Usually out of towners when they think of New York dining, they think of very lavish, expensive food with interior décor designed by well known star-chitects with even more well known celebrity chef's endorsing the restaurant name. While those restaurants (Olive, Spice Market, or all the Jean Georges for that matter) are fantastic restaurants- they should be, because outrageous sums of money are dedicated to their marketing, and management team, where the taste, quality of food is just one of the important factor in the well oiled machine that is the culinary food experience. However, I want to highlight some of my favorite restaurants that are all a bit under the radar, and should be on your list of restaurants to hit if you are visiting from out of town.
Incidentally, in case you're wondering, I have been living in New York for 7 years, and have tried lots of local cuisine from Asia to Africa, so I do have a palette that enjoys and recognizes ethnic foods. I should also mention that I eat out pretty regularly, about 5 times a week, but I am not in the restaurant biz, nor endorsing any particular restaurant. Just my faves, since great food/ experiences are meant to be shared!
Below is the list of restaurants that I will actually leave my neighborhood on the UWS to dine at- and repeatedly dine at:
1. Casa Mono- Tapas-
Incredibly small space- but they do have a sister wine bar next door called Bar Jamon that allows you to sip on excellent Riojas while you wait. This is also a really smart business tactic, so they never really lose customers to long waits. The food is really based on Catalan style tapas, and not the northern Pinxchos variety, and it is more "done up" than you're typical run of the mill tapas bar that serve tortillas (Spanish omelets loaded in butter and potatoes) and croquettes. They serve a mean razor clam dish, and braised short rib. Although I'm not a fan of sweet bread (that would be brain...) it's pretty darn good from what I've heard. Décor is simple, dark woods, and ambiance is dark and cozy.
2. Sakagura- Japanese/ Sake Bar
A completely random location in the basement in midtown east, but if you're looking for the best braised pork belly, authentic yet exquisite Japanese street food and sake served the way it should be (not in a box, but iced in a traditional hollowed out glass server) this is where you should try. It is in the basement of an office building, but if you go around late April, early May, it is filled with actual cherry blossoms attached to each column. Sensational! There is no sushi there- only prepared cooked food, and no, you won't find any chicken teriyaki there either. The miso eggplant and green tea truffles are to die for.
3. Bon Chon Chicken- Fried Chicken/ Korean-
More of a late night spot, this K-town bar/ restaurant is located on Fifth right off 32nd, and has a seedy looking entrance with a random red velvet rope to go upstairs. Twice I have gone and it has smelled like baby powder, but if you can get past that disconcerting smell- once you taste the fried chicken, you will never have fried chicken anywhere else. Deep fried in olive oil, there are two flavors- garlic and garlic. Go with either one =) And get the spicy ones. They also have popcorn made with cayenne pepper and raisins- bizarre combination, but really tasty. Beer is served by the pitcher. Other Korean food available too- but if you're just looking for K-food- there's more options right around the corner. Here's fried chicken at its best. Incidentally, lots of non-Koreans frequent this spot as well.
4. Bobo- Pan- American cuisine-
Bobo stands for bohemian bourgeoisie- it is hidden downstairs on the corner of 10th street and 7th Ave, and once you enter, you'll feel that you're in someone's townhouse that you secretly wished you lived in. I really go there because the ambiance is so spectacular which almost discredits the excellent menu there, but the décor is to die for. Bookshelves lined with vintage books- crusty chandeliers, and a staircase clad in plaid and wool. Very chic yet intimate. In the summer, the outdoor garden opens up and is a real treat to out outside (sans tents). Get the Wagyu sirloin or the seared sea scallops. Good date spot.
