NYC restaurant/hotel recommendations

[dfw2sfo]

I'm looking for restaurant recommendations in NYC - specifically chic, upscale restaurants with a strong gay following. Also, a fun Sunday brunch.

 

Also looking for any recommendations for hotels that I might not come across just looking on the internet...

 

Suggestions? Thanks.

[elikimball]

New York is full of great restaurants and I go to them often. I don't know if any of the following are specifically "gay", but gays have a tendency to have good taste in food, so I'm sure you'll find a few of us.

 

Picholine is near Lincoln Center. Very pricey, but probably my faorite. They also have a great brunch. The same chef has another restaurant in Murray Hill called Artisinal that's very Bistro-y and terrific. Orso, on restaurant row, is one of my favorite Italian places.. lots of good celebrity siting. Same with Joe Allen (next door to Orso). Joe Allen is very affordable and the staff is pretty much actors between jobs. Ouest, on the upper West Side is very, very good. Cafe Luxumbourg, near Lincoln Center, is lots of fun.

 

All these places have very good food. Picholine - most expensive. Probably $200 - $250 for drinks, wine and dinner for two. Joe Allen - least expensive. Two can get out for under $100. The others fall in between! I'd reccomend getting a Zagat's New York Dining Guide. That will help you choose. Bon Appetite!

[elikimball]

Didn't read the rest of your question!

 

Hotels I'd reccomend that are a little unusual and very nice are the Rihga Royal on 54th midtown. Nice place. All the rooms are suites. Usually can get a room for between $250 and $350 depending upon the week. Another favorite is on Central Park West across the street from the Museum of Natural History and it's called The Excelsior. Very nice rooms. A new very modern place is The On-The-Ave Hotel on 79th also near the Park. Terrible name, but nice. The Algonquin, midtown, is my favorite "Old New York Class" hotel. The rooms tend to be smaller, but the whole experience is great. Plus you get to have breakfast in the famous Round Table Room! Sleep well!

[+ Tom Isern]

Here are restaurant recommendations from a friend/client who is a foodie. He introduced me to Picholine (wonderful!!!) and it's smaller sister Artisanal (also amazing).

 

*************************************

I'd highly recommend "Ouest" on the upper west side! Wonderful bistro! Try the cauliflower custard with lobster and dill!!!!! Ask to sit on the balcony overlooking the main room!

 

My favorite on restaurant row is "Orso". Lots of star gazing and fabulous food! BE SURE to have a drink first at the new bar upstairs from the restaurant. It's called Bar Centrale! Trust me! It's like no bar you've ever been to! You feel like you're in a private club! You can even make a reservation!

 

Cafe Luxumbourg is a few blocks from Lincoln Center and is always good. Very french, really good food, fair prices!

 

If you want to have a really fun unusual time, try Churascaria Plataforma in the theater district. It's a brazilian barbecue place and it's lots and lots of fun! Be sure to drink their specialty, the Caparina! 3 or 4 and you'll be on your ass, but the place is lots of fun. It is a fixed priced menu at $48.00 a person. Good value!

 

My favorite steak house is Smith and Wollenky's.. Way overpriced, but if you want the best steak in the city, that's the place!

 

Joe Allen on restaurant row (next to Orso) is also one of my favorites "joints". Unpretentious and good American food. Good for celebrity watching, too.

 

************************************

 

Now if you like Italian, heavy creamy Northern Italian in a cozy artsy setting, Petrasanta on 9th Avenue and 47th is my personal Italian favorite!

[foxy]

Restaurants that have been around a while but always good...

 

Gotham Bar & Grill

12 E. 12th Street

 

Gramercy Tavern

42 E. 29th Street

 

Indochine

430 Lafayette Street

 

Union Square Cafe

21 E. 16th Street

 

Mesa Grill

102 Fifth Avenue

 

all restaurants in NY are gay friendly

[Rick Munroe]

>gays have a tendency to have good taste in food, so I'm

>sure you'll find a few of us.

