at the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui
It’s hard to believe that it has been almost two years since Todd and I said “I do” on a gorgeous Spring day in Greenville, South Carolina. We celebrated our anniversary last year with a weekend getaway to Savannah and, while it was a great visit, I wasn’t able to completely enjoy myself because I was very pregnant. 36 weeks pregnant. It’s hard to walk on cobblestone streets when your center of gravity is off and your hips are shifting.
This year we decided to go to New York City for five days. We’ve each been to NYC quite a few times, but we’ve never been together. We didn’t want to do too many touristy things, but we did want to see a show every night. We’ll be seeing The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and Jersey Boys while we’re there. We’re both huge musical theater fans and I’m so thankful to have found someone who enjoys it as much as I do. I love New York in the spring time.
photo via here
Here’s where I need your help. Some of my best blog friends have already given me lots of recommendations for places to eat, but I want you to tell me your favorite restaurants, cafes, holes in the wall, dives, and whatever else you want to tell me. Our trip is basically planned aside from where we’ll eat.
I’m definitely feeling committed to Balthazar and that’s about it. We’ll have three evening meals and four daytime meals.
Please tell me your favorite New York City restaurants!
Daniel
Gramercy Tavern
Milos
Jean Georges
Love your blog 🙂
My favorite (all time) NYC restaurant is Picolo Angelo (corner of Jane & Hudson) — amazing Italian food!
The Eatery in Midtown. It is near the theaters. I was there 2 weeks ago and ate dinner and brunch there. It is moderately priced for NYC.
The Palm!!!
There a several Palm restaurants but the original is in NYC. It is fantastic. Same goes for Joe’s Stone Crab (Not Joe’s Crab Shack). It is very, very good!
My favorite memories of my one trip to NY is pizza by the slice on every corner 🙂 YUM! I’d hit this up at least one night when you get out of your show 🙂 I’m pretty sure it’ll be delish no matter where you get it! Have a blast 🙂 We keep talking about making a trip up there – but always run out of vacation days!
Okay having lived in NYC until recently, I have a few favorites.
Fatty Crab (the one downtown not UWS) – Malaysian – Hudson btwn Horatio & Gansevoot
Pio Pio -Peruvian 10th & 44th
Shake Shack – great burger for lunch – Madison at 23rd, its in the park & you sit outside in the park.
Peter Luger’s – amazing steak – Brooklyn
Cafe Cortadito – Cuban – so yummy E 3rd btwn Ave B and C
Nicola’s – Italian – really old school italian – 84th btwn 3rd & Lex
Koi – Sushi – 40th btwn 5 & 6 (basically Bryant Sq Park
If you don’t know about it or haven’t heard you can use menupages.com to check our restaurants, find things in specific locations or cuisines.
Have fun!
Oh wait, there is also
The Spotted Pig – 11th @ Greenwich St. (there is a Greenwich St and Ave make sure you say St if you go) – Its a GastroPub, SO yummy.
Oh pizza – John’s Pizza on Bleeker in W. Village btwn 6 &7 then go up the block to Cones for ice cream they have the most amazing flavors!
I’m SO jealous of yall’s trip!!! I want to be in NYC for a visit 🙂 You will have so much fun. I’ve been wanting to see Mary Poppins! I don’t know if I mentioned Carmine’s. Everyone’s opinion on Italian can be quite different but we really loved it! We went to the one in the theater district. It wasn’t quite and intimate though..definitely loud with family portions!
Oohh! Balthazar is a great choice!
Everytime I’m in NYC, I do my best to get to Serendipity for lunch and a Frozen Hot Chocolate. So yummy!
Also, as you are a Musical junkie….. Have you ever been to The Life Cafe? It was featured in Rent. It’s a bit of a hole in the wall, but really cool…….. http://lifecafe.com/
Hi, I found your blog from Kelly’s Korner. I have been to NYC on 6 girls trips…so fun! There are two places that are great that we love to eat at. First is Carmine’s in the theatre district. It is family style Italian and so good! Also, get a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity! 🙂 Have a great trip. Your blog is so cute!
Were did you get that dress from? I have been following your blog for quite some time and just love the clothes that you wear. All of your dresses are stunning. By the way what type of LV bag is that you were caring in one of the photos. I am in the market for a new bag and can’t decied. I already have the Speedy Bag and would like something with a shoulder strap.
