A meal today goes for $225 per person before wine, tax or tip, and that hardly seems enough. In the pursuit of perfection, there is nothing Chef Ramirez won't do.
The bar and lounge at Daniel offer spectacular cocktails in an elegant setting with a unique lounge menu to match. - Inspector
Recommended: Prawn roulade, farm egg with Parmesan foam, goat's milk ricotta gnocchi, halibut, lobster, duck for two, chicken for two, peanut butter and chocolate palette, chocolate tart with caramel. Read more.
Surrender your wallet to Bar Masa and order your favorites from the $400 prix-fixe omakase a la carte. Favorites include duck tacos, torchon of Kobe beef with foie gras and scallop-shrimp ceviche. Read more.
On weeknights, the Salon offers the whole magilla; the entire Per Se menu a la carte! They don’t take reservations so slide behind the blue doors and grab a seat. - Inspector
Your ~25 course meal will have you eating ramen for the next week, but cutting into what looks like a lump of coal to find it’s a beautiful slow roasted beet will make the price more palatable.
Jung Sik Yim, who is said to be the first to apply the techniques of molecular gastronomy to Korean cuisine in Korea, returns to the U.S. to serve some of the same successful dishes here. Read more.
Michael White knocks it out of the park at his high-end Italian seafood spot. Go big on the crudo, followed with pasta and whatever fish they're most excited about that day. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
For the best experience, speak the word omakase. Whether you’re doing the full monty or just sushi or sashimi, put yourself in the meticulous chef’s hands. - Inspector
At A Voce Madison, Missy Robbins offers a regionally-inspired $29 prix-fixe menu weekly at lunch with specially-priced regional wines to match. - Inspector
Recommended: Salumi, verdure, salt cod, calamari, cassoncini, spaghetti alla chitarra, chicken under a brick, branzino. Read more.
You know you’re getting that butter-poached lobster, or the lamb, so work back from there, with wines to match. Oh, man. Read more.
George Mendes innovative take on Portuguese is both impressive and adorable. Bonus points for the enjoyable ambiance, with one of the best chef's counters in town. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The perfect special-occasion restaurant? Adam Platt says it’s “an experience that strikes that delicate balance between modern style, classic technique, and pure, old-fashioned gourmet pleasure." Read more.
You’re not here for fusion food, pal. Get the herring plate, a Carling and a shot of aquavit. Some sweetbreads to follow, a piece of char. Skohl!
The New Nordic Wonder award winner's tasting menu turned the forest’s prickly underbelly—all hairy roots, funky fungi & fallen leaves—into some of the most stunning plates of 2013. Read more.
Recommended: Sea scallop sandwich, sliders, burger, pan-roasted shrimp, lobster, anything pork-bellied. Read more.
Mario Batali's now-classic West Village townhouse restaurant where pastas and offal dishes may redefine what you think of Italian food Read more.
Blanca, winner of the Best Big-Pimpin' Brooklyn award, serves some of New York’s priciest high-concept cooking to just 12 flush diners a night in 20-odd courses of tweezer-plated perfection. Read more.
The menu changes daily, but if by chance you spot the parsnips, cut and cooked to look and taste like risotto…well…get them while you can.
Is there any dish more perfect than a scrambled egg with Comté cheese and black truffles? Why would you consider spending Saturday afternoon eating anywhere else?
Recommended: Scrumpets, onion soup, Caesar salad, terrines, lamb burger, pork belly, pig's foot, fries, cabbage and bacon, sticky toffee pudding, Eton mess. Read more.
The restaurant, a collaboration with Osaka’s Tsuji Cooking Academy, brings kaiseki cuisine—an intricate, formal multicourse feast—into a surprisingly relaxed and accessible setting. Read more.
The soup dumplings are an essential New York bite: Shanghainese xiao long bao with soy-vinegar- ginger sauce. More places to eat like a local: tandl.me/12ufz7c
Chef Andy Nusser has crafted a menu of substantial tapas and medium-sized entrées, done mostly “a la plancha” with unmistakably Catalan flavors; get the duck egg with mojama. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The décor is a work of art at this Murano chandelier–crowned space: rated one of the New York Times’s top ten most romantic restaurants in town.
It's fast without being hurried, delicious without being expensive. Just be ready for crowds. [Eater 38 Member]
If you just want a serious burger, Danny Brown serves a 10 oz Creekstone Farms patty on an English muffin for $15. [Eater 38 Member]
Order the five-course tasting menu, but make it six courses by adding a third pasta. What? You didn’t come here to save money. Read more.
Order seafood salad or tuna tartare. Follow with Thai-spiced lobster or steak. And ask for help on the wine. Do prom right this time around. Read more.
