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“21” Club
21 W.52nd St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)
Tel: 212-582-7200
Have
one of the best burgers in town and a martini, then ask to visit
the Prohibition-era wine cellar. Despite its formal atmosphere,
a comfortable part of New York history. $40-$60
Famous building.
See and be scene.
aKa
Café
49 Clinton St. (betw. Stanton and Rivington Sts.)
Tel:
212-979-6096.
The
small-plate menu mixes ingredients (many of them, like pickles and
bialy rolls, from local suppliers) in ways that sound adventurous
but taste incredible. You’ll love having lunch here and the
NYCard will take another bite out of already great pricing.
$10-$25
Insider's choice
10% off with the
NYCard
Alias
76 Clinton St. (at Rivington St.)
Tel:
212-505-5011.
Just
down the street from aKa, this place is a touch more “evening”
: lower lighting, tablecloths, small but serious wine list, but
without sacrificing its funky, laid-back clients and staff. Chef
Scott Ehrlich turns out some pretty big tastes from his mini kitchen
but at far less than midtown pricing. $10-$25
10% off with the NYCard
Bridge
Cafe
279 Water St. (at Dover St.)
Tel: 212-227-3344
Off
the beaten, cobbled track and undiscovered by the South Street Seaport
tourist hordes, this historic 1880’s building offers great
old New York atmosphere. The food is quality-homey American fare
(think garlic chicken with mashed potatoes and sea bass with corn
relish) $25-$40
Carmine's
Italian Seafood Restaurant
140 Beekman St. (at Front St.)
Tel: 212-962-8606
A
real piece of old New York. In fact it's celebrating its 100th birthday
this year. Like the Bridge Cafe above, it is hardly ever discovered
by tourists despite its location a street away from South Street
Seaport. Even the city's most popular restaurant guide misses this
one. And yet, if you like the nostalgic, or just want to join a
few real locals for a drink and some fried calamari at the old wooden
bar you're on the right track. Lobster is often on the menu (Carmine's
is right next door to the Fulton Fish Market) and the scampi over
linguine (ask for it this way even if it's not on the menu) is another
favorite. $15-$40
Cowgirl,
519
Hudson St. (at W.10th St.)
Tel: 212-633-1133.
Fun (and definitely not tourist-y), this restaurant is famous for
its real down-home, American cookin’ (corn breaded catfish,
black bean soup, barbequed ribs, great burgers). In the wonderful
West Village. $25-$40 variable
10% off with the NYCard
Emily’s
1325 5th Ave. (at E.111th St.)
Tel: 212-996-1212
Experience
true down-home Southern cooking and hospitality here in Harlem.
The greens, the ribs and the fried chicken draw folks from well
beyond the neighborhood. $10-$25
Insider’s choice!
Gotham Bar & Grill
12 E.12th St. (betw. 5th Ave. and University Pl.)
Tel: 212-620-4020
Edible sculpture from a kitchen that has trained many of today’s
rising stars. A high-ceilinged, modern space. The prix-fixe lunch
is a true bargain. Chef: Alfred Portale. $40-$60
Top rate cuisine!
Gramercy Tavern
42 E.20th St. (betw. Broadway and Park Ave. So.)
Tel: 212-477-0777
Casually
elegant atmosphere with refined tavern food. Chef: Tom Colicchio.
Prix-fixe only in the dining room. $40-$60
The
Grange Hall
50
Commerce St. (at Barrow St.)
Tel:
212-924-5246.
A
delightful bistro in New York’s prettiest street. American
heartland fare and all produce comes fresh from the farmers’
market. $25-$40 variable makes for reasonable prices and a further
Insider's choice.
10% discount to NYCard holders.
Gray’s
Papaya
2090 Broadway (at W.72nd St.)
Tel:
212-799-0243 and
402
6th Ave. (at W.8th St.)
Tel: 212-260-3532
Hot
dogs and tropical drinks, eaten standing up, 24 hours a day. $10
and below.
Service after midnight.
Live Bait
14 E.23rd St. (at Madison Ave.)
Tel: 212-353-2492
Moody
and real America. The thing to do is sit at the bar and eat fried
calamari and corn-breaded catfish. $10-$25
Service after midnight.
Market Diner
572 11th Ave. (at W.43rd St.)
Tel: 212-695-0415
Diners
are part of the American gestalt. This one is a classic (1950s),
with a seven-page menu and taxi drivers. Get your victuals here
after a visit to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum or a harbor cruise.
From below $10 up to $25
Service after midnight.
Mercer Kitchen, The Mercer Hotel
99 Prince St. (at Mercer St.)
Tel: 212-966-5454
Imaginative
American-Provencal delicacies. Ultra-sleek, but relaxing environment.
Chef: Jean-Georges Vongerichten. $40-$60
See and be scene.
Michael Jordan’s The Steakhouse
Grand Central Terminal, mezzanine level (E. 42nd St. and Vanderbilt
Ave.)
Tel: 212-655-2300.
A
spectacular location beneath the painted arc of the heavens above
the train station’s main concourse. Great meat in a great space.
$40-$60
Famous building.
Oyster Bar & Restaurant
Grand Central Terminal, lower level
(E.42nd St. and Vanderbilt Ave.)
Tel: 212-490-6650
Go
for the oysters, sea urchins, fish roasts and desserts in this vaulted,
no-nonsense landmark. Over a thousand dozen oysters are served here
every day. $25-$40
Famous building.
Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St. (betw. Bleecker and W.4th Sts.)
Tel: 212-691-8211
A
tiny place, with perfect lobster rolls and other New England seafood
specialties. $10-$25
Peter Luger Steakhouse
178 Broadway (at Driggs Ave.), Brooklyn
Tel: 718-387-7400
You
won’t find a better porterhouse, you won’t find smoother
creamed spinach. Yes, you must try this classic combination. Yes,
it is worth the trip. $40-$60
Stingy Lulu’s
129 St. Mark’s Pl. (betw. 1st Ave. and Avenue A)
Tel: 212-674-3545.
Above-average
diner with a hip, cross-dressed clientele. $10-$25
Service after midnight.
Well’s
2247 7th Ave./Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. (betw. W.132nd and W.133rd
Sts.)
Tel: 212-234-0700
Famous
for Mrs. Well’s fried chicken and waffles dish, this Harlem
eatery offers southern soul, big band swing, and jazz trios. From
below $10-$25
Insider’s choice!
World Yacht
See
under Other. Restaurants with views.
10%
Discount with NYCard
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American
