When writing last week’s NY article, I couldn’t help but be reminded of how great some of the food and drink was in The Big Apple. Then when I started writing down some NY restaurant recommendations for a coworker, whaddayaknow, the whole thing came out as a bit of a review. So for this week, it’s time to remind everyone that sometimes movies, music and the rest of life, are made even better by a good meal and a stiff drink.
Per Se (Time Warner Center) – Run by chef Thomas Keller, who also runs the French Laundry, Per Se is an amazing example of uber fine-dining. They require reservations made well in advance, and the menu is a chef’s tasting menu that changes daily. Dinner alone is $275, but wine and drinks add up fast. Two of us dined, ordered an “inexpensive” bottle of wine ($200) and our combined total bill after tax, tip, etc. was $1,000. It’s pricey, but it’s an experience that you will not forget.
Fette Sau (Williamsburg) – Amazing BBQ (ribs, pulled pork, pork bellies, etc.) that is served deli-style, by the weight. All of it is served with their own in-house dry rub that is incredible, and fortunately can also be purchased. They also have one of the most extensive Bourbon menus I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend the A.H. Hirsch bourbons. The 16 year reserve at $50/oz is the only one left that was made in the original distillery now gone, making this bourbon nearly extinct. Taste-wise, however, I preferred the 25 year reserve at $40/oz.
Glass House Tavern (Theater District) – Great food and ample drinks designed for the theater crowd. I highly recommend their ricotta cheesecake. Being Italian I have a soft spot for fine Italian cheeses, but I’ve never tried anything so beautifully married as fresh ricotta in a cheesecake. It’s literally perfect. They have a nice selection of drinks, and are one of the only places where I could find Patron XO Cafe Liqueur, a tequila blended with coffee essence. Poured straight on the rocks, it complements the cheesecake beautifully.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse (Midtown Manhattan) – A steakhouse that serves beautifully seasoned and cooked steaks, their only flaw is the use of American beef. It just doesn’t have quite the same colour and flavour as the unrivaled Alberta beef, but it is the first time I’ve been able to find a filet mignon served on the bone, which adds an amazing tenderness to an already fantastic cut. Their crab cakes are some of the best I’ve ever had, and their fried oyster is also done exceptionally well. Multi-leveled, they cater to the business crowd, with an influx of people at the bar after work.
Crif Dogs / Please Don’t Tell (East Village) – Crif Dogs is a small hole-in-the-wall hot dog place that sells, what I can only describe as, “gourmet” hot dogs. I’ve never had anything quite like it (although Japadog in Vancouver is just as good but with an Asian twist). The true allure, though, is the secret room. When you enter Crif Dogs, you’ll notice a small old-fashioned phone booth in the corner. Enter it, pick up the phone, and press the only button. Someone will pick up, and if there’s room, the back wall of the phone booth opens and you’ll find yourself in the speakeasy, Please Don’t Tell. An amazing cocktail bar with countless original cocktails, I tried about six of them before I moved on to their great selection of high end scotches and bourbons. Luckily, the owner there isn’t as in touch with the market rates, so while their cocktails are a little pricey ($16 or so), they were serving the aforementioned rare 16 year A.H. Hirsch bourbon for only $30/oz. They also serve Yamazaki, which is an excellent Japanese single malt whisky that is a bit harder to find.
The Spotted Pig (West Village) – Don’t let the name or staff fool you. It sounds like a BBQ joint, is staffed by bearded and tattooed musician-type hosts and servers, but it is actually a casual fine-dining establishment popular with celebrities. I tried their beef tongue and calf liver, both of which were incredible. They also serve a herring appetizer called “roll mops” that are unbelievable. Dinner for two, going light on drinks, will still run you about $100, but it is fantastic.
Ippudo (East Village) – Fantastic noodle house, with really great interior design. If you go in as a small party (four or less), you will be sharing your table with strangers, but the atmosphere makes this a great idea. Absolutely incredible ramen noodles with a backdrop of frequent Japanese yelling by the servers. Relatively inexpensive, and pretty trendy, it is a great place to start your night with a light dinner. They also have these amazing dumpling-like creations that look like tacos – hand-made, fresh, and delicious.
Spuyten Duyvil (Williamsburg) – Offering more beer varieties than I’ve ever seen, they also have perfectly paired cheeses served as light appetizers. This was the first place I’ve ever had Trappist beers – Belgian beers under the control of Trappist monks – and they’re absolutely AMAZING. Their selection is so varied that they even keep multiple fridges at different temperatures to ensure that each beer is served at their optimum temperature. It’s a bit hard to find (no signage out front), but it’s literally across the street from Fette Sau.
House of Brews (Hell’s Kitchen) – Standard fare pub with a long happy hour, good pub food and a good selection of micro-brews. I tried an American microbrew called Mother’s Milk, that I will be searching for constantly until I can be reunited with it again. It was that good. Great, friendly staff, in a fun neighborhood that I would recommend for good beer and a genuine feeling like you’re home.
– Pig