The unofficial official First Restaurant of New York. Though its formal dining room is a bit too too for Eater 38 contention, the front room and its seasonal American menu wins. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Congratulations, you've managed to get a seat at this intimate restaurant! Chef Ichimura serves the same exact cut of fish at different times, for one of the tastiest "before-and-after" scenarios.
Jewel Bako makes for a lovely date night over one of the intimate tables or perched at the expertly-staffed sushi counter. - Inspector
The bar serves a great rye Manhattan, stirred into a frosted martini glass as if at a luxe club in Mumbai. Get it in advance of any meal. Read more.
Kajitsu sells a few exclusive products from Kyoto including green tea and seasonal incense. You can also purchase a container of the mysterious house-made pickled kelp with sansho. - Inspector
Book the kaiseki days in advance and take home your leftover rice for breakfast. - Inspector
Assemble a Negroni, and if you have time and money, order the tasting menu. Otherwise, the best bet is pasta and out. Read more.
Keith McNally's reborn Minetta is a masterpiece—an old New York saloon, modern steakhouse and celeb haunt all in one. The problem: getting in. (The Black Label Burger is worth it.) [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Get the tarte flambé (flammekueche). It's the Alsatian version of pizza! Split it, though--it's crazy rich.
The food is always fresh and exciting, but the service is what you'll remember most once your meal is finished. [Eater 38 Member]
Recommended: Anything from the raw bar, ceviche, any whole fish, king crab, risotto, Napa cabbage, dessert. Read more.
At lunch, Luger’s serves a mean and tasty burger, topped with cheese and some of their amazing bacon if you like. - Inspector
Everything here is fabulous, from cocktails to kangaroo (seriously!). -Gail Simmons, Top Chef.
Rouge Tomate applies their culinary philosophy to the beverage offerings both with and without alcohol. - Inspector
For $27 you can have a 3-course lunch here including a lovely and light dessert. For $7 more, upgrade to one of the more decadent Austrian sweet finishes. - Inspector
Chef April Bloomfield holds her own and then some at New York's top gastropub. Arguably the best restaurant burger in New York is served here, and the gnudi needs no introduction. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Go with the sushi or sashimi omakase here. You surely won’t be disappointed. - Inspector
The original location of Masatoshi “Gari” Sugio's chainlet is still one of the best sushi restaurants in NYC. Start with an omakase tasting, finish with the tempura-fried ice cream. [Eater 38 Member]
Chef Bill Telepan has a gift for cooking greenmarket vegetables, but his menu also includes a few great splurge dishes like the lobster bolognese and the grass-fed ribeye for two. [Eater 38 Member]
Go for the omakase. It allows the yakitori chefs to produce a customized feast of their specialties. - Inspector
Torrisi Lunch is a Hobson's choice between chicken parm and turkey; we say, go turkey. For dinner, arrive around 6pm, they'll give you a time to return to dine later that evening. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Have a 1947 lager and two orders of the Manchurian cauliflower. Some lamb chops and a curry, rice and bread. Ignore the rest. All’s well. Read more.
A few doors down the chef has a wine bar, the Upholstery Store with a global assortment of wines and reasonably priced snack to match with the chefs signature Austrian influence. - Inspector
Modern Mexican from the Jean-Georges Vongerichten team. The pea guacamole and seasonal dishes are the best things on the menu; chicken and rice also stands out.
In a dining world overrun with offal, Québécois heft, and pasta, it's nice to have a meal where a roasted carrot can blow you away. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
No resy, total mob scene, noisy, and absolutely delicious describe the decade-plus-old Brooklyn Italian. Be aware that there's a more accessible wine bar attached. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Excellent, inventive cocktails and small plates from mad food scientist Wylie Dufresne. Come for a nibble or stay for a DIY tasting menu.
Solid food, an exciting wine program (choice bottles are served at cost weekly), and killer terrine. Hey, it's a Daniel Boulud joint, so what else would you expect? [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Minimalist Tokyo noodle export famed for its unique green curry ramen with grilled shrimp and okra.
A charming (and tiny!) restaurant that brings its own point of view to seasonally-minded American cuisine.
Most of what you eat here will be grown, raised, and/or processed on the property, and Barber's modern American food is full of color and flavor. Read more.
After 11pm, it's the best restaurant in the city. But at any hour epic raw bar platters and perfect fondue and the mere 50-odd seats are among the reasons there's always a wait. [Eater 38 Member]
The steak of the day features cuts of washugyu from Japanese Premium Beef, located just upfront. - Inspector
Buttermilk Channel totally respects vegetarians, be sure to check out the special menu. - Inspector
Timing the fried chicken is a guessing game. Batches appear at unpredictable intervals. Sample the other entrees and sides, keeping an eye peeled. The baked chicken is nearly the equal of the fried. Read more.
