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| UPPER EAST SIDE (59th- 96th; E of 5th) Don Pedro: Caribbean /S American. 1865 2nd Av @ 96th; 21/17/$35; 996-3274; Nicer than most in genre; Delicious dishes; Strong drinks; Diamond in the rough. Family style portions. Lively vibe featuring a split level dining area; Also open for brunch which features a 3-course, bottomless sangria option; All-in-all, reliable and worth the trek to 2nd Av. Zebu Grill: Brazilian. 305 E 92nd @ 1-2nd; 20/16/$42; 426-7500; Brazilian Steak; Top-notch churrasco; Powerful drinks. More reasonable prices than others; Rio-level caipirinhas; Friendly neighborhood service and a fun option. Mole: Mexican. 1726 2nd Av @ 90th; 24/17/$34; 289-8226; Patrons rave the cooking at this mini-chain is as authentic Mexican as it gets; Friendly, speedy service and a huge menu make the experience worthwhile; Fish or crab tacos stand out; Memorable salsa; Giant portions; Fun atmosphere. Parlor Steakhouse: 1600 3rd Av @ 90th; 22/21/$59; 423-5888; Female friendly steakhouse with a great bar scene; Extensive wine list; Extremely inexpensive for the genre; $35 prix fixe available; They have a Raw bar; Lobster Roll on the menu; Yellow fin Tuna, Short Ribs, Mac N Cheese side; Rib Eye, NY Strip, Filet Mignon and Porterhouse. Various sauces available. Chef Ho’s Peking Duck: Chinese. 1720 2nd Av @ 89-90th; 22/14/$29; 348-9444; Asian at very affordable prices; The duck is indeed succulent. Service is sharp. Semi-upscale; One of the better sit-down Chinese places. Signature dish might be the crispy orange beef after the duck; Endless menu; Mid-level Chinese at extremely affordable rates for the UES. Tenzan: Japanese. 1714 2nd Av @ 89th; 23/15/$32; 369-3600; What a deal! Large, ‘gorilla’ sized slabs of sushi and rolls for great prices. Extremely fresh. Mixed service but food is tops. Dakshin Indian Bistro: Indian. 1713 1st Av @ 88-89th; 20/12/$26; 987-9839; $7.95 lunch buffet; Very friendly staff; Not gourmet but extremely reliable & favorite of locals. Tasty curries of all regions. Small place that seats 25 people; They even have an almost laughable $13.95 3-course prix-fixe; In any case – reliable and well above average “6th street quality Indian. Café d’Alsace: French. 1695 2nd Av @ 88th; 21/18/$44; 722-5133; Feels like you are in Paris at this energetic brasserie; 500 types of Beer- including a beer sommelier; Outdoor seating; Tradition French cuisine. Large portions. Fun time in this laid back establishment; Best known for their epic Brunch which is 9am-4pm Sat/Sun; Weekday lunch menu amazing; Certainly worth a try – beer and apps for a light dinner. Wu Liang Ye: Chinese. 215 E 86th @ 2-3rd Av; 22/13/$32; 370-9648; Inventive food; Unique Chinese choices and the classics; Great spices and hot dishes are hot. Beware of iffy service and not the greatest décor; Upscale Chinatown Ithaka: Greek. 308 E 86th St @ 1-2nd Av; 22/18/$46; 628-9100; Enjoy wonderful whole grilled fish in a setting reminiscent of Santorini complete with white walls; Older crowd; Neighborhood favorite; Extensive menu with all the classics; Whole marinated calamari, charbroiled with lemon and olive oil- perfect; Well spaced tables; Moderate pricing for the genre. Italianissimo: Italian. 307 E 84th @ 1st-2nd Av; 24/20/$50; 628-8603; Although small, extremely charming and the service is wonderful. Tables close but not on top of eachother; Extensive menu featuring incredible pasta dishes and endless chicken and veal choices; Appetizers are wonderful and all the ‘classic’ Italian favorites can be found. Very cozy. Great wine list and ambiance. Giovanni Venti Cinque: Italian. 