Zagat Survey Discussions

I will be in Nyc in the coming weeks and would really like to make the most of it rather than trying to cram all the touristy stuff, so my question is, where should I go to eat that I would only experience in NYC, i.e. (pls. don't say Tavern on the Green even tho it's def. a Nyc destinations!) I guess I'm more interested in where you go that you think is representative of nyc. thanks!

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Please put stuff in the fridge, thanks.

You should go to something NYorkers are proud of like Union Square Cafe, where the food is always good and the service is knowledgeable cool and nice.

Well, the REAL New York meals are (1) Tube Steak (hot dog) from any steetside cart (2) a Diner or Coffee Shop. Order an Egg Cream, if they don't know what you're talking about, you're in the wrong place (3) Carnegie Deli or downtown at Katz's for a shared hot pastrami on rye that's got a pound of meat on it (4 - 10) Ethnic food in ethnic neighborhoods - Chinese in Chinatown, Italian on Mulberry street in Little Italy, Indian on East 2nd Street, Brazilian on West 46th Street, etc. Ask the "natives" half of whom are foreign born (11) Pizza anywhere from a real wood or coal burning oven (12) Fraunces Tavern - food stinks, but it was good enough for George Washington.... (13) Pete's Tavern - O'Henry's old hangout (14) Keens Steakhouse (15) Brunch at Sarabeth's

To narrow it down a little go to Il Cortile on Mulberry Street, Johns Pizza on Bleeker or Arturo's on Houston, Rare for a burger (Rare View if it is still nice outside) or Pete's Tavern or JG Melon, Rolf's for German food, Lugers for a steak if you can make it to Brooklyn (Mark Joseph's if you can't), if The Plaza has re-opened do brunch at the Palm Court. Then head to the airport and roll yourself onto a plane!

If you're looking for an amazing french restaurant go to regate 198 orchard St. Their steaks with shallot sauce is one of the best ive had.

go to MONTES , in the Village at 97 MacDougal's GREAT Italian and great atmosphere

China Town PEKING DUCK

for steak you can go to LUGERS in Brooklyn, But you can get just as good at THE OLD HOMESTEAD in the meatpacking District

GREAT CHEAP BRUNCH is at PETE'S TAVERN in Gramercy Park
GOOD LUCK

Thanks everyone! i will definitely have to narrow it down but this is exactly what i was looking for. THANKS! :)

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Please put stuff in the fridge, thanks.

Please don't go to Rolf's - it's the worst German food in the city. It might be a fun experience to go see the tacky decoration and have a beer at the bar, but skip the food. If you want German food, go to Loreley or Zum Schneider. Even Lederhosen is better and more authentic than Rolf's. Or, my personal favorite, in Park Slope, Brooklyn is Cafe Steinhof. Very very good and the most reasonable of these. Also, though it's Austrian, Blaue Gans in Tribeca is excellent!

Only in New York...... FIamma is fabulous in Soho and Aurora is noisy but fun whether you want to just have a drink ( their bar is quite good) or stay for dinner. For lighter noshing try Fig and Olive, they have a great selection of Bruschetta and salads as well as full meals. They have two locations one on Lexington and 62nd and the other is in the Meatpacking area,  Spigola is on the Upper East side and wonderful too. For a beautiful bar try Brasserie 8 1/2 on 57th between Fifth and Sixth ( look for the big red 9) The staircase makes a wonderful entrance

I agree with GeorgeD487962 about ethnic food in ethnic neighborhoods, and especially enjoy the weekend Dim Sum at Golden Unicorn. Then again, elinas778770 suggested Union Square Café, which we were just at (again), and it is still one of my favorites. I also like Pergola in the theater district and East of Eighth in Chelsea. For lighter eating, don't miss Gray's Papaya or (if they haven't come to you, yet) Cosi.

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So many calories, so little time!

