New York City Restaurants

Bite of the Beast at Santa Monica's Locando del Lago

This Italian restaurant on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade is a success story with

a loyal group of regulars who come to enjoy the food of chef Gianfranco Muniz. Every last Thursday of the month, they put together a special menu called ‘Bite of the Beast’ for about $55, or $83 with a full complement of wine pairings. So I happily attended last week which featured lamb, or more specifically NimanRanch Lamb... more

A New Champion Emerges in the Oft Debated World of Pizza

This new West Village eatery has quickly and authoritatively thrown their hat in the ring as a true contender in the realm of world-class pizza establishments. Yes, it is that good... and for that reason alone, you should grab a pen and jot down their website, address, or simply the unassuming name they have given their welcomIng and family-driven eatery, Pizzetteria Brunetti. More>>>

A New Leader of the Pizza World

Gaby Delivers Contemporary French Cuisine

Located off of the lobby of the swanky Sofitel in Midtown Manhattan, Gaby’s Chef Sylvain Harribey is blending classic French cuisine with exotic fusion dishes from different points around the world and delivering a true culinary experience.

Chef Harribey was raised in Bordeaux, a highly regarded food and wine region and his fascination with food and cooking stems from working alongside his mother as a child. It is this innate passion that was born at an extraordinarily early age that brings to life the food that was presented on this special evening. More>>>

Guns + Butter—Pop-Up, Brooklyn Style

Brooklyn has done it again! In an up and coming neighborhood, a young and passionate chef brought a taste of Detroit to the Big Apple. Craig Lieckfelt, a Detroit native, returned to New York City with an idea and simple concept of nomadic dinning called Guns + Butter. Be certain that there were no guns fired in the kitchen while cooking an inspiring meal, or servers wearing cowboy attire. What there was though was a perfectly balanced dining experience, with a stringent attention to detail and a respect for the ingredients that were used. Chef Lieckfelt, who studied under one of New York City’s finest, More>>>

Commerce Restaurant - A Bite of History

In the heart of the West Village, in an almost hidden location, lies Commerce Restaurant. Located at 50 Commerce Street, in the same historic building that was once home to formidable favorites Blue Mill Tavern and Grange Hall, Commerce is a true haven for the culinary adventurer. This place has a history as rich as its food and the owners are committed to preserving that history. The building, erected More>>>

Tamarind Takes Flight

The sophomore effort of restaurateur Avtar Walia has significantly raised the bar for the Tamarind brand and added a much needed diversity to the streets of TriBeCa. With 10 years of history operating on 22nd Street, it was time to expand. After serious negotiations to open an onsite restaurant at Las Vegas’s Venetian Hotel, the Walia family decided to keep it local. TriBeCa seemed the logical choice and the doors swung open in April 2010. Now, less than two years later, they are honored by a Michelin star. We decided that it was time to head More>>>

Mike's Deli - The Heartbeat of Arthur Avenue

The neighborhood of Arthur Avenue, in the Bronx, dates back to a time when thousands of Italian immigrants came through Ellis Island. They discovered a welcoming mass of paesani, all linked by their zealous Italian passion for good food! Many early Italians in this area made their living by working and selling products from pushcarts, most often food items. In 1940, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia built the indoor Arthur Avenue Retail Market to take the street vendors out of the cold. It is this market that brings me here today. More>>>

Seasonal

Located on West 58th Street adjacent to the world famous Plaza Hotel is Seäsonal restaurant, the result of a long standing partnership between award winning chefs Eduard Frauneder and Wolfgang Ban. Frauneder and Ban first crossed paths when they were students at the prestigious Gastronomie Fachschule. More>>>

Half King Gastro-Pub

The eighteenth-century Seneca chief known as "The Half King" is a figure so obscure that no one knows his real name - it was most likely Tanaghrisson, or something close to it. Tanaghrisson stepped into American history in 1748, when the Iroquois League designated him leader of the Senecas and Delawares.

The hip gastro-pub sporting his namesake located at 505 W. 25th Street has become a fixture in Chelsea. Just celebrating their 10th anniversary, this awesomely comfortable and fun space with elegantly worn, wide-plank wooden floors and a revolving art More>>>

Penthouse 808

For some Manhattanites, the suggestion of leaving the borough to go to a restaurant in places like the Bronx, Brooklyn, or god forbid Queens, is commonly greeted with a “you’ve got to be kidding” look. No, you do not need your passport to leave the island of Manhattan; in fact the trip time across the Queensboro Bridge, a free bridge for that matter, is faster than a trip from the Upper East Side to Greenwich Village. Add to that urban chic restaurants like Penthouse 808 waiting on the other side, with al fresco rooftop dining and killer More>>>

Nirvana Sets the Stage for the Indian Food Connoisseur

Stimulating the local scene in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan, Nirvana Restaurant lit up their marquee two years ago. Formerly the 35 year home of Stella del Mar, Nirvana took a cue from the sophisticated consumer and a new vision was launched, and a new story is now being told. With many years of industry experience the first effort of the charismatic duo Pravin Mascarenhas and Anil Amin is something that is certainly worthy of praise.

Situated in a duplex on Lexington Avenue, the contemporary, yet warm environment is extremely inviting and beckons you to make yourself a regular fixture. The downstairs boasts an ultra-hip lounge which has played host to a variety of events including fashion shows and weekly live jazz, as well as a regular happy hour that features half-price More>>>

Telepan

It is not surprising that Chef Bill Telepan authored the book “Inspired by Ingredients”--Bill is a true green market chef in every sense of the word. His passion for the Greenmarket is widely known and he is invigorated by the plentiful vegetables, herbs and various food gems always available. There are few chefs in New York City who can boast this level of superior ingredients and are as pure bred as Bill Telepan.

Upon entering this charming brownstown we were immediately More>>>

Resto, A Breath of Fresh Air

The unique Belgian Restaurant, Resto, on 111 E. 29th St. left me tantalized and excited about this new find. Resto chef Ryan Skeen is serving up the most interesting Belgian food in New York. The unpretentious surroundings and thoughtfully executed food define this one-of-a-kind neighborhood restaurant.

The oblong room, with a tiny outdoor patio, is a few steps below street level. It is cozy but not cramped, with an ample marble bar that screams out to pull up a chair and try one of the many unique libations being served. More>>>

Christo’s, A Real Knockout!

Right off of Steinway Street on 23rd Avenue, in the heart of Astoria, is the home of Christo’s Steakhouse. This place is kickin’ it old school, but believe me when I tell you that it is not all pomp and circumstance.

Owner, Alan Wartski seems to have a steady hand and maybe even the Midas touch. Counting Times Square’s Edison Ballroom and TriBeCa’s Cosmopolitan Hotel a More>>>

Koi - Bryant Park

The Bryant Park Hotel, one of Manhattan’s foremost luxury destinations is also home to a remarkable restaurant, Koi. Japanese for “love”, this contemporary space is creatively carved into three levels and boasts a real Koi pond set into the floor. The sister site to L.A.’s famed celebrity magnet, Koi New York is no slacker. With fans that include Lindsay Lohan, Gisele Bündchen, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jessica Alba, Koi is a place to be seen. More >>>

Cello Wine Bar

Cello Wine Bar, a cool new hangout located in Midtown on East 53rd street, is offering New Yorker’s a comfortable, intimate oasis in an otherwise overly commercial and trendy neighborhood. With a capacity of only 25 and a true warmth and charm, Cello is sure to make an impact. The user-friendly wine selection from around the world, offered both by the glass and by the bottle, encourages diners to comfortably pick and pair exceptional selections with tapas style bites. More>>>

Water's Edge Restaurant

Nestled alongside the East River in the Long Island City section of Queens, stands Water’s Edge Restaurant. With a rich history spanning three decades, it has held its own as a time-tested New York City establishment. During the warm weather, the Water’s Edge dining experience begins with a cruise across the East River. Departing from Manhattan’s East 23rd Street Pier, guests glide across the East River aboard the Water’s Edge Ferry. However, on the night of my attendance, I was whisked across the Queensboro Bridge More>>>

Grand Cafe

Like the famed hospitality of this ancient Chinese city, Nanking Restaurant was a welcome and calming respite from the hustle and bustle just outside its’ doors. Situated in Times Square, the heart of New York’s theatre district, Nanking offers an intimate alternative to the standard oversized theme restaurants that are so common to the area. With custom made, beautiful light fixtures and natural earth tones throughout, the mood was set for a relaxing evening. For those who wish to feel like they’re still in the midst of the excitement, grab a window table and take it all in from an More>>>

Tulsi Restaurant

The ambitious result of a collaboration between Michelin-starred Hemant Mathur, chef and founder of the critically acclaimed Devi Restaurant and his wife, Executive Pastry Chef Surbhi Sahni, we were excited to see what Tulsi Restaurant had to offer. Located in the Midtown East section of Manhattan, this is one extremely beautiful restaurant.

Tulsi, which translated means “holy basil," is a top-rate restaurant by any standard. With plenty of green hues and an extraordinary contemporary design scheme, this establishment smacks of quality and taste from the moment you enter. With an impeccable attention to detail including mother of pearl accents, ‘netted’ cabana areas to suggest privacy and gorgeous crystal chandeliers, you dream of returning to share this find with those close to you, before you ever reach your table. More>>>

Hi-Life Bar & Restaurant

Celebrating their 20th Anniversary in spring 2011, Hi-Life Restaurants have become a part of the New York City landscape. Originally opening at 477 Amsterdam Avenue in 1991, Hi-Life was one of the first restaurants to extol the design and style of the 1930’s. Traditionally, these places had big, stainless steel and neon signs, designed to catch the attention of potential customers passing by faster than ever in their shiny new automobiles. Once inside, they provided an oasis of comfort and civility to hard working men and women seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. Hi-Life’s décor is a fusion of classic 1930’s “joint” and an elegant ocean liner More>>

Bryant Park Grill

In 1686, when New York City was still a wilderness, New York's colonial governor allocated the area now known as Bryant Park as a common area, free to all people. Almost 100 years later, in 1776, George Washington's troops crossed this very park while retreating from the Battle of Long Island. Fast forward to 2011 and Bryant Park today is considered one of New York’s greatest gems, a truly glorious landmark. More>>>

Triomphe Restaurant

Located on 44th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, off of the lobby of the trendy Iroquois Hotel, Triomphe restaurant is a hidden gem in the bustling midtown area of Manhattan. The intimate room in the heart of New York’s theater district is inhabited by a mere 11 tables. The simple yet elegant décor is made up of dark walnut floors, a domed ceiling and minimally decorated, pristine white walls. With the swirling sounds of jazz from overhead and an ambiance More>>>