New York, New York!

[15peter20]

I am off to the big apple this weekend with my girlfriend and, having never been before, wonder if the ph collective might be able to offer some help. I'd like to take her to a couple of top restaurants - looking for excellent food and a bit of a wow factor if possible. We are staying near Madison Square Gardens so really want to keep any suggestions in Manhattan at least! I realise that is a bit vague but any help is much appreciated.

Other than that I'm planning to take myself to Katz's Deli for lunch one day and tick off some tourist sights (SoL etc.) so any other restaurant tips (dirty or upmarket) and general NY must-sees are encouraged!

Thanks in advance

Edited by 15peter20 on Monday 17th October 20:52

[Rollin]

All New York Threads

[vladcjelli]

Just wander.

We went for a stroll near the UN building, found a small diner where I had a really nice Pastrami sandwich. We had breakfast near Times Square where I had a plate of corned beef hash. A bar we hit just off Times Square had a great big deli type counter with all sorts of meaty goodness behind it. Unfortunately, we had just had our one and only McDs over there, as it looked directly out onto the madness that was Times Square.

The concierge where we stayed recommended a steak house a couple of blocks away, Google reminds me it was called Bobby Vans, there appear to be a couple around New York. Definitely the best onion rings I've ever had. Much loosening of belts was required. Was filled with what looked like city types making a night of it straight after work, which I took to be a good sign if the locals were eating there.

But the best thing about New York is that you should come away telling your own stories, about the places you found as there are so many places to choose from.

[tgr]

Le Bernardin is good, but I think designed with expense accounts in mind

[RDMcG]

Union Sq Cafe is always excellent, and Scarpetta is great for Italian. Spotted Pig is a very good gastropub.

[wijit]

Chinatown area is good, but choose carefully. The theory of "if it's full especially of Chinese people it must be good" can be very untrue there. We found little places on side streets to be very good in terms of value and quality, in that order. Johns Pizzeria on Bleeker Street was particularly good.

[SS2.]

The Gray Line 'hop-on, hop-off' bus tours are a good way to see (and get around) New York.

[dan5oclocksmith]

Get yourself to the Stanton Social.

[5potTurbo]

SS2. said:

The Gray Line 'hop-on, hop-off' bus tours are a good way to see (and get around) New York.

Better when they can't be arsed to collect the fares!

[Naga]

Depends what you want to eat

Full-on testosterone atmosphere of a NY steakhouse then;

Smith & Wollensky's (Wollensky's grill next door often has non-reserve tables
Sparks - Where John Gotti assassinated Paul Castillano
Palm or PalmII - Massive!!

So many other places to choose from - As a previous poster said, just go for a stroll and eat wherever you find en-route

[hollydog]

We went a few years back . Try Pershing Square for bfast . Just out side great central terminal on 42 st . Under the bridge .we found it hard to find any where speical . But do the normal stuff .China town . Theres loads round times square but there all not posh places . The 1 thing i was looking forward to was a big american bars but we just couldn,t find them .
Get to no the concierge of the hotel he should point you in the right direction . Make that the first think you do so you don,t waste time walking round looking .

[benmc]

http://shakeshack.com/ - Great burgers and dogs
http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat4.php - Great burgers in unique setting
http://katzsdelicatessen.com/ - Pestrami on Rye. Ummmm
http://www.danielnyc.com/dbbistro.html - Nice upmarket bistro food
http://www.grimaldis.com/ - Pizza off of Manhatten

Enjoy

Ben

[Shaman]

We went here

http://ellensstardustdiner.com/

for an meal.

Thoroughly enjoyed it as well! The staff are aspiring broadway stars and sing broadway songs whilst serving. The food was decent as well.

Not as high-end as some of the other places but different!

[15peter20]

Thank you all for your replies - some great ideas there and I'm slowly investigating them via google. One place that was talked about a lot on the New York travel threads is the Gramercy Tavern. The menu looks great but no prices; has anyone been there?

[Gold]

http://www.momofuku.com/restaurants/noodle-bar/ - The pork buns are the work of God himself.

[hunt_the_fox]

I'll doubtless be flamed for this but having been to NYC a lot I don't think that the high end dining there is any better than it is in London, if anything I think it is slightly worse in that you certainly get less for your money.

IMO the beauty and strength of NY is the fact that the low to mid range is so excellent- for the kind of money you'd be spending on ASK or GBK or Cafe Rouge you can get some truly brilliant food for the money, your guidebooks are great for this as are the Michelin bibs (not stars). Personally I'd avoid going swanky and visit some of the more quality mid range places for a better bang for your buck and something you won't get over here.

Also make sure you go to the burger joint at Le Parker Meridien, I have yet to find better!