Northeast USA Restaurants $$$

L’Absinthe Brasserie-Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side is a world outside of the every day.  Chef-Proprietaire, Jean-Michel Bergougnoux’s classic and nouvelle French cuisine merges harmoniously with the timeless and traditional Parisian Brasserie décor and attentive, friendly service.

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.

Bobby Van's Steakhouse and Grill located across from the New York Stock Exchange uses the original 1898 structure to create lush and evocative dining rooms filled with dark wood, cream-colored walls and beautiful chandeliers. Pass through the glass entrance of the steakhouse into the grand dining room with 20' ceilings to face a gorgeous 20-foot bar and a floor-to-ceiling wall of wine and liquor. Dine under the soft lighting of the grand chandeliers and enjoy succulent 28-day dry-aged prime steaks and the freshest seafood.

Located just blocks from city government, courts and Wall Street, City Hall Restaurant has become the destination of choice for everyone who works, lives and visits the original hardt of New York City.

Tribeca Grill is co-owned by renowned restaurateur Drew Nieporent and legendary actor Robert De Niro. It opened to much acclaim in 1990 and was instrumental in helping put the Tribeca neighborhood on the map. Its all-star roster of investors includes such luminaries as Bill Murray, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Lou Diamond Philips, Russell Simmons, Peter Max, Christopher Walken and Harvey & Bob Weinstein of Miramax Films. http://www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com

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.

In 1762 an enterprising and ambitious innkeeper named Samuel Fraunces purchased a three-story brick mansion which had been built on one of Manhattan Island’s first landfills. Under Samuel Fraunces’ proprietorship the building became a well-known gathering place - - - a place for friends and strangers to meet, mingle and share a drink. But Mr. Fraunces tavern was frequented by the leaders of a revolution and thus became more than just a local watering hole.

The Riverdale Garden welcomes you with a comfortable fine dining experience in the tree-lined Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. The restaurant features no-nonsense seasonal cuisine in a casual and elegant atmosphere, including a flower garden (for dining al fresco), terrace and a wood burning stove.

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.

Open since February 2000, Avra's reputation is spreading like Brushfire. Innovative Greek architect Yianni Skordas has turned the spacious Avra's interior into a cozy space evocative of an Ionnian home. Everything about Avra is homey. From the flowers to the Jerusalem limestone floors, stonewash walls of the interior remind one of the traditional white walls and blue roofs often seen in postcards of Greece and its famous islands. The large wooden, framed, French doors were open to an outdoor patio creating a most pleasant country spring breeze.

B. Smith's on Restaurant Row serves a Global-Eclectic menu featuring B.'s interpretations of cuisines from around the globe. The bar is almost always bustling for happy hour with a hip multi-ethnic clientele including the theater crowd, business and entertainment executives, tourists, and viewers familiar with B. from her TV show and publications. This list also includes everyone from heads of state and captains of industry to artists, celebrities and the guy and gal next door. Sunday Brunch, served until 3pm, features a selection of gourmet omelets and Pan Scrambled Eggs, Sweet Potato Pancakes, French Toasted Butter Crackle Brioche and a Petrossian Smoked Salmon Platter.

David Rosengarten of Gourmet Magazine calls Il Buco "one of the best, most exciting restaurants in the whole of America ... Lately, after a string of spectacular evenings at Il Buco, I've been uttering the restaurant's name in response to the question 'What restaurant should I go to on my one night in New York?'. To my taste, Il Buco is that good, and that special ..." Mediterranean cuisine, using the best locally sourced and imported artisanal ingredients served in a warm and welcoming environment.

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.

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.

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.

The new restaurant created by Fourth Wall Restaurants and designed by AvroKO (PUBLIC, Stanton Social, Sapa), is open for business in midtown Manhattan. Chef Craig Koketsu presents a rustic New American menu. Koketsu distinguishes the menu and concept by creating modern interpretations of familiar dishes and flavor combinations, resulting in unique tastes, innovative presentations, and a distinctive Quality Meats style.

There’s steak and then there’s the prime stuff that comes out of Himalayan rock salt tiled aging room. Ever had a 65-day dry aged bone-in ribeye steak in New York? For Business lunches or second dates, or business lunches that turn into second dates, the sleek and elegant New York steak restaurant has the meat you crave.