25 E 83rd @ 5th – Madison; 23/20/$68; 988-7300; Located right near the MET; Best deals are the $25 prix fixe lunch and the $39 prix fixe dinner which includes tons of choices; Menu filled with classics, expensively priced in general; Absolutely wonderful, gracious service; Whole wheat pasta available (not for me!); Great wine list $40-$60 a bottle on average. Donguri: Japanese. 309 E 83rd @ 1-2nd; 27/15/$65; 737-5656; Small location (24 seats) but amazing food; No sushi, repeat, no sushi except for 1 sashimi platter; Japanese prepared meals. Service top notch; Specialize in soba and udon noodles. Melt in your mouth quality. Open Tues-Sunday for dinner; Reservations highly suggested. Treat yourself to something different. Firenze: Italian. 1594 2nd Av @ 82-3rd; 21/20/$44; 861-9368; Wonderful cuisine; Small place but infinitely romantic with a well decorated brick wall interior; Back garden in spring; Homey feel with great ambiance; Relaxing, date-friendly dinner; Bruschetta is memorable; Mozz so fresh; Huge menu with endless pasta, seafood and chicken/ veal options; Giant Wine list. Erminia: Italian. 250 E 83rd @ 2-3rd; 25/24/$65; 879-4284; Extremely Romantic spot; Family owned; For couples and anniversaries; Great service in a memorable setting, though slightly small in size; Ultimate date restaurant; Specialize in Seafood dishes; Homemade Mozz is excellent; Seafood soup; Genius pasta dishes; Lobster Scampi Fra Diavolo is excellent. Calamari as well. Wasabi Lobby: Japanese; 1584 2nd Av @ 82nd; 21/15/$32; 988-8882; Low budget, yet surprisingly fresh and creative sushi rolls; Cheesy name yet you get what you come for- excellent sushi with money left for an evening out afterwards.
Zocalo: Mexican. 174 E 82nd @ 3rd; 22/15/$42; 717-7772; People Watching from the solid bar; Great, underrated food; Large assortment of Strong margaritas; Kobe beef tacos; Solid guacamole appetizer. Flex Mussels: Seafood. 174 E 82nd @ Lex-3rd; 23/17/$45; 717-7772; $20 all you can eat mussels, fries and a beer from 5:30-7pm at the bar daily; What a Fra Diavolo sauce; They feature a large multitude of sauces to have your mussels served in; Best non-mussels item on the menu is the Lobster Roll and Fish and Chips; The fries are excellent here. Inexpensive overall. Have location at 154 W 13th. Land: Thai. 1565 2nd Av @ 81-2nd; 23/16/$25; 439-1847; Small but truly wonderful food; Seems more upscale than price; Very spicy food; Pad Thai perfection. Problem is the seating/ size- go early! Vegetable dumplings stand out; Wok basil beef dish; Green curry with chicken; Red snapper; Honestly – just a great place that is ideal for casual dates, pre-gaming, or just a weekday meal. Menu outstanding. Beyoglu: Turkish. 1431 3rd Av @ 81st; 22/17/$35; 650-0850; Outdoors seating; Meze’s- appetizers/ small dishes. Hummus, Kebabs amazing; Crazier downstairs; Fun time and unique food. Always packed and ultra popular – one of the best Turkish places in Manhattan; Hummus is a must; Even vegetarian platter good. No website. Turquoise: Seafood. 240 E 81st @ 2-3rd Av; 22/18/$54; 988-8222; Fish as fresh as the ocean produces; Personal service; Greek- Mediterranean influence in preparations; Whole fish is way to go here. Spigolo: Italian. 1561 2nd Av @ 81st; 25/16/$55; 744-1100; Inventive food; Perfectly prepared; Owners offer personalized service and really care; Always packed & not terribly spacious; Desserts are outstanding. Yuka: Japanese. 1557 2nd Av @ 80-81st; 21/12/$26; 772-9675; $19 all-u-can-eat Sushi; Giant Rolls; Energetic staff; Value. Not a great looking space but for discount & very fresh sushi – can’t go wrong.
