New York City Restaurant Tips by tomhoward

Restaurant Name: Tao Restaurant & Bar

One word - BREATH-TAKINGLY AWESOME SUPER PARTYVILLE!

Difficult not to get overly excited about this place. Looks pretty unassuming from street-level. Enter via a plastic fly sheet, walk past reception (where you have booked in advance, otherwise turn around and walk straight out again), and into a cool little bar / waiting area. Dark and dingy, with thumping house beats, this bar would work on its own - but here it's only used as a stop gap as your table is prepared.

The main dining area is probably the best eating space I have ever sat in.

A brick cavern on two floors with giant Chinese ceiling rafts hanging above your head. Lanterns and candles provide the light and a DJ (in a purpose built booth - when did you see that last in a restaurant?) spins a background house sound, often accompanied by a wandering bongo player. Surveying the main room is the centrepiece of the restaurant, a 10ft silver Buddha, sat above a shimmering pond of Koi carp (not on the menu). Reminded me of an upmarket, Asian Manumission (without the two mingers having sex).

Food was excellent and service polished - if I ever go back to New York, Tao will be the first restaurant I go to. Ignore everyone who slags this place off... it's the dogs danglies - PERIOD!

Either book through their website or use the fantastic www.opentable.com.

Oh yeah, the final "speed dating" scene from Hitch with Will Smith was filmed in here, along with the episode "Defining Moments" from SATC.

Favorite Dish: GET FREE DRINKS AT TAO

For the most popular Asian restaurant in Manhattan, Tao are quite disorganised and I guarantee you will be sent to wait for your table in the bar (with a little vibrating pager). If you are waiting more than 15mins, start to harass the girl on reception (its her job to bum you off). After a while she will get bored and give you a free cocktail flyer from the stack she has for these eventualities. Don't get paranoid though, unless you are a Knicks player, you will probably be waiting 30-45mins for your 9pm Saturday reservation. Boo Hoo

Shared the Lacquered Roast Filet of Pork to start - the best pork weve ever eaten, so soft as if it had been practising yoga from birth. For mains, the Sea Bass, a soft white steak, and the Mongolian Scallion Chicken. Been having day dreams about both since we left NY.

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Website: www.taorestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: Burger Joint

As if embarrassed about it, this New York burger bar is hidden away within the depths of the sumptuous 4 star Parker Meridian Hotel.

Enter through the main doors, walk past reception, turning left at the large green curtain (think Wizard of Oz).

Following the corridor (and smell of grease, but don't let that put you off) behind the curtain brings you out into another world, a million miles from the plush surroundings of the Parker foyer.

Called "Burger Joint", it's a small restaurant done out like an American teenagers bedroom (no, I didn't see Michael Jackson), that doesn't look pretty, but neither do the burgers (or Jackson).

People come here for one reason, and the constant queue out of the door is testament to it.

Ignore the simplistic HTML website, rough service, and dodgy surroundings, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BURGERS YOU WILL EVER EAT.

New Yorkers give burgers the respect they deserve and it's easy to find plenty of travel guides (even very upmarket ones) that will give you their opinion of the best...

Times Online

Time Out Top 10

New York Metro

Gayot

Favorite Dish: The menu is limited to burgers with / without cheese, and fries... that's it.

Staff have a friendly 'attitude problem' so expect them to take the p*ss out of you NY style when you get to the front of the queue, especially if you havent decided on your ketchup / gerkin / mustard combo.

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Theme: Fast Food
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212.245.5000
Address: 118 WEST 57th STREET
Directions: 118 West 57th Street...

You won't see it from the pavement so look for the Parkers main entrance.
Website: http://www.parkermeridien.com/burger.htm

Restaurant Name: Normas at The Parker Meridien

Not only has this hotel got "Burger Joint", one of the best burgers in New York, they also have what is widely recognised as the best breakfast, in the very stylish (and expensive) Normas.

Expect all the usual breakfast items, including about 20 varieties of egg, as well as a $1000 caviar dish, that they "challenge" you to expense... YEAH RIGHT

Stop here at least once if you come to New York, as I guarantee you will not find a better breakfast. We paid about $30 each, expensive for NYC, but as I've said before, this equates to only £16.

THIS IS THE FINEST BREAKFAST IN NEW YORK.
You would pay at least £11 for a greasy fry up, toast & coffee in a motorway service station back in the good ole' UK. And it would taste like doggie doo dah.

