Eating out in New York..why do we do it? Because our kitchens are small, we're too busy, and hey, cooking is probably only 15% cheaper. Or at least that's what we tell ourselves when we're spending $41 on a hamburger (Old Homestead Steakhouse (Map 5)). But even those of us who love to cook can’t resist the allure of some of the best and most varied cuisine in the world. For New Yorkers, eating out is simultaneously a science and an art form. Since we have so many options, we don’t seem to be able to waste any meal on a haphazard choice of venue. Selecting exactly the right restaurant for an occasion is not just a matter of taste, particularly when you’re preparing to splurge; it requires knowledge, logic, strategy, and even risk-assessment (is it beginning to sound like a competitive sport?). We may want a certain type of cuisine, near a subway line convenient for all parties involved, with atmosphere but not romantic, in a specific price range. And with over 25,000 options, we can always find the perfect place. Whether we're looking for a restaurant with a rare 28 from Zagat's (the culinary Bible for many New Yorkers), or we want to roll the dice with an undiscovered hole in the wall where even the Board of Health fears to tread (read: street carts in Chinatown), we will never have to settle. There is, of course, a huge drawback: we are downright spoiled. But I guess we'll just have to live with that.
Eating Old
Since New York City is a culinary hotspot with lots of big names (and wannabe big names) at work in the kitchens, it's easy to get swept up in food trends that often involve dishes that look more like art projects than meals. Many of the more experimental restaurants do merit attention, but when you’re not in the mood for Parmesan cheese ice cream with pesto foam in a braised kale emulsion, you can avail yourselves of the Big Apple's time-honored stalwarts. They've recently relaxed the tie and jacket rule, but you can still rub elbows with the who's who at the posh 21 Club (Map 12) (circa 1929); dine on New American cuisine at the ancient, 213-year-old Bridge Café (Map 1); slurp fresh-shucked oysters under the vaulted, tiled ceiling at Grand Central Station's Oyster Bar (Map 13) (circa 1913), and do not miss their desserts; sample more oysters and one of the best burgers in existence at the venerable Midtown watering hole P.J. Clarke’s (Map 13) (since 1884); since '08 (that's 1908!) people have been ordering the sturgeon scrambled with eggs, onions, and a bialy on the side at Barney Greengrass (Map 16); also going strong since 1938 is the Italian old-school joint Patsy's Pizzeria (Map 20); or expand your culinary horizons with calf’s spleen and cheese on a roll at Ferdinando's Focacceria (Map 32) (circa 1904).
Eating Cheap
Eating cheap has become more stylish thanks to the recent trend of highbrow chefs and restauranteurs going lowbrow. And oh yeah, that whole economic collapse thing didn’t hurt either. At Shake Shack (Maps 9, 14, 17), you can still grab a the famous Shack Burger for $4.75 or one of their legendary Chicago Dogs (a meal in itself) for only $4.25. Ethnic food has always been a great friend to eaters on a budget. For Vietnamese pho and noodle dishes, Cong Ly (Map 3) is your best friend. For brilliant Middle Eastern go to Hummus Place (Map 6, 7), Gazala Place (Map 11), or Taïm (Map 5) (for some of the best falafel on the planet). For Mexican check out the taqueria at The Corner a.k.a. La Esquina (Map 6) or head uptown to El Paso (Map 17). The Indian lunch buffet at Tiffin Wallah (Map 10) is only $7.50 and veggie friendly to boot. Papaya King (Map 17) has kept hot dog lovers grinning since 1932. For a gut busting plate of Puerto Rican food under ten bucks, sit at the counter of La Taza De Oro (Map 8). For a great cheap breakfast that even celebs appreciate, La Bonbonniere (Map 5) can't be beat. And many of us can't survive a day without at least one of the staples of NYC Jewish eats--bagels and knishes. For bagels, go with perennial winners Ess-a-Bagel (Map 10, 13) and H&H Bagels (Map 11, 14), or try our favorites: David's Bagels (Map 10), Kossar's Bialys (Map 4), Absolute Bagels (Map 16), or the original Tal Bagels (Map 13, 15, 16, 17). For knishes, nothing beats the Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery (Map 6). Since the NFT office is in Chinatown and we're always broke (free advice: don't go into independent publishing), we are certified experts on eating cheap in this part of town. At Nice Green Bo (Map 3) get the scallion pancakes, at Joe's Shanghai (Map 3, 12) get the soup dumplings, at Food Shing (Map 3) get the beef noodle soup, at Fuleen (Map 3) get the shrimp with chili sauce, and for the best deal in the city head to Sanur (Map 3) for a heaping plate of homemade Malayasian food for only $3.50. Try finding that kind of advice in Zagat.
