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Ian Hunter's Guide to New York's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets

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CHELSEA / GARMENT / MEATPACKING (13th-38th; West of 6th Av)
 
Il Punto: Italian. 507 9th Av @ 38th; 22/16/$47; 244-0088; Despite a poor location, incredible food; More than  made up for by welcoming staff & family owned excellence. Gorgeous inside; Puglian inspired menu.
 
Djerdan Burek: Serbian. 221 W 38th @ 8th Ave; 20/14/$35; 921-1183;  Known for incredible burkes – giant slabs of flaky phyllo pie stuffed with various ingredients like spinach & cheese or beef; Kebabs; Goulash; Eastern European delights.
 
Cho Dang Gol: Korean. 55 W 35th St @ 5th-6th Av; 23/15/$29; 695-8222; Value pricing, delicious takes on Korean mainstays; Tofu dishes stand out; Trendy interior; Seafood pancake; Great soups.
 
Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 440 9th Av @ 34-35th; 244-0005; 22/19/$70; Melt in your mouth giant cuts of beef; 3 pound porterhouse for 2 for $85; Carnivore’s delight; Old school scene. Pricy.
 
Kum Gang San: Korean. 49 W 32nd @ Broadway; 21/15/$33; 967-0909; Open 24/7; Extremely popular Korean BBQ with large menu of classics; Truly lots of fun, especially with a group; Affordable pricing.

 
Shilla: Korean. 37 West 32nd @ 5th-6th Av; 22/19/$44; 967-1880; Upscale Korean BBQ house; Japanese entrees as well; Large selection of seafood or meats to grill; Plenty of a la carte- prepared items as well;  Probably the best of its genre in the area.

Won Jo: Korean. 23 W 32nd @ B-Way-5th Av; 21/12/$31; 695-5815; Perfectly marinated BBQ; Wood fires; Cheap; Cook it yourself at this huge BBQ house; First class food – even great fish selections.

Kang Suh: Korean. 1250 Broadway @ 32nd; 21/12/$35; 564-6845; Do it yourself BBQ; Open 24/7; Also offers standard Korean fare like great Kimche and even sushi; Fried Beef dumplings; 2-levels, upstairs is better. Huge menu of soups; sauces and meats;
 
Hill Country: BBQ. 30 W 26th @ B-Way-6th Av; 23/16/$33; 255-4544; Large, two level new restaurant as of 2008; Looks like a roadhouse; Communal tables; Cafeteria feel; Authentic BBQ ribs, pulled pork and southern classics; Have fund gaining 3 pounds.  
 
Trestle on Tenth: American – Swiss. 242 10th Av @ 24th; 21/18/$49; 645-5659; Swiss owner infuses his influence into new-American; Brick walled décor; Garden in summer; Limited, often changing menu of creative dishes; Pleasant Chelsea experience.
 
El Quinto Pino: Spanish. 401 W 24th @ 9-10th Av; 24/18/$35; 206-6900; Shoebox-sized; Meant for grazing at bar and tiny tables before heading elsewhere. Why go? Shockingly good tapas on the short menu & sangria; Pop in for 45 minutes and enjoy!

 

Red Cat: American. 227 10th Av @ 23-24th; 24/20/$53; 242-1122; Standout; Phenomenal New American-Mediterranean influenced cuisine; Homey feel. Young, hip crowd with energy; A+ service; Tops for area; Ideal eclectic sort of feel.

 
Pongsri: Thai. 165 W 23rd @ 6-7th Av; 21/13/$25; 645-8808;  Though a 4-location chain, they deliver extremely reliable fare; Spicy excellence; Huge selection of dishes; Pad Thai perfection.

 
Francisco’s Centro Vasco: Seafood-Spanish. 159 W 23rd @ 6-7th Av; 22/13/$47; 645-6224; Lobster house, plain and simple. Come for genius crustaceans;  Best is a Lobster stuffed with crab meat and swiss cheese; Cheap for the genre with huge portions.

Tia Pol: Spanish. 205 W 10th Av @ 22-23rd; 24/15/$38; 675-8805; Small plates; Chelsea Spaniard; Tapas a la Barcelona.  Lively & has top notch wines & sangria; Very small inside- seating on stools or at bar.
 
Klee Brasserie: Eclectic-American. 200 9th Ave @ 22-23rd; 21/19/$52; 633-8033; French and Austria influenced New American (if that is a cuisine);  Standouts include Mini Lobster rolls; Duck with plums and honey; and Rhode Island Monkfish.
 
Momoya: Japanese. 185 7th Av @ 21st; 23/20/$41; 989-4466; Simple, spacious setting; Unreal-fresh sushi; Extremely unique, tasty rolls; Cooked dishes; Great deal.  Inventive & high quality all in one.