Serves everyday until 3pm

Favorite Dish: Anything on this menu will probably be the best you have eaten.

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Theme: Breakfast
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212 708-7460
Address: 118 WEST 57th STREET
Website: www.parkermeridien.com

Restaurant Name: Zagat Survey

The choice of restaurants in New York is baffling. Fortunately some kind chaps at Zagat have taken to lottery out of finding a good one.

This is the greatest restaurant guide I have ever used. Basically it is a survey / guide of nearly EVERY restaurant in New York.

Each venue is rated out of 30 in categories for food (obviously), service and decor. They also give an indication of approximately how much a typical meal will cost. Forget the book - I found the internet subscription much more user friendly.

You are able to search by the three bands (food, service & decor), by cost, by location, and by type of food.

For instance it will find you a steakhouse in Tribeca, that has a minimum score of 25 for food, but doesn't cost more than $45 a head.

We had a different breakfast, lunch & dinner every day for a week - and with the exception of one (Virgils BBQ), they were all some of the best restaurants we have ever been to.

You quickly realise the high regard Zagat is held in New York, as nearly every good restaurant in the city has its Zagat rating proudly displayed in the window.

A months full on-line subscription to Zagat (giving you access to the best bars, hotels, nightclubs and restaurants) costs a paltry $5.

Other fantastic guides to use - EGullet, Eater, ChowHound, Epicurious, Menu Pages, & Andrea Strong.


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Theme: Other
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter

Restaurant Name: La Fonda Boricua

Wanted to visit places "off the beaten track" in New York so took an afternoon up to El Barrio and Harlem.

El Barrio, or Spanish Harlem, is the name given to the area lying between Fifth Avenue on the west, the East River on the east and 96th Street on the south.

Some guide books warned that it is "more dangerous" than Harlem, although we did not feel threatened in the slightest. In fact it was actually quite pleasant not to be surrounded by the throngs of tourists we were used to further downtown. (Obviously you and your wallet will quickly part company if you came down here at midnight, reading your Lonely Planet guide out loud and posing for pictures).

La Fonda Boricua is a locally famous Puerto Rican diner that has served the local Latino community for many years.

The waiter who served us here was probably the most genuinely friendly and helpful guy we came across in New York. (Unlike at some of the more upmarket places where you get the impression they are simply “serving by numbers” to get a larger tip).

No menus, but there is a choice depending on what the kitchen has in that day. As we had just eaten pizza, we were only here for a taster, but even so, the waiter brought us free drinks to start the meal.

Excellent food, great service and superb value for money.

Was the only restaurant we visited where I was genuinely happy to leave a 20% tip.

Favorite Dish: Fried off the bone chicken with rice and beans

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Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 169 E. 106th St
Directions: btwn Third and Lexington aves, Spanish Harlem
Website: http://www.fondaboricua.com/

Restaurant Name: Grimaldi's Pizzeria

I have used the term "The Best ??? in New York" for a few restaurants, but if you use Zagat you know why. (Its not my opinion, it's theirs). AOL are now in on the act and given Grimaldis 2005 Best Pizza Award.

So, "The Best Pizza in New York" is not actually on Manhattan, but the other end of the Brooklyn Bridge. Called Grimaldis, its a pretty unassuming place, and were it not for the crowds of people outside waiting for a table, you would probably sail straight past.

Don't let the queues put you off. This place is managed like a well oiled machine, and I doubt you will wait more than 10mins for a table, even with a 10m queue. Anyway, theres a great view of downtown and Brooklyn Bridge to keep you occupied.

Pizzas are made to order in their coal-fired oven and will blow you away. Pay a basic price for the base, then add your own toppings.

I suggest taking a taxi to Grimaldis - so you don't have to find it - then afterwards, walk down towards the river to the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory (for dessert) before strolling back over Brooklyn Bridge for the best view of Manhattan you can experience. Alternatively, get the subway to Brooklyn Heights and stroll down Pierrepoint or Montague Street to the promenade work up an appetite, whilst looking at the greatest city scape in the world.

In a close 2nd place for Champion NYC Pizza is Patsys spread around various locations in Manhattan. Loosely connected to this place - as the informative paper place mats describe !

Favorite Dish: Three guesses DUMBO.

