My Favorite 'High-End' Restaurants

New York has the best restaurants in the world and you can get anything you like. This journal will focus on restaurants that are 'pricey' even by New York standards. Some I liked and were worth every penny, while others were good, but I wondered if they were worth the price.

You can see my other journals on New York restaurants that focus on a particular theme:

My Favorite Restaurants -- all things considered

My favorite places for good but very cheap food

Quick Tips:

Especially for these restaurants, reservations are definitely needed -- sometimes a week or two in advance.

Best Way To Get Around:

To make the entire evening a high-end dining experience, I recommend you splurge on a car service -- and I don't mean a taxi. For visitors to New York, the car service is usually just as cheap as a taxi and you will ride in the lap of luxury -- in a Cadillac or a Lincoln usually. If you are staying in a hotel or in a doorman building, they will recommend/call the car for you and it will be waiting at the curb when you are ready to go.

I had high expectations and was not disappointed in the slightest. The restaurant is actually an architectural landmark and the dining room is beautiful -- we had the good fortune of sitting next to the pool in the Pool Room. The waiter was extremely helpful and his recommendations were always on the mark - he helped us choose wine, appetizers, entrees, dessert and port.

As for the food it was both interesting and delightful at the same time. I have either had or tasted the Corn Risotto, the Maryland Crab Cakes, the Chipotle Tuna and all of these entrees were great. I've had too many entrees to name, but I really liked the ravioli variations. Make sure you save room for dessert; the creme brulee is perfect. I have also had the cotton candy -- a dessert that was unexpected -- which was fun and surprisingly tasty. Finally, I love great dessert wine and port and recommend you place yourself in the hands of your waiter for the best recommendation for your tastes.

One final note: I did make the mistake of showing up without a jacket and the maitre'd was kind enough to lend me one.

Ironically, one of the best views of Manhattan is from across the East River in Long Island City. The decor is very elegant and enhanced by the magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline (as well as an interesting view of a deserted monastery and the Queensboro Bridge). Try and sit on the deck during warm, summer months.

As for the food, you will not be disappointed by any of the seafood. I went with a large party and got to taste the scallops, mahi-mahi, and tuna (all of which were great). I had lamb and thoroughly enjoyed it. A couple of sides that went over very well with the group included the sauteed spinach and the sweet potato spaetzle. Desserts are definitely worth having -- I had my old standby, creme brulee.

One thing that made this experience even better (and makes guys seem a bit more romantic -- my girlfriend loved this part), was the ferry ride across the East River from Manhattan. The restaurant provides a complimentary boat shuttle from the 34th St. pier next to the FDR Highway. The neighborhood is a little sketchy, but the pier is well lighted and there were a lot of people around.

Every review I had read raved about this restaurant and since it is in my neighborhood, I decided to give it a try for a romantic date night.

The atmosphere is often described as a lush, romantic, 'nymph filled' setting (nymph murals are all over the walls). However, I wasn't overly impressed. It is much smaller than I expected. (You dine within a couple of feet of the next table depending where you sit.) The lighting in some of the rooms was quite bright (not the most conducive to a supremely romantic setting), and the food did not blow me away (although it was definitely solid+). The highlight for me was the bar (which was quite nice). Although (being not overly sophisticated at times), I embarrassed myself by biting into the quail egg finger food at the bar as if they were malt balls -- they were quite good once I figured out what I was eating and how to eat them.

Having said all of that, I want to go back for the Sunday Brunch. I love sweets and the brunch is reputed to cater to 'sweet-tooths'. I very much enjoyed my dessert with dinner and suspect I will enjoy the brunch.

The best part about this dining experience was the atmosphere and ambience. The restaurant is in a quaint brownstone like building which feels more like a small house than your typical New York building. Inside is soothing piano music and a large fireplace that greatly enhances the soothing environment. The only downside (which is characteristic of almost every New York restaurant) is that you are right next to other diners -- I heard all about the next table's business and dating exploits.

I had the lobster risotto and it was fantastic. The Beef Wellington (the signature dish of the restaurant) was also everything you would expect and more. As always, we ordered dessert (the creme brulee and and a cobbler-like dessert) that was wonderful.

