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| UPPER WEST SIDE (59th- 96th; W of Central Park W) Sookk: Thai. 2686 B-Way @ 102-3rd; 23/19/$27; 870-0253; Cozy yet welcoming Thai star in the Upper West; Tasty selections with a Chinese edge to them; BYOB; Very inexpensive so order multiple appetizers. Indus Valley: Indian. 2636 Broadway @ 100th; 23/16/$33; 965-8560; Off the chart good reviews; Attentive, helpful service; Spices and dishes to fit every palate; Modest prices; Freshest ingredients. Amazing $13.95 lunch buffet; Have some dishes hot enough for the most daring; Menu has anything you can think of. Not super fancy – but perfect for a Columbia University first date. Kouzan: Japanese. 685 Amsterdam @ 93rd; 20/23/$35; 280-8099; Gorgeous interior including a waterfall; Reasonable prices and attentive service as well… try it! While not the best sushi in Manhattan, it is the best north of Neo Sushi; Menu is huge with dozens of cooked items to select; The special rolls are all $12-$14; With this much to choose from, you won’t go home hungry. Gennaro: Italian. 665 Amsterdam @ 92-3rd; 23/16/$39; 665-5348; Amazing food; Dirt cheap for high end quality. Average service, small place, and they take no Rez or credit cards; Food incredible though. Wildly popular; Antipasto appetizer; Pasta entrees great; Tiramisu for dessert. Obviously, go during non-peak hours for no wait; Quality has been slipping as late – go for the pasta. Yuki Sushi: Japanese. 656 Amsterdam @ 92nd; 21/15/$31; 787-8200; Excellent neighborhood option; Affordable and friendly service; Solid if not mind-blowing. Highlites are rolls and cooked dishes. Mermaid Inn: Seafood. 568 Amsterdam @ 87-88th; 22/18/$43; 799-7400; Fresh from the ocean seafood and fish; Laid back, top service and affordable prices make this a top seafood choice. Upscale fish shack; Crazy good lobster rolls. $1 Oysters at happy hour; Get the “Mermaid Mary” – variation on the Bloody; Bitburger beer on tap; Seared calamari; Lobster risotto; Bone-in pork chop; Fish tacos; Blackener catfish; Lobster & Truffle Mac n Cheese; Decent atmosphere! La Mirabelle: French. 102 W 86th @ Amsterdam-Columbus; 23/18/$51; 496-0458; Old fashioned French Bistro; Excellent French food for a classic evening of top cuisine. Excellent service from family-owned business. Older crowd, full of regulars; Extremely strong desserts; As it is an older crowd, perfect to take your parents here or for a quiet night out. Incredible service. Celeste: Italian. 502 Amsterdam @ 84th-85th; 24/12/$33; 874-4559; Wood oven pizzas; Naples inspired cuisine; Large portions – especially antipasti; No Rez/ credit cards; But, mouthwatering food including a secret cheese plate. Artichoke salad is amazing; Real-deal experience and a huge menu as well; You will not be disappointed. Best to go off-peak hours. Kefi: Greek. 505 Columbus @ 84th-85th; 23/16/$39; 873-0200; Insanely popular top flight experience; Two level setting after a recent move; Very affordable prices, though rushed service; They have a scrumptious lamb shank; Spacious bar; Grilled Octopus is a special dish; Meatball appetizers in incredible; Greek Mac n Cheese; Endless menu – all mouth watering. Spiga: Italian. 200 W 84th @ Amsterdam; 22/17/$46; 362-5506; Romantic setting; Creative, improving food. Rustic décor; Consistent quality of food; Large portions of heartily prepared classics. Ouest: American. 2315 B-Way @ 83-4th; 23/22/$63; 580-8700; New American; Chef Tom Valenti; Upscale comfort food; Wonderfully prepared cuisine; Sexy scene, very romantic & date friendly & spacious; Polished service; Retro style room. $29 2-course Sunday Brunch; Port Shank, Leg of Lamb, Short Ribs, Steak, Salmon, Tuna, Cod, Rabbit and nice array of appetizers. Land: Thai. 450 Amsterdam @ 81-2nd; 23/16/$27; 501-8121; 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. Calle Ocho: New Latin. 