 

That's true. We're also born with an innate, exquisite fashion sense, the ability to perfectly arrange a vase of flowers with our eyes closed and we come out of the womb perfectly groomed, quoting The Wizard of Oz & Mommie Dearest, and singing the entire score of Gypsy.

[+ deej]

♫ I had a dream, a wonderful dream, Pappa ..... ♫

 

One of Merm's best roles. :7

[RockHard]

"specifically chic, upscale restaurants with a strong gay following"

 

Conventional wisdom would not call this statement an oxymoron but the presumption that "chic," "upscale," and "strong gay following" belong in the same sentence is flat wrong. In NYC, no such restaurant exists because sophisticated gay men in NYC refuse to be pidgeonholed. They prefer to dine with other sophisticates without any regard for sexual orientation.

 

Although it's true that many gay men make a good income, money does not buy style, taste, or the sincere love of dining well and paying substantial sums to do so.

 

I guess many Americans would be shocked by the vast numbers of unsophisticated gay men who work and live in NYC. The majority of gay men here wear jeans 24/7. They sport cheap, mediocre haircuts and are ridiculously frugal. Most have no idea how to properly "set" a dinner table and they would NEVER consider dropping $200 per person on a fine-dining experience. It should, therefore, come as no surprise to learn that none of Zagat's Top 50 restaurants are located in Chelsea or the West 40's, which many regard as the new gay ghetto.

 

That said, there are plenty of gay New Yorkers who love to eat well and foxy offered a crumb by mentioning just five good places.

 

I've been to most of Zagat's Top 50 and I can safely say fun, handsome gay men are everywhere. Not only are they sitting at the tables, enjoying great food with good friends, they also are among the best of the serving staff. There's no greater waiter than a gay man who takes pride in the details. It's no exaggeration when I say it's very rare when a playful bit of flirtatious tease doesn't occur at any of Zagat's Top 50. There's plenty of eye candy to be found everywhere and plenty of men exchanging numbers discreetly. What fun!

 

Enjoy your visit. :-)

[Guest alanm]

[T]hey would NEVER consider dropping $200 per person on a fine-dining experience.

 

Isn't this a matter of personal choice, rather than a lack of sophistication? I love a great meal, but prefer to spend money on

non-business travel to Europe, Australia, Asia and South America.

There's no right or wrong way to spent money as long as one enjoys life and stays out of debt (while maintaining a decent account portfolio).

[RockHard]

Esthetes

 

Let's not miss the central point of my post:

 

Fine dining is a culturally sophisticated event that has little to do with the gay male stereotype. Rick Munroe got the point: being gay doesn't automatically mean anything. Therefore, to love fine dining requires an appreciation for the refined aspects of the experience, otherwise, why spend so much money?

 

Obviously, the choice to not spend money on something does not make one less sophisticated. (But it might make them less fun.) Plenty of gay men pass on caviar or over-priced porn puppies who are deluded with star-fuck fantasies, including me.

[Guest alanm]

RE: Esthetes

 

Obviously, the choice to not spend money on something does not make one less sophisticated. (But it might make them less fun.)

 

Excellent point, although I suspect your opinion of fun is lurking in the background getting ready to spring out.

 

I might disagree that Faith Prince (or Linda Eder) would provide a fun evening in a theatre or nighclub, but that's just my opinion.

 

But let's go back to the original topic of NY hotels and restaurants, which I hijacked. Sorry.

[+ Tom Isern]

My dear, dear Rockhead! A true sophisticate, like yourself, obviously knows how to set a pricey, delicious table and drop your card on a staggering bill. And no designer or restaurant can be any good unless it's THE most expensive one—we ALL know that! And really, who WOULD want to slum around with the vast numbers—the horde—of New York's gay trailer-trash—men in jeans? How conventional, as you say. How common! Scandalous, even! I share your pain.

 

The injustice of it all! A man as magnanimous as yourself, so noble and high-minded, so blue in blood, lumped together—“pigeonholed” (forgive me for not adding your ‘d’) with the rabble—surrounded by country hicks and bumpkins. How dare that malicious poster imply that “gay” and “chic” are synonymous! After all, how can your prodigious dimensions stir our hearts when any old queer thing in a pair of Levi’s is equally measured? For shame!