The waiter was very helpful (although a little busy at times) so don't hesitate to ask for recommendations.

Markt is another of the trendy restaurants in the Meat Packing District of Manhattan. On weekend nights (the only time I've been here), it is packed with weekend partyers and trendy Manhattanites. The central focus of the restaurant is a long bar where people congregate and wait for tables (which can take a while even if you have reservations). But never fear, the people watching has always proven to be entertaining.

As for the food, the appetizers are good (we always get the mussels and the lobster salad -- my favorite) but not spectacular. The raw oysters are also nice and you will have many varities to choose from. The large seafood samplers are quite eye-catching but a bit pricey. As for the entrees, I try to keep it simple by ordering the steak and frites (a sure thing every time). Every fish dish I have tried has been okay. Desserts are very nice -- particularly the chocolate soufle or anything else with chocolate sauce.

The service is sketchy at best. We had to track down the waiter to pay the bill the last time we were there. But for a very crowded restaurant, you expect the service to be a little slow. So come with friends and enjoy the drinks (when you can get 'em).

Pastis is owned by Peter McNally, a renowned New York restauranteur who seems to always create the next hot place to go. Pastis has proven to be no exception and all of my friends recommended it before I had a chance to go. I've been during the week (when I recommend going) and on the weekend (when it is a mad-house with 2 hour waits) and you better have a reservation. The atmosphere is very reminiscent of an authentic French Bistro as much of the restaurant decor was actually imported to add to the perception of authenticity. The bar is always crowded and trendy New Yorkers try and speak over one another. It's great for people watching, by the way.

As for the dining, you will typically be seated at a long 'communal' table so don't be surprised if you sit next to a stranger. The food itself is exceptional. The mussel appetizer was the most amazing mussel creation I have ever had (high praise given I don't like mussels). The steak and frites was also exceptional and what I would recommend even though you can choose from more exciting options. My friends all liked their dishes and we had a great time.

Tribeca is my favorite part of Manhattan and the Tribeca Grill is a mainstay of the neighborhood dining establishments. Several stars including Robert DeNiro and Mikhail Baryshnikov invested in the restaurant and it is reputed to be a popular place for stars to dine (although I have not seen anyone famous the four times I have eaten here).

The interior is a spacious, warehouse type area that is very well done and a nice backdrop for a nice meal.

The food has always been very solid, though not spectacular. I particularly enjoyed the lamb and every fish dish I ordered. An extensive wine list and lots of interesting menu items to choose from make this restaurant a good, safe choice if you are in the neighborhood.

If you are looking for great Chinese food then you will definitely like Shun Lee Palace. You will get authentic Chinese dishes that are a true delight. The atmosphere is very elegant, the waitstaff exceptional (and very helpful), and the food fantastic. This food is nothing like the typical Chinese takeout many people expect in New York.

I had the Crispy Prawn with Passion Fruits as an entree and loved it. I also had the Dry Sauteed String Beans, and the Steamed Dumplings (both of which were very good). The only weird menu item I had was the Apple Brown Betty (delicious but not authentic Chinese) .

A couple of dishes I would like to try the next time I visit:

- Lion's Head with Vegetables (family-style dish- chopped lean pork shaped like a lion's head, slowly cooked for an hour in a casserole)
- Prawns on banana leaves with curry sauce
- Ant climb on tree (minced beef stir-fried with cellophane noodles in a spicy garlic sauce garnished with greens)

Overall, this is an exceptional dining experience in every way (as long as you can handle paying so much for Chinese food)!

I was looking for a special place to take some business colleagues to celebrate a big deal. The 21 Club was perfect!

First some history:
The 21 Club is a New York institution. It has been around since the times of Prohibition. I have a friend who works with the 21 Club so we were lucky enough to get a tour of the coolest part of the restaurant...the wine cellar. This wine cellar served as a "speakeasy" in the personality. Located in the basement, the wine cellar has a brick door that was used to fool police. It was amazing seeing how the key worked and how people found the right hole. You would never know a door was there if you didn't know the secret. Once inside the wine cellar, it is amazing! Bottles are reserved for famous patrons (both alive and dead). We saw name tags for stars such as Gregory Peck, Richard Nixon and many, many more stars. A private dining room that sits in the middle of the wine cellar is exquisite (and can be reserved for private dining). Another interesting piece of history, all types of items (toys, sporting gear, etc.) hang from the ceiling in the main dining room. Loyal customers bring in these items and on a case by case basis they are selected to be displayed. At first I thought this was a little too much like a sports bar, but the items are actually pretty neat if you look closely.

