Deli
Carnegie Deli
954 7th Ave. at 55th St
212-757-2245.
Skyscraper sandwiches and communal tables, for a New York deli experience.
Demure
Tea Box Café
693 Fifth Ave between 54th and 55th Sts.
(located on the lower floors of the Japanese department store, Takashimaya)
A sanctuary for Fifth Avenue shoppers, for a serene lunch of a bento box.
Divie But Lively
Menchanko-tie
43-45 W. 55th St., between 5th and 6th Avenue
212-247-1585
Great big bowls or Japanese noodles. Very efficient and economical.
Delicious
Picholine
35 West 64th Street (between Broadway and Central Park West)
212-724-8585
Exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, in a setting to rival the Riveria. $28 prix fixe lunch. Zagats Food Rating "26".
De-Sushi
Sushiya
28 W. 56th St., between 5th and 6th Avenue
212-247-5760
Great sushi, very reasonably priced. One of Alan's faves--and he knows his sushi!!
Diet Healthy
Tossed
30 Rockefeller Plaza
212-218-2525
The freshest salad ingredients and four-star sandwiches. Take-out.
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Expensive
Gramercy Tavern
42 East 21th St, between Broadway and Park
212.477.0777
This is the most popular restaurant in New York. Sublime New American creations, set with service that is relaxed and perfect. If you don't have time for dinner, try out one of the best cocktails in town, the Ginger Tonic, while taking in great conversation, or decide to eat in the less pricey front room.
Union Square Café
21 East 16th Street, between 5th Ave and Union Square West
"Even hardened New Yorkers cry for joy upon getting an 8:30 weekend reservation" at this New American, first-class restaurant.
Moderate
Blue Ribbon
97 Sullivan St, between Prince and Spring St.
212.274.0404
Awesome, no-nosense food, set in a relaxed, dark and hip setting, this is where the chefs of New York go to eat, after they finish their work for the evening. The place is open till 4am. Gear up for a wait though, as no reservations are taken here - but the wait is satisfying in itself - enjoy time at the bar and sitting outside watching the vibrant neighborhood of Soho.
Lavagna
545 East 5th St, between Avenue A and B
212.979.1005.
This small hideaway secret is out, and uptown New Yorkers are making the trip to this East Village spot, for delicious and refined Italian. It has outstanding value and the friendliest staff in New York.
The Odeon
145 West Broadway, between Duane and Thomas Sts
212.233.0507
A classic Tribeca spot - with boisterous New York vibe, and nearly guaranteed sightings of movie stars or models. Great for a group, sit at one of their round tables, and enjoy a great start to a night on the town.
Cheap Eats
VietNam
11-13 Doyers St, between Broadway and Pell St
212.693.0725
This is the authentic place! The wonderful food makes up for the lacking décor, and it is worth the trip to south Chinatown.
Rice
227 Mott St, between Prince and Spring St
212.226.5775
Delectable gourmet rice bowls, in the coolest neighborhood. Eat here before heading east to bar hop on Ludlow and Orchard Sts. Avoid the long waits by getting take away, and have an urban pic nic on one of the public benches.
Sandobe Sushi
330 East 11th St, between 1st and 2nd Ave
212.780.0328
If the wait is long, try their 4th Street location, between 1st and 2nds Ave. Dirt cheap but delicious sushi, will fill you up without emptying your wallet.
Lil' Frankie's Pizza
19 First Ave, between 1st and 2nd St
212.420.4900
Cheap and charming, with excellent pizzas and perfect salads, all under a hip vibe and nestled in the bustling heart of the East Village.
Late Night, at least until 4am
Florent
69 Gansevoort St, between Greenwich and Washington St
212.989.5779
It's a diner grafted onto a French bistro, and offers top-notch people watching, even at 4am. Lively and constantly entertaining, with great moules frites!
L'Express
249 Park Ave, at 20th St
212.206.8686
Great for après partying, this joint will satiate your hunger for burgers and fries - all French, all night.
Balthazaar
80 Spring St, between Broadway and Crosby St
212.965.1414
Yet another late night French spot! This one, far more upscale, can offer an energizing the end of your night, style, substance and terrific fare; the fries are some of the best in all of New York. Divine.
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Town
15 W. 56th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue
(inside the Chambers Hotel)
212-582-4445
For the perfect Manhattan!
Morrell Wine Bar & Café
1 Rockefeller Plaza at 48th Street, west of 5th Avenue
212-688-9370
50 by-the-glass options. If you take us up on the reco, call me at work and I'll come join you since this place is almost right across the street.
Pentop Bar
Peninsula Hotel, 700 Fifth Ave. at 55th St.
212-956-2888
The drinks are pricey and underwhelming, but you're here for the spire-surrounding city views. That's what my sister always told me anyway when I expressed my outrage at the $15 martinis!
Hudson Bar
Hudson Hotel, 356 W. 58th St., between Eighth and Ninth Aves
212-554-6343
You'll feel as if you've stepped into a glossy Versace ad--with everyone playing the same harmless fantasy of the Beautiful Person who's had sex in the city. Rooftop garden is great for outdoor imbibing.
Bemelmans Bar
Carlyle Hotel, 35 E. 76th Street at Madison Avenue
212-570-7189
Old-school hotel bar. Ludwig Bemelmans, illustrator of the Madeline series of children's books, painted the wall murals here and famously took up residence in the Carlyle Hotel, to which his namesake bar is affixed. To bolster the nostalgia factor, live piano-bar music tinkles forth after 9pm nightly. Sophisticated but informal, perfect Mitchell style.
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