I live in NY and specialize in good, cheap eats so…
Motorino Pizza (rated best pizza in NYC by the NYT)
any of the Indian restaurants on 6th st. between 2nd and 3rd aves. (famous for their food)
Westville in the West Village
16 Handles Fro-Yo on 2nd Ave, I think between 9th and 10th sts.
Have fun!
We did a food tour a couple of years ago in Greenwich Village, and it was fantastic! A great way to learn about the architecture and history of the area as well as sample food from about seven different places. The company was Foods of NY. Have a fabulous trip!
I second Pio Pio. I lived near the one on 91st and 1st for two years. Great sangria and Peruvian food if that is your thing. Also, if you can snag a table, Babbo is amazing! Mesa Grill (one of Bobby Flay’s restaurant) is great as well. I have also heard wonderful things about Cafe Habana and Five Points.. have fun!
I go to NYC for work all the time, here are my very favorites:
– Craft Bar (http://www.craftrestaurant.com/) for brunch – hit up abc carpet and home while you’re in the neighborhood and don’t miss the kids section upstairs
– The Stand (www.standburger.com) you have to get a toasted marshmellow milkshake (it is HEAVEN). Also love Shake Shack on a pretty day or the Burger Joint at the Le Parker Meredian.
– Westville (www.westvillenyc.com) they have homemade oreos
– Smac (http://www.smacnyc.com/) just mac and cheese in any way you can imagine
– Max Brenner Chocolate (www.maxbrenner.com) – so much better than Serendipity
– Blue Ribbon Sushi (http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com)
– Bubby’s Pie Co (http://bubbys.com/)
Hope y’all have fun. My husband and I went about 5 months after Gray was born and had a blast.
For a really nice date night, check out Del Frisco’s in the bottom of the McGraw-Hill building. Without a doubt the best and fanciest dinner I’ve ever had!
Definitely Carmine’s in the theater district! 🙂 YUMMY!
I second Serendipity – it is touristy but such a great experience. I always enjoy getting a drink at 21 (and pretending with whomever I’m with that we’re negotiating some important business deal – pretty nerdy but wildly entertaining). And then pizza and bagels. So much better most anywhere in NYC than what is available to the rest of us.
The Lion King is Ah.Ma.Zing. Seriously.
Hi, Erin,
I’ve followed your blog for a while (I think it was about when you announced your pregnancy), but I’ve never commented before. I don’t even remember how I stumbled upon “The Blue-Eyed Bride” in the first place!
My husband and I went to NYC last summer. We heard about Balthazar on the Food Network (raving about their French Fries). It was a fun spot for sure!
One really fun thing we did was Scott’s Pizza Tour (http://www.scottspizzatours.com/). My favorite of the three pizza places was John’s in the Village (as a previous poster recommended as well). The tour is actually one of the top ten in the country.
We liked A Salt & Battery (http://www.asaltandbattery.com/) for yummy fish and chips. It was a fun place for lunch before we hit Chelsea Market one day. I think we heard about this one from Food Network also!
I would also recommend Extra Virgin (http://www.extravirginrestaurant.com/) for a romantic dinner.
I know you’ll have a blast!
Your friend in the Dallas area,
Sarah
I’m soooo excited that y’all are eating at Balthazar! I hope you have as wonderful experience there as we did.
erin,
happy almost anniversary (from a long-time reader and first time commenter). I’ve got two suggestsions – first is Alta, my favorite restaurant in NYC. It’s on 10th Street right by 6th Avenue. Such a great selection of food, great atmosphere. You can check out the menu at altarestaurant.com. My second suggestion is Otto, Mario Battali’s more casual restaurant. Very moderately priced – you can get a bottle of wine, a cheese course, two entrees and two desserts for under $100. Have a great time on your trip!
Hey!! I LOVE NYC, too!!! Hubby & I made a trip in September of 2007 & 2008 during the US Open, but had to sit out in 2009 because of baby… We’re hoping to renew that trip this fall!! We just saw Jersey Boys in Las Vegas last month & it was so great!! Sounds like you will enjoy all three of those shows! All of them have great reviews!!
