Have to go help me wifey pack and move back to Htown. Been up there like 7-8 times in the last year, but have not had a chance to try out any really great restaurants. Any suggestions? Something super nice? Something unique? I've been to a few steakhouses up there, but they don't compare to the ones in Houston. I really like Le Souk.
I dream of this place. Often. http://www.momofuku.com/ I'm sure someone will say that it is no longer hip. Or cool. Or perhaps even good. But they're stupid.
There's this Brazilian steakhouse I went to in Rio de Janeiro called Porcao. Porcao is the main churrascuria in Rio de Janeiro, and the main one in Sao Paulo is Fogo de Chao. They only have two locations in the US -- NYC and Miami. Highly, highly recommend it (although I haven't tried any of the US locations, yet).
I really love Peter Luger's for steak. I think their steaks are absolute perfection. To be honest, I can't imagine a Houston steakhouse beating them. Other suggestions for really nice restaurants: Per Se (if you can get in) Babbo's Union Square Cafe Daniel Some other random restaurants that I like: Tabla (Indian New American) Sushiseki (great sushi) Torishin (great Japanese yakitori or chicken skewers) There are a ton.
les halles - best burger on the face of the planet. Modern - expensive . . . but worth it . . . only 4 hour dinner i've ever had.
I liked it better than Fogo, but you're right, it might not be worth going to in NYC when you have Fogo in Houston.
Just a few off the top of my head: Il Mulino Union Square Cafe Gramercy Tavern Nobu Strip House Gotham Bar & Grill Oh, and for lunch, go grab a burger at Corner Bistro.
Try the Chowhound.com forums. They have city specific sub forums which are really useful. http://www.chowhound.com/boards/18
For late night EATS!..... Wo Hop on Mott Street (Best Chinese after hours and been open since the 1930s) L'express - on 20th and Park ave (open 24 hours) Cafeteria - 17th and 7th Ave (The place to be after all the clubs close)
Also for late night dining, don't forget the world famous halal street cart on 53th and 6th. Sometimes at 4AM, there will be a line 20 people deep to get their food. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/53rd_and_6th
For expensive places: I felt like Gramercy Tavern had gone downhill the last time I went- but maybe they've recovered, it was a year ago. Eleven Madison park was still really good last time I went (although it's been months since I was there as well). The service at the Danny Meyer restaurants (Gramercy, Eleven Madison, Union Square Cafe and even the Shake Shack) is typically a notch above other places in my experience. I enjoyed Picholine for a more traditional nice meal, but it was mostly old people there when I went (not like I need a 'hip scene' or anything, but it was noticeable). If you like cheese you should go and definitely get the cheese course. Artisinal is also good if you like cheese- it's run by the same chef and cheesemonger (and it's a decent amount cheaper). A Voce is a great place to check out, definitely get the meatballs. There's outside seating which may still be ok depending on the weather and time of day. I've been wanting to try momofuku as well, but haven't had the chance yet. Same with WD~50. I like creative food- these places will definitely be unique. Lots of people also seem to like Del Posto (One of Mario Batali's places), but I haven't gotten to try that one yet either. Good luck getting into Per Se, although many times if you call the day of they will have the ~5pm and ~9:30 pm times available. The 5pm sounds crazy early, but if you think about the fact that the meal will likely be 4 hours, it's not so bad. Definitely go if you can- it's an experience. But it is pretty crazily expensive. There's also a little place called Amma on 51st & 3rd that has a prix fixe Indian meal that was really excellent and totally worth it with the wine pairing. They were generous with the wine and super nice. People swear by Luger's for steaks, but if you don't want to trek out to Brooklyn, Ben and Jack's at 44th and 3rd was started by some guys who used to be at Luger's, and supposedly they are able to get their meat from the same sources as Luger's. I've had their porterhouse, and it's pretty amazing. For Cheaper: For burgers, I used to love corner bistro so much, but I like the Shake Shack more now. If you're going to wait in a long line, you might as well be outside in the park instead of crammed into a tiny bar. Plus they have frozen custard, and I just like their burgers more. I also like the burgers at P.J. Clarke's and at the Burger Joint in the Parker Meridien Hotel- it's a cool little dive-like place hidden behind a brown curtain the lobby of a swank hotel. Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem is awesome. There's an Indian-Chinese place in Sunnyside called Tangra Masala which is really good and cheap too- there's another one as well, but it's older, much smaller and much further away from Manhattan. The sunnyside one is like 3 subway stops away from Manhattan. Mr. Brightside mentioned Chowhound, which is definitely a good resource.
Having lived a block away from Madison Square Park, I loved the Shake Shack as well. But it's always crazy crowded now, which sucks. (I still prefer Corner Bistro, though.)
i've been there, i've even had a nice conversation with wylie and he's cool and the food is good. but, i think it's ultimately a little gimmicky. it's something to try but not something i want to eat every day.
blue water grill in union square and atlantic Grill in the UPperEast Side are good, but for my money, I go with Blue Ribbon or BLue RIbbon Sushi. they have locations in Brooklyn and Greenwich Village (Sullivan Street) next to each Blue Ribbon is the sushi restaurant http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com/restaurants.asp