Shanghai Pavilion: Chinese. 1378 3rd Av @ 78-79th; 21/18/$34; 585-3388; Upscale Chinese; Creative Menu; Almost fancy digs- certainly a suitable experience; Great effort put forth and food is the evidence. Sushi of Gari: Japanese. 402 E 78th @ 1st-York; 27/15/$75; 517-5340; Melt in your mouth fresh sushi; Absolutely straight from the sea; Unique combos; Order ‘off-menu’; Omakase- $~75. Sushi is served as works of art; Can order a la carte as well. Meticulously presented sushi, exquisitely plated, and of the highest freshness and quality. Teriyaki, tempura and noodle dishes available as well. Uva: Italian. 1486 2nd Av @ 77-78th; 21/21/$40; 472-4552; Young, hip, great date spot; Affordable entrees; Great back garden for dining in warm weather; Great specials. Terrific wine bar as well. Lusardi’s: Italian. 1494 2nd Av @ 77th-78th; 24/19/$63; 249-2020; Neighborhood Italian restaurant that provides a romantic and well serviced experience; Bit of the price side but some of the dishes are amazing; Northern Italian, older crowd; Grilled Calamari, Grilled Artichokes, Buffalo Mozz, Crabmeat cocktail all excellent appetizers; 10+ pasta dishes; Whole Med sea bass, Rabbit, creative dishes. Vermicelli: Vietnamese. 1492 2nd Av @ 77-78th; 19/16/$29; 288-8868; Vietnamese; Surprisingly good Asian selections; Well spiced and good variety; Unique soups and specials. Not perfection but fun for a date. Maruzzella: Italian. 1483 1st Av @ 77-8th; 23/17/$38; 988-8877; Recent expansion improves an already good thing; Reliable & mouthwatering Italian selections with top service. Staff works hard to impress; They have a massive menu including all time favorites such as grilled calamari, Mozz di Bufala and Farfalle al Prosciutto di Parma; Everything under $20; Half portions available; Perfect for family meal; Alloro: Italian. 307 E 77th @ 1st-2nd Av; 24/17/$51; 535-2866; New sleeper hit in the UES. Husband-wife team churn out creative dishes in their somewhat limited menu (6 pastas, 5 main courses, 6 appetizers); Eggplant Parmesan is mouthwatering; Service is outstanding; Great cocktails and generally a wonderful experience; Everything they do serve sounds amazing. Cafe Boulud: French. 20 E 76th @ 5th – Mad; 27/24/$82; 772-2600; Daniel Boulud at his best; NY Times 3-stars and Michelin 1-star rated masterwork in the Surrey Hotel; Unforgettable French cuisine amidst a sophisticated, mature setting; Impeccable service; $35 prix fixe lunch; Adjoins a cocktail lounge called Bar Pleiades; There is an off-menu tasting menu; Seasonal & changing limited menu- see website. Atlantic Grill: Seafood. 1341 3rd Av @ 76th; 24/19/$53; 988-9200; Hopping Seafood standout; strong date spot; Fresh fish; Bar scene is decent. Dining room has a spacious, clean feel; Elegance & laid-back cool at same time; The winner here is the fresh fish and large menu selections. Chilean sea bass & ice cream tower dessert. Have a wonderful brunch with included drink. Sushi & rolls as well. Raw bar. Fulton: Seafood. 205 E 75th @ 2nd-3rd; 21/18/$57; 288-6600; Brought to you by the folks who own Citarella; Names after the South Street market; Manu for dinner is mostly whole fish or fish entrees; Excellent sides and appetizers including Mac N Cheese and Grilled Octopus; Pleasant brick-walled setting and good service; They have a raw bar and also feature a great looking Lunch and Sunday Brunch menu. B. Café: Belgian. 240 E 75th @ 2nd-3rd Av; 249-3300; 22/18/$39; Belgian bistro with amazing beer selection; Intimate setting for Belgian fare; Moules frites is specialty; When you want a refreshing twist of classic Gaullic grub. Honestly – if you want mussels, you have to come here; There is an Upper West Side location; Brunch menu; Great looking Seafood Gratin; Campagnola: Italian. 1382 1st Av @ 73rd -74th; 24/18/$72; 861-1102; Mega old school restaurant with a classy mafia-like feel; Food is outstanding; The may have more dishes ‘off the menu’ than on; Tons of specials; Appetizers are $15-$20, Pastas $23-$25 and everything else $30+; Menu choice is huge, however. Dinner only. Sel et Poivre: French. 853 Lexington @ 64-65th; 20/18/$41; 517-5780; What a lovely, unpretentious bistro; Even serves pasta besides excellent, not overly spiced French cuisine; Brunch as well; Been around forever- reliable. Maya: Mexican. 