Best Restaurant in New York City?????

alas no such thing as reservations for Rao's...LOL
and they are not open on Saturday or Sunday. Monday thru Friday only.

 

RAO'S RESTAURANT
For reservations, call: 212-722-6709
Open Monday through Friday...Dinner Only. If you do not have a reservation, you can always have a drink at the bar.

But

Rao's is renowned for its jukebox, its quirky decor, its unmatched hospitality and most of all, the spectacular Neapolitan cuisine. It's also notorious for being one of the most difficult restaurants in New York in which to get a reservation. Year-long waits for one of its ten tables are not uncommon. But what is it about this tiny, charming restaurant that makes it the most in-demand spot in the city night after night, year after year?

For decades Rao's existed as a neighborhood restaurant. Its local customers would fill the tables with such regularity that eventually they were given standing reservations - bookings that persevere to this day. The Rao's phenomenon exploded in 1977, when New York Times food critic Mimi Sheraton gave Rao's a gushing, half-page, three-star review, splashing the city's best-kept secret in front of millions of readers.

Since Rao's NYC location only has ten tables, and only one seating per evening, the resulting demand would have been overwhelming even if the tables weren't already spoken for. That the tables were "owned" like a condominium translated to almost no empty seats in the house, night after night.

 

If you can get a table I would def go to Per Se. I try and go at least once a month and they never fail to amaze every single time and every member of the staff is just incredible. Even if you can't get a table I'd drop by the salon and just get a little something. If you cant get in or its over your budget I'd look into Daniel as a backup or Le Bernadin for seafood.

For steak Mark Joseph or Capital Grille both downtown and both awesome. I think they are far better then peter lugar or any other steak house in the city. I'd give STK and craft steak a miss personally, both are just trendy with over priced average food.

 

What about the Old Homestead on 9th Avenue? i was there a few weeks ago and thought it was pretty good. As has been mentioned about other steakhouse's, the atmosphere is noisy (with a few whistling customers), waiters are a little sassy, and a few jabs in the side from people getting in and out. But overall a very good meal!

 

Like I said...no reservations...people have "tables" for certain nights of the week...and if they can't keep their night they call and let the place know.....I have been there a few times as a guest and it never ceases to amaze me how many people will wait at the bar in the hopes of getting a table...
once when I was there 3 very nice looking young ladies walked into the place....obviously they did not know how the place operated and asked for a table of 3....Frank nicely explained that there were no tables to be had....he then directed them to a place up the block and picked up their tab!...very classy.
I like the seafood salad and the meatballs(the size of a softball)...but other than that you go just to say you went....there is no culinary epiphany to be had there...

 

I would reccomend Per Se also, I have been there 2 times and they were both memorable
Unfort Chanterelle closed last summer
Daniel and Bouley are very good too

I recently went to Bar Americain and was impressed too, excellent meal

 

Strip house is the best nyc steak house

 

I'm a big fan of Lidia Bastianich. I took my cousins from Italy to Felidia and they said it was the best Italian food they've had outside of Italy. This is coming from people who have traveled all over the world and spare no expense to eat. I've never had trouble getting a reservation.

Every once in a while, you'll see a Rao's reservation auctioned at a charity fundraiser. They go for $2,500 to $10,000, not including the meal.

 

+1 on Felidia. I wouldn't necessarily consider it the "best" (as in the one and only") but it definitely is an excellent, excellent restaurant from the ambiance, the bar, the service and the food. Always a memorable meal.

 

Nobody has Momo-***u Ko on the top of their list? They are completely brilliant. Per Se is good, but traditional and boring. Ko just has 12 seats or so, and it is just for 2 people at the time. Reservations are only on-line and very hard to get, but worth it:

http://www.momo***u.com/ko/default.asp

 

Very funny, the name gets censured. It is momo-f-u-k-u Ko, without the dashes (don't forget the Ko, because there are different levels restaurants with Ko at the top.

 

+2 on Felidia. I agree with it not being the best, but I have never been dissapointed.

Carl

 

Had dinner at Peter Lugar's on Wednesday. Old school, nothing fancy. Waiter and I hit it off, so we actually had a bit of fun. Steak was good, but I've had better in both Sao Paulo and Tokyo. More of an experience place than anything, but one to cross off the list. Get the bacon. Tomato and onion salad is better at Shabu-zen in Tokyo across from the embassy. Went with friends and more fun cutting up with them than the food itself. Be careful taking your wife there, she may give you the "we just spent how much for this look".

 

Totally agree. For me, Peter Luger's is not that great a place. There definitely are better in NYC, and elsewhere. But it is a NY institution, and worth visiting at least once. I had dinner recently at The Palm on 50th, had the prime rib, and it was to die for. Love that place. And we did dinner earlier in August at Michael Jordan's in Grand Central, and the steak melted in my mouth. Everyone loved it, and the view of the great hall is fabulous.

p.s. If you want an incredible meal, try Blue Hill in the Village. Or better yet, go up to Tarrytown and try Blue Hill at Stone Barn, it's sister restaurant. Absolutely amazing food, atmosphere, the whole enchilada, so to speak.

 

How's is Sparks? I'm curious and want to go just for the "Gotti" history .

 

Just went this past weekend to Peasant in Tribeca-spectacular food, service etc. I mentioned it was my wife's birthday and they comped us desserts for all four of us, very classy.

 

Sparks is "to die for". LOL Just kidding, of course, pun intended. It's good, but not the best in NYC.

 

Bottega del Vino is one of the very best.
East 59th street around the corner from Fifth, next to A. Testoni.
The wine list is extraordinary and the food is consistently outstanding.
The original restaurant is in Verona, IT.
Very authentic Italian fare.

 

No problem as long as you make sure to ask to be seated in the "No shooting" section!

Sparks Steakhouse, specializing in shots with your steak!

 

+1 good call!
ciprianis around the corner is solid too

 

Ben and Jacks gives you Lugers steak with a city atmosphere. Wolfgangs was alright but it got very loud. Could not hear my brother talking.

 

VERY IMPORTANT - the "elegant", "high end" Four Seasons restaurant is NOT in the Four Seasons hotel - it is a stand alone, independent restaurant (at 99 E. 52nd Street) - I like the Pool Room.

A

 

If you can make it a little bit north of the city Blue Hill at Stone Barns is absolutely amazing.

 

I agree 100%. If you want to stay in the City, try 11 Madison Park. Went there last night and it was fabulous!

 

So, Rammer, what did you end up doing? Seems as though no one ever reports back on which recommendation they took and what they thought of it.

We GOTS to know! (Dirty Harry reference)