A couple of places we have eaten & loved came recommended by my childhood best friend who lived in NYC for several years… You need reservations well in advance for both of these I think. Bond St was great.. Upscale sushi.. Their website is under construction but you can read hundreds of reviews if you google them.. I definitely would not have found it without her rec… Even the taxi driver had a hard time finding it!!
Another place is Peter Luger Steakhouse. You’ve probably heard of this one.. It is in Brooklyn & has been rated the #1 steakhouse for over 20 years in a row.. It was really great. If I think of any more places I will send them your way! 🙂
I’ve only been to NYC a few times, but the last time I was there, my 2 favorite dinners of the trip were at Thalassa and BLT Fish – both were delicious! Enjoy your trip!!
I’m a Southern girl in NYC. I hope I can help.
I see that I’m repeating a couple already on here, but that’s ok. For lunch Cafe Habana- cuban food, definitely get the corn (corner of Prince & Elizabeth). In the Lower East Side there’s Schiller’s and The Stanton Social. You have to get reservations at these two. For a nicer dinner I like Two if by Land, One if By Sea (I eloped in the city and this is where we ate our wedding night dinner) or The Oak Room is really fun in the old Plaza Hotel. I saw some people recommended Carmine’s…it is good but it’s huge portions and loud…not romantic at all and good for large groups. Ocean Grill in the Upper West Side is one of our favorites too. Try the Fatty Crab downtown…it’s great. Also for lunch, stop by the Shake Shack! Love it!
Have fun while you’re here!!!
Angelo’s of Mulberry Street (in Little Italy)- very traditional, think it is the oldest restaurant in Little Italy.
Red Eye Grill- right by Carnegie Hall and Central Park- nice place (steaks, seafood, etc.) Awseome “flying shrimp” appetizer.
Oh you’re going to have so much fun. I love Serendipity, John’s Pizza (mentioned earlier) and Ruby Foo’s, just north of Times Square. I went there with my dad and sister two years ago and we LOVED it! Great atmosphere!
Cafeteria in Manhattan chelsea district…Delicious! Their burgers are so good:0. My daughter saw Mary Poppins last spring and loved it. My Bff and her mom saw Jersey Boys and Loved it…Have fun. I Love New York!!!!
If you like cheesecake, go to Carnegie Deli (http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php) at 7th Ave. and 55th Street for dessert. This hole-in-the-wall place was recommended to me the very first time I went to NYC, and I absolutely LOVED their cheesecake! It is the tallest, thickest, creamiest cheesecake I’ve ever had in my life, and my mom orders one from there every for my birthday! Yes, they ship from NYC all the way to Texas! (The sandwiches are not bad, either!)
Hearing about your trips makes me think about the new Sex in the City that’s coming out…
I’ve never been and while I would love to go, I don’t think it’s on our top 10 places to go yet… maybe in a few years…
Have a great time and tell us all about it! Your dress in that pic is just so freaking cute! I can’t wait for summer to get here!! 🙂
Oh and I forgot to say that I love the idea of you going to a show every night! That might be a huge draw to get this on the top 10 list.
My husband has a theatre minor and I was in theatre throughout high school… they are so much fun and it’s fun when you can share in the joy of them together! 🙂
Hello,
I foind your blog through Kelly’s Korner!! I live in upstate New York and our ALL TIME favorite restaurant is Becco in the theatre district!! It’s an italian restaurant that is VERY reasonably priced and they will make sure to get you to your show on-time. It is owned by Lidia Bastianich, who has her own cooking show, and her son!
Enjoy the city!!
I’ve heard from several family members that Rosa Mexicana is really good. Sadly, I’ve never been there, but they are supposed to have really good guacamole and pomgranite margaritas. Have fun!
How fun! We’ve gone to NYC 2 years in a row and love it! Here’s a few fun brunch/lunch spots that we loved.
Penelope Cafe – great breakfast/brunch spot (but I’m sure the lunch is yummy too) – the pumpkin waffles were fabulous and seemed more like a local place – http://www.penelopenyc.com/
La Bonne Soupe – great lunch spot, we ate there after visiting MoMA – the french onion soup was so good (granted we were there in the winter so soup was more appealing) http://www.labonnesoupe.com/index.php
Hey there! Ok, I never ever comment, but being a native New Yorker I just HAD to! Ok, hands down Victor’s Café on 52nd street in the heart of the theatre districts is hands down the best Cuban restaurant around! As many restaurants in that area they are also sensitive to timing and get you to your show. Have a blast! XX kisses to the baby!
