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| UNION SQUARE/ GRAMERCY (14th-34th; East of 6th) Ethos: Greek. 495 3rd Av @ 33-34th; 22/16/$37; 252-1972; Known for extraordinary fish; Very affordable prices; You can’t go wrong giving them a try. Taverna setting; Packed with locals & Greeks. Sushi Sen-nin: Japanese. 30 E 33rd @ Madison-Park; 25/19/$54; 889-2208; Fresh Fish, known for gorgeously prepared Special Rolls; Perfect for those preferring a la carte. Creative rolls that are delicious. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 4 Park @ 33rd; 25/20/$74; 889-3369; Like Lugar’s; Incredible Porterhouse; Wildly popular; Vaulted ceilings. Laid back, with old-school cool; Gorgeous décor and fish-friendly menu as well. Hangawi: Korean. 12 E 32nd @ 5th-Mad; 24/24/$46; 213-0077; Vegetarian Food; Relaxing; Serene; Tranquil; Check shoes at the door. Tranquil. Only vegetarian place I have on site. Artisanal: French. 2 Park @ 32nd; 24/20/$54; 725-8585; Brasserie; Brunch friendly; Cheese-focused; Great wine list; Celestial fromage with signature Cheese Fondue & cheese flights; Good looking space with surprisingly good service. Standard French selection as well done as well as anywhere. Todai: Japanese. 6 E 32nd @ 5th-Mad; 18/14/$29; 725-1333; All you can eat Sushi; Hot and cold buffet; Huge selection; 100+ items to choose from; Hot & cold prepared foods; Giant Japanese buffet – rare to use menu. Perfect for lunch. Mishima: Japanese. 164 Lex @ 30-31st; 23/12/$36; 532-9596; Sushi awesome here; Equally good cooked items; Peaceful, tranquil; Eat upstairs; Looks hide a gem of a find. Affordable costs close the deal. Resto: Belgian. 111 E 29th @ Lex-Park; 22/15/$45; 685-5585; Very popular, well reviewed scene; Energetic, with great bar; Belgian beers- one of the best collections; Lamb dishes are excellent; Trendy and often crowded. Les Halles: French. 411 Park @ 28-9th; 20/17/$44; 679-4111; French Bistro setting; Great Steak Frites; Down home fare; Cool look and decent date option; Trendy location; Sausages, Crepes suzette; Fun time. Jaiya Thai: Thai. 396 3rd Av @ 28th; 22/10/$27; 889-1330; Spicy Thai dishes; Unbelievably good curries; Poor décor and service but food is worth it. Try take out! Food is actually incredible. Dhaba: Indian. 108 Lexington @ 27-28th; 24/17/$33; 679-1284; Lively feel; Probably the best of the Curry Hill restaurants; Very popular with locals; Long, exciting menu. $9.99 lunch buffet. Turkish Kitchen: Turkish. 386 3rd Av @ 27-28th; 23/17/$40; 679-6633; So good; Under radar; Known for Sunday Brunch buffet; Succulent kebabs; Funky red-everywhere décor; Unique martinis. Ilili: Lebanese. 236 5th Ave @ 27th; 25/21/$42; 683-2322; One of the better restaurants of its genre offering small and large plates best designed for sharing; Date-friendly, sexy décor; Lounge feel; Huge menu of truly authentic preparations; Prix-fixe available for lunch or dinner; Lamb Makloubeh and Duck Shawarma are a must as are Brussels Sprouts. I Trulli: Italian. 122 E 27th @ Lex-Park; 23/20/$56; 481-7372; Gorgeous place; Inside fireplace; Outdoor seating; Great wine list; Classy place; Sleek and inviting. Brilliant wine list; Close to an institution. $$$ Blue Smoke: BBQ. 116 E 27th @ Lex-Park: 22/17/$42; 447-7733; Best BBQ in city; Live Jazz; Smokehouse; Melt in your mouth ribs; Excellent Sides; Danny Meyer owned; Excellent beers to choose from & excellent Bourbon bar; Pulled pork. Houston’s: American. 378 Park Ave @ 27th; 20/29/$38; 689-1090; Upscale pub highlighted by an excellent bar scene; Major after-work scene; Chicken fingers- off the menu; Upscale entrees and even sushi offered; Great place for a within budget American meal. Primehouse New York: Steakhouse. 381 Park Av @ 27th; 23/23/$70; 824-2600; Huge selection of not just steak related items. See website menu. BR Guest group; Contemporary and date friendly; Caesar salad amazing; Sides outstanding; Raw bar. Curry Leaf: Indian. 99 Lexington @ 27th; 22/10/$27; 725-5558; Spice giant Kalustyan’s owns the place; Hole in the wall but incredibly tasty food. The chefs understand Indian cooking; Always great food. Dos Caminos: Mexican. 373 Park @ 26-7th; 21/21/$43; 294-1000; Great upscale Mexican; Sexy setting; Energetic scene perfect for dates; Margaritas will put you under; Guacamole is tremendous; Steve Hanson empire journeys on. Porcao Churrascaria: Brazilian. 360 Park Av @ 26th; 22/21/$56; Cool Décor; All u can Eat or a La Carte. Meat lovers paradise; Flip the green-red device to keep the meat coming all night. Huge salad bar with dozens of choices. Bamiyan: Afgan; 358 3rd Av @ 26th; 19/18/$38; 481-3232; Best you’ll get in this cuisine; Chicken dishes are excellent; Pumpkin turnovers; Inspired rice dishes; Classic fare from part of the world few of us know.
