Best Restaurant in New York City?????

Michelin rated 3 stars (highest possible rating) Per Se comes from Chef Thomas Keller of the "World's Best Restaurant" French Laundry fame in Napa Valley, Ca should be a foodie's nirvana if you can get a reservation!

 

if she likes japanese, go to Sushi Of Gary, anyone of them is good, I believe there are 3.
You can also try Le Cirque, Its a french restaurant located across from the Bloomberg Offices. You can also try Asia De Cuba, great thai Food. for steak, I would recommend for good steak STK, its located in the meat market district in the city on the west side of the city, its on i believe Little 12th street, between 10th and 11th avenues. might be 13th street, i dont remember off the top of my head. Also if you dont mind a small drive into edgewater NJ, its 15 minutes from the city, you should hit up River Palm Terrace. In my opinion its better then lugers. Lugers rushes you out in 2 hours, its a bit over rated, River palm has the same exact steak prepared, with the same exact layout prepared, same peter luger sauce. one thing i love is that my wife is not a meat person, so she gets fish, or lobster there, which is terrific. You can also always catch a celeb in there as most of the celebs live in that part of NJ, so you can always see a yankee great, or a celebrity eating some steak.

 

Craftsteak is not at all a top NY Steakhouse. It is instead a trendy, yuppie joint that serves steak.

Hands down, Peter Luger serves the best steak in the world. This comes from a guy who lives at steakhouses.

Wolfgang's Steakhouse is more conveniently located in Manhattan, and frankly it has shown itself to be just as good as Luger.

The fanciest, most elegant retauraunt in the city is arguably the restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel. The most high end you can get.

 

Wolfgang's is good but it is not even close to Peter Luger's IMHO. The drawback to Luger's, if there is one, is that is basically steak only. Sure they have other stuff, like lobster etc. but that would be like going to the best sushi restaurant and ordering a ham sandwich. Oh, and it is cash or Peter Luger credit card only. No other credit cards.

For your wife, I haven't been there but all accounts are that Per Se actually may be worth the high $$$$ of a meal there. Either that or no one wants to admit to spending $275/person for a meal (service included but not wine) and not having it be the best they have ever had. In a city where it is easy to spend $150/person on an indifferent meal, I suspect that Per Se may be worth it.

It's really difficult to get much more specific since you've left your wife's preferences pretty vague except for "special". There are lots of really special restaurant experiences in NY and not necessarily the most expensive.

 

per se

 

The steak at Peter Luger's is great, but the atmosphere is so-so, IMHO. It's a real old-time steak joint. You go for the steak, the nasty waiters, the diner china and being jammed in elbow to elbow with the tables around you. It is the ultimate NYC experience, taking you back 50 years. Also, I find the steak always ends up being overcooked. Not my favorite place.

Now, if you want a great steak and some atmosphere, go to The Palm on W.50th. Love that place. Best prime rib you'll get anywhere. Steaks are incredible, and it's a nice place. And if you want steak and a more civilized steak house atmosphere than PL's, go to Gallagher's.

Sushi of Gary is definitely tops. But if you want a fun place, great atmosphere and lots of great innovative sushi, try Koi on W.40th.

IMHO, best place in the city -- Blue Hill on Washington Place in the Village. Babbo and Del Posto are also stand-outs. Hidden gem: Capsuto Freres in Tribeca

 

Yep, but VERY expensive.

 

Stay away from Kraftsteak at all costs!!! That place absolutely sucks from a food perspective, please do no waste your time and $$$ there. Everone else's suggestions are spot on. I am not the biggest fan of Luger's either.

 

If you and your wife like fish there is no better choice than: http://www.le-bernardin.com/

Right smack in mid-town

 

Lugers has a good Porterhouse, Wolfgangs is pretty much the same. If I was coming to NY I would probably go with places that have New York character to them. Forget what the Zagat book says and have some fun while you are here. I would go to Lugers because it is a NY tradition and then I would end up at this place called Sammies on Saturday night. If you and your wife are a fun outgoing type, don't mind boozing it up a little bit and don't mind a restaurant full of drunk but fun people make a stop at Sammies. It's on Chrystie Street, you will probably have the time of your life there or you may just end up hating it. There's a great Greek seafood place in midtown called Milos. Really basic, cool atmosphere, very fresh food with outstanding flavor. They are open late and you will need reservations at all times of night.

 

ah yes but USDA PRIME means MANY things as there are different levels of PRIME.
That aside...go to Luger's just for the fact that it is a NY institution and they do have a fine steak....BTW BRING CASH....they don't take credit cards.
As far as something for your spouse depending on her tastes I would suggest the following:
Romantic: One if By Land Two if By Sea
Italian: MAREA
Classic: Le Cirque....NO ONE does it better Mr. Maccione
Seafood: Le Bernardin....Ripert is the Fish King!
Asian/Sushi: Sorry not well versed there.

Enjoy your stay in NY!!
Regards

 

pretty sure lugers is still cash only. fyi

 

They have their own charge card.

 

correct -- if you eat at luger's frequently enough (i'm not one of the lucky few..), they can issue you a card account that you can bill meals to.

 

oh, and if you go to any of the big steakhouses (wolfgang's, luger's, mark joseph, etc.), get the bacon appetizer.. that may sound weird, but it's thick, flavorful, and usually great.

 

I was not a fan of Le Cirque. When it was still run by Andre Soltner, Lutece was one of my favorites (now, sadly, no longer around).

Le Bernardin is a good choice, as are Cafe Boulud or Bouley Restaurant.

 

Once Soltner retired/sold it really went downhill fast....but in all fairness...Soltner got out at the right time....his type of cuisine was no longer being appreciated as it once was....people's palates were changing and progressive french cuisine w/ less formality and dare I say it "class" were becoming more and more popular.....once he sold it they turned it into an almost Bistro type...place....
Soltner made the BEST Dover Sole!

 

48 ounces!!! You are da man!

 

Milos -- excellent seafood

Daniel -- all around excellent

Per Se -- great, but really expensive

 

Rao's Italian Restaurant the best, but I don't think you will be able to get in, good luck.

 

Peter Luger's is always a sure bet - for the food.

Strip house near NYU also has great food and a classier atmosphere. Very impressive wine list.

STK in the meatpacking district is a modern joint with equally excellent steak and other entrees.

 

Adour - Alain Ducasse - at the St. Regis -- probably should stop at the King Cole Bar for a drink (right next door)
Per Se - Robert Keller - Time Warner Center
Le Bernardin - Seafood - mid-town (around 52 - 53rd st)
Gotham Bar and Grill (more casual but great - and been around for 20 years)
Union Square Cafe -
The Modern (museum of modern art - 53rd st- same guy- Danny Myer - that owns Union Sq. cafe and several other)
Del Posto- Italian food - meat packing district- lower west side- owned by Mario Butali)

 

Went to Primehouse Steakhouse a couple of weeks ago! Amazing steaks. I got the porter and the wife had the sea scallops, absolutely great food! I think it was at teh corner of 3rd and 27th.