Manhattan Restaurants $$

    Mesa Grill, Greenwich Village+

  102 5th Ave - Flatiron, Union Square - New York, NY           
Bobby Flay's cookbooks are available for purchase at the restaurant; so is his poultry rub, the ingredients of which are listed on the back of the restaurant's cards.
    Ruby Foo's, Upper West Side
  2182 Broadway - (76th-77th Streets) - New York, NY            
In the heart of what makes Manhattan tick, Ruby Foo's Times Square is creating a buzz of its own amid the glitz and glitter of Broadway's twinkling lights. Follow the neon light beaming from our fifty-foot "Ruby Foo's" sign. On 49th street, there is no mistaking: the revolving sign beckons passers-by to enter its Shanghai-style banquet setting for Ruby Foo's signature Pan-Asian cuisine.
Inside this 300-seat, multi-decked "Palace", bold colors, broad decorative strokes, mah-jongg tiled walls and colorful open lobby bar are the visual essence of the Ruby Foo's design. A huge lacquered "red gate" archway is the entrance to the Ruby Foo's experience, and is accented with the venue's dramatic lighting that includes lanterns replicated from China's "Forbidden City." At the north end, a gold-leafed Buddha keeps a watchful eye over the guests while they peruse Executive Chef Shawn Edelman's vast menu, a collection of delicious dishes from every part of the Asian continent.
    Lupa Osteria Romana, Greenwich Village+
  170 Thompson Street - (Houston-Bleecker Streets) - New York, NY            
Lupa Osteria Romana opened its doors on October 1, 1999 under the partnership of Jason Denton, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich, and Mark Ladner. The idea behind the four men was to open a casual restaurant specializing in Roman trattoria fare of the highest quality at a moderate price. The restaurant has met its promise, offering a unique dining experience with a true "Lupa" dimension.
Under the direction of Mark Ladner, executive chef, the menu at Lupa has received rave reviews from many prominent critics, magazines and newspapers. This is the result of Lupa's uniqueness that other restaurants in New York are not able to match. In 2005, Steve Connaughton took over the helm as executive chef after four years as Mark Ladner's sous chef.
    Trattoria Dell'Arte, Midtown
  900 Seventh Avenue - New York, NY           
Across from Carnegie Hall, Trattoria Dell’Arte features the largest antipasto bar in New York, a sprawling selection of seafood and vegetable specialties perfect for parties of all sizes. Designed after a Tuscan artist’s studio, the rooms include half-finished paintings, oversized sculptures of fragmented body parts, a gallery of Italian noses, a wine cellar dining room, and a candle-filled private room. The menu focuses on northern Italian specialties such as the steak Florentine, double veal chop, seafood specialties of the Mediterranean, and unforgettable dessert
    Agave Southwestern, Greenwich Village+
  140 Seventh Ave. South - New York, NY           
"Step beyond our atrium. Agave's serene, smart adobe scene provides a glowing setting for the fusion of tradition and Southwestern innovation of Chef Richard Pang.
Our menus are created with the greatest care to ensure an enchanted experience. Highlights include seared Ahi tuna tataki tostaditas, squash blossom tacos with smoked tomato and caciotta, puerco sabana and pepita crusted salmon."
    Australian, The, Midtown
  20 West 38 Street - New York, NY           
Traditionally Australian food has been influenced by two main groups – the British, who settled the country in the late eighteenth century, and the Aboriginals who occupied the land for more than 40,000 years before then.
Australian cuisine was heavily influenced by the first English settlers, who favored such staples as roasted cuts of meat, grilled steak and chops with vegetables. Despite an array of different influences in the last 200 years, much of this traditional British food has remained a mainstay of Australian cuisine, particularly in Australian pub fare such as meat pies and fish and chips.
    Carmine's Upper West Side, Midtown
  2450 Broadway - (90th-91st Streets) - New York, NY           
Carmine's first location opened August 14, 1990 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Designed by Peter Niemitz, the interiors of Carmine's evoke the images of the quintessential New York restaurant. Born of elements and details from the 1920s to the 1940s, the establishment looks and feels as if it has been around for a very long time. Carmine's classic Italian-American interiors started the trend in Italian style dinner houses with its eclectic, spirited environment that has become the perfect place for family celebrations.
