The rush and thrill of Manhattan. I was privileged enough to live near Chelsea for a brief spell which allowed me the chance to get to know New York City and Brooklyn a bit more intimately. For a city that never sleeps, the eating and drinking is unlimited. Here’s an insider’s peek into some cost-friendly finds for those who are seeking an excellent meal while visiting NYC.
Prix Fixe Lunch — Estiatorio Milos
Located on the fifth floor of the newish 30 Hudson Yards address (home of The Edge), a white winding staircase transports you to a heavenly hush-toned dining room overlooking the Hudson River, the Chelsea Highline and architectural wonder The Vessel and The Shed. For US$45 a very filling prix-fixe lunch menu (a la carte also available) flaunts delicious Mediterranean fare, including fresh seafood, lamb and a variety of Greek desserts. If you’re visiting The Edge, or The Vessel and The Shed this is a perfect decompression point, before or after a stroll along The Highline. The view and service are impeccable.
Boozy Late Night Snacks and Drinks — Bathtub Gin
We managed to score a last-minute table on a Friday night at this popular drag show speakeasy. For us, the cocktails and appropriate Gin and Tonic menu were most divine! Bathtub Gin also serves up a selection of rotating cocktails and features a monthly happy hour and higher-end pub food with Gluten-free and Veg options available until midnight. If you also miss the show, fear not — blaring gay anthems keep the vibe going!
Live Music — Arthur’s Tavern
For music aficionados looking for something a bit more local and laid back, Arthur’s Tavern offers a more boisterous vibe with a chatty, friendly crowd. The bar gets packed early, so be prepared to squeeze in at the back if you arrive late. Be sure to check out the cool jazz etchings on the sweaty windowpanes. Standard bar drinks and tasty cocktails are served by well dressed staff.
Christmas 365 Days a Year — Rolf’s
Rolf’s is dazzling. Tagged as “The Most Christmasy Restaurant,” this Gramercy Park and Manhattan staple serves up Christmas 24/7 with a lengthy offering of traditional German cuisine. Think Mussels in a Riesling broth, stews, wursts and any kind of schnitzel you can imagine. Apple crepes and potato pancakes for appetizers. Some simple sides for vegetarians. And almost all German beers and wines you can import! The floor to ceiling red and white Christmas decorations are what make this dining the experience, however. Generous portions are served in a cozy white linen dining room tucked behind a traditional Manhattan bar and booth seating. You will duck and be awestruck by Victorian-style decor of artificial firs, porcelain dolls, icicles and thousands of strung Christmas lights designed by a team of five artists! If German food isn’t your thing, it’s worth popping in for a drink to snap a few photos.
A Step Back in Time — Gage & Tollner
Founded in 1897, Gage & Tollner was a mainstay Brooklyn restaurant for close to a century. Its stately wood paneled dining room, classic chandeliers and timely menu transport the diner back to an earlier New York/Brooklyn. Choose from a classic raw bar with shrimp cocktail, chilled lobster, clams on the half shell and caviar, to creamed spinach, Parker rolls, devils on horseback and a she-crab soup. We enjoyed grass-fed dry-aged steak (as was the food back in yesteryear!) with salsa verde and a perfect Bearnaise sauce, paired with a vintage red wine, their in-house caesar and oysters Rockefeller. They are open for lunch on Friday and a weekend brunch. Dinner reservations recommended.
Pizza for 150 years — L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
This bustling Italian pizzeria serves a full Italian menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner but their wood-fired oven pizzas make it easy to see why L’Antica has been a neighbourhood staple for pizza for over a century. A trip to the Big Apple demands having pizza so we shared a pie to leave room to also sample their delectable sides. Gluten-free pasta options are available as are some substitutions. A simple wine and drinks menu is complimented by a corkage fee for two bottles maximum per table. The softly lit atmosphere lends well for a romantic dinner date or to unwind after a long day with your favourite bottle of vino. Reservations recommended or you can order take out to enjoy at home.
Seinfeld-esque — City Diner
A few large city blocks away from Seinfeld’s famous corner diner and Jerry’s TV apartment, City Diner offers traditional NYC diner fare in an authentic Art Deco setting with fewer tourists. Busy waiters serve up coffee, juices and all-day breakfast alongside burgers, steak, salads and matzo ball soup. I met a colleague for lunch here and felt the need to return to sample more of the long menu. The portions are generous, and they’ve included more trendy items, including bowls, burritos, blintzes and avocado toast to stay modern. The bonus is that it is close to Central Park. You can get take-out to picnic in the park, enjoy a stroll after Seinfeld mapping or pop into the amazing New York Historical Society to walk off City Diner’s hearty fare.
Israeli-South African — Jack’s Wife Freda
We stumbled upon this cute corner restaurant in the West Village after Friday night drinks at the Rubin Museum. It was perfect. I had no idea it was a chain, nor did my friend Robert, who has lived in the city for decades (this is how big the city is!). The menu features Jewish cuisine with a twist. Based on two immigrant love stories, Jack’s Wife Freda is a quaint establishment boasting delicious Israeli brunch staples (shakshuka, and Rosewater Waffles) to comfort foods (matzo ball soup) and yummy sandwiches to tasty keftas, fish mains and an array of vegetarian side dishes. Highly recommended at any time of day.