L'Ecole guests are always impressed by the scope and creativity of our menu selections. Their surprise turns to amazement, however, when they discover that every one of our spectacular dishes is prepared not by top New York chefs, but by our students. In a city where excellence is a price of entry, even the savviest diners have trouble believing that students could perform at such a high level. Dishes are contemporary French, and spiced with an array of ethnic influences that make each one especially memorable. Bon-appetit!

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.

Walking down West Broadway, the main Avenue of New York's fashionable Soho district, among the fine boutiques and art galleries, you will notice the spacious front of Ristorante Barolo. Etablished in 1990, Barolo has crafted a reputation of excellence among a fashionable and discerning clientele, both locally and internationally. Ristorante Barolo is well known for some of the most exquisite and authentic Northern Italian cuisine, complemented by a prize winning wine list of over 1,200 selections.

Voted "one of the Top 10 best steakhouses in New York City," Nick & Stef's is a masterful blend of ultra-stylish contemporary design and time-honored culinary artistry. Directly adjacent to Madison Square Garden on West 33rd St., it's the place to eat before and after concerts and games for succulent steaks, the freshest seafood and signature side dishes.

Levana, the premiere Kosher restaurant in New York City...and the country. This Home Page will serve as a guide to a huge array of information, not only about Levana, but about the world of quality kosher cuisine.
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The famed New York City steakhouse evokes a retro environment in a modern way. Strip House is known for prime signature cuts of New York Strip Steak and Rib Eye charred to perfection. Table- carved Double Porterhouse and Cote du Beouf add drama to the experience. Decadent side dishes include Black Truffle Cream Spinach and Goose Fat Potatoes. The wine list offers depth and breadth to enhance the dining experience. Part of the experience is the sumptuous, all red décor designed by David Rockwell featuring vintage photographs from Vienna’s Studio Manasse.

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/

"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."

Winner of the prestigious 2007 Ivy Award, The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center is a stunning example of the very freshest oceanic delicacies, with ingredient-driven and locally sourced specialties. Continuously ranked among a handful of New York's top seafood restaurants, the sublime cuisine and sleek, modern setting are highlighted by the spectacular views at this landmark location.

Charlie Palmer's unabashed, energetic signature Progressive American cuisine first took root in the original townhouse location of Aureole, where the chef made an early commitment to farm over factory food. Today, Aureole shines at the spectacular Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park, the most environmentally advanced skyscraper in the world.

Chef Tien Ho joined chef david chang’s team at momofuku ssäm bar as chef de cuisine in 2006. After graduating from the university of texas at austin with a degree in philosophy and history, tien decided against graduate school and opted for a career in food. in 1996, tien began his career as an apprentice under chef christian echterbille at the belgian restaurant in austin. under chef echterbille’s tutelage, a longtime instructor at CERIA, tien began his foundation for fine classical cuisine. he went on to work at the driskill hotel in austin and then to the four seasons hotel in Houston. tien eventually returned to austin to become the executive sous chef at the driskill hotel. in 2002, tien bought a one-way ticket to the city and joined café boulud as the saucier under chef andrew carmellini (where he first met momofuku chef david chang). after a year and half, he went to work under highly respected chef gray kunz to open café gray as the saucier and then sous chef. in 2004, tien returned to café boulud as sous chef and then joined momofuku a year later.

Acappella Restaurant, home of the finest Northern Italian Cuisine on the planet. Not because we say so but because you say so. Acappella, home of the First Soprano's episode.
The food, the service and the ambiance make you feel like you are in a scene from the Godfather. "We will make you a dish you can't refuse!" Our unique Northern Italian Cuisine, atmosphere and impeccable service will make your dinning experience in NYC second to none.
Sixteen foot high beamed ceilings, oversize colums, brick walls, Italian tapestries, sixty foot windows overlooking Tribeca dressed with Italian sheer and tapestry draperies. The oversized painting of Duke Federico da Montefebre of Urbino, and just the right lighting create a feeling of being in Rome, Tuscany or Milan - but don't forget you are in New York City - Tribeca.

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.