UPPER EAST SIDE (59th- 96th; E of 5th)
Itzocan: Mexican. 1575 Lex @ 101st; 24/12/$34;423-0255; Unbelievable find featuring very inexpensive but perfectly prepared Mexican; Great value- Good as it gets! Hole in the wall setting; Cash only but you’ll have plenty after bill; UES location is better with French-influenced cuisine. Don Pedro: Caribbean/S. American. 1865 2nd Av @ 96th; 23/17/$35; 996-3274; Nicer than most in genre; Delicious dishes; Strong drinks; Diamond in the rough. Family style portions. Lively vibe. 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.
Pio Pio: Peruvian. 1746 1st Av @ 90-1st; 23/13/$22; 665-3000; So cheap you won’t believe the bill; Specialty is Chicken dishes and amazing Sangria; Whole chicken and sides for under $10. Cramp setting but incredibly large portions. Chef Ho’s Peking Duck: Chinese. 1720 2nd Av @ 89-90th; 22/14/$29; 348-9444; Excellent food at very affordable prices; The duck is indeed succulent. Service is sharp. Semi-upscale; One of the better sit-down Chinese places.
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; 21/12/$26; 987-9839; $7.95 lunch buffet; Very friendly staff; Not gourmet but extremely reliable & favorite of locals. Tasty curries of all regions. Café d’Alsace: French. 1695 2nd Av @ 88th; 21/18/$47; 722-5133; Feels like you are in Paris at this energetic brasserie; 500 types of Beer!; Outdoor seating; Tradition French cuisine. Large portions. Fun time.
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; 21/17/$46; 628-9100; Enjoy wonderful whole grilled fish in a setting reminiscent of Santorini complete with white walls; Older crowd; Neighborhood favorite.
Poke: Japanese. 305 85th @ 1-2nd; 26/15/$38; 249-0569; Hole in wall; But, perfect, fresh sushi; Can eat there if you can fit; Exceptional quality. BYO policy; No reservations.
Donguri: Japanese. 309 E 83rd @ 1-2nd; 27/15/$60; 737-5656; Small location but amazing food; No sushi; Jap perfection. Service top notch; Specialize in soba and udon noodles. Melt in your mouth quality.
Erminia: Italian. 250 E 83rd @ 2-3rd; 25/24/$62; 879-4284; Extremely Romantic spot; Family owned; For couples and anniversaries; Great service in a memorable setting. Ultimate date restaurant; You will drop a Benjamin or two.
Firenze: Italian. 1594 2nd Av @ 82-3rd; 21/20/$44; 861-9368; Wonderful cuisine; Small place but infinitely romantic; Back garden in spring; Homey feel. Great ambiance; Relaxing, date-friendly dinner.
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.
Our Place: Chinese. 1444 3rd Av @ 82nd; 21/15/$34; 288-4888; Shanghai classics; High-end, Semi-elegant; Upscale for Chinese; Weekend Dim Sum; Overall, winning sit-down quality Chinese food.
Land: Thai. 1565 2nd Ave @ 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! Beyoglu: Turkish. 1431 3rd Av @ 81st; 21/17/$35; 650-0850; Outdoors; Meze’s- appetizers/ small dishes. Hummus, Kebabs amazing; Crazier downstairs; Fun time and unique food.
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.
Amber: Pan Asian; 1406 3rd Av @ 80th; 20/20/$38; 249-5020; Sexy staff serve up very solid fare; Cool décor and a quieter back room; Bar scene; Full of energy; Great drinks and decent sushi; More of a scene. Mini Tao.
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; 26/15/$62; 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.
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.
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; 22/17/$40; 988-8877; Recent expansion improves an already good thing; Reliable and mouthwatering Italian selections with top service. Staff works hard to impress
Atlantic Grill: Seafood. 1341 3rd Av @ 76th; 24/19/$53; 988-9200; Hopping Seafood standout; Stylish; Fresh fish; Bar scene. 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.
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.
Café Evergreen: Chinese. 1288 1st Av @ 69-70th; 20/14/$32; 744-3266; Wondrous Cantonese style Chinese; Upscale and still inexpensive; Amazing Dim Sum off the menu. Surprisingly great wine and drink list; Solid duck dishes.
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; Steak tacos; Seared scallops stand out; 85 tequilas.
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. Small plates to large meals; Spacious location; Massive encyclopedic menu;
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.
Sushi Seki: Japanese. 1143 1st @ 62nd; 27/13/$63; 371-0238; Exceptional; Open late; High quality, ultra fresh sushi. Omakase much more $$; Local favorite. Nobody dislikes this place; Open til 3am; Off the chart quality.
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.
Cabana: New Latin. 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.
