or JJ's Raspberry Wheat with classic American grills and bar fare. Visit the top floor to get a glimpse of the manufacturing process and state-of-the-art equipment. This place occasionally hosts several live gigs and culinary events as well.
This swanky lounge is known for serving tantalizing small plates with an unparalleled collection of whiskey and wine. With 750 different whiskeys and 100 wine options, the task of deciding can be daunting without the help and advice from knowledgeable waitstaff and mixologists. Surrounded by rich tones of brown, nail-head studded comfy microfiber chairs, ambient lighting, trellis patterned wallpaper and carpet, and white leather intimate booths, patrons will find themselves loosing track of time as they enjoy the refined atmosphere. Small plates pair perfectly with many of their wines with bites like truffled rissotto, sea scallops, duck confit, lobster fritters and more.
Relish the outstanding Macadamia Nut Chicken at Kona Grill, an American restaurant and acclaimed sushi bar. The venue is immensely popular among the locals and therefore quite crowded. Thus, be sure to book the reservations in advance. The Miso Soup, a trademark of Japanese cuisine, bowls one over, as does the Pan-Seared Ahi. The American part of the menu contains steaks, Turkey Burger and Jerk Chicken. The cocktails in the bar are flavorful and provide an added kick to the night. Enjoy the happy hours with friends listening to music and sipping cool drinks. The service is good and staff is polite.
The unique decor of Fire & Ice lounge reminisces of Middle Eastern culture. This venue comprises of a lounge and a restaurant that serves delectable Mediterranean cuisine along with a wide array of liquors and spirits. Marked by traditional Middle Eastern motifs, hookah pipes and colorful lighting, this hip joint has become a popular hang out place for the locals. For hookah lovers, this place offers nearly 25 variety of hookah flavors. Attracting a young clientele, some evenings here are privy to belly dancing that makes for a unique experience for the guests.