Tabla: Indian. 11 Mad @ 25th; 25/25/$79; 889-0667; Best upscale Indian in city; Fusion; Trendy; Scene at the bar where one can eat for less; Outdoors in summer. The Bread Bar downstairs offers same food; Beautifully presented food in gorgeous surroundings.
Inoteca North: Italian; 323 3rd Av @ 24th; 23/22/$60; 683-3035; Denton brothers – owners of Lupa- Milan infused classics to Gramercy; Happening bar & incredible menu; Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Small plate format & great wine list. Bao Noodles: Vietnamese. 391 2nd Av @ 22-23rd; 20/15/$25; 725-7770; Known for the Pho Noodle dishes – all excellent; Great sandwiches. Also has fine Korean dishes. Not fancy, but cheap! Popular bar scene as well.
BLT Prime: Steakhouse. 111 E 22nd @ Lex-Park; 24/21/$71; 995-8500; Steakhouse from chef Laurent Tourondel; Great steaks & sides; Very strong food. Kind of formal; Old school-ish. Novita: Italian. 102 E 22nd @ Lex-Park; 24/19/$53; 677-2222; Elegant, always improving fare; Standard and inventive fare; Great anniversary date spot. Tight-ish space; Fresh Mozz; Bruchetta. Beppe: Italian. 45 E 22nd @ B-Way-Park; 23/20/$55; 398-2367; Wood oven fare; Packed; Northern Italian; Warm and inviting; Farmhouse setting; Charming dining room & painstakingly prepared meals. Tamarind: Indian. 41 E. 22nd @ B-Way-Park; 25/22/$54; 674-7400; Rivals Tabla for upscale Indian; Great date spot; Stylish spot; Fun, up scale. Non-Standard, innovative dishes which take fusion concept to new heights; $24 lunch prix fixe. Gramercy Tavern: American. 42 E 20th @ B-Way-Park; 28/26/$99; 477-0777; Flawless food, service; New Chef Michael Anthony; Cheaper by the front Tavern which has cool bar scene & amazing drinks; Expensive here b/c this place is an all-time NYC institution. Memorable evenings. Chef Michael Anthony Kellari Taverna: Greek. 36 E 20th @ B-Way-Park; 22/22/$51; 777-8448; Amazing whole fish served here; Spacious; Gracious service; Pricy but excellent Greek fare. Lively scene with energy to enjoy your meal; $29.95 early bird. Mizu Sushi: Japanese. 29 E. 20th @ B-Way-Park; 23/16/$363; 505-6688; Incredible sushi; Young, hip; Creative menu featuring both classic rolls and unique combos; Younger crowd enjoying saki. Sushi Samba: Japanese. 245 Park @ 20th; 22/21/$46; 691-7885; Fancy, cool & trendy; Date Spot; Great food; Party atmosphere; Brazil inspired sushi joint; High energy; Fancy drinks; Great for groups. Pipa: Spanish. 38 E 19th @ B-Way-Park; 21/23/$44; 677-2233; Trendy &popular; Gorgeous setting in ground floor of ABC Carpet; Young crowd; Date scene; Sangria is delish & potent; Tapas and smooth service Angelo & Maxie’s: Steakhouse; 233 Park Av @ 19th; 21/18/$55; 220-9200; Young and modern look; Corporate types; Great for lunch; Gigantic steaks and great sides. There is now a less expensive, next-door bar and grill with top burgers. Overall, even main dining room cheap for genre. City Crab & Seafood: Seafood. 235 Park S @ 19th; 21/18/$42; 529-3800; Hugely underrated Seafood house; Huge menu, large portions; Excellent soups, drinks as well as fresh seafood. King crab and seafood pastas stand out, as does salmon and chowder. Rosa Mexicana: Mexican. 