I agree with someone else above that I would definitely go back to the Palm. It was wonderful. I had chicken parmigiana, and it was to die for–not to mention huge! Absolutely amazing. Very nice restaurant with walls filled with caricatures of their most famous patrons.
We also visited The Stage–a restaurant with a Broadway theme. We went for lunch on day one and breakfast before leaving town. Both were amazing. Most menu items had actor names such as the “Kevin Bacon lettuce and tomato.” It sounds cheesy, but it is actually very neat and delicious with a great view of the street near Time Square.
Be sure to let us know what you choose! P.S. Mary Poppins was the one Broadway show we saw while there, and it was great. You will love it!
I just found your blog recently through Kelly’s Korner and have really enjoyred reading it! I also love weddings and home design! My husband and I traveled to NYC as a part of our honeymoon and loved eating at Serendipity and Tavern on the Green. If you go there ask to sit in the Crystal Room. It’s gorgeous and overlooks the garden!
One of my absolute favorites of NYC is Frankie and Johnnie’s. I went there on a “first” date and we had a great experience. Romantic atmosphere with dark wood and a fireplace. They serve family style which was nice because you could pick the vegetables you wanted. It is truly a hole in the wall though, don’t be scared by the location. http://www.frankieandjohnnies.com/steakhouses/frankieandjohnnies.html
I agree with someone else who said Carnegie Deli. Their cheesecake is so good it’s a meal in itself.
I saw Mary Poppins when I sent last September. Totally worth it!
Have a great time!!!
I am so jealous of your trip. Hope you guys have a blast and cant wait to hear all about it.
Hi, I love your blog. Congratulations on your anniversary. I saw Jersey Boys in DC last fall and it was amazing! In NYC I like The Smith (3rd Ave and 11th) for brunch, and I hear great things about the burgers and shakes at the Shake Shack.
Hi there,
Its so fun to read about what places people like. As others have said, the recommendations span from family friendly and boisterous to more intimate and gourmet. Places like Gramercy Tavern and Mario Batalli’s Babbo, well, you just HAVE to make a booking for exactly 30 days in advance, at 10 am EST OR… go to the first come first serve bar/lounge seating (they have tables, not just high tops) and have the same food in a bit more casual of a setting. The food is great at both spots. Even somewhere touristy and casual, like Serendipity, it can be hard to just walk in for a table at peak hours, so consider making a booking.
I have a e-coupon for One if By Land for $30 – email me and I’ll email it to you! My husband took me there for my birthday. Its on a quiet cobblestone street in the west village and just FEELS unique as you approach it. Request a downtairs table by the garden in the back for the best experience. Their upstairs loses some ambiance but is still very nice.
Someone recommened Daniel, which is great for a fancy tasting menu dinner. Of all the tasting menu places, I felt the most full after Daniel – the portions were better sized and delicious! Daniel Bouloud also has a place on Bowery, near Houston, called DBGB, which is good. Its less expensive (but still make a booking!!) and famous for their beer selection and gourmet meat cuts. Its also in a more fun area than the original Daniel, closer to SoHo/Nolita/LES.
I second Stanton Social and recommend it over Schiller’s. Stanton Social has so many awesome plates to share – its kind of loud after 930 or so. But the food is great and creative. Spotted Pig is also very good and popular. Tavern on the Green may not even be open now, there’s been a lawsuit abuot the name and the restaurant has changed hands. Do you watch Top Chef? Tom Colicchio just opened a new restaurant “Colicchio and Sons” next to the High Line. LIke Gramercy Tavern, you can go to the dining room or sit in the less formal dining room and get the same yummy food. Best part though, is that you can enjoy the sunset on the High Line in the Meatpacking District and then wander to the restaurant (which is on 10th Ave, near 15th, I think). Another Top Chef restaurant is Perilla, owned by Harold Dieterle, the winner of the first season of Top Chef. That’s in the West Village too, very cute.