Get the Foie Gras & Smoked Cheddar Grilled Cheese. Weird, but oozing and delicious, just ask for extra napkins before you dig in.
Recommended: Marinated big-eye tuna, crispy bacon, pork ravioli; roasted sturgeon, scallops; roasted and braised suckling pig, roasted vegetables; gnocchi, risotto; ice cream, sorbets, pain perdu. Read more.
Recommended appetizers: Blood sausage, crispy tripe, veal tongues, iceberg salad, matzo-ball soup, more sausages. Main courses: Arctic char, lamb duo, more sausages. Read more.
The brisket is tender and pleasantly moist, with a thick black crust around the edges. If you play your cards right, you can have a monster feast here for about $35 per person. [Eater 38 Member]
The vanilla cupcakes are refreshingly not a sugar bomb, and the banana cupcakess have intense, delicious flavor.
If you want any chance at doing something else with your afternoon or evening, get there about a half hour before it opens. Order a whole pie; it's not worth the trip to get it by the slice. Read more.
If you're looking for great french pastries, don't miss this staggeringly good bakery from Dominique Ansel, former pastry chef at Daniel.
Best Oatmeal Doughnut: Toasted oatmeal and tiny flecks of cashews, plus sunflower seeds, cranberries, and apricot mix—it's a glorious sight. Read more.
Try the little oyster sandwiches. Sesame-speckled buns each cradle one fat, crispy mollusk, iceberg lettuce and a smear of pickled okra sauce. They’re one of our #100best dishes and drinks of 2011. Read more.
"Superbly tender duck breast is ... crisp on top and glazed with honey-duck jus, but the turnips next door are a comedown, and the portion of duck is so small it’s stressful." Read more.
Recommended: Ham, jam, butter and bread; cured arctic char; nasi ulam; roasted carrots; deep-fried bacon; buttermilk fried half-rabbit; heritage pork ribs; bacon and clams; smoked lamb shoulder. Read more.
Once a trendsetter, now a member of the Williamsburg establishment, Fette Sau serves up a rotating menu of pork and beef ribs that leads some to tag it as the best BBQ in NYC. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The cavatelli pasta alone is worth the trip, but, then, so is the rest of the food and scene here, which is quintessentially Aging Hipster in the best possible way. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
A popular favorite in the area, it doesn't only serve up perfection in pie form. They also offer pastas, salads like their raw brussel sprouts or kale numbers, and killer cocktails. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
For a shorter line and even better food, visit their 52nd Street & Sixth Avenue cart during the day--beats the original.
This restaurant serves one of the best ragus in the city, & the menu always includes a few terrific vegetables dishes, great meat entrees, and gracefully prepared fish courses. [Eater 38 Member]
Order the ma-yu ramen with pork tonkotsu broth—a luscious meaty soup, more cloudy than creamy—with earthy, crunchy kikurage mushrooms and a half-submerged sheet of briny nori.
In the morning, a casual cafe offering light breakfast dishes. In the middle of the day, an Italian delicatessen. And at night, a bustling bar and dining room serving a menu of rustic Italian fare.
Noodle fans line up daily at 5 PM to get a table at this East Village Japanese restaurant before the real crowds form, because the ramen is just that good. [Eater 38 Member]
One of the most unique and delicious ramen shops in the city. Unashemedly inauthentic. A must-visit.
Pubs don't come more oldschool, and some peg Mellon's burger as the best in the city. It's not, but along with Mellon's crispy waffle-cut fries and cold beer, it is a damn good show. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
In accordance with the restaurant’s name—jin is the kanji character for benevolence—owners Isan Chang and Jenny Ko contribute to charities supporting community-revitalization projects. Read more.
If it's not too busy, The Dory is a cool place to pop in for oysters and cocktails. For a special occasion, ask about the chef's table tasting in the kitchen. [Eater 38 Member]
Get a mutton chop with a side of history at this century old steakhouse that offers delicious food, perfect cocktails, & a killer ambiance. Those on a budget can hit up the bar room. [Eater 38 Member]
Dieterle has a knack for fusing Thai cuisine with his own New-American style, and the result is one of the most unique menus in New York right now. [Eater 38 Member]
Toshihiro Uezu’s 12-person sushi bar turns out jaw-dropping nigiri in its purest, most traditional form, delivered from his hands to yours. Read more.
Who can resist the brownie cookie? Dense and chocolaty as a brownie, complete with a crackly shell!
Beef ribs, pulled pork, and beans with burnt ends all excel at Hugh Mangum's modern-looking barbecue joint.
This new-world delicatessen, a Noho spin-off of the Brooklyn flagship, won the title of Best Sandwich Shop in 2013. Read more.