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Theme: Pizza
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 718.858.4300
Address: 19 Old Fulton St. under the Brooklyn Bridge
Directions: As you head out of Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge, immediately drop down and to your right as you hit Brooklyn. Double back on yourself so you are now facing Manhattan and you're there.
Website: http://www.grimaldis.com/greatpizza.htm

Restaurant Name: Pastis

Pastis is one in a chain of high class restaurants - the main being Balthazar.

We came here for breakfast on the last day, and I'm disappointed we didn't find it sooner.

Like Balthazar, the owners have gone to extraordinary lengths to make the restaurant look and feel like an early 20th century French bistro - without being tacky. Broken mirrors on the wall are offset by stained and cracked tiling and worn floorboards. Nicotine-stained ceilings are nicely ironic in a city where you can't smoke in public venues.

Was a mellow Sunday morning newspaper vibe when we were there early the first time, but in 2006 at 10.30am on a Sunday it was choas. Expect a wait to get in most times of the day.

I guarantee at least once during your meal you will momentarily think you are in France!

Breakfast menu centred around the simple basics and was great value for money. This place helps make the Meat Packing District one of our favourite NY districts.

Favorite Dish: Full English Breakfast - Sorry to say this was superbly done by Americans in a French restaurant, and beats most fry-ups I've had back in the UK.

Second visit I had the very tasty, but extremely rich, Eggs Hussard. Poached eggs, ham, tomatos, covered in Hollandaise & Bearnaise sauces. A little too exotic when you been up till 2am boozing.

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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-929-4844
Address: 9 Ninth Ave. (Little W. 12th St.)
Directions: Near Greenwich in the "Meat Packing District"

Restaurant Name: Balthazar

The daddy in a chain of quality bistros and bars. Balthazar, like its sister restaurant Pastis, successfully emulates an old Parisian brassiere.

I really can't recommend this place enough, although it's no secret in New York, and youll have to book well in advance to have a hope of getting onto one of the closely packed, but very stylish, tables.

As well as quality food, wines and service, they have their own bakery that serves the whole chain.

Reasonable prices for such a high class French restaurant.

Also used as a location shoot for quite a few TV shows and films.


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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-965-1414
Address: 80 Spring St, Manhattan, NY 10012
Directions: SOHO (between Crosby Street and Broadway)
Website: http://www.balthazarny.com/home.html

Restaurant Name: Oyster Bar

This is the pearl in Grand Central Stations shell. Hidden away in the lower levels of the station, the Oyster Bar can be tricky to find (we stumbled across it by chance).

Serving a variety of seafood, it's one of those places you would just stop for a snack or to pass a few minutes waiting for a train. i.e. wouldn't be my first choice for a meal in New York.

The Oyster Bar has a strange cavernous feel to it, thanks to the tiled concave ceilings that are highlighted with strings of white lights. It retains its original 1910's - 20's features and charm, so much so that it would be easy to think you are Jack Nicholson ordering a drink in the dream sequence of The Shining.

The seating is based on 4 U-shaped mini bars, each served by their own member of staff. One of the largest selections of oysters you'll ever see ranging from about $1.50 up to $3. Our favourites being the Bluepoints that had just the right size / taste combo.

On our first trip here the dippy waitress brought us twice as many oysters as we ordered, and when we refused to pay for them, she gave us a sob story about how she would have to fork out from her own wages. After trying (unsuccessfully) to convince us to eat them, she finally took the uneaten ones back, binning them in front of us.

As you pay on the way out, she then gave us our bill, and $8 of her own cash. We then had a guilt trip and agreed to go halves with her.

Oh, and better take a dollar into the bogs cos Delbert Grady and his cologne collection want some money.

Favorite Dish: The obvious, but saw some great lobsters coming out of the kitchen.

More NYC oyster bars to be found on CitySearch.

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212 490 - 6650
Address: Grand Central Terminal. Lower Level
Directions: 42nd St and Lexington Av
Website: www.oysterbarny.com

Restaurant Name: Bubby's

Decor and service wasn't as good as Pastis (see above) but had yet another quality English fry up here.

Favorite Dish: Wouldn't come here for anything other than a casual breakfast.

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Theme: Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-219-0666
Address: 120 Hudson Street
Directions: Tribeca area
Website: http://www.bubbys.com