Eating Hip
Eating hip usually involves the food of the moment (small plates, pizza, Asian street food), beautiful people (those who often look like they never eat), and some kind of exclusivity (ridiculously long waits, unpublished phone numbers, impossible-to-come-by reservations, or no reservations at all). Food snobs may warn you that the appetite that’s satisfied is the craving to see and be seen, rather than the desire for the city’s best culinary experience. Although with this little economic crisis, even the hippest places have had to loosen their policies a little bit. That being said, the ultimate in cool dining is, of course, Rao's (Map 20)--or so we hear. But unless you're the Mayor, the Governor, or Woody Allen, you probably won't be getting a reservation anytime soon, so don't hold your breath. People have moved on from the Graydon Carter-owned The Waverly Inn (Map 5), (at least that's what we here; we never got through the door in the first place) but the West Village is still home to some of the hippest dining experiences in the city. The Spotted Pig (Map 5) is still worth the three hour wait to munch on gourmet gastropub food with Bono and bankers (at least the ones that still have jobs). If you can find the unmarked basement door of Bobo (Map 5), you'll really impress your date. Head east to try the always crowded, no-reservations eatery Freemans (Map 6), which hides itself at the end of an alleyway; do not miss the pork chops. If you just can't wait for the sun to go down for a hip eating experience, head to 202 (Map 8) for a fantastic breakfast in the middle of a fashionable clothing boutique. For fans of Japanese izakayas, nothing is quite as fun as an evening at En Brasserie (Map 5). Its gourmet menu brilliantly fuses homemade miso with duck, cod, tofu, and anything else you can think. And the dark lighting will make anyone look good. When you want your pizza in a stark and modern setting, head to Co (Map 6) for heavenly crust from the genius behind Sullivan Street Bakery. Meanwhile David Chang's empire continues to grow. Try Momofuku Ssam Bar (Map 6) to see what all the hype is about. If the lines are too long at the Momofukus or you don't have friends that can afford to score a table at Spotted Pig, try Kuma Inn (Map 4) on the Lower East Side. The small plates like Chinese sausage with Thai chili-lime sauce and pork wasabi dumplings are brilliant, it's BYO sake, and there's no secret phone number. If you don’t mind waiting and your date isn’t a vegetarian, grab a cocktail in the lobby of the slick Ace Hotel and get ready for a dinner you won’t soon forget at The Breslin (Map 9).
Eating Late
Luckily New York restaurants rarely sleep (just like New Yorkers), so it's pretty damn easy to find some fine grub late into the night. Kang Suh's (Map 9) Korean barbeque runs all night, as well as the Turkish spot Bereket (Map 7), the bar/burger joint 7A (Map 7), Yaffa Café (Map 7), and a host of classic diners like Odessa (Map 7), and Waverly Restaurant (Map 5). Veselka (Map 6) is the place for late-night Ukrainian soul food. You'll find cabbies chowing down past 3 am at Lahore (Map 6), Punjabi Deli (Map 7), and Big Arc Chicken (Map 7). French Roast (Map 5, 14) serves quite good croque-monsieurs 24 hours. If you're near Chinatown at 3 am let the wonton soup and bbq meats at Great New York Noodletown (Map 3) soak up all the alcohol you've been imbibing. And, of course, Blue Ribbon (Map 6) is still one of the best places to eat after midnight.
