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/$31; 965-8560; Off the chart good reviews; Attentive, helpful service; Spices and dishes to fit every palate; Modest prices; Freshest ingredients. Amazing $12.95 lunch buffet.
La Rural: Argentinean. 768 Amsterdam @ 97th; 22/18/$38; 749-2929; This place replaced Pampa; Open kitchen where meats grilled to perfection; Empanadas are amazing; Pleasant space for a great authentic experience.
Pio Pio: Peruvian. 702 Amsterdam @ 94th; 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.
Kouzan: Japanese. 685 Amsterdam @ 93rd; 20/23/$35; 280-8099; Gorgeous interior including a waterfall; Sushi heaven; Reasonable prices and attentive service as well… try it!
Gennaro: Italian. 665 Amsterdam @ 92-3rd; 25/16/$38; 665-5348; Amazing food; Dirt cheap.... I mean really cheap for high end quality. Average service, small place; Food incredible though. Wildly popular; Antipasto appetizer; Pasta entrees great; Tiramisu for dessert. 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.
Docks Oyster Bar: Seafood. 2427 Broadway @ 89-90th; 20/17/$50; 724-5588; Casual, fun restaurant; White table-cloth setting with a very popular bar scene; Website has tons of pictures & menu is mouthwatering; While not top in quality, it is spacious, date friendly and solid.
Mermaid Inn: Seafood. 568 Amsterdam @ 87-88th; 22/17/$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. La Mirabelle:
French. 102 W 86th @ Amsterdam-Columbus; 22/18/$48; 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;
Zeytin: Turkish. 519 Columbus @ 85th; 19/17/$38; 579-1145; Turkish; Modestly priced; One of the few Middle Eastern Restaurants in area; Solid food and authentic. Check out the website!
Neptune Room: Seafood. 511 Amsterdam @ 84-5th; 22/19/$50; 496-4100; Casual setting, great service, and nearly alive seafood; Eclectic menu; Raw bar; Great brunch. Marine cuisine at its freshest.
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. 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; 25/22/$63; 580-8700; New American; Chef Tom Valenti; Upscale comfort food; Wonderfully prepared cuisine; Sexy scene, very romantic & date friendly; Polished service; Retro style room.
Neo Sushi: Japanese. 2298 B-Way @ 83rd; 24/15/$58; 769-1003; Perfectly acceptable alternative to Nobu. Wonderfully delicate and creative sushi and rolls; Rainbow roll stands out; Presentation outstanding; One of the best in the city – and affordable for the genre.
Pinch & S’MAC: American. 474 Columbus @ 82-83rd; 23/10/$15; 686-5222; All they serve in Macaroni and Cheese and Pizza by the inch; Served about 15 different ways with a multitude of toppings; Mac Done in hot skillets; Multiple types of pizza can be ordered – each few inches different.
Bistro Citron: French. 473 Columbus @ 82-3rd; 21/19/$40; 400-9401; Bistro classics; Warm atmosphere and pleasant Parisian experience; Outdoor seating; Energetic scene. Neighborhood standby.
Land: Thai. 450 Amsterdam @ 81-2nd; 23/16/$25; 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!
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;
Ocean Grill: Seafood. 384 Columbus @ 78th-9; 23/20/$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. Café Frida: Mexican. 368 Columbus @ 77-8th; 20/16/$38; 712-2929; Guac is memorable; Potent Drinks- especially margaritas; Upbeat setting; Certainly a fun, casual date spot with reliable Mexican. Usual menu
Gari: Japanese. 370 Columbus @ 77-8th; 26/15/$62; 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.
Dovetail: American. 103 W 77th @ Columbus; 26/21/$67; 362-3800; Extremely upscale New-American; Gorgeous food creations; Works of art on your plate; Pricy- & limited menu (see online); Outstanding.
Cesca: Italian. 164 W 75th @ Amsterdam; 23/22/$58; 787-6300; Hearty, rustic dishes; Trendy; Southern Italian; Roomy; Very popular; Celebrate here; Large open space; Vibrant bar scene; Classy yet comfy. 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. Earthen Oven:
Indian. 53 W 72nd @ Columbus; 21/13/$36; 579-8888; Former Tamarind chefs; Very popular already and extremely low prices; Great Indian. Average digs yet inspired food, generously portioned. Tikka Masala. Pasha: Turkish. 70 W 71st @ Columbus-CPW; 21/19/$41; 579-8751; Exotic; Less expensive than Istanbul; Colorful, relaxing setting; Good date spot; Neighborhood favorite; Authentic Turkish cuisine.
Bistro Cassis: French. 225 Columbus @ 70-1st; 20/17/$42; 579-3966; Authentic French Bistro fare; Neighborhood favorite serving French classics. Affordable; Pistachio-crusted lamb stands out.
Café Luxembourg: French. 200 W 70th @ Amsterdam-West End; 21/18/$54; 873-7411; There for 25 years, produces excellent French bistro food; Sexy crowd and a great scene; Especially outdoors.
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;
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.
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.