New York State Restaurants $$$

    Eleven Madison Park, New York City

  11 Madison Ave. - New York, NY            
Eleven Madison Park expresses the spirit of grand New York dining with a contemporary accent. Designed by architects Bentel & Bentel, with soaring 30-foot ceilings and windows overlooking beautiful Madison Square Park, the restaurant embodies an urbane sophistication that is at once relaxed and bustling. And the cuisine smartly follows suit. Executive chef Kerry Heffernan masterfully prepares French-inspired seasonal American food. Among his updated classics are Sweet Pea Flan, Tuna Cru, Prime-Aged Roast Beef for Two, Maine Lobster Pot au Feu, Terrine of Beef Shank and Foie Gras, Artic Char with Pea Shoots and Vinaigrette, and Seared Loin and Almond Crusted Shank of Lamb with Basquaise Peppers. Pastry chef Nicole Kaplan provides a sumptuous end to the meal with irresistible desserts such as her signature chocolate soufflé, chocolate dome, and an exquisite selection of cookies and confections. The award-winning, eclectic wine list offers 36 wines by the glass, available at your table or in the cozy wine bar set beneath a gold-leaded Art Deco ceiling. The bar also boasts a world-class selection of Calvados and an extensive array of cocktails. Opened in October 1998, the restaurant promptly earned a James Beard nomination as Best New Restaurant in America, and won a coveted spot in Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants. More recently, Eleven Madison Park won the 2004 James Beard Award for Outstanding Service in America.
    Lea, New York City
  230 Park Ave - New York, NY           
Lea, a 60 seat wine bar, reataurant-lounge adds an opulent quality of romance to Grand Central's typically professional ambiance. Behind dark wooden slats, nestled in the hollowed granite halls of the Helmsley building, Invoking a 19th century writer’s den of the romantic period, Lea is a seductive and secluded wine bar and lounge located near Grand Central.
    Sardi's, New York City
  234 West 44th Street - New York, NY            
In the heart of New York's Theater District, Sardi's has been the toast of Broadway for 82 years. Located at 234 West 44th Street, the restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Late supper is served from Tuesday through Saturday.
    Jane Restaurant, New York City
  100 West Houston Street - New York, NY            
Exceptional cuisine, in an energetic yet intimate dining experience at palatable prices -- this is the vision of managing partner Jeffrey Lefcourt and chef/partner Glenn Harris. In the spring of 2001, this seasoned duo opened their doors, and Jane became the much-needed addition to the downtown culinary map, delivering a tantalizing mix of intriguing food, gracious service and sexy scenery
    Atlantic Grill, New York City
  1341 Third Avenue - New York, NY            
"Ride the tide to Atlantic Grill, our Upper East Side neighborhood favorite! Voted one of the 50 most popular restaurants in New York in the 2008 Zagat (with a top raw bar), Atlantic Grill is the place to go for your seafood and sushi fix.
Our bright, 200-seat space complete with bistro chairs, framed photos, baby blue walls and skylight might make you feel like you sailed into Cape Cod. You may not have left New York's harbor, but one thing is sure: our seafood is just as fresh."
    Ricardo Steak House, New York City
  2145 2nd Avenue - Harlem, NY             
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The concept of Ricardo Steakhouse was born when brothers Jimmy Mateus and Eddie Mateus teamed up to open a new kind of venue. The first generation New Yorkers, have always dreamt of owning a place where they could gather with friends and family. Since they had just completed a 5 story residential building with ground floor commercial space they thought "why not" SPAHA (Spanish Harlem). It was here the concept of Ricardo Steak House was born. They sensed New Yorkers were starting to re-embrace "comfort food"; but where could they offer the public something special, something new.
The idea was to combine the "Theater" open kitchen restaurant that is a showcase of the outbursting flavors of the angus steaks and house seasonings, with a warm sexy non traditional Steak House, in effect creating a "New World" Latino Steak House offering excellent, gourmet, healthy food at affordable prices. With its upscale spacious interior, exposed kitchen, long, sweeping bar/dining counter area, and open -air terrace, Ricardo Steak House has become one of the in demand restaurant-lounge in the community and a Tri-State destination, helping to further generate the already booming development and renaissance that is currently taking place in Spanish Harlem.
    Nobu, New York City
  105 Hudson Street - (Franklin Street) - New York, NY            
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Nobu New York, the flagship restaurant of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, has been a pioneer for Japanese cuisine since its opening in 1994. Nobu partnered with actor Robert De Niro, producer Meir Teper, restaurateur Drew Nieporent, and managing partner Richard Notar to bring his modern Japanese to Tribeca. Nobu draws upon his classical training at sushi bars in Tokyo and his life abroad in Peru, Argentina, and around the world to create a whole new trend in Japanese cuisine. The resulting dishes, including Tiradito Nobu Style, Yellowtail with Jalapeno, Squid Pasta, and Black Cod with Miso, make Nobu the innovator of new style Japanese food.
    Blue Water Grill, New York City
  31 Union Square West - New York, NY            
Voted 11th Most Popular Restaurant in New York in the 2008 Zagat Survey and applauded as a restaurant that is "perfect for dates" and "never disappoints," Blue Water Grill is a dining destination in the heart of Union Square. Loyal guests and curious visitors are drawn to the former Metropolitan Bank space that features sexy, dimly-lit red chandeliers illuminating the intimate dining room, a spacious people-watching outdoor café and a cozy subterranean lounge featuring live jazz music.
    Grand Tier Restaurant, New York City
  Metropolitan Opera House - Lincoln Center - New York, NY           
Set within one the most spectacular cultural destinations in the world, The Grand Tier at Lincoln Center's Metropolitan Opera House is a shrine to elegance and artistry. Enjoy sumptuous contemporary cuisine by chef Jeff Raider, pre-curtain or during intermission, served in an atmosphere highlighted by spectacular chandeliers and original masterpieces by Marc Chagall. An evening at the Grand Tier is truly an experience to treasure forever.
    Church Lounge, New York City
  2 Sixth Ave. - (White Street) - New York, NY           
Located in the center of the hotel’s soaring atrium, the Church Lounge is the contemporary incarnation of the classic New York hotel bar. An intimate gathering place by day, and a downtown destination by night, Church Lounge TriBeCa’s long, glossy bar, plush armchairs, and softly glowing lighting provide the ultimate in sophisticated downtown socializing. From a classic American menu designed exclusively by Tribeca Grand chefs to some of the best signature cocktails New York City has to offer, the stylish Church Lounge provides guests with a flash of downtown city life at its best. Weekends keep up the pace with a leisurely buffet-style Grand Sunday Brunch, a brunch both New York City locals and hotel guests call their favorite.
    Brasserie, New York City
  100 East 53rd Street - East Side - New York, NY           
"Midtown's downtown restaurant," Brasserie has been an iconic fixture in the Seagram building on E.53rd Street since 1959. Offering updated French brasserie fare and a collection of exceedingly decadent desserts in a futuristic, ultra-sleek cosmopolitan setting.
    Sequoia, New York City
  Pier 17, South Street Seaport - (Fulton Street & East River) - New York, NY            
Breathtaking harbor and city skyline views complement Sequoia’s savory seafood menu and wooded nautical décor. During the warmer months enjoy delicious food at an outdoor table on the terrace. Sequoia offers three nautically – designed private dining rooms for special occasions featuring spectacular views of historic ships and the waterfront.
    Le Bar Bat, New York City
  311 West 57th St. - New York, NY
          