Cookshop: American. 156 10th Av @ 20th; 23/19/$51; 924-4440; Frequently changing menu; Creative, unique dishes; Modern décor and great staff. Excellent brunch; Farm fresh, healthy ingredients.
 
Periyali: Greek. 35 W 20th @ 5-6th Av; 23/21/$55; 463-7890; Fabulous fresh fish; Mature crowd; Upscale; Formal, friendly. Classic Greek dishes. Not as seafood focused as others; Strong menu with large appetizer section.
 
O Mai: Vietnamese. 158 9th Av @ 19-20th; 23/18/$35; 633-0550; Upscale for Vietnamese; Soft lighting; Good for dates; Neighborhood friendly spot; Fairly tight quarters with food that makes it worth it.
 
Socarrat Paella Bar: Spanish. 259 W 19th @ 7-8th Av; 23/15/$45; 462-1000; They feature 6 varieties of Paella and a large assortment of Tapas; Downside is communal seating at a lengthy table; Fun time.

 
Boqueria: Spanish. 53 W 19th @ 5-6th; 22/18/$46; 255-4160; Traditional Barcelona-style Tapas; No-Rez policy so go early; Extremely tasty small plates. Ultra creative; Smallish place.
 
La Lunchonette: French. 130 10th Av @ 18th; 21/15/$41; 675-0342; Relaxed, laid back feel; Great traditional French offerings; Nothing ultra fancy but steady. Rabbit and Venison stand out; Quaint and charming bistro.

Gascogne: French. 158 8th Av @ 17-18th; 22/19/$48; 675-6564; French hideaway; Garden in back; Date spot; Bistro style fare. Honey glazed duck; $27 pre-theatre prix-fixe; Rack of Lamb with Thyme.
 
Suenos: Mexican. 311 W 17th @ 8-9thAv; 23/19/$45; 243-1333; Upscale Mexican on a secluded street; Great food worth the extra money for the genre. Lobster empanadas stand out. Margaritas yummy.  

 
Crema: Mexican. 111 W 17th @ 6-7th; 21/18/$44; 691-4477; Energetic place with high end Mexican, powerful drinks, & creative food choices. Steers clear from the usual Mexican fare in hopes of inspiring
 
Matsuri: Japanese. 369 W 16th @ 9th; 23/25/$59; 243-6400;  Maritime Hotel; Gorgeous décor; Sexy people; Trendy; Great lounge. Larger than life décor; Sushi fresher than a new born; Fashionable.


Morimoto: Japanese. 88 10th Av @ 15-16th; 24/26/60;  989-8883;  Hot Jap Sushi place; Trendy; Great décor; Date spot; Iron Chef’s Morimoto!! Much more expensive if you let chef choose (omakase). Just a cool scene all the way around. Has prepared dishes as well.  


Buddakan: Asian. 75 9th @ 15-16th; 24/27/$63; 989-6699; Incredible interior; Epically popular; Trendy; Sexy; Hot spot for large groups or dates; Amazing food- wide variety; Crispy crab noodles are a hit; Top shelf appetizers; Perfecto drinks.

 
Blue Ginger: Pan-Asian. 106 8th Av @ 15-16th; 21/17/$36; 352-0911; Extremely affordable, with a highlight being the sushi; Wondrous Asian dishes to choose from. Inventive rolls; Quick service; Affordable.

Crispo: Italian. 240 W 14th @ 7-8th; 23/19/$46; 229-1818; Hopping spot; Romantic, date friendly; Affordable and top shelf. Gorgeous all-season garden; Daily pasta specials and polenta stand out.

Old Homestead: Steakhouse. 56 9th Ave @ 14-15th; 24/17/$67; 242-9040; Extremely large slabs of first rate meat; Old school feel; Great burgers as well; Top shelf drinks. Been around 40 years; Traditional dark wood setting. NY Sirloin is tops.

 

Son Cubano: Cuban. 405 W 14th @ 9th Av-Wash; 21/21/$45; 366-1640; High energy good times always; Truly authentic food you pay for in this genre but worth it; Potent drinks; Fairly loud and festive.

 

Café de Bruxelles: Belgian. 118 Greenwich @ 13th; 21/15/$41; 206-1830;  Moules-Frites; Incredible, extensive selection of beers; Old Europe feel; Modest prices, relaxed.  Large menu; Classic fare.

 

Fig & Olive: Mediterranean. 420 W 13th @ 9th Av; 21/20/$44; 924-1200; Very sleek and cool looking spot; Italian selections as well; Olive Oil infused selections rule; Cheese plates. Greek inspired small plates. Great wine list.

 
Spice Market: Pan Asian. 403 13th @ 9th Av; 24/27/$56; 675-2322;  Perfect décor; Duplex setting; Trendy; Date Central- truly ideal to impress; Attractive staff , eye candy crowd; Dishes meant to be shared – small plates; You can’t have a bad time here.