NYC dining?

[Romann]

Clients and escorts-

 

I have a client that I will be visiting in NYC tomorrow for three days that I would like to take out to dinner and drinks - my treat. I enjoy doing this when I'm hired for a number of days to show my appreciation and would like some input on places to dine in the area around the W in Union Square. I have been to NYC a handful of times but being the city is quite large, I'm not all that familiar with what's hip and happening in dining. Thoughts anyone? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as this is a very special client of mine.

 

Thank you in advance!

[N13]

Go for Basta Pasta on West 17th St. Between 5th and 6th)

 

Noisy, but great food and very trendy. See celebs there frequently.

 

Need reservations. 212 366 0888

 

Just happens to be accross the street from Splash.

 

Neil

[pierrot]

Here are some of my favorites in the neighborhood.

 

High End: you are very near Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe. These are both excellent, but on the expensive side (but still relaxed in the downtown style, not formal). They are both sort of nouvelle American cuisine and among New York's top-rated restaurants. Also 11 Madison is not far, and also has very good food and an impressive decor.

 

Medium-priced: Giorgio's (modern continental) and I Trulli (Italian-Apulian) are north of the W toward Gramercy. If you go south across Union Square, there's a good Japanese called Japonica, and a little bit more of a walk is Village, a bistro on 9th St. near 6th Ave. All are quite good.

 

Burgers and stuff: Pete's Tavern is a well-known bar and tavern type food on Irving place. Not a place for fine cuisine, but the burgers and that sort of thing are good.

 

I'm not sure if you are looking for gay places when you mention "happening". I don't know of any specifically "gay" restaurants that I could recommend for food, but basically, every restaurant in that area has lots of gay clientele.

[+ purplekow]

Let me second you on the Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. Neither of them will break the bank and the food has always been great when I have gone.

[+ nycman]

Let me second you on the Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. Neither of them will break the bank and the food has always been great when I have gone.

 

Your bank is obviously bigger than mine....grin

 

Just to offer a different opinion....

 

I personally don't like Gramercy Tavern. The food is perfect. The space is cold.

I feel like I'm sitting in a very trendy So-Ho loft that's been overrun with

snooty cater-waiters. Having said that, the bar area is heaven. It's much

more intimate and warm.

 

"Hip" in NYC is tricky. "Really hip" usually means bad food with rail-thin models

who don't eat anyways so they don't care. "Kinda hip" is prefect. Better food.

More relaxed atmosphere and you can actually get a table without booking

6 months in advance.

 

If your going high end and looking for "hip". I'd look at Craft on 19th Street.

The menu is a little confusing, but the food is wonderful and the staff friendly

and efficient. I'm not crazy about the space, but I don't hate it either.

 

11 Madison is a safe bet. Very good food. Very nice space. I think it's

a smart place to send people from out of town. It's a little familiar and

yet a little grand.

[KMEM]

I consider this thread an example of one of the highest and best uses of the MB. It provides useful information to someone who is slightly to very unfamiliar with the NY dining scene AND it was area specific, as requested. Thanks guys.

 

Now, back to the boys.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ Charlie]

Restaurants come and go so quickly in NYC, I'm always interested in why some places last. I used to go to Pete's Tavern back in the 1970s, and I wonder if it's still the same.

[BgMstr4u]

One of my favorite places for a nice, semi-formal business or celebration meal is Trio, on 33rd just west of Third. It's a little farther uptown but worth the trek.

[edjames]

You're at the W?

 

Chef Todd English's 5-star restaurant Olive's is located right in the hotel.!

 

Pick up the phone call the restaurant and make a reservation!

 

ED

[Romann]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and for the input - very much appreciated.

 

Go for Basta Pasta on West 17th St. Between 5th and 6th)

 

Noisy, but great food and very trendy. See celebs there frequently.

 

Need reservations. 212 366 0888

 

Just happens to be accross the street from Splash.

 

Neil

[Romann]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and for the input - very much appreciated.

 

Here are some of my favorites in the neighborhood.

 

High End: you are very near Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe. These are both excellent, but on the expensive side (but still relaxed in the downtown style, not formal). They are both sort of nouvelle American cuisine and among New York's top-rated restaurants. Also 11 Madison is not far, and also has very good food and an impressive decor.

 

Medium-priced: Giorgio's (modern continental) and I Trulli (Italian-Apulian) are north of the W toward Gramercy. If you go south across Union Square, there's a good Japanese called Japonica, and a little bit more of a walk is Village, a bistro on 9th St. near 6th Ave. All are quite good.

 

Burgers and stuff: Pete's Tavern is a well-known bar and tavern type food on Irving place. Not a place for fine cuisine, but the burgers and that sort of thing are good.

 

I'm not sure if you are looking for gay places when you mention "happening". I don't know of any specifically "gay" restaurants that I could recommend for food, but basically, every restaurant in that area has lots of gay clientele.

[Romann]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and for the input - very much appreciated.

 

You're at the W?

 

Chef Todd English's 5-star restaurant Olive's is located right in the hotel.!

 

Pick up the phone call the restaurant and make a reservation!

 

ED

[Romann]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and for the input - very much appreciated.

 

One of my favorite places for a nice, semi-formal business or celebration meal is Trio, on 33rd just west of Third. It's a little farther uptown but worth the trek.

[Romann]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and for the input - very much appreciated.