446 Columbus @ 81-2nd; 23/22/$46; 873-5025; Energetic atmosphere and strong Latin drinks- especially mojitos; Fun setting, festive; Creative and tasty food. Feels like a vacation; Best time to go: Brunch (Rez needed, 12-3 weekends)- it features a crazy all you can drink Sangria bar with 8 or so varieties; Bright and festival atmosphere; Up front bar and large dining hall in back- large place. Momoya: Japanese. 427 Amsterdam @ 80-81st; 22/20/$41; 580-0007; Simple, spacious setting; Unreal-fresh sushi; Extremely unique, tasty rolls; Menu features many cooked dishes and boxes as well; Great deal for the quality; Inventive & high quality all in one. Tons of sake available; This place is under the radar and one of the best mid-priced options in the genre. Ocean Grill: Seafood. 384 Columbus @ 78th-9; 24/21/$53; 579-2300; Fish kingdom of West side; Freshest seafood in neighborhood; Huge bar area too; Truly a classic feel and great service from Steve Hanson’s top notch empire; Fish so fresh it may swim away. Sushi on menu as well; Upscale seafood dining; They serve an excellent Brunch with complimentary drink; All forms of grilled fish in a choice of sauce and preparation; Rolls galore along with sashimi/ sushi; King Crab; Raw bar. Gazala’s: Middle East. 380 Columbus Av @ 78th; 23/10/$22; 873-8880; Druse style cooking; Homemade Pitas- best in city; Amazing Hummas platters; BYO- rare for NYC; Storefront setting- more like a Diner in their 9th Av/49th location; This location is roomier; Lamb & Chicken Kabab platters. Lamb, chicken and hummus options throughout the inexpensive menu. Gari: Japanese. 370 Columbus @ 77-8th; 27/15/$75; 362-4816; 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. Dovetail: American. 103 W 77th @ Columbus; 26/22/$69; 362-3800; Extremely upscale New-American; Gorgeous food creations; Works of art on your plate; Pricy- & limited menu (see online); Received 3-stars from NYT and 1-star from Michelin; Two levels; Fine dining and certainly the presentation and service are the greatest strengths. If you like the options on the menu – go – it will be prepared top notch. Fatty Crab: Malaysian; 2170 B-Way @ 77th; 21/13/$41; 352-3590; Street food; Incredible Brunch on weekends; Limited menu of Malaysian street classics; So good and unique. Chili Crab entrée is the way to go; Short Ribs; Decent noodle soups; No Rez but quick turnover. Small place- overpriced probably. Original location in the West Village even smaller; Cesca: Italian. 164 W 75th @ Amsterdam; 23/21$58; 787-6300; Hearty, rustic dishes; Trendy; Southern Italian; Roomy; Very popular; Celebrate here; Large open space; Vibrant bar scene; Classy yet comfy. Have a Monday 1/2 price wine deal; Date and family friendly; Wonderful Artisanal cheese flights; Medium sized menu; Nice bar for a drink. Tenzan: Japanese. 285 Columbus @ 73rd; 23/15/$32; 580-7300; What a deal! Large, ‘gorilla’ sized slabs of sushi and rolls for great prices. Extremely fresh. Mixed service but food is tops. Earthern Oven: Indian/ Pakistani. 53 W 72nd @ Columbus; 21/14/$36; 579-8888; Former Tamarind chefs; Very popular already and extremely low prices; Great Indian overall, but not spectacular. Average digs yet inspired food; Generously portioned dishes and excellent Garlic Naan; Chicken Tikka Masala stands out; $13.95 daily lunch buffet. Pasha: Turkish. 70 W 71st @ Columbus-CPW; 22/19/$41; 579-8751; Exotic décor and cuisine; Less expensive than Istanbul; Colorful, relaxing setting; Good date spot; Neighborhood favorite; Authentic Turkish cuisine. One of the few solid Turkish options on the west side. Great effort made by caring staff. Café Luxembourg: French. 200 W 70th @ Amsterdam-West End; 20/18/$56; 873-7411; There for 25 years, produces excellent French bistro food; Local institution; Sexy crowd and a great scene- Especially outdoors. Best French Onion soup in city perhaps; Best for brunch: 9am-4pm weekends; Dinner & lunch menu more limited but contain standard French fare. Nice bar scene; Epices du Traiteur: Tunisian. 