Where to Dine During NYC Restaurant Week: Winter 2016

NYC Restaurant Week is traditionally hit-or-miss.  Sure, three courses for $25 at lunch or $38 during dinner seems an absolute steal (especially in this day and age), but very few top-tier eateries actually participate.  Well not this year — from Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Keith McNally, to Andrew Carmellini and Daniel Boulud, all of the city’s most esteemed restaurateurs are taking part in the promotion.  And since you only have from January 18th-February 5th to take advantage, what are you waiting for?  Time to start making those reservations now!

ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina: You can visit Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s farm-to-table ABC Kitchen or Mexican-styled ABC Cocina during lunch this year, both located in the Flatiron District’s ABC Carpet & Home.  The former is offering Lentil Soup with celery root, a Veggie Burger with minted yogurt and a Sundae with salted caramel ice cream, while the latter is serving Raw Fluke with green chili dressing, a Crispy Fish sandwich with block olive tartar sauce and Vanilla fritters with warm spiced chocolate; but at $25 for three courses, why not just try both?
38 E 19th St., (212) 677-2233

Bar Primi: Take your pick of excellent Andrew Carmellini spots this year, from the refined newcomer Little Park and the classy French brasserie Lafayette to the all-American oyster bar The Dutch and the pasta-focused Bar Primi; where you’ll enjoy rustic, no-fuss fare like Truffle Arancini, Fusilli Genovese and Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta during dinner or lunch.
325 Bowery, (212) 220-9100

Cherche Midi: Keith McNally’s brassy, stylish steakhouse on the Bowery is taking part in Restaurant Week during lunch service this year, with a menu of veritable classics, such as Dandelion Salad with anchovy vinaigrette and hard boiled egg, Chicken Paillard with roasted tomatoes and aged gouda, and a choice of traditional Apple Tarte Tatin or boozy Baba Rhum.
282 Bowery, (212) 226-3055

DB Bistro Moderne: While dinner at his flagship Daniel obviously isn’t an option, you can actually check out almost any other Daniel Boulud establishment this year, like the sleek DB Bistro Moderne.  No, the infamous truffle and foie gras menu isn’t on offer, but you will find housemade Chicken Terrine, Berkshire Pork Shoulder with butter-braised cabbage, and Grapefruit Pavlova topped with thyme crumble and honey ganache.
55 W 44th St #1, (212) 391-2400

Il Buco Alimentari: Not content to draw the line at lunch, this utterly charming Italian restaurant & market is actually offering a $25 feast during brunch as well.  So while the midday dishes sound incredibly appealing — think Cauliflower Soup, Chocolate Budino and Strozzapreti Bolognese — why not rise and shine for the early morning menu, featuring Poached Farm Eggs with anchovies, Skate Wing with potatoes and peperoncino, and housemade Gelato and Sorbetti for dessert?
53 Great Jones St., (212) 837-2622

The Cecil: At the forefront of Harlem’s current restaurant renaissance, this unique “Afro-Asian-American Brasserie” is open for dinner during this year’s promotion, serving a one-of-a-kind menu of Salt and Pepper Shrimp or West African Beef Suya, followed by Stuffed Poussin Yassa or Braised Pork Shank with collard greens, and Triple Chocolate Cake or “Baobab” — featuring olive oil cake, baobab mousse and lavender honey ice cream.
210 W 118th St., (212) 866-1262