Ok here’s my Friday night pre show dinner list options. Looking for recent reviews from anyone here or other similar options not on this list. Mainly “new American” foood as the wifey is picky and boring. But anywhere she can get a good piece of beef or chicken is good.

Aureole
Gabriel kreuther
Gramercy tavern
The milling room
The marshal
Blue hill
Gotham bar and grill

Need to pick one but have a month and half til we’re there. Gonna reserve all of them for around 5-530 on a Friday and pick one the week before.

Also River Cafe in Brooklyn, any thoughts to this for a late Saturday dinner? Really just want it for the view and we’ll be hanging in Brooklyn Saturday with no shows or anything so looking for a nice late dinner with a view. Any similar options? Also cool places to hang in Brooklyn for pre dinner drinks and fun?

Thanks for the help so far guys

Any Nakazawa reviews?

Went there in December and sat at the bar, did the sake pairing. I thought it was unbelievable. Great ambiance and service. Very good variety of fish with some interesting stuff that I really enjoyed too (like a live shrimp with finger lime, and scallop with yuzu). but I’m not too experienced with high end omakase. Only have had Yasuda in the same price range and I thought Nakazawa was better.



Search the thread for Blue Hill for rave reviews. Place is insanely good value as well imo. That would be my first pick. If your wife is very picky, Gotham might be a better option. Gotham is just very well done of the type of cuisine you’re describing. Gramercy Tavern is great too but a little more $$ wise than the 2 I just mentioned. Haven’t been to the others.

Brooklyn is a big place, you’ll get the most “variety” of options from dive bars to fancy cocktail spots in Williamsburg or Park Slope. So it depends on what you’re looking for there.

View at the River Cafe is nice. I’d walk over the Brooklyn Bridge too on the way if it’s warm enough weather.

Thanks again Mullens.

Itz,

I was gonna suggest blue hill in response to your initial post before you posted your list, but I haven’t been in a couple years so decided to hold off until I could get a recent update. I just asked a friend who goes there >6x a year and she says it’s still great.

I’ve been to the same other two Mullens has been to and agree with him.

I’ve also been to aureole and would say only consider that if you guys are super big wine people.

never got round to writing my TR, but i went to gramercy last year and was disappointed by both the service (started well and got slack) and the food (pretty good apps, mediocre mains, great desserts). it wasn't bad, it just wasn't what it should have been for the price. if i went back i'd eat in the bar, not the restaurant.

River cafe is a Your classic fancy tiny dish romantic night out. Even if you don’t get a seat by the water the atmosphere is very nice. It can be a little too formal/stuffy sometimes. Food is good but you’re paying for the ambiance. You’ll probably want to go to grimaldis up the block once you leave.

Smith street is pretty close by and has a few decent bars. I don’t know anywhere in particular tho

of these i would pick Gramercy Tavern or Blue Hill

Gotham Bar and Grill getting a little staid, and Aureole seems like more of a power lunch spot given its location. Gabriel Kreuther good, but maybe a little too avant garde for your wife.

haven't been to The Marshal or the Milling Room.

Thanks all. I think I saw the marshal and milling room on a where to eat in Hells Kitchen article, I don’t think they’re super fancy or anything but seem to have decent menu for what I’m looking for.

Gonna go with blue hill if we can get a early reservation. Forgot to mention this would be a pre show meal if that effects anyone’s recommendation. Google says 3 hours for dinner at blue hill so maybe should go with that Saturday instead when we have no time constraint.

Blue Hill was nowhere near 3 hours for dinner last time I went fwiw. Pretty sure it was under 2 and I did the extended tasting menu.

ma peche and fuku+ are closing in june. apparently this is the first time that one of chang's restaurants is closing permanently.

i couldn't believe how empty fuku+ was when i went (there were probably 2-3 other people in there at 830pm on a weekday). the chicken sandwich was incredible (had to get a second), and the loaded fries were maybe the best i've ever had.

word is prosperity dumpling (the one on eldridge btwn, canal/hester), is going to open by late April, guess they got around the cooking outside thing, also, will second the chicken sandwich @ fuku+ , delish

Midtown was always a weird spot for a David Chang restaurant, and I think all restaurants in the proximity of Trump Tower have suffered.

Interjection: I just finished a trip to NYC and posted a trip report in the Lounge. It you are interested in reading it, the link is below. Note: this was my first trip to the Big Apple so nothing out of the ordinary was visited.

betwixt-noreasters-visit-nyc

Red rooster in Harlem, chef Marcus Samuelson spot.