103 W 70th @ Columbus; 21/16/$42; 579-5904; Mediterranean influenced; Unique and different types of food selections; Popular spot; Garden. Wondrous fish; La Boite en Bois: French. 75 W 68th @ Columbus-CPW; 22/17/$53; 874-2705; Quaint, romantic restaurant; Lincoln Center pre-theatre favorite; Small in size – excellent service; Very enticing menu featuring crepes filled with seafood; Fish stew with monkfish, and seafood; Lamb stew; Veal scaloppines; Roasted duck; Roast salmon; Pre-theatre prix-fixe menu- 3 courses for $44 (tons of choice); Sunday Brunch. Shun Lee Café: Chinese. 43 W 65th @ Columbus-CPW; 21/16/$40; 769-3888; Excellent Dim Sum, complete with carts; Traditional dishes; The more inexpensive alternative to next door’s Shun Lee West. Bar Boulud: French. 1900 B-Way @ 63rd-64th; 24/20/$61; 595-0303; From famed chef Daniel Boulud, this is his smaller, more affordable wine bar/ restaurant; Bistro fare; Perfect pre or post Lincoln Center; The steak frites stand out; Coq au Vin is yummy; Post modern setting with long bar and vaulted ceiling; Brunch and lunch is served. Massive wine list: 1,000+. Rosa Mexicana: Mexican. 61 Columbus @ 62nd; 23/21/$48; 753-7407; 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;
Sapphire Indian: Indian. 1845 B-Way @ 60-61st; 21/18/$43; 245-4444; Great Columbus Circlelocation; Lunch buffet bargain- $13.95; Wonderful use of spices and flavorful dishes. Upscale scene. Jean Georges: French. 1 Central Park W @ Trump Int’l Hotel @ 60th; 27/27/$125; 299-3900; Best French restaurant in NYC; Wildly expensive; Michelin 3-star rated; It does offer a $32 prix fixe lunch; Considered by all review sources a magical experience; Foodies ultimate dream; Celebrate your promotion (and ask for another to cover the bill); Foie Gras, Amuse Bouche highest caliber; Closed Sunday; Dinner: $98 for 3-course prix fixe- large choice for each course. See website. 8 course tasting menu, seasonal, $168. A Voce: Italian. 10 Columbus Circle; 25/22/$61; 823-2523; Michelin 1-star; New York Times’ highest 3-star rating; Seasonal Italian masterworks; Huge buzz about the place so reserve well in advance; About 16 entrees & 6 or 7 appetizers – mouthwatering descriptions on the menu; Chef Missy Robbins nails it; Check website as each location has different entrees (also on Mad/26th). Affordable for its quality. Porter House NY: Steakhouse. Time Warner Center; 10 Columbus Circle @ 60th; 24/25/$78; 823-9500; Amazing views of Central Park; Gorgeous interior, superior service; Perfect for pre Lincoln Center or to entertain a client; Expensive even for the genre; High end quality; Menu includes all the favorite cuts of beef including a Veal Chop; Cowboy Rib Eye; and a Lamb T-Bone; Seafood available; Raw bar appetizers. Asiate: Asian. 80 Columbus Circle – Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 35th floor; 24/29/$111; 805-8881; Voted Zagat’s #1 restaurant in NYC for décor; Epic view of Central Park; Pampering service; For a special occasion; Insanely overpriced; Try the $24 weekday lunch special or $54 prix fixe 3 course brunch; Dinner is $85 3-course prix-fixe; Menu is seasonal and is Asian/ New American. Marea: Italian. 240 Central Park S @ 7th Av-BWay; 27/26/$90; 582-5100; Chef Michael White kills it at Zagat’s #1 ranked Italian; Impeccable service and gorgeous décor; Signature dish is Fusilli with octopus and bone marrow; Michelin 2-star rated; About 17 or so sliced raw fish and shellfish to pick from at $17 a pop; Appetizers are epic ($20 or so); Pastas are to die for ($30 or so each); Incredible Risotti; They suggest you go with the $90 four course prix fixe. | |
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