 

It must be hard to live in SUCH an unfair world. But THANK GOD you can escape to Zagat’s Top 50 where your true worth is taken! There you can surround your girth with those who “dine with other sophisticates without any regard for sexual orientation[,]” even while they flirt and wink and are “exchanging numbers discreetly.” It must be an enormous relief to your vast sensitivity!

 

Being as you are the very pillar of exemplarity, the ne plus ultra of fashion, good sense, and etiquette, I was wondering if you might condescend to give us plebeians some tips on fine behavior in the fine dining department? We are assured that money “does not buy style, taste, or the sincere love of dining well and paying substantial sums to do so.” But what does?

 

When, for instance, is it most appropriate to tell everyone which designer outfit you’ve chosen for the evening (assuming the label isn’t obvious)? Do you describe the top ten or twenty outfits you might have worn? Or do you limit yourself to a few?

 

If your particular guest for the evening is paid to enjoy your presence, when is the appropriate time to reveal that fact? Do you share who has the larger “endowment”?

 

Do you present a letter from your accountant detailing your net worth when making reservations? (Now there is—despite your posing to believe the contrary, foolish boy—proof, in black and white, of your expansive urbanity, your largesse, your savoir-vivre!) I've heard this little presentation can help secure the very best table! Or is it more tasteful to proffer your net worth statement at table, after everyone has ordered?

 

Has paper become obsolete? Perhaps your investments and income statements could be beamed onto a screen during the meal, PowerPoint Style. You could include pictures of your many homes and precious jewels to add sparkle to the presentation! (After all, why should your guests’ measure of your grandness be limited to the jewels you can fit on two tiny hands?) Or would this be going too far? Perhaps this more direct form of communication would leave little for discussion?

 

No doubt you insist on picking up the tab for your guests. But how do you ascertain, with certainty, that each guest knows how much you paid? Do you tell each the total you paid for them individually? Or just the grand total? If you suspect that one of your guests didn’t hear the price, do you repeat it once or twice?

 

Being assured of your peerlessness, perhaps there are other posters who would like to glean from your wisdom? What fun! We wait with humble, bated breath to enjoy your words of enrichment! Any crumbs you would deign to release would be greatly appreciated!

[RockHard]

RE: Esthetes having fun.

 

I do have strong opinions regarding the definition of fun. Surprise, right?

 

"I might disagree that Faith Prince (or Linda Eder) would provide a fun evening in a theatre or nighclub, but that's just my opinion."

 

Musical palatableness has little to do with sophistication and more to do with personal taste, since music appreciation is universally free and can be appreciated by all.

 

I haven't purchased any recordings by Faith Prince and/or Linda Eder but, since I work in show business, I have a sincere appreciation for most talented people. Women performers fare better than men with me, as I already said, except in the rock genre. I'm a sucker for a great rock tenor. I love David Bowie, U2 Bono, Jon Bon Jovi and The Killers (I'd love to taste Brandon Flowers' mouth, among other things).

 

I tend to keep an open mind when it comes to music. My days of canceling a second date with a guy just because he loves country and/or hates listening to Baroque classical ended a decade or so ago. I'm grown up now. But it sure is fun to share musical tastes with someone you fuck regularly or share your relaxation time.

 

"...go back to topic...which I hijacked. Sorry."

 

No need to apologize to me. I'm one of those posters who could care less about threads being hijacked. A good conversation will always ebb and flow so I don't take issue with spontaneous side trips.

[Rick Munroe]

RE: Esthetes

 

>Rick Munroe got the

>point: being gay doesn't automatically mean anything.

 

Doesn't it mean you automatically like men?

[Rick Munroe]

>The majority

>of gay men here wear jeans 24/7.

 

That's true for the majority of people of all ages today, gay or straight, and they're not cheap anymore: http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2005/11/29/most-expensive-jeans-cx_sy_1130feat_ls.html

[RockHard]

Tom's creative writing.

 

Well, Tom, even though it's cynical and insulting as all hell, it's better than anything doug69 ever wrote about me. Finally, you made me chuckle. (I still won't hire you, though.)

