For drinks Little Branch in the West Village is a nice spot. It's a speakeasy and the bartenders like for you to tell them a category of alcohol to work with and they'll make you something interesting and good in that ballpark, they do a nice job. Prices are par. There are hotter mixology places around but on a Friday night the lines will be ridiculous. I'd say get there at 7-8 if you don't want to wait outside at all.

Minetta Tavern is in the area for food they make a sick burger etc nice atmosphere.

Those are just a couple random choices I like otherwise I'd say spend a while on Yelp and narrow down by the category and/or price range you're looking for and pick something with a lot of great ratings, that rarely steers you wrong.

Minetta Tavern burgers are great, and the magic with them is the drunker you are the better they taste. So the key is to get as drunk as possible before going there, but not over the line to where they won't serve you. It's a fun game.

Could anyone recommend any good bars in/around the East Village? Meeting a friend from out of town there tomorrow (day) and don't know the area well.

Also are there any decent rooftop bars in the vicinity?

No price constraints, any suggestions would be appreciated thanks.

Death & Company is a low key spot with nice cocktails.

Just made a res at gramercy tavern haven't been there in ages

The Standard Hotel has a nice outdoor bar in the East Village, though not rooftop.

Edit: Yeah, a bit late on this recommendation.

Agree on this - the wife and I spent some time here last spring and it was really nice.

I'll be hitting up Bâtard next week.

Any recommendations for a anniversary night hotel? I have stayed at the Waldorf Astoria the last 19 years - but they are closing for renovations/conversion to condo for the next 2-3 years.

The Surrey looks real nice.

Thanks in advance.

If you can afford it the Mandarin in Columbus Circle is pretty solid. Their costs can be absurd at times.

I assume out-of-towners can likely provide more recommendations.

What about the Plaza?

There is a new Park Hyatt on 57th that is supposed to be pretty nice.

Thank you....I'll check both out.

Yesterday my daughter and I went into the city for the car show, ended up eating tacos from the El Rey del Sabor taco cart (43rd & 6th) and hanging out in Bryant Park. Was super-awesome. Highly recommended.

FYI when I now stay in NYC for the night it's usually at the W in Union Square. It's a decent hotel with a good bar/lounge downstairs and a great location if you plan to spend a lot of your time below 23rd street.

The W in union square and battery park are both very nice and convenient if you're spending time downtown.

Also agree on mandarin oriental. Very convenient if you're looking to do shopping or spend some time in the park. Another midtown option is the peninsula on 55th and 5th. Have only stayed there once but go to their rooftop bar pretty often and have always had a good experience.

I'd avoid the plaza

Download the app hoteltonight, you may get lucky and snag a super cheap room which could be useful at these sorts of places

+1 to the Hoteltonight app. I used it frequently in NYC before I moved here, and they often have pretty good deals on "highroller" suites. Though they're not at the most luxury hotels, it could still be pretty cool for your purposes.

Had a very very good dinner at Batard last night.

Steak Tartare


Farfalle with short rib ragu


Atlantic Halibut with ramps, caviar and champagne sauce


Braised Porcelet Shoulder


Warm Chocolate Fondant dessert

Mmm that farfalle looks delicious.

Was just looking at some restaurant reviews and noticed some comments about places I TR'd 4 years ago. Sorry for the blast from the past

Apparently Ushiwakamaru moved to Chelsea from their hole in the wall location on Houston, doubled the price ($70 as of 2013 --> $135 today) of their Omakase, and got a Michelin Star.

And, Jungsik had one star at the time and got a second in 2014 and has kept it ever since.

I moved to Vegas from NJ in 2014 and haven't been back, hence the time gap.

Highly recommend both these places (at least as of 2013), but certainly seems like they were excellent moneyball plays at the time.

Any recommendations for some entry-level Omakase? It would be my first, and I certainly don't have the budget for $150pp.

If you want to go super bare bones, Sushi on Jones is a tiny stand in the Bowery Market with $50 omakase. You can only sit for 30 minutes and probably wont be full but I thought it was decent value when I went.

Tanoshi sushi is a good spot on the UES that's around $90, but it's BYOB so you'll save on booze.

I've heard Katsuei is solid but haven't been there.

Sushi Dojo or Sushi Yasaka will do you right without destroying your wallet.

+1 sushi on Jones

Bondst in NoHo also worth checking out and I believe they have a $50 and $90 option

Noho? Really ?

My anniversary is coming up, and I have reservations at Atera, Jean-Georges, Sea Fire Grill, and Gabriel Kreuther. I want to make a decision this weekend so I can cancel the rest and open up the spots for someone else.

Wife loves an upscale feel to the restaurants (for this occasion particularly), and I think these all hit the mark. I've been to JG approx 10 years ago, but the rest will all be first-time for me.

Any thoughts or preferences from you guys?

Thanks in advance.

I've been to Gabriel Kreuther. Was good and definitely upscale, but wasn't overly impressed. Haven't been to the rest, although I hear great things about Atera. Of course you have to be up for that kind of playful food.

Not on your list, but I had a really good meal at Momofuku Ko last year. The seating is at a u-shaped counter that surrounds the kitchen, so you get to watch your food being prepared.

Thank you. Calling for the reservation at GK didn't make me feel the most comfy, seemed like they didn't have their act together.

MK is on my short list - seems a bit more casual tho.

My only 'concern' with Atera is the seatings - 6 and 930. I'm too old for a 930 seating and i really don't want to eat dinner at 6.

Thanks for the help. Much apprec.

Jesster,

I love Blue Hill, food has been excellent both times I've been, fantastic beer (and wine) list. Service I think was the best I've had in my life besides EMP. Not pretentious. Value is good relative to NYC standards too imo