The Palm is fine if you want large portions (I second the comments on the chicken parm – took it home and ate it for lunch the next day, too!) and fancy steak. But its not over the top great. I’ve been there with work and with my husband. We enjoyed it but didn’t find it incredibly memorable. I’d vote for Peter Luger’s for the experience of a famous steak place.
Do you know about half-priced theater tickets on the day of the show? There are two places to get them, one in SouthStreet Seaport and one in Times Square. Probably won’t be able to get Lion King there, but Mary Poppins you almost definately will (I have gotten them half price twice there). Other musicals to consider – I loved “In the Heights,” which is about life in Washington Heights (north of Harlem).
If you are interested in fun cocktail bars, send me an email and I’ll happily send over suggestions for that too!
cafe habana is amazing!! make sure to get the grilled corn. Bianca is super romantic and super yummy and INSANELY well-priced. Downside is it’s cash only and there’s always a wait, but there’s a nice bar next door where they’ll let you wait and come get you when your table is ready. The lasagna and gnocchi are tdf. I love Nolita House for their bluegrass brunch (live music + yummy food). And it is so worth going to Milk, the momofuku bakery, to try the crack pie and the compost cookies. soooooooooooooo yummy!! you’re going to have so much fun!
If you like peanut butter (not sure if you do – I just started following your blog!) try Peanut Butter Company in Greenwich village. It’s a little hole in the wall cafe that sells a variety of different peanut butter sandwich combinations for less than $10 a sammie! They also sell their peanut butter all across the nation and it is FANTASTIC! The white chocolate wonderful is my personal favorite. Check out http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com
Have fun! I LOVE NYC! I was just there for a day over Christmas.
Babbo’s….Sushi Samba in Greenwich Village (I usually see some celebs when I go) and Serendipity for yummy desserts…HAVE FUN!!!
The Waverly! The Four Seasons! So fab. Have a wonderful trip!
Stanton Social is my fave NYC rest. right now. I just went to a birthday dinner there in February and had a delicious meal and a great time. It does get awfully crowded and loud after 10pm though. Super yummy cocktails and great small plates to share. Have a blast!
Congrats & have a great time!!!!
Serge. It’s a French restaurant near the empire state building with an incredible prix fix menu, a super friendly owner who comes out and talks to patrons, and the most delicious French food I’ve ever eaten. Honestly, I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve been to a lot of “hip and trendy” NYC places, and none of them had food that came close to what we’ve eaten here. Have a fun trip!
http://www.brasseriecafecreme.com/
Be sure to get a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting at Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker!
You all should definitely hit up Alice’s Tea Cup either for breakfast or brunch…so good!
Brio has good pizzza and pasta… 137 East 61st Street,
But, for the best pizza…no doubt Lombardi’s
Happy Anniversary!
I have to second Angelo’s of Mulberry Street in Little Italy for Italian. Hands down the best Italian meal I’ve ever had. I’ve been a handful of times over the past 15 years and it’s consistenly phenomenal. If you go to Little Italy, make sure to go around the corner to Ferrara Bakery for cannolis and coffee. So yummy.
Also, Mesa Grill (one of Bobby Flay’s restaurants) is delish. I also love the Blue Water Grill in the Grammercy/Flatiron area for seafood.
Have a wonderful trip!
Home! In Greenwhich Village – really, really intimate / romantic (30 seats!). Millitini took us here last time we were in NYC and it was fabulous!
http://www.homerestaurantnyc.com/index.html
I have to recommend Cascina on 9th and 45th. An amazing, authentic, Italian restaurant. All the food is amazing, especially their homemade pasta. And, they serve homemade wine from their winery in Italy, which is amazing. When it’s nice out, they have seating outside (but under an awning) for about 5 couples. You’ll love it! http://www.cascina.com/ … definitely our favorite restaurant!!
Carmines’ —- Delicious Italian. Fun Environment and big portions!
Carnegie Deli —- the 5th Avenue Pie is “to die for.”
Serendipity —- Frozen Hot Chocolate = a must.
Have a ball!!!
Happy Anniversary! You should try Tom Colicchio’s Craft restaurant…so delicious!
