By D.C. Winston
Famous Restaurants in New York
With great restaurants new and venerable---deluxe paeans to gastronomic excellence of every global cuisine and a bevy of everyday neighborhood spots to grab a bite, a slice or a sandwich---
New York City has it all. Plan to make your way to at least a few of the five boroughs to get the feel for the city and its food culture. For a taste of the famous and deliciously iconic of New York, from budget to deluxe, try out these recommendations.
Luxe & Lovely Choice
Le Bernardin is, as it touts itself, all about fish. It is an elegant and stunningly beautiful restaurant that delivers creative and artistically prepared dishes under the leadership of renown French chef Eric Ripert. With its three-star rating from Michelin, Le Bernardin is perfect for a special occasion or a signature dinner in New York. Even its website is evocative and lovely.
Le Bernardin
1515 W. 51st St.
New York City, NY 10019
(212) 554-1515
http://www.le-bernardin.com/
Steak of Your Dreams
Head to Peter Luger to experience a superior steak and classic chophouse sides with stellar crisp service. It's famous for its porterhouse steak but does everything well. Bring cash if you don't have your own Peter Luger card---charmingly, it's all the restaurant accepts.
Peter Luger
178 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 387-7400
http://peterluger.com/
Classic Itlalian in Harlem
Hit Rao's in Spanish Harlem for some of the best classic Italian food and cool atmosphere anywhere in New York. Intimate, hard to get into, and a haven for celebrities young and mature from all walks of life, it's worth the wait for a reservation.
Rao's
455 E. 114th St.
New York, NY 10029
(212) 722-6709
http://www.raos.com/raos-restaurant-new-york.aspx
Good Hot Dog Around the Clock
Chow down on one of the city's best hot dogs at Gray's Papaya. For a couple of bucks you get a high-quality hot dog and a fresh soft bun with the choice of your favorite toppings. Gray's also sells a range of fruit-based drinks, including papaya. There are several Gray's locations on the Westside, but this one on Sixth is the best, and it's open 24 hours a day.
Gray's Papaya
402 Sixth Ave.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 260-3532
Famous New York Slice
Grab a slice at Joe's Pizza in Brooklyn, reputed to be the best thin crust in the city. A plain cheese slice is a crisp, hot, oozing and delicious revelation.
Joe's Pizza, Brooklyn
1621 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 339-4525
http://www.famousjoespizza.com
About the Author:
A communications professional, D.C. Winston has more than 17 years of experience writing and editing content for online publications, corporate communications, business clients, industry journals and film/broadcast media. Winston studied political science at the University of California, San Diego.
Photo Credits:
Night In Manhattan, Klaus D. Peter, September 2004