Now on to the food:
We enjoyed a wonderful four course meal. I had the rabbit salad (very tender and tasty), the ahi tuna (fantastic), and the rice pudding dessert (some of the best I have had). Everyone else had a very nice meal as well. It was a bit pricey (so be prepared), but you will enjoy your meal.
The service was great (albeit a little overwhelming). It seems there are more staff members than diners, so you will be well taken care of. This is true from the moment you walk in the restaurant. Ask your waiter about some of the history of the place. He has probably worked there a long time and he will be happy to talk about some of the history.

After the meal, we used the comfortable lounge area for a quick meeting. Sitting around the fireplace was nice.

My overall assessment: A great place to try, especially if you have a nice expense account and you know someone that will take you on a tour of the wine cellar. The crowd seemed a bit older, but we had fun nonetheless.

I had heard a lot about Rosa Mexicano, but I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked in. The decor was very cool and I didn't feel like I was in a Mexican restaurant at all. There was no cheesy "mexican restaurant decor" and the interior seemed ideal for New York City - very grand, trendy, well designed.

Keep in mind that this is a very popular restaurant, so it was very crowded. I tried to get reservations the same day and was told nothing was available until after 9:30 (which was too late for me on this particular night). I wanted to take my girlfriend to a special dinner, so I decided to take my chances by walking in. The maitre'd was very nice and did fit us in after about 45 minutes at the bar.

As for the food, the guacamole appetizer was fantastic and should not be missed (even if you don't like guacamole). The ceviche appetizer we got was okay but nothing special. As for the entrees, I was very disappointed. I got the shrimp crepas and they were okay, but for the price I expected a much better meal. My girlfriend got shrimp on a skewer which was pretty good, but also disappointing for the price. The desserts were also disappointing and anyone who has read my other journal entries knows that I don't usually have bad things to say about dessert. If you are choosing between the flan and the rice pudding, go with the latter.

Regarding the service, we were happy to get a seat and the waitress was very nice. The appetizers came quickly; however, it took over 30 minutes for our entrees to come to the table...very disappointing.

This is a bit of a scene. We even saw a movie star at the table next to us...one of the main actors from the Drew Carey show. If you want to see a "neat" restaurant and budget is not a consideration, give Rosa Mexicano a try. On the other hand, if you want great food and you don't want to break the bank, definitely go elsewhere.

If you are looking for one of the best restaurants in New York, then the Gramercy Tavern is a really great choice. Without a doubt this is fine dining, with a very inviting atmosphere, excellent service, and outstanding food.

The Gramercy Tavern has managed to create a wonderful dining atmsophere. When you first walk in, the bar/tavern area presents a very open space that provides a nice place to either wait for your table or to sit down and try their cheaper tavern menu. The larger main dining area was very spacious and relaxing as well. It reminded me of a cross between a country estate and a spa (fine paintings, chandeliers, with beautiful spacing, comfortable layout, good acoustics, relaxing lighting).

As for the food, I enjoyed every bite. I tried the lunch prix fixe selection which included fig salad for a starter, braised beef ribs for an entree, and sorbet for dessert. Toss in the bread, the chance to try my friend's lobster salad and dessert and I had a perfect meal. Who would have thought that figs could be so good!!

I don't usually care about the backgrounds of the people behind the food, but in restaurant circles, the Gramercy Tavern has an all-star cast including prominent pastry chef Claudia Fleming (dessert is my favorite so the pastry chef gets top billing with me), chef Tom Colicchio and owner Danny Meyer (who has opened several other top restaurants in NYC including the Union Square Cafe and Tabla).