You’ve inspired this Jersey girl to comment…I’ve been reading your blog for a few months, but got excited that you’ll be hitting up NYC…my hubby and I are frequent visitors, living so close! Blue Smoke BBQ on E. 27th…so good…definitely try the pulled pork fried ravioli…you won’t be sorry! 🙂 Oh, and I’ve seen Mary Poppins twice…nothing beats it! 🙂 You’ll be singing for days!
For a romantic anniversary dinner, I recommend Blue Hill in Greenwich Village. It is the best restaurant I have ever eaten at. The menu is full of good choices and they bring you little snacks in between courses – whatever is in season at their farm in Connecticut. It is also cozy and romantic. /http://www.bluehillfarm.com/food/blue-hill-new-york
Dos Caminos is a MUST of you are a guacamole lover (like me). I believe it’s on Park & Fifth or somewhere around there. Also: When I read your blog title “Start Spreading the News”, the New York reference totally went over my head and I thought to myself, “OH MY GOSH she’s pregnant again!!!!”. Hahaha, have a great time in NYC.
I found your blog through Kellys Korner! I just looove all things wedding and baby! Ok, if you’re a fan of turkish food or are willing to try it out I would definitely recommend Turkuaz Restaurant on Broadway! It is absolutely beautiful inside, the food is delicious, and the service is fantastic! Enjoy NY!
Some of the best cheesecake that I’ve had is at Junior’s in Times Square. Very yummy 🙂
I haven’t been up to the city in a couple of years so not positive if these places are still there, but there’s an Italian place in Alphabet city called Supper I loved, smaller place great atmosphere not touristy at all. But if you go be sure to bring cash bc that’s all they take! Also a Mexican place I think maybe in soho could be wrong abt that, Dos Caminos. Prickly pear margarita and homemade guacamole, so good!!
Have a blast, can’t wait to hear all about your trip.
Congratulations on your two year anniversary!!
I LOVED Payard when they still had a full on restaurant (they are just a bakery for the time being, but they are a worth a trip), La Goulou (which is in the process of reopening- YAY!)…some of their staples are being served at Orsay on Lex so you should go, 21 Club (great for a pre-theater dinner!!!) and Butter.
Have the BEST time, all the shows you are seeing are FABULOUS and you are right, you cannot beat the city in the Spring!
We love Sarabeth’s for brunch and tea http://www.sarabethscps.com/, H & H for bagels http://www.hhbagels.com/, and Peter Luger http://www.peterluger.com/ (in Brooklyn) for a really fantastic steak.
Sorry to disagree with someone above…but I would say NO to Craft! We went there when we visited NYC over Thanksgiving this year, and it was HORRIBLE. None of the dishes were great, the waitstaff was rude (to the point of asking my uncle to ‘just stop talking and wait’ while she told us how many dessert items they were out of), and it’s VERY expensive on top of all that.
Happy 2nd year anniversary, and enjoy every minute of New York New York!
So many good recommendations above!! Babbo is incredible, but ridiculously hard to get in unless you eat at the bar (which is worth it). You must stop by Magnolia Bakery for a cupcake. Balthazar is a must and puts you right in Soho. Serendipity is a staple of the city, but be prepared to wait and just plan on eating dessert.
My one must go recommendation is Park Avenue Spring. They redecorate each season and it is amazing and delicious food. Just went their Wednesday for their second day of Spring. YUM and beautiful!
Have a great trip! I’ve lived in NY for 8 years now and Spring is definitely my favorite!
Visit City Bakery for a PRETZEL CROISSANT. To. Die. For. And the hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow is an added bonus.
Shake Shack burger.
Blue Ribbon Bakery.
John’s Pizzeria.
Buono Amici: 40 Peck Slip…hole in the wall, authentic Italian restaurant. Risotto of the day. SO delicious.
Truffle parmesan fries from the Ritz Battery Park Bar. Also has the best bar nuts…for real!
McSorleys is the oldest pub in the US and a really neat place.They have Abe
lincoln’s chair hanging on the wall. http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/
I agree with the other “local” who said it is fun to see where others tell you to go 🙂 Here are my recs:
-Dos Caminos is awesome as a bunch of people have noted, I personally like brunch there even better than dinner. You get a free cocktail with your brunch (you have to try their famous prickly pear margarita). The nice thing is that the regular price of the cocktail is just about the same cost as the entrees- so you are basically getting your meal for free if you were going to get a drink anyway! You have to order the guacamole too though, sooo delicious! Dos Caminos has 3 or 4 different locations, by the way.
