Alfama [551 Hudson St,
11th St] [212-645-2500]
The best Portuguese food in New York can be found in the West Village at Alfama.
A great choice of cuisine for a mixed large group as Portuguese is known for
both great game and seafood. I recommend avoiding the desserts though as
they are substantially overpriced relative to both quality and quantity. [21/30]
Basilica [676 9th Ave, 47th St]
[212-489-0051]
A tiny Midtown West hideaway that serves good Italian fare at reasonable prices. [19/30]
Don Pedro [1865 2nd Ave, 96th
St] [212-996-3274]
A very good restaurant on the upper east side, Don Pedro again shows that Cuban
food is vastly underappreciated. It a a good atmosphere and and good service,
along with the explosion of tastes one should expect from this cuisine. Not
quite as good as Alma de Cuba of Philadelphia, but still very much worth
the visit. [22/30]
Doyers Vietnamese Restaurant [11 Doyers St]
[212-513-1527]
If you are in the mood for the some tasty southern Vietnamese for bargain
prices, Doyer’s is your place. Stay away from the token Chinese-like dishes and
try your hand at some authentic Vietnamese (trust me – there is more to the
cuisine than Phở!). Go as a group and take advantage of their cheap fare
(ironically they accept only American Express) by ordering a myriad of dishes.
[19/30]
Euzkadi [108 E 4th St, 2nd Ave]
[212-982-9788]
One could say that the food is explosive and the Basque cake is "the bomb" at
this restaurant, which would be true. It would be overkill (and incorrect) to
say that the staff is fiercely independent though. Joking aside, we had a great
time at this Mediterranean hole-in-the-wall and I would highly recommend the
original dishes (fish wrapped in bacon!). [21/30]
Firebird Reussian Restaurant
[365 W 46th St, 9th Ave]
[212-586-0244]
The décor is made for Tsars, and unless you order the pre-show Prix Fixe menu
($40, which is a steal), the fare will bite. There is also a $100 tasting menu,
which comes highly recommended second-hand. It is a great place to take a
significant other, but don’t come in jeans or you might be beheaded. (NB: the
restaurant gets a 1-point ratings boost as one of the best places to take your
date.) [23/30]
From Rice to Riches [37
Spring Street, Mott St] [212-274-0008]
Those who know rice-pudding say there is no competition, as
FRR serves up gourmet plates of rice-pudding in flavors you thought never would
see the light of day. [NB: yes, this place serves only rice-pudding!]
[19/30]
Grand Central Oyster Bar [89E
42nd St, Park Ave] [212-490-6650]
Reviewers are mixed, and regulars are fiercely loyal. Order
oysters, clams, mussels, or catch of the day (some of the main dishes are
disappointing). A great rest-stop before you depart on the train, but beware of
some overpriced items on the menu. [18/30]
Henry’s Evergreen [1288
1st Ave, 69th St] [212-744-3266]
A civilized dim sum expert in the east 60s, Henry’s
delivers good food at good prices (I was full on $17). [18/30]
Kunjip [9 W 32nd St,
5th Ave] [212-216-9487]
Kun Jip is a busy Korean restaurant located in ktown (a stone's throw from Penn
Station). We were taken there by Ahreum and Dawoon and entrusted the dish
selection to their able discretion. Supposedly they ordered seafood pancake,
seafood bi bim bap, soft tofu soup, gal bi (the beef), and stir-fried kimchee
with pork, and while I have no way of verifying their exact selection, I highly recommend the
place. The best (non-home-made) Korean food I've ever had! [23/30]
L'Ecole [462 Broadway, Grand St]
[212-219-3413]
The students of the French Culinary Institute clearly earn their high marks. the
$30 prix fix is a five-course meal and nothing less than a steal. The service is
friendly and the wine list is rich. It is a great place for a dinner date - with
or without the girl. [23/30]
Le Colonial [149 E 57th St, Lex & 3rd]
[212-752-0808]
French Vietnamese is not your everyday fare: essentially French cooking with
Vietnamese tastes and ingredients, it can be very good indeed. The whole red
snapper did not disappoint, but the overall experience did not blow me away. [21/30]
Le Pain Quotidien
[multiple locations]
Good bread/brunch and decent prices: why not? [20/30]
Lima's Taste [432 E 13th St, 1st Ave]
[212-228-7900]
Lima's is a cozy place with tasty Peruvian offerings. The appetizers were the
highlight, with both "shrimps wrapped in bacon" and "mussels a la Lima" shining.