Hi D,

I love the total experience of a restaurant and its environment, not just the great food - therefore:

For Steak: Strip House on West 13th. Great food and unlike most steakhouses which are like a loud men's club, this is a very cool, sexy room. 

For a wonderful view and awesome music: Dizzy's Club Coca Cola in the Time Warner Center. A smallish simple room where small jazz combos (always great ones) perform on a stage with a wall of windows behind them. The windows face Central Park and 59th street looking east. Just beautiful. The menu is simple and well executed southern fare. I think their burger is one of the best.

For its history that is going to change very soon: Take the D train to Coney Island and eat hot dogs and fries at Nathan's Famous. Absolutely the best. Ride the Cyclone or the Wonder Wheel. Walk along the boardwalk or the beach and have a snack. Coney Island is such a quintessential NY place and it is about to undergo some unwanted gentrification. You can also visit the NY Aquarium while you are out there. For dinner you can go to Brighton Beach and eat at of a number of old world Russian restaurants.

For Pizza: As someone previously posted...Arturo's on Houston and Thompson. Very homey, very crowded and very New York. Not brightly lit like most pizza places. The pizza is great - made in a coal oven + they have other down-home Italian dishes. 

Hope you get to enjoy at least one of my suggestions!

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À votre santé

Take the N train all the way to the end of the line and get out at the Ditmars stop. Then walk along Ditmars and/or 23rd Avenue (2 parallell streets) for the best Greek food in the city. Standouts include the recently-remodeled Stamatis on 23rd, Agnandi on 23rd all the way down by the park, and Kyclades Seafood on Ditmars. There is also the nearby Bohemian Beer Hall, which is the last original (ie from the 1800's) beergarden left in NYC. Take a walk down 31st Street--that's the street under the train tracks--and marvel at the Slavic restauranst next to Greek tavernas. Broadway (in Astoria) also has a huge selection of AUTHENTIC (not prettied up for tourists) ethnic eats. For a cheap yet filling meal, hit Mi Tierra Colombiana on Broadway near 32nd (I think--it's on a corner, walk up and down the block until you find it). Then get dessert at one of the Greek or Italian or Colombian bakeries. Enjoy! Bring pants with an elastic waistband!

I agree with some of the previous suggestions. If you want a wonderful, memorable evening:

1. Start with a cocktail at the Rise Bar (at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park). This place has one of the most beautiful, relaxing views in all of NYC (it overlooks the Statue of Liberty).

2. Depending on the type of cuisine and atmosphere you prefer, I can offer a few suggestions. For Steak, Wolfgang's on Park Ave is amazing but loud. Also, Strip House has the best Chateaubriand i''ve ever had. I highly recommend anything BLT... BLT Steak, BLT Seafood, BLT Market,....we adore Laurent Tourendel in this town! For amazing French food, Le Bernardin is a MUST! For Asian, NOBU downtown is a NY favorite.

3. Dizzy's Coca Cola Club is AMAZING! I go there frequently and it still takes my breath away. Even if you are not into Jazz, the experience is a must!

P.S. Make sure to make reservations way ahead of time, unless you want to eat at 11pm! Enjoy NY!

DiliDylann,

I think you have received some excellent advice here. But I woudl caution about Chinatown. Many of the places there are uninspired tourist traps. Get some more specific suggestions. (Same w/ Little Italy, but I agree that youwuil enjoy the meal at Il Cortille). 

Goody's in Chatham Square makes their own noodles and has soup dumplings that are MUCH better than those at over-crowded/over-rated Joe's Shanghai. Golden Unicorn is one of a handful of very good dim sum houses which are a good choice if you want to sample a little bit of everything and are going with a friend or 2.

Welcome to NYC. Have fun!

Go to Bryant Park, wait in line and grab a burger from Shake Shack. Head on over to St. Marks for some Yakitori at Oh! Taisho. Then, book yourself at a fine dining location...somewhere like Per Se, Bouley, L'atelier de Joel Robuchon. I think that'll give you an all-rounded NYC experience...

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