New York State Restaurants $$$

    Le Cirque 2000, New York City

  455 Madison Ave. - (50th 51st Streets) - New York, NY           
    Craft, New York City
  43 E. 19th Street - (Park Ave. South-Broad-Way) - New York, NY            
Tom Colicchio's Craft received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant nationwide in 2002, and has since spawned a host of imitators for its unique marriage of the finest ingredients, haute cuisine and family-style service.
Against the award-winning architectural design of Bentel and Bentel, and under the glow of filament bulbs, diners share from dishes that celebrate 'single' ingredients, expertly and simply prepared. "Simple doesn't mean simplistic," Tom says in his book, Think Like a Chef, and the food at Craft - under the execution of Chef Damon Wise - serves as proof. Favorites include Pan Roasted Day boat Scallops, Roasted Foie Gras, Braised Short Ribs of Beef, the famous Hen-of-the-Woods Mushrooms, and what many diners describe as the finest Porterhouse Steak in New York City.
    Beacon Restaurant, New York City
  25 W. 56th Street - (5th-6th Aves.) - New York, NY           
Waldy Malouf. Chef, co-owner and author.
    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.
    Felidia Restaurant, New York City
  243 East 58th Street - New York, NY            
Felidia is the acclaimed Manhattan East Side flagship of Lidia Bastianich, open since 1981. It is here that many of Lidia’s devoted fans find her greeting each guest with the same warmth and passion that she exhibits through her television shows and cookbook.
Executive Chef Fortunato Nicotra has been with Felidia since 1996 and has brought an innovative presentation and touch to traditional ingredients and dishes from all of the regions of Italy. The New York Times three star restaurant and nominee for Outstanding Restaurant U.S. from the James Beard Foundation was a proud recipient of the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award Winning Wine List for many years.
    Arpeggio Food & Wine, New York City
  Lincoln Center Plaza - New York, NY           
A casual, stylish, full-service a la carte restaurant highlighting innovative Mediterannean cuisine and seasonal ingredients as well as local and global wine selections along with specialty cocktails and mocktails. Guests can dine at the bar, in the lounge, in the center room, or join us at Arpeggio Outdoors choosing from appetizers, main courses, artisanal cheeses and cured meats.
    Brasserie 8 1/2, New York City
  9 W. 57th Street - (5th-6th Aves.) - New York, NY           
Nestled in Skidmore, Owings' celebrated "Bell-bottom" building on 9 W.57th Street, in Midtown Manhattan, Brasserie 8½ offers notable "nouvelle" French cuisine in a super-plush atmosphere. Accessed by a spectacular sweeping staircase, the restaurant is accented by original works by Henri Matisse and a one-of-a-kind glass sculpture by Fernand Leger.
    Isabella's, New York City
  359 Columbus Ave. - (77th Street) - New York, NY            
Isabella's has been hailed for over fifteen years as an "Upper West Side institution" by neighborhood regulars and serious diners alike. Once you walk through its doors, you'll immediately know you're somewhere special. Known for not only great food but for its reasonable prices and great service, Isabella's has earned its place among the must-do New York experiences.
Offering both creative renditions and dishes that are sure-to-please, Isabella's inventive Mediterranean cuisine melts perfectly with the quintessential Upper West Side setting, making it the ideal destination for any outing.
    Tao Restaurant, New York City
  42 East 58th Street - New York, NY           
A favorite destination for celebrities and athletes, this Pan Asian restaurant specializes in authentic Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines. Tao has 3 levels of dining including the prized "Skybox" which offers views of this former movie theater unparalleled in New York. In addition to its 300 seats, Tao includes a sushi bar, lounge and 2 bars at which to enjoy the food and the show.
    Onieals Soho, New York City
  174 Grand Street - New York, NY           
Onieal's is well known for "Sex and the City." When Miranda's once and future boy-toy Steve partners up with Carrie’s ex Aidan to open the bar ‘SCOUT’, it is Onieal’s Grand Street in downtown NYC that serves as the backdrop for the casually hip New York bar.
The bar itself is directly opposite the old Police Headquarters and its former occupants, as a brothel, speakeasy and gambling parlor would seem diametrically opposed to the purpose of the Police Department. But see, that’s the corruption part. So endemic was this corruption (we’re talking the heyday of Tammany) that when the Police Headquarters was built in 1909, a tunnel was dug connecting the buildings.
    Palm One, New York City
  837 Second Avenue - New York, NY            
At The Palm, our philosophy is simple: Treat guests like family, serve great food, and always exceed expectations. That philosophy was born in 1926, when Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened the first Palm in New York City. From day one, Pio and John shared their commitment to quality and generosity of spirit with every guest who walked through their doors. What began as a restaurant became a legend – a place to not only enjoy an excellent meal but also catch up with old friends, meet new ones, close business deals, and celebrate family milestones.
    Riverview Restaurant, New York City
  2-01 50th Avenue - Long Island City, NY           
Riverview Restaurant commands the most spectacular views of New York City's skyline. Directly facing the United Nation with Citicorp Center, Trumps International Hotel and the Queensboro Bridge to the north and the Chrysler and Empire State Building to the south, Riverview is unmistakably, " A Room with a View".
    Palm West Side, New York City
  250 W. 50th Street - (Broadway-8th Ave.) - New York, NY             
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The west side Palm will differentiate itself in some ways from the Second Avenue restaurants, with 1,200 square feet of caricature walls, a more spacious dining room of 9,400 square feet, and a large bar area, but will stay true to the original in its prime-aged steak-and-lobster-heavy menu. Alfred L. Thimm, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of the Washington, DC-based Palm Management Corporation.
The Palm has come full circle with the opening of its Times Square location. Right in the heart of the theatre district, the West Side Palm has become a hotspot for theatre-goers, celebrities, tourists and Palm regulars alike. Loyal Palm customers like Brian Dennehy have found their way to the West Side of Manhattan from the East Side to dine with the likes of Don King and Evander Holyfield.
    Daniel Boulud Restaurant, New York City
  20 East 76th St. - New York, NY            
The restaurant offers a menu and ambiance combining the best of French food and design in a casually elegant style. Named for the local cafe Daniel Boulud's family ran on their farm outside Lyon, France at the turn of the century, Cafe Boulud reflects the same spirit of conviviality that made the original spot a regular village meeting place.
    Peter Luger Steak House, New York City
  178 Broadway - Brooklyn, NY            
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Serving the finest steaks since 1887. The finest USDA PRIME meat available. The selection process is crucial and therefore is done only by members of the family who visit the wholesale markets on a daily basis. It begins with fresh sides of beef that usually come from the Midwest. The section of beef used is called the short loin. Only those cattle graded PRIME by the United States Agriculture Department are even considered. It is then important to examine the color, fat conformation and bones.
    Rock Center Café, New York City
  20 West 50th Street - New York, NY            
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With a stunning view of The Rink at Rockefeller Center in the winter months along with the spectacular Manhattan cityscape, Rock Center Café boasts a series of original Warhol prints in its popular bar and one of the most memorable settings imaginable for dining and entertaining. Serving an exceptional breakfast and an outstanding contemporary American lunch and dinner, it's a place you'll return to again and again. This stylish "workhorse" is open 365 days a year to serve your every need.