The "suspiro's Lima" desert is also a must. Downsides were seemingly
disinterested service and not accepting AMEX, otherwise an enjoyable evening.
[20/30]
Mamlouk [211 E 4th St, Ave A]
[212-529-3477]
A value Middle Eastern six course prix-fixe meal at $35 that is worth the
experience. The waitresses are kind albeit somewhat inattentive, but take their
advice about the Lebanese house white. [19/30]
Marseille [630 9th Ave, 44th St]
[212-333-2323]
I have quite a few good memories of having brunch at this place, but
unfortunately the quality of the food has dropped quite a bit in the last
year++. If you're in the neighborhood then I'd recommend going to 44&X instead.
[21/30]
Maya [1191 1st Ave, 65th St]
[212-585-1818]
Maya serves up gourmet Mexican that is anything but usual.
No doubt you pay more for the art on your plate than the portion-sizes, but the
food is certainly good. It is a fun place, but not worth the prices (upwards of
$30 for a main dish). [20/30]
Neuhaus [multiple
locations] [212-972-3740]
Good chocolate, but hardly Teuscher quality. [20/30]
Orsay [1057 Lexington Ave, 75th]
[212-517-6400]
The worst service I've had at any restaurant in NYC. It took an eternity to put
bread on the table, then they wouldn't take our order, and when I gestured to
the hostess requesting service she only shook her head. She then talked to our
waiter, who looked over at our table, laughed, and walked in a different
direction. At this point we got up and left; nor do I intend to ever return. [0/30]
Ruby Foo’s [2182
Broadway, 77th St] [212-724-6700]
An uptown place with a vibrant feel, Ruby Foo’s had an
atmosphere that rubbed off. The Thai-Japanese-dim sum fusion menu is reasonable
priced ($15 per main dish) and with some exciting jewels hidden inside. A good
place to take some friends before hitting the bars. [19/30]
Second Ave Deli [156 2nd Ave, 11th St]
[212-677-0606]
A wonderful deli with great service. Bring friends to share the triple-deckers
for lunch and you shall not need dinner! Thank you mama. [23/30]
Sherry-Lehmann Wine and Spirits
[679 Madison Ave, 62nd
St] [212-838-7500]
I like their selection. [21/30]
Sushi Sen-Nin [49 E 34th St, Madison Ave]
[212-889-5888]
Hands-down the best sushi I’ve had to date. I would
recommend going in groups of three or four. If you decide to go you must
order their large rolls. While Sen-Nin is not nearly as expensive as some of the
other Sushi joints in town, you must still expect to pay around $40 for the
experience. I highly recommend the Royal Sen-Nin, Crazy Dragon, and Rainbow
rolls – each around $30. [26/30]
Tavern on the Green [1
West 67th St, Central Park W] [212-873-3200]
The primary thing the tavern has going for it is its
location – right on the park. If you are seated in a table with a view of the
park, it is no doubt an unforgettable evening. If you are seated in a corner
near an entrance and bathroom it is an equally unforgettable evening. A big
place with modest American-fusion servings, I would suggest the tab ($30-45 per
main dish) is not worth the location. [17/30]
Teuscher [620 5th Ave, 50th
St] [212-246-4416]
The best chocolate I've had in town. True, it is expensive, but bang-for-buck it
is no more expensive than dessert at most half-decent restaurants. [27/30]
Vince and Eddies [70 W 68th St,
Columbus Ave] [212-721-0068]
The open back garden is wonderfully romantic on summer
nights, and sitting inside by the fireplace is equally cozy in the winter. The
food (American-Italian fusion), however, is less impressive by each visit, yet
the pricy tab remains the same (main dishes are around $30). I have too much
nostalgia associated with this place to lower its rating further. [19/30]
Below are restaurants I intend to visit: