Eating in New York

[Steve-o]

Hello all,

I'll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in New York on honeymoon, before later heading on to the Maldives.

I have been given the task (by the future wife) of finding some places for dinner (and lunch) on these two days... So, I'm looking for some *really* good recommendations to eat in and around Manhattan.

I'd appreciate any ideas that you guys could give!

Thanks.

[srebbe64]

If you like steak or sea food I can highly recommend this place:

http://www.smithandwollensky.com/new_york.htm

It's literally fifty yards from my New York office and I've ate there many times and it always delivers. (Also, I noticed the other day that it features in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada".)

Edited by srebbe64 on Saturday 14th June 18:27

[Puggit]

Tavern on the Green? In the middle of Central Park - you can take a ride with a horse and carriage to get there - if that's your thing. Make sure you book.

[NDA]

The River Cafe at the foot of Brooklyn Bridge - great views over NYC at night.

'The London' is also very good.

[robodonkey2005]

Nicely cooked traditional italian fare and reasonably casual (not pizza express casual though!) I loved http://www.bicenewyork.com/ 

[Gold]

Left-field suggestion here so don't shoot me down (), ok, its not haute cuisine but if you have visited some top-notch restaurants you can't miss out on the American Diner experience.

http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com/

Amazing place with the most talented staff

[Clammy]

Honeymoon, so I'm assuming money no object.

http://www.fairmont.com/theplaza/GuestServices/Res...

And back down in the real world

http://www.rapatina.com/rockCenterCafe/

No reservations at the Rockefeller Centre though so you may have a long wait.

Edited by Clammy on Saturday 14th June 18:41

[Steve H]

We ate in a place called the "View" it is a revolving restaurant in times square and does a 360 and give you a complete view of NY. it is above a Hotel called the Marriott Marquis... very nice and very special

Steve

Edited by Steve H on Saturday 14th June 18:43

[POORCARDEALER]

Have something at The Waldorf Astoria, lovely lobby area and bar

[Slaav]

Do NOT go to Le Cirque.... never mind what reviews you read etc. DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR MONEY!

We had an appalling night there and I am very confident it was not a one off. Over hyped and a name only now it appears.

[CommanderJameson]

A friend of mine ate here last week and was very, very impressed.

[audidoody]

Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station

[bumblebee]

What you need is a website like THIS

[Alexandra]

I have to disagree with most people here. The places recommended above are all well and good, but you can get the same by going to London, Paris or any other major city.

In my opinion, the best places to eat in NY city are the ones oft found down side-streets and away from the main streets and avenues. I've been taken to some of the most fantastic places by locals (boyfriend is from NYC) and the cab drivers are great for recommending really charming cafés and restaurants. Just try and find a NY/Italian cabbie though.

You can tell from the outside what they're going to be like, and quaint, family-run places usually turn out to be really romantic and have the best family recipes and atmospheres.

Have a great time, it's my favourite city outside of Europe!

[CJ.OK]

What ever you do don't be tempted by the bright lights of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory on Times Square..... Had one of the big shrimp combo's last year and it almost put me in Hospital! Took me about 3 weeks and the loss of a stone to recover.....

Within 1/2 an hour I spewed my guts up and i'm not ashamed to say I shat myself in front of the Mrs in the hotel room whilst standing in my boxers - BAD TIMES

Take this as a warning and stay well away

Edited by CJ.OK on Saturday 14th June 19:36

[srebbe64]

Alexandra said:

I have to disagree with most people here. The places recommended above are all well and good, but you can get the same by going to London, Paris or any other major city.

In my opinion, the best places to eat in NY city are the ones oft found down side-streets and away from the main streets and avenues. I've been taken to some of the most fantastic places by locals (boyfriend is from NYC) and the cab drivers are great for recommending really charming cafés and restaurants. Just try and find a NY/Italian cabbie though.

You can tell from the outside what they're going to be like, and quaint, family-run places usually turn out to be really romantic and have the best family recipes and atmospheres.

Have a great time, it's my favourite city outside of Europe!

Yeah but he has to book somewhere for Christmas day which means he has to book. He can't just jump in a cab on Christmas Day and say "where should I eat".

[NiceCupOfTea]

A couple of great places we went to:

Ruby Foo's - fantastic sushi place near Broadway. Go there for a full on meal or a quick bite. Greta atmosphere

Brooklyn Diner - again, just off broadway, does awesome breakfasts.

[Zeek]

The taster menu at Gordon Ramsay's place is excellent, and half price at current dollar rates, if that's your sort of thing. Does seem to be full of Brits every time I go though!

[Alexandra]

srebbe64 said:

Yeah but he has to book somewhere for Christmas day which means he has to book. He can't just jump in a cab on Christmas Day and say "where should I eat".

Perhaps you're right

[VetteG]

Alexandra said:

srebbe64 said:

Yeah but he has to book somewhere for Christmas day which means he has to book. He can't just jump in a cab on Christmas Day and say "where should I eat".

Perhaps you're right

Yeah but good advice, and not just for NY, in any new location go for a walk just off the main streets and look through restaurant windows, when you see a place where the people look as though they enjoy / are enjoying food, just dive in. Works for us every time and we have had some stunning culinary surprises.

G