1191 1st Av @ 64-5; 24/20/$49; 585-1818; Upscale new Mexican; Gourmet food; Superior margaritas; Beautiful, young crowd with a good happy hour scene (5-8pm, $6 margaritas); Steak tacos; Seared scallops stand out; 85 tequilas. Guacamole made fresh; Can get loud so not for romantics but overall a great Mexican experience. JoJo: French. 160 E 64th @ Lex-3rd Av; 25/23/$67; 223-5656; From uber chef Jean-George Vongerichten; Classy bistro feel with nearly loving service; Duplex setting; $28 3-course lunch and brunch prix fixe; $68 dinner tasting menu; Tuna, Red Snapper, Rack of Lamb all stand out; Salmon, duck and veal also on the menu- which is seasonal. Not terribly expensive. Fatty Fish: Asian. 406 64th @ 1st-York; 23/17/$44; 813-9338; Enchanting back patio in otherwise plain-ish setting; Extremely affordable; Very fresh sushi selections; Dim Sum selections, entrée salads; Kobe beef Burger; Exciting cooked entrees and did I mention sushi? The special rolls are large in size and absolutely delicious. The menu is more Japanese focused. Accademia di Vino: Italian. 1081 3rd Av @ 63-4th; 22/19/$51; 888-6333; Best dishes are the Carbonara, veal chop and the lamb; Welcoming new Italian restaurant; Great for dates; Wine list is strong. Small plates to large meals; Spacious location; Massive encyclopedic menu; Appetizers include Carpaccio, Tartare platters and cheese or mixed Italian meat platters. Eclectic mix of entrees with something for everyone. Park Avenue: American. 100 E 63rd @ Lex-Park; 25/26/$73; 644-1900; Seasonal menu and the restaurant undergoes entire face-lifts in décor as well to inspire; Gorgeous setting- townhouse feel and also eclectic; Weekend brunch; One of the best New American menus I’ve seen with more selections than usual for an upscale scene; Check out the menu on the web each season. Fig & Olive: Mediterranean. 808 Lex @ 62-63rd; 21/20/$44; 207-4555; Very sleek and cool looking spot; Italian selections as well; Olive Oil infused selections rule; Cheese plates. Greek inspired small plates. Great wine list. Signature dish is the Beef Carpaccio; YellowFin Tuna Carpaccio available as well, almost as good; Becoming a chain somewhat with 5 area locations. Lunch, brunch available. Try the Crostini. Fishtail: Seafood. 135 E 62nd @ Lex-Park; 23/23/$64; 754-1300; Order the Lobster Dumplings and possibly the Angry Mussels; All the appetizers are amazing; Famous for a Cheesecake Lollipop tree; David Burke owned; Classy townhouse setting and attentive service; Freshest fish from Burke’s company owned fishing boat; Huge, well spaced location, 3,800 sq feet, bi-level space; Brunch menu and lunch; Outstanding menu – tons of whole fish; Shellfish towers; Lobster Mac N Cheese off menu. Sushi Seki: Japanese. 1143 1st @ 62nd; 26/13/$65; 371-0238; Exceptional; High quality, ultra fresh sushi. Omakase much more $$ - about $100 a person; Local favorite. Nobody dislikes this place; Open til 3am; Off the chart quality. However – no website, very tight quarters, and portion size driven by your wallet at times; I suggest trying the sushi or sashimi deluxe. Geisha: Japanese. 33 E 61st @ Mad-Park; 23/21/$65; 813-1113; Underground location, modern décor, clean feel; Sophisticated cliental and setting; Excellent cocktail list; French-inspired menu; Shrimp Lollipop, Lobster Dumplings, Short Ribs, Kobe Beef, Lobster, Snapper all on menu; Gorgeous sushi/ sashimi and many Maki Special rolls to choose from. Circus: Brazilian. 132 E 61st @ Lex-Park; 21/19/$54; 223-2965; Not just steak- they offer a creative menu of amazing local favorites; To die for Caipirinhas; Great diamond in the ruff. Ultra friendly service; Surprisingly good is the Shepherd’s pie; Happy décor and good vibe found here. Local style and effort put into every dish. Cabana: New Latin/ Cuban. 1022 3rd Av @ 60-61st; 21/17/$36; 980-5678; Part of a mini chain but the Cuban infused food is scrumptious; Amazing Mojitos; High energy and stylish; You will walk out full. Try the skirt steak with a fresh Mojitos (with actual sugar cane); They focus on excellent service; Also have a long menu so there is something for everyone.
 
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