We just returned from a week in NYC, and being my husband’s first visit, we had a lot of ground to cover. When traveling, our goal always seems to be purposefully wandering (vs. aimless)- from neighborhood to neighborhood taking in the restaurants, shops, and significant sights within each. We love to get a local vibe for each neighborhood by watching who lives there, the architecture, and the overall feel, and Manhatten is the perfect city to do just that.
I’ve been compiling a pretty deep restaurant list for some time which is comprised of old favorites, the latest and greatest, neighborhood hide-outs, and hidden gems. I’ve long had my favorite restaurant “groups”, (i.e. Keith McNally, Rita Sodi, and Jody Williams), but have tried to stay up to speed with what’s up and coming, as well as new and eclectic. I like to refer to the Yolo Journal, which has the most extensive New York guide anywhere, in my opinion. It lists not only restaurants, wine bars, and lauded local jazz joints, but also speakeasies, coffee shops, both men’s and women’s shops, vintage finds, and neighborhood recs by well-known locals, like Nate Berkus and Athena Calderone. I also refer to the Goop Guide when traveling, as well as Lié Studio by the Moosgaard sisters. They have a fledgling guide to an assortment of cities and if you follow Ceciilie and Amalie Moosgaard on Instagram, you know they are the epitome of Copenhagen cool.
We based ourselves downtown close to the sight of the Twin Towers and the 9/11 Memorial (which is a must) in the heart of Tribeca. The majority of the restaurants we wanted to try seemed to be concentrated in the southern part of the city, and it’s also a good location close to the Brooklyn Bridge, SOHO, and Greenwich Village.
Restaurants-
I Sodi– Our top pick was this Italian gem from Chef Rita Sodi. Delicate, fresh pasta, a tight Italian wine list, and excellent service in a small neighborhood corner in West Village. If you have to wait for a table (it’s notoriously difficult to score an online reservation), put your name in and grab a glass at the bar, or walk a few steps in either direction around the block and get a drink at Buvette or Bar Pisellino. This was our last dinner of the trip and was a perfect bookend to our first, which was lunch at Via Carota, which was excellent in both atmosphere and fare.
Locanda Verde– meaning “a local place to eat, drink and maybe stay the night” is always a favorite with a lively bar, great atmosphere, outdoor dining, and solid Italian food located in The Greenwich Hotel.
Dante– we went to the location on Hudson, which has a charming interior, cool bar, and great drink list, but wouldn’t recommend booking a table here. Although the food was good, the service was spotty and a bit annoying, so my recommendation would be to grab a stool at the bar, order a martini and baked potato topped with 11 oz of caviar, and watch the entertaining crowd.
Temple Court at The Beekman Hotel- a Tom Colicchio restaurant (think pastas, seafood, pork chop, steak, lamb…) in the most beautiful dining room with a gorgeous lobby bar for a before or after drink.
Le Mercerie Restaurant- lives inside The Guild by Roman + Williams, a beautiful home interior and design store in SoHo. Brunch, lunch, cocktails, and dinner can be enjoyed inside or out in one of the most beautiful spaces.
BG– the 7th-floor cafe in the iconic 5th Avenue department store, Bergdorf Goodman that overlooks the Plaza Hotel and the south entrance to Central Park. Beautiful salads, sandwiches, afternoon tea, and caviar service. A beautiful, decadent room with excellent, white jacket service. One of the best parts is that you have to wind through the most iconic shoe department anywhere, to reach the elevator on your way to the 7th floor.
The Odeon– a neighborhood classic in Tribeca that was once a favorite hangout of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Grab a dozen oysters, a cup of French onion soup, grilled cheese, a plate of french fries, and a reasonably priced glass of Chablis while you watch the locals in a buzzy neighborhood atmosphere. And please don’t forget about their sister restaurant Cafe Luxembourg, which was a business dinner favorite of ours back in the day on the Upper West Side, and beloved personal favorite Cafe Cluny for a cozy dinner in the West Village.
Another long-time favorite is The Little Owl, also in the West Village. “A corner gem with a big porkchop and an even bigger heart.” Charming atmosphere and excellent food are hallmarks of this restaurant group which also operates three other restaurants in the neighborhood.
King. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our reservation here, but we walked by this elegant, understated corner restaurant recommended by Erin French of The Lost Kitchen. The menu looks outstanding and I really hope someone gives this a try. If it’s recommended by Erin, it must be excellent!
Other favorites include but aren’t limited to-
Balthazar– Quintessional brasserie in the heart of SoHo, and the crown jewel of famed restauranteur and red leather banquette expert, Keith McNally. A trip to New York is also not complete without a drink or meal at his other restaurants, Pastis in the Meatpacking District, Minetta Tavern, or pasta at Morandi Restaurant, all in Greenwich Village.
The Tin Building at the historic seaport overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge is definitely worth a look. “A unique market and food hall featuring 12 dining experiences inspired by Jean Georges‘ world travels”, the Tin Building has everything from an oyster bar to a brasserie, coffee stops, specialty grocery, and a hidden Chinese restaurant, House of the Red Pearl with a beautiful dining room and elevated Asian dishes.
For more than a peek view of the Hudson River and the New York skyline, enjoy a special dinner or sunset cocktail at Peak with Priceless in Hudson Yards. “Positioned at the summit of the 1,296-foot tall tower, the restaurant and bar sits one level above Edge, the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Although we did visit Hudson Yards, we did not visit either of these as I have a pretty healthy fear of heights, but photos and reviews of both the restaurant and observation deck are pretty spectacular.
It goes without saying that when in NYC, there are the usual must-see tourist places and sights not to be missed such as Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Central Park, the High Line and Hudson Yards, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Lincoln Center, and various squares and parks like Washinton Square Park, endless museums like the Met, Whitney, and Guggenheim and not to mention a deep, varied, and colorful nightlife. Still, our favorite pastime is to clock those steps and simply wander from neighborhood to neighborhood. We walked from downtown to SoHo, over to the Village and Chelsea; Rockefeller Center to the Upper East Side, through Central Park over to the Upper West Side, and back again. Exploring the city on foot allows you to see, smell, and experience the real New York and the true persona of the people who call it home. There’s no place like it in the world.
Without a doubt- I heart New York.
xo