Right now, the menu is full of "greatest hit" dishes like the Kung Pao pastrami and the salt cod fried rice, as well as brand new Bowien creations. [Eater 38 Member]
Dude, it's Momofuku Ssam—arguably chef David Chang's best work, and certainly his most varied. A recent kitchen restaffing brings fresh life to the menu. Order the buttermilk. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Our favorites here are the brussels sprout–pancetta pie (ask them to omit the meat if you're veg), the hot soppressata pie, and the cherrystone clam pizza (only available at the Manhattan branch)
One of our favorite restaurants for upscale Japanese sushi and more (cocktails, too). Though prices are far from cheap, Neta offers a much better value than Manhattan's sushi giants.
A throwback Italian-American sandwich shop from the serious chefs who brought you Torrisi Italian Specialties. The meatball parm and chicken parm are standouts.
The Anise and Anephew is one of our favorite pizzas EVER. But also try the Hellboy, made with Mike's Hot Honey, which is an awesome, awesome condiment. Word.
Order the Crispy Poached Eggs, Caviar, and Vodka Crème Fraîche. Warm, cool, crunchy, creamy — it's a harmonious, special dish! Read more.
After a two-year hiatus, this much-loved southern-inspired Williamsburg restaurant has returned in a new, bigger location to serve arguably the city’s best fried chicken.
Dishes include the grilled Chiang Mai sausage with chili paste, the charcoal-grilled hen and the clay pot-baked white prawns. If you go on a weekend, or when the weather is nice, be prepared to wait.
Get the roasted carrots- which are roasted in olive oil until they're caramelized and creamy, and then dressed with a bit of pomegranate molasses and a shower of cilantro.
Vesper Brett, spätzle, kraut garnie, dry-aged côte De boeuf, Underberg, and you're all set. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Decent to great ramen depending on what you order. Miso ramen, shio ramen, and abura soba are the best of the lot.
Marcus Samuelsson's hotly anticipated Harlem global soul food joint is luring the food lovers and critics from across the city uptown. It's totally worth the trip. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Here's what happens when hipster chefs get it right. Market-driven goodness and go-to pizzas. Check out the Heritage Radio Network, which broadcasts from the dining room on Sundays. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Super Heebster: heat, umami, smoke, salt, cream cheese whipped to ethereal heights, crunchy, snappy roe, silky, voluptuous whitefish salad and bagel w/ nice, shiny crust & pleasantly chewy innards.
Zach Brooks of Midtown Lunch says, "Every fast food burger should be salted like this, seared like this, and should come on a Martin’s Potato Roll."
An endless menu of tripped-out diner food. Order the sliders, the donuts, and all sorts of pancakes, including a macaroni and cheese pancake sandwich with eggs and bacon.
As far out as the Eater 38 ventures. Worth the trip, given that this Thai food is considered to be the best in the five boroughs. If you don't know, now you know: see-PRA-pie. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Chef David has classical training in Japan and will tailor a wide variety of his fresh fish selection to fit your sushi desires.
Sushi Nakazawa is the 10-seat omakase restaurant from former Jiro Ono-apprentice Daisuke Nakazawa. Sushi Nakazawa serves omakase tastings paired with sake, but plans to introduce an expanded menu.
Open until 3am, it's where many of New York sushi chefs go when they finish up work. Sit at the sushi bar, you may see chef Anita lo (annisa) since it's one her favorite places.
Yasuda regulars know their sushi chefs by name and send them Christmas cards. If you're not getting world-class omakase here, you're not at Yasuda. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Offal-freaks will want to try the stomachs, intestines, and tongues, but there are a few steaks on the menu for less adventuresome diners, too. [Eater 38 Member]
Go go go. You will not find a a better sushi experience than at this 10-seat, omakase-only hole in the wall in New York.
Recommended: Pan con tomate, Ibérico ham, smoked pig’s cheek, anchovies, autumn salad, fried fairytale eggplant, croquettes, smoked amberjack, lamb breast, paella, rice pudding, torrijas. Read more.
The plain pie is perfectly charred with a thin, crisp crust that bubbles and buckles in the heat of the coal oven, topped with a bright tomato sauce and sparingly applied dabs of creamy fresh mozz. Read more.
At this small organic noodle-soup joint there are three types of noodles, each paired with a different broth: miso, paitan (creamy chicken) and shoyu (soy-sauce based).
Best destination for the food of the Chinese city of Xi'an in NYC. Try the chewy liang pi noodles or "lamb face" salad, all doused in their alluringly fiery house sauces.
Rare poultry and grilled meat on stick never had it so good. An instant classic in Midtown: affordable, cool, and dependable. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Strikingly original mazeman (brothless) ramen for lunch, plus a $65 seafood ramen omakase menu at night that sells out in a flash.
