NYC Suggestions

Chelsea Market, and Chelsea.... who knows you might run into Rachel Ray or Bobby Flay! It's the home of the Food Network studios.

I happen to be in NY right now.

Also in Manhattan I like:

Hearth (east village, moderately expensive, superb tuscan influenced cuisine)
Lupa (Mario Batali's second restaurant to the flagship Babbo, featuring cuisine of Tuscany. In Village.)
Landmarc (great food at reasonable price in Tribeca. Locals favorite.)
Balthazar: A perfect replica of a real French Bistro/Brasserie in the heart of Soho.
Grand Central Oyster Bar: Sit at the bar, order oysters and sancerre
Pearl Oyster bar: Sit at a table and order lobster rolls
Otto: Batali's Italian wine bar. Great wine, cheap eats, unreal gelato
For burgers try the burger bar in the Parker Meridien Hotel on 57th.

other consistently good restaurants in manhattan:

Gramercy Tavern
Blue Hill
Montrachet
Veritas
Fleur de Sel
A Voce
Cafe Boulud

Heather, we were in NYC a couple of weeks ago and walked and walked and walked. We happened upon Chelsea Market and I remembered FN has their studios there so we found it and walked through. We're kind of FN junkies, so we were quite excited to be there, but I can tell you they don't play up their HQ at all like they could/should. The markets on the first floor are incredible, though, and there's a decent wine shop, too.

Ron, taking a cue from your past reccos here, we went to Otto and Gramercy Tavern. Gramercy was one of the best restaurant experiences we have ever had - I loved it. Otto was a blast too, but I wished we would have stayed at the bar for dinner. The restaurant tables area was extremely loud. On your recco we had the sea salt and olive oil gelato - good stuff. We also went to Asia de Cuba on recco from concierge. It was trendy and overpriced.

[quote="Heather Y"]
I forgot about the meatpacking district..... Spice Market will NOT be a dissapointment.

Since you are all adults Spice Market is a must- individual lounging rooms for larger parties downstairs all very dark and mysterious and the whole menu is based on Asian street food.

And any place Ron mentioned. I have had some of the best meals of my life at Gramercy, and without question the best service anywhere ever.
If you can't make it to a meal at Balthazar stop by their awesome bakery for a snack.

If you go to the shops on Columbus Circle take a tour of the Whole Foods, 55,000 sq ft with more food stations than I've ever seen in one store in my life. It was the first Whole Foods I'd ever been in and boy was I impressed.

Have a great time.

Heather wrote:

Is Janosek, pronounced Jan-o-check?

it's actually pronounced Jan-o-seck, but back in my 116th street days of heavy metal & debauchery I was Michele Muller - went to Mary Louis Academy - class of '87. My last name now is courtesy of my huuby Mike who grew up in Suffolk County. He moved here w/me when we were still dating - he thought Louisville sounded interesting and packed upto come and join the fun.

Thanks Michele,

Regardless of names, I look forward to meeting you and hubby sometime.

If you ever venture out to the Farmers Markets, check out Beargrass Christian church market, I am there on Sat's! 8-12

Thanks Heather! I will be sure to stop by and say hello

We also went to Asia de Cuba on recco from concierge. It was trendy and overpriced.

I stayed in the Morgans Hotel once where Asia de Cuba is located. I walked downt to take a look and think about having dinner. One look and I decided that it was probably over-priced and more about the scene than the cuisine. In fact, I think that most of Jeffrey Chodorow's places are like that.

Price really isn't an issue...we won't spend money shopping, just eating

So far, we have an evening at Per Se, Mesa Grille, and Da Silvanos. Breakfast at Normas- heard it was great (in the Parker Meridien)...?

I will print out this post for lunches and impromptu dinners! I can't thank you enough. HATE to admit I am not a fan of Batali's places- I know I'm the only one.

I will report back

Hey, there is this swanky bar/restaurant in the Lower East Side called the Stanton Social. I know you would love it.

http://www.thestantonsocial.com/

This is right up our alley- we totally love to pretend we're hip!
I am going to call to see if they hold table- our whole group would fit at those enormous tables...

MANY THANKS

Go to Stanton Social for drinks, not dinner. There are too many other great places to eat and Stanton's food is average at best, although the place is cool.

If you don't like Batali's places (the food I've had at Babbo and Lupa has always been top notch), you should really try A Voce, Insieme, Hearth, or Al di La. I'd also recommend Il Posto Acconto and Cento Vini for great wine bars.

For other liquid refreshment try:

Pegu Club
Angel's Share
Temple Bar
King Cole Bar
Bemmelman's
Schiller's Liquor Bar


as for breakfast, I highly recommend Balthazar.

I've yet to make it to Per Se, but I've heard the food is outstanding.

If money is no object, you should consider some of these:

Le Bernadin
Bouley
Cru
Daniel
Jean Georges
11 Madison Park ( I had a GREAT meal here last fall)
Masa

Walking distance from central park east would be a huge plus for Friday and Saturday nights...any of these uptown?

For other liquid refreshment try:

Pegu Club
Angel's Share
Temple Bar
King Cole Bar
Bemmelman's
Schiller's Liquor Bar

King Cole is very close in the St. Regis Hotel. Bemmelman's is just up Madison in the Carlyle, not a bad walk at all.

Also very close to you is the bar at the Ritz Carlton on CPS, which doesn't suck either.

If you are walking , want to grab something quick & fun try the marketplace in Grand Centrat Station. We stayed in the Hilton above GCS, and walked down to grab quick snack often. Got some great pastries , cheese, bread, & chocolates.

Christian,

Just returned last week, if you do not have Danny Meyer's Eleven Madison on your radar for the trip, you need to dish someone else and get in. It is extrordinary, Chef Daniel Humm is producing truly beautiful well balanced food, fabulous service, one of the best meals I have ever had anywhere.

Christian,

Just returned last week, if you do not have Danny Meyer's Eleven Madison on your radar for the trip, you need to dish someone else and get in. It is extrordinary, Chef Daniel Humm is producing truly beautiful well balanced food, fabulous service, one of the best meals I have ever had anywhere.

I couldn't agree more Chef. I had a killer meal there. They are cool with BYO also, which is nice if you have a great bottle of something to take along. We ordered a couple bottles off the list, and brought a couple of gems as well. Humm is a badass.

Beautiful space as well.

No one has mentioned The Rainbow Grill yet- 68 floors above the city with views going on forever. I took everyone who visited there and everyone loved it except the acrophobic. Jackets are required (they do have some to lend, but they are from the 60's)

King Cole is a wonderful place and the Maxfield Parrish mural was just cleaned and restored earlier this year.

Bemelman's is about as far from hip as you can get- and I love it for that very reason. It feels like stepping back into the NYC of the 1950's- very grownup and posh.

I didn't realize Humm was at Eleven Madison now- I worked with him briefly years ago. He was an extraordinary talent back then, as I'm sure he is now.