A few tips:
1. Try the tavern menu and seating if you want to try this restaurant and not spend quite as much. The service and food are just as nice and the atmosphere is a little lighter.
2. Lunch is an easy way to get reservations.
3. Try the cheese menu and ask for recommendations from the wine list (both are exceptional but being a novice in both areas, I needed help from the waiter).
4. Save this restaurant for a special occasion if money is an issue because you should try every course and as many items as possible. The food is truly fantastic.
5. Check out Union Square after your meal. It is pretty hopping most nights and always good for people watching.

Definitely one of my top 10 favorites!

The Park is taking its turn as one of the "hot" restaurants in New York City. One of the first things I noticed when I walked in the doors was the scene: lots of pretty people and a really cool place to hang out or have a fabulous meal.

The Park has a few different sections. We dined outside on the patio which, by New York standards, is huge. It comes complete with several trees and lots of open space which positively added to the dining experience (if you can overlook the fact that most of the tables are tucked so close together). The inside dining room was very nice as well and had a more upscale, trendy feel to it. Plus the bar was very cool and I can imagine many people come to just hang out and meet/drink.

As for the food, we thoroughly enjoyed everything that we ordered. I highly recommend the sliced steak and artichoke salad (the artichoke was surprisingly good) and the apple wood smoked halibut (which had a unique and very delicious flavor). The pappardelle with roasted mushrooms, asparagus and sweet corn was nice as well (particularly if you want something pretty light and vegetarian).

Save room for dessert. Both the lavender strawberry shortcake and the mixed berry crisp were fantastic. The table next to ours had the banana beignets and everyone seemed to be enjoying them immensely.

A few other things:
1. The service was superb (very attentive with everything well paced).
2. The location is a bit odd and the restaurant is on a crappy section of 10th Avenue but once inside you immediately forget about that.
3. This is a great place to go if you are trying to impress someone or you want to show people that you know the best places in New York.
4. I highly recommend this restaurant, but be prepared to shell out some bucks. All things considered, this was a great dining experience.

Note: I will add a couple of pictures later this week.

Craft is definitely one of my favorite restaurants. The ambiance is exceptional (lively, well designed interior but not too loud), the staff was very friendly (great recommendations from the waitress and bartender) and the food was exquisite (including some of the best desserts in NY).

We had the braised short-ribs (one of the restaurant's signature dishes) and black bass. Both were very well done...the meat was so tender it fell apart. I also had the beet salad (very good) and the parsnip appetizer (an interesting taste). I also got to taste the eggplant appetizer (also very good). The grand finale was the dessert. The choices were so difficult that we chose three desserts between two people. The pear upside down cake and the cooked bananas were my favorite...but the sorbet wasn't far behind.

In general, no one can be disappointed by the food nor the rest of the dining experience. It is very pricey and the portions are small, but the quality overcomes all of that...it is not often I spend a couple hundred dollars for dinner, wine and dessert and don't even think twice about the price.

I highly recommend this restaurant if you want a special meal, you are trying to impress someone, or you want an enjoyable evening with your signficant other.

If you want a very special Japanese meal, then make sure you go to Sugiyama. This is truly a dining experience that you will remember for awhile. First, the chef goes to great lengths to create some very innovative dishes. And you really have to trust his judgment because you order different levels of meals (i.e. number of items) and the chef chooses the specifics. Fortunately, his reputation is well deserved and even the most exotic selections are delicious. There were definitely some things on my plate that I wouldn't have tried otherwise (i.e. crispy little crab that you eat whole). But don't let that scare you because anyone who likes sushi will be delighted. In fact, I strongly recommend you choose the menu item that gives the chef the greatest amount of leeway (i.e. chef selections for the night).

As for the atmosphere, it is a very classy, well designed restaurant. The interaction between chef and patrons is nice given that he prepares the food in full view and greets everyone who comes in...and he asks how your meal was as you leave. The service is impeccable although the English of our server led to a couple of funny exchanges. Expect something a little more traditional than some of the trendy Japanese restaurants that are popping up all over the place.

A few notes:

1. Leave plenty of time for your meal. The selections come one by one and the meal is meant to be enjoyed not scarfed down. We were there for around 2 1/2 hours for perspective.

2. Be prepared for a pricey meal. It is easily a $150 meal for two if you have any alcohol.

3. Try everything...some of the most bizarre items on the menu were the best things I had.