Some come for our acclaimed Coastal Mediterranean cuisine. Others visit Providence take in the surroundings of the space that decades earlier was a landmark church, followed by a world-famous recording studio in which Hendrix, Sinatra, The Stones, Streisand and The Ramones created historic records. Still others frequent Providence to soak in the after work lounge vibe or to groove at one of the few remaining venues in the city where dinner and dancing are offered under one roof. http://www.lebarbat.com/
    Water Club, The, New York City
  East River - Between 28th and 32nd Street - New York, NY            
The Water Club serves wonderful classic American cuisine in a beautiful waterside setting against sweeping river views. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, lunch Tuesday through Saturday and an exceptional brunch on Sunday. A seasonal rooftop bar, The Crow’s Nest, sits atop the main dining room and features a moderately priced menu and refreshing drinks from mid-May through late September. The Water Club also has three private party rooms, a lounge with a wood burning fireplace, and piano music nightly in the dining room. The restaurant has complimentary valet parking in the private lot and the first floor is handicapped accessible.
    Le Perigord, New York City
  405 East 52nd Street - (1st Ave.) - New York, NY           
Le Périgord's fine appetizer display has lost none of its zip. A splendid plateful holds tangy terrines, various fish and shellfish and small salads--almost a meal.
The new kitchen team is as consistent as a Swiss watch, deft in meats as in seafood, and quickly developing a new dessert identity with pastry chef Serge Decrauzat. His light but lingering fruit-based specials augment Le Périgord's familiar and friendly trolley of tarts, mousses and floating islands. - Crain's New York
    Citarella The Restaurant, New York City
  1240 Sixth Ave. - (49th Street) - New York, NY           
"Citarella has been a part of New York for over 80 years. Our name is synonymous with freshness, quality and value. We have evolved from a small, neighborhood market to a top food destination in New York City and the Hamptons.
In a city that offers overwhelming variety, we proudly offer the largest selection of fresh seafood & aged prime meats along with prepared foods and gourmet groceries. While growing we have maintained our commitment to providing the best quality, value and service."