-Love Stanton Social for dinner as the others have noted. Make sure to try the short rib tacos. SO GOOD!!
-A lot of people recommended Carmine’s to you. Coming from someone who lives here, I would not waste your time. It is a really fun place to go with a big group, but it’s not romantic AT ALL and it’s a total tourist trap. Lots of people go there for birthday parties, bachelorette parties, etc and it’s great for those.
-If you want something special, do a prix fixe lunch at Jean-Georges Nougatine. It is right on the edge of Central Park and is an absolutely amazing experience. It’s $28 I believe for two courses and dessert, but it is worth every penny.
-A bunch of people suggested Gramercy Tavern. They have a “tavern” section that does not take reservations. If you go there during an off peak time (ie not on a Friday or Saturday night), you can put your name in, go get a drink somewhere else and come back. It is located right next door to my favorite bar, Flute Gramercy, which is a champagne lounge! I don’t know if you will be here on a Tuesday or not, but they do two for one drinks on Tuesdays and it is SUCH a good deal! Flute is really a neat place to go to- they have a location in midtown too if that is more convenient. I highly recommend the champagne mojito 🙂
-Another restaurant in that area is Craftbar. I love it. Trendy but not overpriced and over the top. When I have out of town guests, I almost always bring them to Craftbar.
-If you will be near the upper west side at all (or even if you arent), go to brunch at Calle Ocho. Trust me, this will be your favorite part of the whole trip. They have an unlimited FREE sangria bar that is A-MA-ZING. The banana sangria is my favorite. This place is seriously unreal. It is gorgeous, the food is great, and you can drink all the sangria you want for free (only for brunch though). Highly, highly, highly recommend.
-Definitely stop by Magnolia Bakery for a cupcake or banana pudding. YUM!!
-21 Club has a really great pre-theater dinner, and so much better than a place like Carmine’s would be.
-Shack shack is the best burger you will ever eat in your entire life. I’m not kidding. It’s worth the hype. The Madison Square Park one is more fun because you are in the park, etc, but you will wait in line FOREVER (like, hours, no joke) if you go during lunchtime or any time even close to lunch. The Upper West Side location is MUCH better in terms of the line.
Good luck and let us know where you pick!!!
Otto! Amazing Italian just above Washington Circle, great atmospohere, not too pricey… go early for apperitivo at the authentic Italian marble tables in the bar… you know it’s your turn to be seated by the authentic Italian train station ticker that matched your ticket to an Italian city! Sounds gimmicky, I swear it’s not, I lived in Italy and this place does it justice! Also you must have the olive oil gelato (unique and delicous!)
xo, ACL
Oh you trip sounds amazing!! I have never been to NYC, but I want to go so bad! It looks like you are plenty of great recommendations though. I did want to say that your dress you wore to the luau in Maui is very pretty! Perfect for a luau!
I can´t thank you enough!!
i will be in NY for honeymoon next month, and all those restaurants come really usefull!!!
Have fun in your trip anniversarie!!
First of all, you look SO GOOD in that picture!
In New York, I also love Balthazar, you should go there for sure. They have a “sister” restaurant in the Meatpacking district, Pastis, which I also love. Someone else recommended Gramercy Tavern, you should at least get a drink there! The Algonquin is also a fun place to get drinks. Each time I go to New York I have to pop into Henri Bendel’s for the best shopping! Have a wonderful time!
Go to Garage Restaurant — they have live jazz at night (and I don’t even like jazz!) but it creates a great dinner atmosphere, and the food is awesome: http://garagerest.com/
This place is touristy, but the pizza is good, and it’s kind of cool how the inside used to be a church (you can’t tell from the outside) — make sure to sit away from the windows to actually see the church facade: http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com
This is a hole in the wall, but it’s open 24 hours (or almost) and it has the BEST falafel I’ve ever tasted (actually, it was the first one I’ve tried, and it ruined me for all the others I eaten since): http://mamouns.com/ (the one in MacDougal St is the original one, go there).