5. Morimoto- Big Box Japanese
It's easy to dislike this meat-packing, cavernous, overly loud Japanese restaurant filled with wait staff trained on ex-banker expense accounts. Owned by Iron Chef Morimoto- filled with beautiful people (on weekdays), it happens to be a cut above the other "Nobu knock-off's" around the corner- Matsuri, Buddah bar, Buddahkan, Tao, or Asia de Cuba- really because Tadao Ando designed the interior. Walking through the half semi circle door with massive flapping curtains makes you feel like you're entering into a time warp, but sensibly done. The large bi-level open space is utilized well by frosted/ dotted glass partitions set on an angle to maximize user space, yet create semi-intimate dining areas. The food is, well, spectacular. Miso glazed cod, rock shrimp tempura are the staples.
6. Fornino- Pizza
Trekking to Brooklyn for good pizza hardly seems worth it, though it seems that enough people do it for that other pizza place (Grimaldi's)- which is highly overrated owing to good PR and press. Fornino's is located on Bedford Ave off 7th and they make the most killer truffle oil/ mushroom pizza. For a closer slice (in Manhattan)- John's Pizzeria is pretty good and worth the hype, though on the wet side. Another nod to good pizza is- Posto pizza in Murray Hill- though they recently kicked out Jimmy Fallon because he bad mouthed another establishment on Twitter with the same management- which is just really just bad for business. Every New Yorker loves Jimmy Fallon.
7. Peter Lugar's Steakhouse- Steakhouse-
Anywhere where they mock you for asking for an espresso or cappuccino is legit in my book. This place actually lives up to the hype, and isn't laden in butter like Ruth Chris or a hit/miss like Prime 112. There are certainly lots of great places for a slab of juicy meat in the city, but I'm listing this place as a steak house because you come here only for steak, and really nothing else though there is fish on the menu. In addition to their steak for share, they have the best key lime pie, and tomato salad (best when loaded with the Lugar steak sauce on top!) It used to be only construction workers, and men in blue shirts that go, but nowadays if you can get a table, its worth making the trip to BK. They only take cash, and yes, their own credit card- the Peter Lugar credit card.
8. Malatesta- Italian Trattoria
Located on the corner of Christopher and Washington, this small intimate Italian restaurant is completely no frills- and only takes cash. The cool wait staff all speak Italian, and they don't take reservations- partially because they know they'll fill their tables at any given night- and partially because they just really don't care about making anyone a priority no matter who you are. (They once made Christy Turlington wait behind me- what?) Pasta is simple, home made, and the way it should be. Get the Spinach Gorgonzola Gnocchi or the rack of baby lamb.
9. Ippudo- Japanese Ramen, cooked food
In the heels of Momofuku Noodle Shop, and Sobaya, comes this new ramen hot spot, Ippudo in the East Village. As much as I love David Chang's usage of Berkshire pork in everything- his soup bases are almost too salty, and "Anglo-saxon-afied" whereas Ippudo's house ramen gets it just right. In addition, the pork buns are also a cut above their competitors. Get the Shisito peppers, pork buns, and try the sake unfiltered if you've never had it that way before. Plan in waiting about 90 minutes for a table, even on a Monday night. There's a bar across the street to get your drink on first, but it's worth the wait.
10. Peasant (downstairs)- Rustic Italian
If you've ever dined at Peasant upstairs, you'll realize just how much Italian you really don't know. Obscure phrases such as "Polpi in Purgatorio" (is that octopus in purgatory?) make you wonder what you've been eating all along in those other Italians places. Food is exquisite, but lets face it, it's easy to find stellar food at $25 per entrée, but how about the same quality food at half price just downstairs? Peasant downstairs is literally right below the one upstairs. You walk through these large wooden doors that are unmarked which feels like you're entering into a bomb shelter- but once you're inside, it's the completely unexpected warm exposed brick and beam construction, thick heavy curtains lining the walls, and flickering candle light on each long slab wooden table that makes you feel that you've just entered a dimly lit Michelangelo Antonioni movie in the 1970's. Romantic, inviting, and the noise level at a good boisterous, but still low enough hear your friends talking. The food is generally meant for sharing- simple salads, rustic pizzas, and a fierce charcuterie plate make this a low key, yet supremely rich dining experience.
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