North America Restaurants $$$

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.

A revival and renewal of the classic American tavern, Gramercy Tavern offers refined, seasonal American cuisine, warm hospitality and unparalleled service.

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.

What to expect at Ruth's Chris Steak House? First and foremost, an enthusiastic welcome. Then, the distinctive sizzle of tender, custom-aged U.S. prime beef, broiled to a turn and presented at your table with a flourish. You can expect to take your time and be perfectly pampered. After an unforgettable Ruth's Chris experience, the word "sizzle" will take on a new and delectable meaning.

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

Gastronomically, you are in an area where goose and duck dominate, often cooked over wood smoke, where fresh river salmon and trout grace the tables of the open air café culture. Dishes from South West France that make use of ingredients which the region has in abundance, such as wild mushrooms, truffles, duck, foie gras, walnuts, chestnuts, hams, cheeses and wines and armagnac. These delicious meals are complemented by a wide range of excellent wines, from the famous Bordeaux reds to the less celebrated wines such as Côtes de Duras from the Lot et Garonne or from the vineyards around Cahors and Gaillac. If all this sounds too good to be missed head to Pigalle and head for dishes such as "Cassoulet" and "Duck Confit.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea is recognized as one of the city’s most romantic restaurants. Chef Gary Volkov’s American seasonal cuisine takes stage amid the delightful blend of cozy fireplaces, candlelit tables, fresh flowers and live piano music. From Tart of Wild Mushroom to Rack of Australian Lamb to Foie Gras and Braised Duck Terrine, Executive Chef Volkov woos diners with the fresh flavors and palate pleasing textures. With its history never far from reach, today’s diner can select a romantic red from the wine cellar housed deep within the building’s historic tunnels.

Murals on 54 boasts a warm and elegant interior where fine art and history unfolds. Designed by Pierre Court, the concept of the dining room was to accentuate the historic murals painted by Dean Cornwell in 1937. The colours in the murals are radiant against the light background and natural light enters the room from the opening of the large, existing street-side windows, which creates the feel of an open terrace or a sun deck on an ocean liner.

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.

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.

Now 95 years young. Barbetta is the oldest restaurant in New York still owned by the founding family. Authentic Piemontese food in an elegant and romantic atmosphere. Dine outdoors in the garden beside the fountain in the summer. Legendary, award winning wine cellar.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NYC's noted upscale Vietnamese restaurant. Beauty, romance and spirit of French colonial Southeast.

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.

Churrascaria is the name used to describe a restaurant that serves meat, mostly grilled, and Rodizio is a method of serving different cuts of meat that originated in the south of Brazil in the early 1800's.
The concept is to serve a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc., in succession, to each diner individually right at their table, thus there is not a traditional menu. The restaurant features a fixed-price continuous tableside service. In 1996, New York City was finally gifted with Plataforma Churrascaria: The authentic Brazilian Rodizio...enhancing even more the options this incredible city has to offer.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

Waldy Malouf. Chef, co-owner and author.

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.

Annisa is an intimate, upscale Contemporary American restaurant with a small, elegant bar and an extensive wine list. Since its opening, Annisa has won much praise from the media including glowing reviews from the New York Times and the New York Observer. Chef Anita Lo has been named one of ten "Best New Chefs in America" by Food and Wine magazine as well as "Best New Restaurant Chef" by the Village Voice. Located in the heart of the West Village at 13 Barrow street, Annisa has been in operation since June of 2000.

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.

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.

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.

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.