Go here for brunch and order the french toast: http://www.frankiesspuntino.com/17/index.php You won’t regret it!
I now miss living in NYC…
Oh my gosh–I could write you an endless list on this! Please let me know if you still need some recommendations. This is my favorite thing to do! If you are looking for a expensive meal–but still the best in the city–you must go to Babbo. Not to confuse you, but one of my favorite places in the planet is a place called Bobo…its a wonderful restaurant in the most adorable townhouse in the W. Village. Again, I could go on and on! Excited for your trip!
My family and I went to NYC last week to find my wedding gown, and we went to some amazing restaurants. We went to Balthazar the first night and it was great. The French fries are incredible (and I NEVER eat French fries, but these were too good to pass up). We also went to Nobu 57, Buddakan, Del Friscos, and 5 napkin burger. They were all great, but my favorite was Nobu 57. It’s pricey but well worth it because the food is unbelievable. If you go, get the rock shrimp and fish tacos!! Enjoy yourselves!!
We were in NYC a week or two ago and ate SO.MUCH.FOOD.
Definitely Balthazar, the french fries are delicious.
John’s Pizzeria on Bleecker Street
If you’re in the mood for an adventure, check out the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown. It’s a true dim sum house and the food is delicious.
Casa Mono was also very good.
And if you’re in Little Italy, stop by Ferrara and pick up something sweet to walk around with! Those were my favorite meals on this trip.
Alto and August on Bleecker also came highly recommended, but we didn’t make it to either. Some friends of ours went to a place called dylan prime steakhouse (love the name, haha) and saw Tyson Beckford, so that sounds like a pretty cool place, no idea about the food!
Have fun!!!
Just now catching up on blogs. Little man is keeping me on my toes! Looks like you’ve got some really good recs. I’ve lived in the city now for almost 3 years so I have tried a lot of these places and would love to try even more. Email me if you still feel like you need recs. Or, you can go to my blog and look under the label Manhattan restaurants. I try to link the restaurants that we’ve tried. If you want to email me the types of food you want or the locations you want I can help you narrow it down. Let me know if you need any other advice. =)
Bar Americain.
This is one of Bobby Flay’s restaurants located in Midtown. I crave this burger anytime I am in NYC, and I do not even eat red meat. It is that good. This s not a burger joint, but the burgers are AMAZING! I also think that the prices are reasonable for NYC. Enjoy your trip!
We used to live on the UWS above Cafe Luxenbourg (70th & Amsterdam), a great place for lunch if you are in the area, the best french onion soup! My favorite place to take friends is the Stanton Social on the LES. You might be underwhelmed with Balthazar since it is pretty touristy these days. Still good food though. Have so much fun and I hope it is nice when you are here!
Just spent a few days in the city last week to visit my boyfriend’s sister and brother-in-law. We’ve been there numerous times over the past few years and each visit feels like we do nothing but eat 🙂
A few of my favorite places:
La Mela (in Little Italy on Mulberry)
Saigon Grill at 90th and Amsterdam
Num Pang (great Banh Mi sandwiches) – we rented bikes one day and rode through the island, stopping to get sandwiches here and ate lunch in a park close by. It’s at 12th Street and University, one block east of 5th Ave.
Rosa Mexicano (62nd and Columbus – there are other locations as well) is awesome – we went to NYC for Valentine’s Day in 2009 and had our V-Day dinner there. The guac and pomegranite margaritas are amazing.
Sarabeth’s at Central Park South has great lemon ricotta pancakes.
Becco at 46th between 8th and 9th has great Italian.
I could go on and on but I’ll stop since you’ve had plenty of recommendations already!
I’d definitely recommend the Num Pang Sandwich Shop for a quick bite and if you have time, riding bikes throughout the city was one of the most fun things I’ve done in awhile. Have a great time!
Oh – I forgot to tell you one last place:
Katz’s Deli – 205 E. Houston (basically where Houston splits into 1st St.)
Best pastrami sandwich. Ever.
Buddakan! – It is incredible! Wonderful menu, atmosphere, and overall experience. We went for NYE and it was truly memorable. This is where Carrie Bradshaw has her rehearsal dinner in SATC movie. Definitely a NYC unique experience… Enjoy and happy traveling!