NWR: Current NYC recs?

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evan hansen

Evan Hansen
I'm headed to New York for a Weygandt tasting in September, and it'll be my first trip there in probably 8 years. Sadly, my time in town is limited to Sunday morning through Tuesday morning, which has obviously limited my dining options. No Wildair (or Contra), which some folks had told me to visit. But it looks like Racines is an option for Monday evening.

Still, there are so many options that I'd like to avoid "wasting" any time with an uneducated misfire. So I'm hoping this crew can help narrow down the options for this longtime lurker -- for lunch, dinner, and/or drinks. Understanding that this is almost an impossibly broad request given the city in question, I'm up for just about anything and am happy to travel to whatever neighborhood. And I'll probably cram two dinners in at least one night, so I'll be able to visit several places for sure.

Thanks so much for any assistance!
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
originally posted by evan hansen:
Thanks so much for any assistance!
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What do you like to eat?
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The true but not at all helpful answer is "everything." But I do own a seasonal, New American restaurant in Detroit, so I always enjoy checking out that style of fare and just see what other people are doing. I'm obviously a wine drinker, so places with good lists are always appreciated. And I really love Japanese and Korean.
 
For market-driven New American, it's hard to do better than the tap room at Gramercy Tavern. Also, Rose Water in Brooklyn.

And do hit Racines.

For fancy Korean, Jungsik is lovely and has an extensive (if classic) wine list.
 
And go to Diner or Marlow & Sons.

And Rebelle has tasty cooking and a great wine list.

Maison Première is out of this world for its raw bar and prepared dishes, and a thrilling wine list.
 
A cool and un-New York experience would also be to take a ferry over to Red Hook and have a meal at Fort Defiance. Walking around that part of the world is a trip within a trip.

Similarly, Vinegar Hill House.
 
Here you go...

Sunday brunch - Rebelle or Estella

Sunday dinner - Vinegar Hill House or Aska's casual menu

Sunday late evening - Ten Bells

Monday breakfast - Japanese breakfast at Okonomi

Monday lunch - Robertas or Kokage (Kajitsus lunch spot)

Monday dinner - Racines

Monday late evening - Four Hoursemen

Depending upon how much time you have and your appetite I could suggest many more places.
 
And then there's cocktails. I have a friend deep into it and I tag along with him when he visits. Latest circulation is heavily East Village. Some old and new favorites:

PDT
Pegu Club
Death + Company
Booker and Dax
Amor y Amargo
Pouring Ribbons
Cienfuegos
The Third Man

There are many, many, many more.
 
originally posted by Robert Dentice:

Here you go...

Sunday brunch - Rebelle or Estella

Sunday dinner - Vinegar Hill House or Aska's casual menu

Sunday late evening - Ten Bells

Monday breakfast - Japanese breakfast at Okonomi

Monday lunch - Robertas or Kokage (Kajitsus lunch spot)

Monday dinner - Racines

Monday late evening - Four Hoursemen

Depending upon how much time you have and your appetite I could suggest many more places.
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Listen to the Dentice.

Though I'd go with the first with each of the "or" options.
 
All good recommendations in this thread, but they also seem all of the moment. I find it satisfying to search out something that feels a little more timeless, or maybe the correct word would be shopworn, within the New York fray. Even if that means forfeiting some bragging rights.
 
Somewhere between Robert's list and Levi's suggestion --shame that both Four Seasons and Union Square Cafe are not available, not to speak of Alto -- I'd recommend lunch at Untitled at the (new) Whitney. The light is amazing, the food is very good and the wine list delightful. (and delightfully priced.)

I love Roberta's, but continue to find franny's better for veggies, pasta and pizza. Both wine lists are terrific. Roberta's is wider ranging, although i find franny's ultimately better priced and more interesting.

You might also consider Annisa if you want excellent and highly personal (i.e., not copy-cat and copyable) cooking and excellent, gentle service; the wine list, alas, is challenging. Corkage price is not crazy if you feel like BYO'ing.

The wine list at Maialino is great and the food perfectly good. (Another great place for lunch.)

And I heartily agree with Sharon re the front room (the "Tavern") at Gramercy Tavern. No resies, so go early or late.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
All good recommendations in this thread, but they also seem all of the moment. I find it satisfying to search out something that feels a little more timeless, or maybe the correct word would be shopworn, within the New York fray. Even if that means forfeiting some bragging rights.
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Good point, I tried to do a blend of "of-the-moment" and some older places. However my definition of old in this instance is more than 3-5 years.

Lots of great timeless suggestions in this classic Levi Dalton post from 2011:

Levi's NYC
 
That's nice of you, Robert.

The Soho Blue Ribbon Brasserie strikes me as been around the block, been around for some history, still offering excellent food and wine.

Might be an interesting time to go to Felidia, with a new sommelier there.

I have my eye on a particular bottle at Tribeca Grill that I plan to take down soon. Sometimes you can find something really priced amazingly well there.

I am planning to go to the 21 Club coming up, for the first time. Kind of shocks me I've never been.

I guess this is my frame of mind lately, but these are the sorts of places that speak to me right now.
 
I like Levi's 2011 list! And Robert's. If you have time to venture into Queens, I highly recommend Bun-Ker and Khao Kang. Looking at Robert's list, I'd switch Estela and Vinegar Hill House around, going to Vinegar Hill House for brunch - where the sourdough pancake is very good - and Estela for dinner.
 
totally agree with Levi re Tribeca Grill wine list. But as SFJoe used to say, shame you can't BYOF there.

Levi, i'd be very interested to hear what you make of 21; i've only been for private events, upstairs; those were not note worthy on the food side, but i think it is unfair to damn the place based on what they serve for dinners for 80-100 peeps.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
I have my eye on a particular bottle at Tribeca Grill that I plan to take down soon. Sometimes you can find something really priced amazingly well there
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But the food is unbelievably mediocre, and the setting is like unto a midwestern hotel restaurant. I'd go there if in the neighborhood (and have done), but if visiting New York, not on one's life.
 
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