9 E 18th St@ BWay-5th Av; 23/21/$48; 533-3350; Flashy; Great date spot; Show off NY dining here; Guacamole made at table is best in the city, sorry Dos Caminos; Pomegranate Margaritas top notch and strong; Pongsri: Thai. 311 2nd Av @ 18th; 21/13/$25; 477-4100; Though a 4-location chain, they deliver extremely reliable fare; Spicy excellence; Huge selection of dishes; Pad Thai perfection. Olives: Mediterranean. 201 Park S @ 17th; 22/22/$57; 353-8345; Open kitchen run by Todd English; Hot looking staff & people in attendance; Great social scene at the bar; Creative takes on the Greek classics. You will pay for it; Fabulous wine.
BLT Fish: Seafood; 21 W 17th @ 5th-6th Av; 23/20/$63; 691-8888; Laurent Tourondel owned; Falling off the bone fresh fish; Excellent service and cool made for dates décor; Two levels with a different scene in each. The Whole fish is the best…tuna, snapper.
Basta Pasta: Italian. 37 W 17th @ 5th Ave; 22/18/$43; 366-0888; Japanese-Italian fusion; Sushi dishes, amazing pasta dishes and main courses infused with both styles; Very sleek and cool décor; Open kitchen; Parmesan wheel used to serve spaghetti; Adventurous. Chino’s: Thai / Pan-Asian. 173 3rd Ave @ 16-17th; 21/15/$30; 598-1200; Asian small plates, perfect for sharing; Excellent Asian cocktails; Great bargain selections. Fusion cuisine in entrée sized portions. Blue Water Grill: Seafood. 31 Union Sq @ 16th; 24/22/$54; 675-9500; Perfect date spot at what I consider the best in the Bromberg brothers owned restaurants; Two levels – ideal décor; Incredible fresh fish & shellfish options; Snazzy drinks; Sushi options; Jazz downstairs.
Union Square Café: American. 21 E 16th @ 5th; 27/23/$65; 243-4020; New American; So good, so popular; Inspired cooking; Walk-in Bar/ lively scene. Voted #1 Popular in Zagats; Danny Meyer owned; Seasonal ingredients; Down to earth yet perfect service; Every course will be cooked with inspiration.
Mesa Grill: American. 102 5th Av @ 15-16th; 24/20/$55; 807-7400; Iron Chef Bobby Flay’s Southwestern masterpiece; Margaritas are wondrous; Fun place, date spot; Bold flavors shown off in creative dishes. Must-try in area.
15 East: Japanese. 15 E 15th @ 5th Av- Union Sq; 26/22/$84; 647-0015; Extremely high-end Japanese; Pricy but considered one of the top new places of 2008. Fresh beyond belief. Sushi/ Sashimi; Try Omakase; Also hot selections. Devi: Indian. 8 E 15th @ 5th Av –B-Way; 23/21/$54; 691-1300; Celebrity Chef; Fancy, upscale Indian cuisine; Newly revamped; Innovative menu; Date spot. Highly exotic & flavorful spicing; Unusual dishes. Artichoke Basille’s Pizza: Pizza. 328 E 14th @ 1-2nd Av; 24/9/$13; 228-2004; Just a storefront setting but the new trendy spot in the city for the best slice; Signature artichoke dip –topped pie; Long lines but this is the new “John’s Pizza” Da Andrea: Italian. 35 W 13th @ 5-6th Av; 23/15/$37; 367-1979; Small; So good it’s scary; Homestyle, affordable cuisine; New location- not been to; Treated like family; Mouth watering menu. | |
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