Manhattan Restaurants $$$

1

Avra Estiatorio, Midtown

  141 East 48th Street - New York, NY              
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.
2
Blue Water Grill, Greenwich Village+
  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.
3
Smith & Wollensky, Midtown
  797 Third Ave. - (49th Street) - New York, NY              
Smith & Wollensky is one of the most trafficked restaurants in New York and among the most celebrated steakhouses in the world. Specializing in fresh seafood and lobster and assorted steaks and chops, Smith & Wollensky is well recognized for its healthy portions, seasoned service staff and pop Americana ambience. The surnames, Smith and Wollensky, were chosen from the local telephone directory by the restaurant’s founder Alan Stillman, of T.G.I. Friday’s fame. Wollensky’s Grill, a small but spirited bar room installed in the side of the famed midtown restaurant, is open until 2 a.m. Catering to night owls, Wollensky Grill offers a late night bill of fare featuring lighter supper versions of items from the grander Smith & Wollensky steakhouse menu and plenty of high-end red wines by the glass to choose from.
4
L'Ecole Restaurant, Greenwich Village+
  462 Broadway - (Grand Street) - New York, NY              
<iframe id='palyer4' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=intlculcenter'></iframe id='palyer4'>
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!
5
Levana, Upper West Side
  141 West 69th Street - New York, NY              
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.
Some of the information is provided with graphics that may take a few moments to download to your browser (it'll look best on the current version of a browser like Internet Explorer), but the pictures aren't vital, so if you want the text alone and a faster download, please feel free to disable your browser's graphics feature.
6
Strip House New York City Steakhous, Greenwich Village+
  13 East 12th Street - New York, NY              
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.
7
Le Bar Bat, Midtown
  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/
8
Sequoia, Lower Manhattan
  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.
9
Water Club, The, Midtown
  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.
10
Aureole, Upper East Side
  34 E. 61st Street - (Park Madison-Aves.) - New York, NY              
<iframe id='palyer10' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=CharliePalmerGroup'></iframe id='palyer10'>
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.
11
Park Avenue Cafe, Upper East Side
  100 E. 63rd Street - (Park Ave.) - New York, NY              
Park Avenue Cafe offers a unique menu of innovative American cuisine from Chef Neil Murphy, a welcoming and informed service team, and an outstanding wine list at the corner of 63rd Street & Park Ave. on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In fact, it was this winning combination that made leading food writer John Mariani exclaim, this is "One of the best dinners I've had in New York this year." The newly renovated restaurant is a wonderful setting to an exceptional meal, followed by unforgettably beautiful and delicious desserts by award-winning pastry chef Richard Leach.
12
Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center, The, Midtown
  19 West 49th Street - New York, NY              
<iframe id='palyer12' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UhwZDexe4aE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer12'>
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.
13
Noodle Bar late night, Greenwich Village+
  171 1st Avenue - New York, NY              
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.
14
Le Cirque 2000, Midtown
  455 Madison Ave. - (50th 51st Streets) - New York, NY              
15
Lure Fishbar, Greenwich Village+
  142 Mercer Street - New York, NY              
American style sliced, marinated and perfectly prepared seafood and other cooked classics. Well crafted 250 bottle wine list.
16
Barolo Restaurant, Greenwich Village+
  398 West Broadway - New York, NY              
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.
17
Ouest Restaurant, Upper West Side
  2315 Broadway - New York, NY              
Ouest is a contemporary American Bistro, highly regarded on the Upper West Side and citywide. Partners Tom Valenti and Godfrey Polistina have created an Oasis of fine dining and fine wines in a casual but sophisticated environment.
18
Fraunces Tavern Restaurant, Lower Manhattan
  54 Pearl Street - New York, NY              
<iframe id='palyer18' width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3bP2YxPTigc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer18'>
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.
19
Arpeggio Food & Wine, Upper West Side
  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.
20
Ricardo Steak House, Harlem+
  2145 2nd Avenue - Harlem, NY              
<iframe id='palyer20' width="300" height="200" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ca9R0TpmEUc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe id='palyer20'>
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.
21
L'Absinthe Brasserie-Restaurant, Upper East Side
  227 E. 67th Street - (2nd-3rd Aves.) - New York, NY              
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.
22
Lincoln Ristorante, Upper West Side
  142 West 65th Street - New York, NY              
<iframe id='palyer22' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/?listType=user_uploads&list=lincolnristorante'></iframe id='palyer22'>
The latest incarnation of famed restaurateur (and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO) Nick Valenti's commitment to bringing the ultimate in culinary experiences to the nation's leading cultural institutions. Lincoln combines high-concept design with the impeccable contemporary Italian cuisine of Chef Jonathan Benno. Valenti worked closely with the architectural firm of Diller, Scofidio + Renfro to create Lincoln's unique design featuring glass walls, signature sloping lawn roof and a spectacular view of the reflecting pool and the Henry Moore sculpture. The restaurant's environment is both comfortable and refined – with an open kitchen, bar, lounge, two dining rooms and private dining accommodations.
23
The Wright Restaurant & Bar, Upper East Side
  1071 Fifth Avenue - Guggenheim Museum - New York, NY              
Located in New York’s iconic Guggenheim museum and named in honor of the great American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, this intimate Upper East Side destination is located in an elegant and modern architectural space that is sure to dazzle trend-setters, fine diners, art lovers and world-travelers. Designed in white by architect Andre Kikoski -- who was inspired by the original Wright museum design for the Guggenheim -- the restaurant embraces the cosmopolitan excitement of today’s New York. A modern American menu created by David Bouley protégé, Rodolfo Contreras, features distinctive cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal, local and sustainable Ingredients. Additionally, a site-specific sculpture by British-born artist Liam Gillick was commissioned for the space, creating a truly unique dining experience.
24
Bobby Van's Steakhouse, Lower Manhattan
  25 Broad Street - Financial District - New York, NY              
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.
25
Isabella's, Upper West Side
  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.
26
Grand Tier Restaurant, Upper West Side
  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.
27
Atlantic Grill, Upper East Side
  1341 Third Ave. - (76th-77th Streets) - New York, NY              
Ride the tide to Atlantic Grill, our Upper East Side neighborhood favorite! Atlantic Grill is the place to go for your seafood and sushi fix. 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.
Choose from among crowd-pleasing favorites from the Atlantic - or the Pacific - like our Maryland Crab Cake with Grilled Corn Salsa topped with Chipotle Remoulade, or the Cajun Lobster and Sea Scallops over Shrimp Risotto, Oven Dried Tomatoes, and Herb Nage.
Or sample our daily selection of Oysters and Clams on the Half Shell from our raw bar and our unique Sushi, Sashimi and Rolls. Our Sushi Chefs are constantly "rolling" out new creations, such as our Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass Maki Roll with Red Ginger or our BBQ Eel Roll with Crunchy Sweet Potato, Avocado, and Toasted Almonds.
28
Daniel Boulud Restaurant, Upper East Side
  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.