 

Let me second you on the Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. Neither of them will break the bank and the food has always been great when I have gone.

[Romann]

My client and I both thank you for the input - very kind of you and also very much appreciated.

 

Restaurants come and go so quickly in NYC, I'm always interested in why some places last. I used to go to Pete's Tavern back in the 1970s, and I wonder if it's still the same.

[Romann]

My client and I both thank you for the input - very kind of you and also very much appreciated.

 

Go for Basta Pasta on West 17th St. Between 5th and 6th)

 

Noisy, but great food and very trendy. See celebs there frequently.

 

Need reservations. 212 366 0888

 

Just happens to be accross the street from Splash.

 

Neil

[Romann]

My client and I both thank you for the input - very kind of you and also very much appreciated.

 

Your bank is obviously bigger than mine....grin

 

Just to offer a different opinion....

 

I personally don't like Gramercy Tavern. The food is perfect. The space is cold.

I feel like I'm sitting in a very trendy So-Ho loft that's been overrun with

snooty cater-waiters. Having said that, the bar area is heaven. It's much

more intimate and warm.

 

"Hip" in NYC is tricky. "Really hip" usually means bad food with rail-thin models

who don't eat anyways so they don't care. "Kinda hip" is prefect. Better food.

More relaxed atmosphere and you can actually get a table without booking

6 months in advance.

 

If your going high end and looking for "hip". I'd look at Craft on 19th Street.

The menu is a little confusing, but the food is wonderful and the staff friendly

and efficient. I'm not crazy about the space, but I don't hate it either.

 

11 Madison is a safe bet. Very good food. Very nice space. I think it's

a smart place to send people from out of town. It's a little familiar and

yet a little grand.

[Romann]

I try to make it a practice to treat my clients out to an evening out on the town when I'm asked to join them for extended travel as I feel this is the least that I can do considering the time and energy the client puts into such a wonderful weekend.

 

Your bank is obviously bigger than mine....grin

 

Just to offer a different opinion....

 

I personally don't like Gramercy Tavern. The food is perfect. The space is cold.

I feel like I'm sitting in a very trendy So-Ho loft that's been overrun with

snooty cater-waiters. Having said that, the bar area is heaven. It's much

more intimate and warm.

 

"Hip" in NYC is tricky. "Really hip" usually means bad food with rail-thin models

who don't eat anyways so they don't care. "Kinda hip" is prefect. Better food.

More relaxed atmosphere and you can actually get a table without booking

6 months in advance.

 

If your going high end and looking for "hip". I'd look at Craft on 19th Street.

The menu is a little confusing, but the food is wonderful and the staff friendly

and efficient. I'm not crazy about the space, but I don't hate it either.

 

11 Madison is a safe bet. Very good food. Very nice space. I think it's

a smart place to send people from out of town. It's a little familiar and

yet a little grand.

[+ Axiom2001]

I try to make it a practice to treat my clients out to an evening out on the town when I'm asked to join them for extended travel as I feel this is the least that I can do considering the time and energy the client puts into such a wonderful weekend.

 

Romann, it has been the trend here to receive a few replies then respond in ONE "BIG THANK YOU" to all of those who had responded to your query instead of INDIVIDUAL thank you's! - - (I offer this as a friendly suggestion!)

 

When I saw two pages to your initial post, I was under the impression that you'd received a plethora of suggestions. The restaurants recommended would help others, too!

[Kevin Slater]

Romann, it has been the trend here to receive a few replies then respond in ONE "BIG THANK YOU" to all of those who had responded to your query instead of INDIVIDUAL thank you's! - - (I offer this as a friendly suggestion!)

 

Or if you *do* want to thank folk individually, you can send them an email through the site as well.

 

Kevin Slater

[traveler1954]

restaurants

 

Go to Balthazar on Spring just west of Broadway. It has action,electricity, energy and great bistro food that will not break the bank.Very professional servers know their business. It's very popular with reservations tough at peak times. Celebs and VIPs sit to the left, along the the last aisle, parallel to the wall.

Otherwise buy a Zagat's guide for NYC, read the online archived NYTimes restaurant reviews, TimeOutNY Magazine or New York Magazine.

Avoid various blogs as they are biased and avoid Tripadivsor's NYC restaurant reviews as they are also inaccurate.

If you are adventuresome, try Brooklyn including Williamsburg and Park Slope and the "real deal" ethic places in western Queens.

[edjames]

OK, Romann, now that you've thanked us all...profusely, where did you finally choose to eat? Did you enjoy it?

 

ED

[Steven_Draker]

Romann,

If you and your client like Japanese cuisine, I'd recommend Koi on 40th Str. located next to the Bryant Park hotel.

I had an excellent dinner there. Here's the link: http://www.koirestaurant.com

[Romann]

Thanks guy for the suggestion! The next time I go through NYC, I will surely check out that place and bring my client with me as well - love sushi!

 

Have a great time in Boston as the weather was great while I was there (perfect for jogging if you're into that) and it looks like you should be in for some good weather as well.

 

I've returned to Dallas to some nasty humid weather. Ick...

 

Romann,

If you and your client like Japanese cuisine, I'd recommend Koi on 40th Str. located next to the Bryant Park hotel.

I had an excellent dinner there. Here's the link: http://www.koirestaurant.com[/color]