Was good but didn’t enjoy as much as I was expecting given the hype. Quite different from sylvias so I would suggest hitting up both if you’re on a fried chicken quest.

Couple weeks ago randomly went to a place called Flinders Lane in east village. Claims to be “Australian food” have no clue what that means, menu looks like a mix between American and Italian though. Not fancy, ran like $100 for two w/ drinks.

Anyway it was prob one of my favorite meals of the year. Got the burrata app, squid app and papardelle entree. Highly recommended.

TFW your local Chinese spot gets downgrade from A to C...

Tried going to ma peche for lunch but 50min wait so bailed

Cat/dog can be delicious too !

Some places I’ve had lately -

GLORIA on 53rd/9th is absolutely fantastic and easy to get a reservation at. Think the chef is formerly of Le Bernardin. Small, seafood centric plates (apps $15-$20, entrees $30ish). Great cocktails and craft beers too. The tartare (think this rotates) octopus, crab dish, and red snapper are must haves.

Chez Ma Tante in Greenpoint is quickly becoming my new favorite restaurant. For dinner, price point sounds similar to the Flinders Lane disko described above, which is excellent value in my opinion. They do simple dishes extremely well (they have a Caesar salad that’s by far the best I’ve ever had). I’ve had basically the whole menu and no bad dishes so far. They’re super hyped up for brunch as far as getting a table but dinner is easier as far as I can tell. For brunch, their pancakes are incredible. Super rich, eggy, and crispy in a cast iron skillet -



Nakamura (ramen) - good sized portions but nowhere near worth the usual wait. Place is very small (maybe seats 15-20) so hard to see. If you’re gonna wait that long, might as well have Ippudo (best I’ve had in nyc so far).

Nice write up Mullen. On the casual side. I've had CAVA like 4 times these past tree weeks. It's like Chipotle bur for Greek food. Super fresh and the price point is super reasonable.

Checked out a few of the places mentioned (thanks!). Here's a quick review of some of the places I've been to over the last few months:

Rocking Horse Cafe - this spot is very good. I got a pork burrito and the pork was extremely moist and tender. Shared some apps as well which were very good. All my friends liked it too so definitely recommended. Not overly expensive either for "upscale" Mexican.

Chelsea Market - Pretty cool but I would advise you to go on the weekdays. Los Tacos No.1 is a good but the hidden gem, Los Mariscos, that is from the same ppl has more space and serves fish tacos.

Coopers Craft and Kitchen - Good bar to grab a casual drink with some friends.

Bathtub Gin - Pretty cool but was expecting more given the hype. Went on a Monday night and every table was full so would think this place is pretty crazy on the weekend. Seemed to be a better date spot than hanging out with friends. Pretty dark but not as dark as other speakeasy places I have been (I don't like super dark bars).

El Quinto Pino - Pretty good tapas place. Food wasnt amazing just pretty good. Probably better to get a glass of wine or two and one or two plates rather than trying to make it an actual dinner.

Highline Hotel - One of the best places to grab a coffee this time of year. Great outdoor seating. On 10th ave so if you need a break from galleries or checking out the highline, go here

Avenue - I dont like this club. There's just one long "hallway" with one bar at the back and tables that jut out into the middle.

Phd - I like this club much better. On a high floor of the Dream hotel. I want to go back in the early evening to check out the views.

Lately - A bar that's much more casual than the clubs around it (easier to get into, etc). Good if you want the meatpacking atmosphere without the fuss of some of the clubs.

McKittrick Hotel - Saw great live jazz here after their last show of Sleep No More ended. Need to check out the rooftop which is highly rated. Looks promising.

Yes, Chelsea Market is fun but a little touristy.

Agreed.

We much preferred Tia Pol and Txikito.

Agree.

The other thing I love to do in Chelsea is get a shave at Chelsea Barbers.

Interesting that you preferred Txikito. I wrote it off as it was from the same ppl as Quinto Pino. May check it out now. Thanks



May do some more mini-reviews in a little bit as I have some more time to explore.

These are really cool thanks for sharing.

Was a first timer to the city this spring and Chelsea market seemed crazy (Saturday, first nice day of the year, bad timing perhaps) couldn’t even walk was a mob scene.

Already planning another trip so this thread is very helpful.

there wasn't a lot in the search so I figured I'd ask:

Any recommendations for a pub/bar that has a great craft beer selection? Staying midtown Manhattan but would go to Brooklyn if easily subway accessible

A pub that has a selection from a variety of brewers would be best but if there's a brewery that's must see I'd be good with that too.