    Ninja New York, Greenwich Village+
  25 Hudson Street - Manhattan - New York, NY           
Welcome to Ninja, where the goal is to impress you, the guest, with immersive ambiance, decoration and service, bringing you back to the time of the Ninja warrior... come experience the world of the Ninja, and enjoy dishes that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to taste. Come and partake in this unique restaurant experience.
    Windfall Lounge & Grill, Midtown
  23 West 39th Street - (5th-6th Aves.) - New York, NY           
Come at lunch and you might think you are in a fine restaurant, come at night and the lunch would be unimaginable to you – the lunch tables are gone, the 44 foot bar awakens, drinking and music prevail, and “party” is the password. But either way we are always ready to capture any celebration you like.
    The River Room, Harlem+
  679 Riverside Drive - Riverbank State Park - New York, NY           
“The view is magic… The long northern wall of the restaurant is floor-to-ceiling glass facing the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge… a broad span of glittering lights… a sensational view.
Much of the food… explores Southern cuisine — defined broadly — and what might be called elevated soul food… I tried a fillet of striped bass encrusted with corn meal and okra. The contrast between the gritty, crunchy exterior and the moist interior made for a very fine dish.
Service… was definitely earnest and often charismatic. Both of the waitresses who interacted with our table had senses of humor and senses of just how much conversation we wanted and didn't and when.”
Diner's Journal - The New York Times
    New Leaf Cafe, Harlem+
  1 Margaret Corbin Drive - (Fort Tryon Park) - New York, NY            
Nestled in Upper Manhattan’s historic Fort Tryon Park, the New Leaf Restaurant & Bar offers a stylish and unforgettable dining experience.
Housed in a restored 1930s cobblestone New York City Parks Department building and enveloped by lush, forested surroundings, dining at the New Leaf is like visiting a charming, upstate country inn without ever leaving the city. A true storybook-like setting, the New Leaf was voted “Upper Manhattan’s Most Romantic Restaurant.”
Executive Chef Scott Campbell brings more than 20 years distinguished culinary experience to the New Leaf. Drawing inspiration from local green markets, upstate New York farms and New York City’s community gardens, Chef Campbell creates a constantly changing, imaginative and modern American menu featuring seasonal dishes made from only the freshest, all-natural produce.
The New Leaf is an enterprise of the non-profit New York Restoration Project (NYRP), with proceeds supporting the restoration and maintenance of New York City parks, community gardens and open spaces.
    Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina, Lower Manhattan
  83 Pearl Street - New York, NY           
A casual-upscale Mexican restaurant featuring a traditional Mexican menu. The theme is based on the Mexican Revolution. The decor features vintage black-and-white photos of banditos and scenes of Mexico printed on canvas and displayed throughout the restaurant. Barn wood, iron, weathered furniture (imported directly from Mexico), wrought-iron chandeliers, Edison bulbs, candlelight and other traditional decorative elements all combine to provide a warm and rustic dining atmosphere.
Flat-screen televisions in the bar area feature sports and vintage Mexican movies, while stainless-steel and glass Guacamole stations add a modern contrast to the overall look. Music is a lively Mexican and Spanish selection during the day at both the bar area and the dining area. During happy hour, the bar area switches over to top 100, classic and contemporary rock, while guests can enjoy a more traditional Mexican dining experience upstairs where Mexican/Spanish music continues to play.
    Heartland Brewery & Beer Hall, Lower Manhattan
  93 South Street at Fulton - New York, NY             
Heartland Brewer and Beer Hall is the fourth beer hall to opened under the Heartland Brewery. The Beer Hall is located at the South Street Seaport at the corner of Fulton Street and faces Pier 17 and the East River. The bar offers great food, a wide range of seasonal beers on tap and even has a function room for private parties.
    Bridge Cafe - Permanently closed, Lower Manhattan
  279 Water Street - (Dover Street) - New York, NY           
Delicately Quick Fried Soft Shell Crabs with a Scallion Beurre Blanc, Spicy Sofrito Potatoes and Sautéed Broccolini. Soft Shell Crab season can run from early March to as late as November. First of the season crabs come from Florida as the season makes it’s way up the East coast as ocean waters warm. We serve only fresh caught, never frozen, jumbo crabs hand picked daily by our Chef.