 

I have to say, mocking and/or ridiculing any client, whether potential or not, is really bad business etiquette. Attention all male companions! Learn well from Tom Isern what NOT to do.

 

Some folks really enjoy shooting themselves in the foot and would rather be vain and...specious, perhaps, even if it kills their business potential. Doing the right thing to achieve a more profitable bottom line, well that's out of the question when vanity prevails. No wonder you despise Republicans, Tom, most are wealthier than you. That must really be painful.

[+ Tom Isern]

Rock's arrogant pontifications...

 

Dear Rockhead,

I have learned from experience that those who mock your ponderous, blathering pontifications only rise in the estimation of most readers of this site. You are so unaware of the insulting implications (to virtually every reader of your last post) of the trash you spew that you have become a caricature of arrogance and insensitivity, the very definition of an internet troll. Beat your drums and threaten all you want, my phone continues to ring at just the rate I like it to. And I’m grateful that you’ve decided never to call (or so you’ve said at least four times)—that is a blessing.

[RockHard]

She has the nerve to call me a ponificator?

 

Can anyone loan Tom Isern a mirror? (As if her house isn't full of 'em. Have you seen her pics?)

 

"I have learned from experience that those who mock your ponderous, blathering pontifications only rise in the estimation of most readers of this site."

 

You clearly haven't heard from the same readers who write me, dear.

 

"You are so unaware of the insulting implications (to virtually every reader of your last post)"

 

Tell me, Tom, how do you define specious?

 

Tom, darling, I appreciate your spending so much time and creative thought on me but, really, it's not worth it. You'd be better served by trying to find a new client. Good luck with that.

 

What is absolutely remarkable to me is how blind you are to your own ability to insult the intelligence and sophistication of the readers here. You're so vain, you probably think most M4M members think like you.

[RockHard]

RE: Rick's expensive denim.

 

Rick, I'm sure you know this but denim, no matter what you pay for it, is still denim. And they ain't nuttin' sufistikated 'bout denim. :-)

[Luv2play]

You have referred to "restaurant row". For an out-of-towner", can you tell me where that is in NYC? My impression was that there were restaurants all over NY. I've certainly eaten in many of them. But never heard of restaurant row, until now.

[+ Tom Isern]

Restaurant Row is 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues...

[Luv2play]

Thanks for enlightening me. I think I've eaten in that area but it was some time ago.

[Boston Guy]

Yes, that's my favorite one. But it seems to be declining a bit. The new large buildings that are going up seem to be devouring some of the restaurants.

 

There's also the east-side "restaurant row" on 2nd, starting around 50th and going north for a few blocks. There are some very decent restaurants in that area, too.

 

Frankly, I find it more enjoyable to stroll and choose a restaurant spontaneously based on my mood and the menus posted at the door and what seems fun at the moment than to head to one of the "name" restaurants. I've found many interesting restaurants this way that I probably wouldn't have found on anyone's list of places to go and enjoyed many good meals.

 

Oddly, though, my most recent find IS listed on THIS list. :-) It's the Brazilian steakhouse listed above. I had fun and thought the food was good -- not great and not as good as some other Brazilian steakhouses I've enjoyed -- but good value for the money and lots of fun.

 

BG

[+ Tom Isern]

Luv2Play,

 

I don't want to mention Restaurant Row without mentioning that MOST of the restaurants there are tourist traps, not too unlike the crowd on 8th Avenue and in Times Square...the few recommended here are exceptions.

 

Some people have sent you their personal favorites, and Rockhard makes good sense referring you to Zagat's.

 

Have fun! When are you in NYC?

[Luv2play]

There WAS a time when chic, gay and upscale restaurants did exist in NYC but that time seems to have passed. I remember 25 years ago going to a restaurant that fit that description, the clientele was ENTIRELY gay, it was a very chic place with mirrors on all four walls, and the food was very good. At that time there was also a bar, called Rounds, which provided very nice, presentable male escorts who could be taken back to one's hotel with nary an eyebrow raised. Too bad New York has declined the way it has.:-(