Restaurants in Manhattan

What I’m Loving – Ootoya

Cuisine: Japanese | Featured in Reviews

I had nearly given up on eating at the new Japanese izakaya Ootoya in Gramercy.  Every time I tried to stop in for dinner I’d stumble into a fleet of hopeful diners surrounding the hostess stand and come up against an hour or two wait for a table.  Having become very impatient in my old age, I’d sulk near the bar for ten minutes, then head to nearby 15 East or another Japanese joint.  I’d all but given up, but I thought I’d do one last drive-by on the evening of the recent Noreaster.  The room was still buzzing and the eating counter packed, but the snowfall had scared off a few diners, so there was one two-top left in the house.  The counter seats and main dining room were all taken, but I was happy to be indoors, gifted a cup of...

The Breslin

Cuisine: | Featured in Uncategorized

North End Grill

Cuisine: American | Featured in Best Of, Holiday Eats

It’s hard to believe Danny Meyer’s Modern American Grill opened a year ago right around this time.  You could celebrate Thanksgiving or the fact that Chef Floyd Cardoz has been back on the dining scene and as creative as ever.  Either way, you’re in for a great meal.  Chef Cardoz is offering Pumpkin Soup with crabmeat, and a very un-Thanksgiving (and delicious sounding) Lobster Egg Custard with sea urchin and bonito flakes.  And those are only two of the appetizers.  You’ll have plenty of entrees to choose from, including Heritage Turkey with corn bread stuffing and gravy, and Quinoa Mustard Pilaf with mushrooms and chestnuts, communal sides included.  And last but not least, a choice between four holiday inspired desserts including Chestnut Doughnuts with chocolate dipping sauce. Prix Fixe menu, $85/person, 11:30am –...

Back Forty

Cuisine: American | Featured in Best Of, Holiday Eats

A farm-to-table locavore Thanksgiving dinner may not be what you’re used to at home because it’s so much better.  Peter Hoffman crafts a locally sourced, holiday menu at both Back Forty outposts where his large-format, laidback dinner is perfect for a group of family and friends.  The menus vary depending on location, but both offer up a three-course meal, served family-style.  For the first course, you’ll be enjoying either a rich Autumn Vegetable Minestrone with ricotta dumplings, or Chicken Liver Mousse with house pickles.  Second course includes Pumpkin Ravioli, Grass Fed Steak, Salmon, or Turkey Breast.  And for dessert, plan on enjoying a slice of Pumpkin Cheesecake, Apple Pie, or Pecan Tart. 3-course family style, $60/person (East Village) $65/person (SoHo), 2pm –...

Craft

Cuisine: American | Featured in Best Of, Holiday Eats

If you’re looking for a truly traditional Thanksgiving meal that you don’t have to cook yourself, consider making a reservation at Craft this holiday.   This Tom Colicchio original is known for its simple, seasonal and flavorful fare, and their holiday menu follows suit.  Start with a first course of Crisp Bacon with apples, followed by a Roasted Free-Range Turkey, a side of Sweet Potato Puree, and end with a slice of Sugar Pumpkin Pie.  And that’s just one of the options from the American nouveau crafted menu. Prix Fixe menu, $135/person, 2pm –...

Bar Boulud

Cuisine: French | Featured in Best Of, Holiday Eats

The great thing about living in America is eating just about anything is patriotic, including French food.  That’s right.   I said it. Why not have apple tarte tatin instead of apple pie?  Or coq au vin instead of turkey?  If you’re going to do it, do it right.  Daniel Boulud has always set the standard for French in New York, so we suggest you head to Bar Boulud for their  three-course, Thanksgiving menu.  Just how do the French celebrate?   Here, they start with a Peekytoe Crab Salad, or Beef Tartare .  As an entrée, Chef Olivier is cooking Roasted Turkey, Ravioli de Champignons, Mediterranean Sea Bass, or Steak Roti.  And there’s desserts aplenty,  including a selection of glaces, sorbets, and fromage.  Not to mention, they’ve got an innovative and expansive wine list, so it won’t be hard...

L’Apicio

Cuisine: Italian | Featured in Best Of, Fall Foods

If you’re bored of the same old same old, try a new joint.  This is New York City afterall and new restaurants open every few hours.   Besides, these guys have a good track record.  What started with Dell’anima, followed by L’Artusi is quickly becoming a thriving  restaurant empire.  L’Apicio is their newest venture, an Italian-inspired eatery with a long, wood far, expansive and super cozy upfront lounge and plenty of dining.  The decor is industrial meets living room — the perfect combination of cool and comfort — with floating black banquettes scattered around the room and sexy, low lighting.   (Come spring, there will be plenty of outdoor seating in the courtyard, too!)  Enough about the space, let’s talk drinks.  These aren’t your average cocktails at all.  Beverage director (and master sommelier) Joe Campanale has devised a creative list...

Milk & Honey

Cuisine: Bar | Featured in Best Of, Fall Foods

A pioneer on the cocktail scene, Milk & Honey singlehandedly made old cocktails new and exciting again.  If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, this is your Graceland.  This super stylish, Soho spot with an outpost in London is so cool it actually has members, but non-members can thankfully drink, too.  This season, they’ve got an outstanding selection to choose from, organized by Hot Drinks & Flips. Shorts & Sours, Champagne Cocktails, Pick Me Up’s and more. Where to begin? Hmm… well, we’re digging on the Devil’s Share with Bourbon, Orange, Maple, Lemon and Ginger, and the Bumpkin’s Antidote with Cider, Bitters and Sugar.  Ooh, lest we forget the Hot Drinks, the likes of an Apple Toddy with Calvados, Cider, Honey, Ginger, Lemon and Spices.  What are you waiting for?...

