Location: 220 Park Avenue South
Cuisine: Japanese
Best Dish: The breakfast buns are by far the best item on the brunch menu. The appetizing filling between the soft steamed buns is a fun alternative to the standard breakfast sandwich.
Overall: A quaint casual eatery that is ideal for a lazy weekend brunch.
Location: 696 Madison Avenue
Cuisine: Italian
Best Dish: We adored the Lamb chops and the Ossobuco, but the Calamaretti was the star. The stuffed was a unique dish that would appeal to any seafood lover.
Overall: A fine space for a dinner with friends or relatives but not ideal for rambunctious kiddies. Families can dine at Nello and often do but the menu may be problematic for the little ones. Nello is a good choice for a very special date night with your spouse or a meal with out of town guests who would enjoy people watching.
Project Sara presents new chefs to the masses with its unique dining experience: Dinner Reconstructed. The concept created by founder Viraj Borkar invites foodies, and gourmets in training, to enjoy an evening of unique dishes and specialty cocktails. The events take place all across the city in chic pop-up spaces created specifically for the evening’s festivities. We were fortunate enough to attend the inaugural dinner last week. For their first official dinner party guests enjoyed cocktails by Jeremy Buck and a sumptuous meal by Chef Eve Garcia. Partygoers gathered in an intimate space within the infamous Starrett-Lehigh building on Manhattan’s west side. Though the location was beautifully decorated and perfect for its purpose the next Dining Reconstructed event will likely be held somewhere else. The concept is that of a speakeasy or a rave; a mobile members-only event that can be held anywhere across the city, adding an element of mystery and intrigue to the menu less dining experience.
Location: 135 West 45th Street
Cuisine: American
Best Dish: The wings were splendid and the mac and cheese was to die for, but the bread pudding was the star of the evening. It was butter and rich without being cloyingly sweet.
Overall: Both the restaurant and the bar are comfortable relaxing spaces. The restaurant is perfect for the whole family but the bar is an impressive space for date night or an evening with friends.
Last night, we stopped by one of our favorite areas, South Street Seaport for the grand opening of Ambrose Beer and Lobster. The grand opening featured the largest and most delicious looking lobster roll on the Seaport – 20 feet long (the length of the bar!). Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails, craft beers, and of course delicious food like pretzel bites, lobster grilled cheese, lobster avocado wraps, Parmesan and truffle French fries. The night also included competitive games of beer pong and dancing, thanks to the sounds of DJ Kalkutta.
Location: 33 East 60th Street
Cuisine: Chinese (Beijing Style)
Best Dish: The ribs are by far some of the best we’ve had thus far.
Overall: Despite its glamorous fans and dress code, Philippe Chow is a comfortable casual dining experience. Though the potential celebrity sightings are a fun and voyeuristic reason to visit the food and exemplary service is what will keep you coming back.
Location: 57 East 57th Street New York, NY
Cuisine:American (Brunch)
Best Dish: We love Eggs Benedict! The Eggs Benedict at the hotel did not disappoint. The sauce was creamy and decadent with a sharp citrus flavor.
Overall: An very impressive hotel to say the least, brunch is a grand way to start your weekend. Of course, with any luxurious dining experience, you can expect to pay a little more. But who cares when you’re getting an awesome experience at a fine establishment.
Location: 39 West 19th Street, NY, New York
Cuisine: Burgers and Lobster (duh!)
Overall: An absolute delight. From the friendly staff to the amazing food, this place rocks! The décor and atmosphere is casual elegance. We suggest you get there now before the weather improves, we are positive this place will be impossible to get into once the mercury rises.