    Cafe Fiorello, Upper West Side
  1900 Broadway - (63rd-64th Streets) - New York, NY           
A forum for Lincoln Center’s performing arts culture for nearly thirty years, Café Fiorello’s focal point is its sprawling bar filled with over fifty kinds of antipasti. With the timeless charm of a brasserie, the main dining room is finished in warm wood, mirrors, and brass.
Besides the hot and cold antipasti specialties of vegetables and seafood, the menu features updated Italian classics and specialty Roman dishes. There is a large selection of seafood, steak, veal & pasta.
    Lilly O'Brien's Bar and Restaurant, Lower Manhattan
  67 Murray Street (CLOSED) - New York, NY           
Lilly O'Brien's Bar and Restaurant is a Irish-themed bar and restaurant located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The bar and restaurant is known for its traditional Irish decor, live music, and friendly staff.
The menu at Lilly O'Brien's features a variety of traditional Irish dishes such as Fish and Chips, Shepherd's Pie, and Bangers and Mash. They also offer a wide selection of beers and whiskies from Ireland, as well as a variety of cocktails.
Lilly O'Brien's is a popular spot for live music and events, featuring Irish music and traditional folk music. They also host trivia nights, karaoke and other events.
The bar is open seven days a week and is a great spot to grab a drink or a bite to eat with friends. It's also a great spot to catch a game or watch a match, they have multiple TVs and they have a great selection of beers on tap. They also have outdoor seating during the warm months, which is a great spot to enjoy the nice weather and take in the sights and sounds of Manhattan.
Lilly O'Brien's is conveniently located in the Murray Hill neighborhood and is easily accessible by public transportation. It's a great spot for locals and tourists alike looking for a taste of Ireland in the heart of New York City.
    Africa Kine Restaurant, Harlem+
  256 West 116th Street - West Harlem - New York, NY           
    Good Enough to Eat, Upper West Side
  483 Amsterdam Ave. - (83rd-84rh Streets) - New York, NY            
Carrie Levin, the Chef and Owner of Good Enough to Eat, was born in New York City, but moved with her parents and her little brother to Belgium at the age of five. She grew up in Brussels, learning French (and a smattering of Flemish) and spending a lot of time in the two small restaurants her family owned there.
    Payard Patisserie & Bistro, Upper East Side
  1032 Lexington Ave. - (73rd-74rh Streets) - New York, NY             
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    Jin Ramen, Harlem+
  3183 Broadway (by 125th Street 1 train station) - New York, NY           
Jin is the Japanese pronunciation of the character 仁. It means "benevolence" and finds its root in Confucian ideals. The character Jin consists of two elements. The left side represents a human being and the right side represents the numeral two. Jin is said to depict the way two people should treat one another. This ramen bar is called Jin not only out of an enthusiasm for ramen, but also from a desire to grow a business that has a positive impact on the community. In 2012, after Jin gains a solid foothold in the neighborhood, customers are welcome to advise on how Jin should use its resources to benefit our community and neighbors.
    Rosa Mexicano, Upper West Side
  61 Columbus Ave. - (62nd Street) - New York, NY            
Rosa Mexicano set a new standard for Mexican cuisine in New York when it first opened its doors in 1984. Playing a leading role in defining what was then a "new" cuisine to American diners, Rosa Mexicano delivers authentic Mexican cooking in an accessible, stylishly festive atmosphere.
    Red, Upper East Side
  19 Fulton Street - Front-Water Streets - New York, NY            
Located at the South Street Seaport. Evoking the spirit of the Southwest. Hopping bar and fantastic Mexican meals.
    Museum Restaurant, Upper East Side
  82nd St. and Fifth Ave. - New York, NY           
    Lenox Room, Upper East Side
  1278 3rd Avenue - (Between 73rd & 74th Streets) - New York, NY           
Elegant yet informal, the Lenox Room is the inspiration of three dynamic figures who have been intimately involved with the New York and international restaurant businesses for years -- Tony Fortuna, the former manager/maitre d' of Monkey Bar, Mad. 61 and Lespinasse and Edward Bianchini, owner of Hôtel Les Muscadins, in Mougins, France.