The NoMad

Cuisine: American | Featured in Best Of

Restaurant Girl visits The NoMad on her search for the best fall cocktails.

Pouring Ribbons

Cuisine: | Featured in Uncategorized

Restaurant Girl visits Pouring Ribbons on her search for the best fall cocktails.

The Beagle

Cuisine: American | Featured in Best Of

Restaurant Girl hits up The Beagle and its seasonal cocktail selection on her search for the best fall cocktails.

Heartland Brewery

Cuisine: American | Featured in Best Of, Fall Foods

Restaurant Girl visits Heartland Brewery on her search for the best fall cocktails.

Mission Chinese’s Fusion

Cuisine: Global Fusion | Featured in Best Of

After years of working late nights as a line cook, Bowien found that he and his colleagues were always searching for the perfect Asian junk food to eat after work. Hence, Mission Chinese was born.

Flor De Mayo’s Chinese-Peruvian

Cuisine: Global Fusion | Featured in Best Of

With two locations on the Upper West Side, Flor De Mayo is beloved by its neighbors. Perennially busy and sparsely decorated, this Chino-Latino joint has been serving crowd-pleasing dishes for more than 30 years.

La Caridad 78’s Chinese-Cuban

Cuisine: Global Fusion | Featured in Best Of

Another Chino-Latino fusion restaurant on the Upper West Side, La Caridad has been an institution since the sixties. Established by Chinese immigrants who lived in Cuba before the revolution, La Caridad specializes in working-class fare from both countries.

Chinese Mirch’s Indian-Chinese

Cuisine: Global Fusion | Featured in Best Of

As spice is the common denominator between the regions, (mirch means “spicy” in Hindi ) everything on the menu at Chinese Mirch packs some heat, even a bowl of egg drop soup.

Vermilion’s Indian-Latin American

Cuisine: Global Fusion | Featured in Best Of

The woman behind Vermilion, Rohini Dey, is a force to be reckoned with and what Time magazine dubs, “a culinary superstar.”  Following stints as an economist for the World Bank and a consultant at a Chicago financial advising company, Dey, a New Delhi native, was inspired to leave her finance career behind and launch a very novel restaurant concept.  Her idea was to celebrate the shared Arabic and Portuguese culinary influences in Latin and Indian regions and the result are dishes, like Duck Vindaloo Arepas and Artichoke Pakoras with Eggplant Coconut Sauce.  The drink menu is just as international and unique, featuring a mix of lassis, aguas frescas, and “herb and spice” Latin cocktails.   Not to mention that Vermilion’s an unusually sexy restaurant for such seriously ethnic cuisine:  The bi-level space is sleekly outfitted with white woven chairs, glossy wood...

Indochine’s French-Vietnamese

Cuisine: Global Fusion | Featured in Best Of

Another serendipitous result of colonial history, French-Vietnamese cuisine combines buttery Gallic extravagance with the fresh, peppery flavors of Vietnamese chilies, cilantro, and lemongrass.  Indochine has been serving this sexy fusion of flavors for over twenty years.  The room itself feels like a tropical vacation with palm trees, wicker chairs and twirling ceiling fans.   Settle into the swanky digs and start with the Duck Confit Salad, a combination of chopped duck, Napa cabbage, carrots, pear tomatoes, orange, apple, coriander, anointed with a Vietnamese vinaigrette.   There’s a Five Spice-Roasted Hen and Glazed Duck Breast on Bok Choy with Vidalia Onion Sauce.  One of our favorites, a delicious take on the classic French stew, the Vietnamese Bouillabaisse is brimming with sea scallops, prawns, shrimp, baby squid, mussels, and cabbage in a lime leaf and galangal sauce (galangal is a peppery root used...

Amali’s Dreamy Vegetables

Cuisine: Mediterranean | Featured in Dish Spotting

I have to admit that I get pretty excited when a good restaurant opens anywhere north of 30th street.   Sure, we have a few great ones uptown (Dovetail, Boulud Sud, and Marea), but we could always use a few more.  I always a had a thing for Periyali, so I was happy to learn that the same owners had opened another civilized and sophisticated (code for pricey) Greek joint on the Upper East Side last year.  It was called Persephone and it didn’t last long.  The cooking and the space just didn’t have the same warmth or soulful appeal that Periyali does.  I forgot all about the space until I read Adam Platt’s review of Amali in New York Magazine the other day.  Amali is the owners’ second attempt, a do over of sorts, this time with a Mediterranean menu and an...

Empellon Cocina’s Pumpkin Seed Cake

Cuisine: Mexican | Featured in Best Of, Fall Foods

Dessert isn’t usually the first thing most people think of when going for Mexican food.  Then again, you wouldn’t think an acclaimed pastry chef would open a Mexican joint and leave the pastry department to his wife.  You’ll want to broaden your horizons and save room for dessert at Empellon Cocina.  Alex Stupak pushed the envelope at WD-50 and he continues to do so at his innovative and modern Mexican.   One of the best things they’re serving at the restaurant is a Pumpkin Seed Cake.  What arrives on the plate is a long, rectangular slice of moist, spicy cake, topped with crumble, strawberries, cajeta, and drizzled with brown butter. The final touch is an ice cream quenelle.  Heck, we’d pop in for a shot of tequila and this blissfully complicated sweet...