Eating Pizza
Pizza constitutes a food group unto itself for New Yorkers. The coal oven spots top most lists: Grimaldi's (Map 30), Lombardi's (Map 6), Luzzo's (Map 7), John's Pizzeria (Map 5), and the original Patsy's (Map 20) in East Harlem. The coal oven enjoys extra cachet by virtue of being illegal now, except in the aforementioned eateries where they were already in operation when legislation was passed prohibiting them. The brick oven joints, such as Franny's (Map 33), Keste (Map 5), Co (Map 8), and Lucali (Map 32) never seem to slow down either. Trying to find something edible near Wall Street? Check out Adrienne’s (Map 1) delicious rectangle pies on Stone Street. For a classic Village scene complete with live jazz, check out Arturo's (Map 6) on Houston Street. The outer boroughs serious represent here: Louie & Ernie's in The Bronx (pp 227), Nick's Pizza in Queens (pp 231), Denino's in Staten Island (pp 233), and, of course, DiFara in Brooklyn (pp 229). Pizza by the slice practically deserves its own category, but the highlights include Patsy's (Map 20) (definitely the best slice in the city), Artichoke Basille's Pizza (Map 6) (get the grandma slice), Farinella (Map 3) (very unique), and Joe's (Map 5) (classic NY Style).
Eating Ethnic
Spin a globe, stick your finger onto a spot blindly, and chances are you can find cuisine from that country on offer in New York. And an outstanding offering it will be. To wit: Sammy's Roumanian (Map 6), Katz's Delicatessen (Map 7), and Carnegie Deli (Map 12) (Jewish); Shun Lee (Map 13), Grand Sichuan International (Map 8), Joe’s Shanghai (Map 3), and Chef Ho’s Peking Duck Grill (Map 17) (Chinese); Dawat (Map 13), Banjara (Map 7), and Indian Tandoor Oven (Map 15) (Indian); Alma (Map 32), El Paso (Map 17, 20) and Rosa Mexicano (Map 14) (Mexican); Kang Suh (Map 9), Seoul Garden (Map 9), and Dok Suni's (Map 7) (Korean); Nobu (Map 2), Takahachi (Map 7), Ki Sushi (Map 32), and about 40 others (Japanese); Babbo (Map 6), Felidia (Map 13), Il Giglio (Map 2), Sfoglia (Map 17), Al Di La (Map 33), I Trulli (Map 10), and countless others (Italian); Ghenet (Map 33) and Zoma (Map 19) (Ethiopian); Pakistan Tea House (Map 2) and Haandi (Map 10) (Pakistani); Café Habana (Map 6) (Cuban); Resto (Map 10) (Belgian); New Malaysia (Map 3) (Malayasian); Kabab Café (Map 26) (Egyptian); Eight Mile Creek (Map 6) and Bondi Road (Map 4) (Australian); Nelson Blue (Map 1) (New Zealand); La Fonda Boricua (Map 17) (Puerto Rican); El Malecon (Map 23) and El Castillo de Jagua (Map 4) (Dominican); Balthazar (Map 6), Café D'Alsace (Map 17), La Luncheonette (Map 8), Jules (Map 6), and so many more (French); Socarrat (Map 9) and Tia Pol (Map 8) (Spanish). Lomzynianka (Map 28) (Polish). Aquavit (Map 13) and Smörgås Chef (Map 1) (Scandinavian); Heidelberg (Map 15), Zum Schneider (Map 7), and Hallo Berlin (Map 11) (German); Sylvia’s (Map 19) and Cheryl's Global Soul (Map 33) (Southern); Kefi (Map 14), Periyali (Map 9), and Stamatis (Map 26) (Greek); Turkish Kitchen (Map 10) (Turkish); Sigiri (Map 7) (Sri Lankan) Pongsri Thai (Map 3) and Sripraphai (pp 231) (Thai), etc. etc. etc.
Eating Meat
New York is home to arguably the world's best steakhouse, Peter Luger's (Map 29). But it’s competitive at the top, and clawing at Luger's heels are: the newish Mark Joseph Steakhouse (Map 1), and classics like Sparks (Map 13), Palm (Map 13), Smith & Wollensky (Map 13), Angelo & Maxie's (Map 10), and the Strip House (Map 6). For the Brazilian-style "all you can eat meat fest," Churrascaria Plataforma (Map 11) does the trick. As for hamburgers, the rankings provide material for eternal debate. Many of the favorites find their way to the top of some list or another: P.J. Clarke (Map 13), Corner Bistro (Map 5), Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien (Map 12), J.G. Melon (Map 15), Big Nick's (Map 14), and BLT Burger (Map 5), to name a few. New on the scene is Royale (Map 7), where they compliment the perfect patty with stellar fixin's, for a song. For a change of pace from your burger tour, look for evidence that we Yankees can indeed produce some damn good BBQ: Hill Country (Map 9), Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (Map 18), and RUB BBQ (Map 9) in Manhattan, and Smoke Joint (Map 31) and Fette Sau (Map 29) in Brooklyn (arrive early at the latter, they run out of the most popular items quickly). And wherever you go, be prepared to wash down your 'cue with some serious bourbon.
Eating Meatless
We’re advanced enough here that most restaurants (except perhaps those mentioned directly above) offer at least a few items palatable to vegetarians. But don't worry, every kind of appetite gets special attention here, including non-meat-eaters. Try the quality Indian fare at Pongal (Map 10) and Chennai Garden (Map 10), and, for high-end eats, Candle 79 (Map 15), Dirt Candy (Map 7), and GoBo (Map 5). For adventurous veggie heads, nothing beats HanGawi (Map 9), consistently voted one of the best vegetarian and Korean restaurants in the city.
Eating Your Wallet
You don't have to live in this city long before realizing that while we technically use the same currency as the rest of the country, it's actually worth about half as much here as elsewhere. Even the most frugal among us have found ourselves spending 100 New York dollars on a night out and thinking we got off easy. But remember that when it comes to dining out, there is no cap. You can easily spend over $150 (per person) at any number of highly regarded restaurants around town, even if you’re feeling abstemious. No doubt you've been just dying to try Batali's this, and Morimoto's that. But handle the decision to dine at the top culinary echelon as you would (or should) handle the prospect of an open bar at your holiday office party: Know your limit (financially, emotionally, morally), and try not to do anything you'll regret in the morning. If you can keep your food down after witnessing triple digits on your share of the tab, start on the slippery slope to gastronomically induced bankruptcy at the following restaurants, which rarely disappoint: Babbo (Map 6), Per Se (Map 11), Gramercy Tavern (Map 9), Le Bernardin (Map 12), Bouley (Map 2), Union Square Cafe (Map 9), Craft (Map 9), Aquavit (Map 13), Spice Market (Map 5), and Tabla (Map 9). And remember to manage your expectations: unless you fall in love with your waiter or waitress, the experience will not change your life. Although Per Se (Map 11) comes pretty damn close.
Our Favorite Restaurants
Consensus on such a crucial and personal matter is always elusive, but with a group of New Yorkers opinionated enough to produce the NFT, all we can say is, "Fuhgeddaboutit." We've historically granted the accolade to Blue Ribbon (Map 6)--it's open 'til 4 am, it's where the chefs of other restaurants go, it's got fondue, it’s got beef marrow, it’s got fried chicken, it's got a great vibe, great liquor, and great service. And it will always have that special place in our hearts and stomachs, but we also have to give a shout out to a few other spots: Sigiri (Map 7), a spicy Sri Lankan gem that is BYOB to boot, Babbo (Map 6), well, because it's Babbo (call at least one month ahead), Arturo's (Map 6), a classic, old-school pizza joint with live jazz, Greenwich Village locals, and amazing coal-fired pizza, Kefi (Map 14), gourmet Greek that is the best deal on the Upper West Side, and Kuma Inn (Map 4) a hard-to-find Asian tapas restaurant that's cool and hip but also affordable, laid-back, and mind-blowingly delicious.
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On Our Radar:
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Sunday, May 13, 2012
Posted By:
Holly Alderman
Photo:
Craig Nelson
Sigiri
Tucked amidst the flashing lights and persuasive calls to dine at one of East 6th Street's many Indian restaurants is Sigiri. It is not adorned with Christmas lights and no one pulls you off the street boasting a deal, but Sigiri provides an unparalleled dining experience that is not to be missed. Like its neighbors in the East Village, Sigiri serves South Asian cuisine, but rather than hailing from India, Sigiri's food is from the island nation of Sri Lanka. In a mecca of international eats, it is hard to be totally unique in New York City, but Sigiri pulls it off as a reasonably priced, conveniently located, authentic Sri Lankan eatery on a continent where such places are few and far between. Sri Lankan cuisine as it is served up at Sigiri is not for the faint of the heart (or tastebuds!) It is spicy, spicy, spicy. Not to fear though--Sigiri is BYOB, so make sure to bring a spice fighting alcohol to accompany your meal. If you're looking for a cozy atmosphere with eclectic decor, delicious food, and a unique feel, head on over to Sigiri. You won't be sorry, even if your salivary glands will!
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Monday, January 23, 2012
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
V-Note
V-Note is an organic wine bar and restaurant on the Upper East side that offers fresh and flavorful ingredients in a bright and welcoming space. The mushroom scallops and potato crisps, made with trumpet mushrooms, taste precisely like actual fresh-from-the-ocean scallops, perfect for a non-vegan shellfish allergy sufferer. Also delicious is the mushroom lentil ravioli entree, filled with chickpeas, smoked egglant and lentils in a shiitake-tahini cream sauce, topped with herbed greens. Ingredients like seitan, pine nuts, lobster mushrooms, pumpkin and sage mean V-Note is eclectic, never boring, hitting just the right note every time.
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Posted By:
Scott Sendrow
Photo:
Scott Sendrow
Shanghai Asian Cuisine
The Village Voice's Robert Sietsema recently wrote up
Shanghai Asian Cuisine on Elizabeth Street in the ground floor underneath Jing Fong in Manhattan's Chinatown. He had high praise for the soup dumplings and various cold dishes (he was less excited about the main entrees). The soup dumplings are good -- definitely a nice option to have in Chinatown. They're packed with crab and pork, but where other places provide a giant spoon big enough to snare all the liquid that oozes out; SAC's spoon is rather small, though it's large enough to match the drizzle of soup that you get. I suppose it's a tradeoff -- do you want more meat or more soup? Another dish Sietsema liked was Noodles with Meat Sauce (Cha Chiang Mein). It was a sort of gut-busting Chinese Spaghetti Bolognese; great with a little bit of that spicy chili oil stuff on the table and perfect drunk food. SAC has a sister restaurant on Mott Street, Shanghai Asian Manor, that features the same dumplings.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Posted By:
Scott Sendrow
Photo:
Scott Sendrow
Mexicue
Yes, food trucks are trendy now but the great thing about them is that they are efficient laboratories for actual brick-and-mortar restaurants. How often is it that you'd see first-time restaurateurs open not one but two spaces in a little over a year, as is the case with Mexicue founders David Schillace and Thomas Kelly? With their latest venture on the Lower East Side, the corporate world fugitives bring their successful Mexican-barbecue fusion to a nondescript stretch of Forsyth on the Chinatown edge of the neighborhood. And while the space isn't much bigger than a food truck, there are seats -- and you don't have to follow on Twitter to know where to go. We tagged along the other night at the restaurant's opening party and enjoyed the BBQ Brisket and Burnt Ends Chili sliders, the latter of which reminded me of what a crazy uncle might to do with some jalapenos to kick things up a notch.
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Thursday, May 12, 2011
Posted By:
Alisha Miranda
Photo:
Alisha Miranda
La Vie Lounge
You've probably passed this place dozens of times stumbling back to the 2nd Avenue F stop on those crazy nights in the L.E.S. But next time you're sober and want to soak up some of that alcohol with cheese, bread, and a hookah, go to La Vie Lounge. It's decked out like a Middle Eastern lounge complete with dimly lit candles, darkly painted walls, plush decor, and comfy couches on each side. Go for the Goat Cheese Brulée served with toasted pita and hummus, which is super creamy and the perfect late night snack. Ask your waitress in Cat Woman-esque black attire to fetch you a hookah for you and your friends. Have room for one more drink? Ask the waiter for a "Skinny Girl Margarita" (don't be shy, fellas!). Sit back and enjoy the Arabic music setting the mood overhead. You're in for the night.
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