I thought it might be useful when people go out in NY.

Any personal reviews, recommendations are welcome

I go to NYC maybe once a month or so and like to get a try different places.






P.S. Maybe someone should create a Boston thread also...

 

ok maybe not

 

There are a large number of threads already on this topic, which is why you probably aren't getting any response.

 

I'm in; when I was at NYU I spent all my money on eating out instead of booze...


Tao

http://www.taorestaurant.com/

Trendy, cliche blah blah; the food is good and the decor is pretty amazing. Dinner can be on the expensive side and walk-ins are nearly impossible on busy nights, but if you want good Asian-Fusion and maybe see some celebs, good place. Also, I believe they have a three-course lunch special for $20.07 which is cool.

Sushi Samba

http://www.sushisamba.com/top.html

This place is also trendy etc, but again, the food is good and the decor is cool. Lots of interesting stuff on the menu here; combination South American and Japanese. They also have great sushi and these funky little salted crabs that you eat whole. Terriyaki-glazed chicken on Peruvian purple mashed potatoes is tasty. I've been to the 7th Ave location.

Balthazar

http://www.balthazarny.com/

Phenomenal French bistro-type cuisine and a bakery on premises. French classics executed very well. I ate here to celebrate graduating and had a fantastic, multi-tiered fruits de mer platter. Fresh seafood and good beef. Plus it's in the middle of SoHo, so you're right in the middle of all kinds of trendy and cool people and stores.

Knickerbocker Grill

http://www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com/index_htm.htm

If you like beef, this is one of the best places in the City to go. You do not order "a steak" here; you order according to how many people are eating, for two, three etc. You can get all kinds of classic sides too; spinach and garlic, onion rings, etc. They also have a full dinner menu, in case you don't care for red meat.

Choga

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7109197/

Excellent traditional Korean food and very good sushi at reasonable prices. I ate here frequently, as it's around the corner from NYU. Also, it's right next to all the cool bars on Bleecker and vicinity, so you can get dinner and then wander the blocks checking out the different places. It used to be pretty inexpensive, but I'm not sure if that's still true.

Momofuku

http://www.momofuku.com/

Not so much classic, sit-down dining, but I think there are a couple tables and a long counter with many bar stools. This is more a place to stop inbetween bars or to get a quick meal. They serve traditional Japanese noodle bowls that are as filling as they are delicious. Also relatively inexpensive.

Lemongrass Grill

http://www.lemongrassgrill.org/

Good Thai food; fast and cheap with many locations around the city.

Pommes Frites

http://www.pommesfrites.ws/

Doesn't get any more simple than this; classic Belgian french fries with 40+ different kinds of mayonaise and dipping sauces. These fries are really good and cheap; the absolute perfect snack while wandering the East Village and St. Mark's area.

Grimaldi's

http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

Really, really good pizza. Well-worth the trip across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Lombardi's

http://www.firstpizza.com/

Again, really, really good pizza. This is supposedly the first pizzeria in the United States and NYC, obviosly.

John's Pizza

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7116744/

See above; worth trying if you are nearby so you can compare the three.

Murray's Bagels

http://www.murraysbagels.com/

Some of the best, freshest bagels I have ever eaten. Their everything bagels with cream cheese, lox, capers, tomatoes and onion is awesome.

 

I've partaken in some of those threads, that's why I thought it might be good to have one area of reference instead of searching for 5 different threads...


I usually go with the guys and start somewhere getting drinks then go out out after that. I went to Japonais http://www.japonaisnewyork.com/ with the old lady for a full dinner and it was very good with reasonable prices.

For clubs/bars we tend to end up at the meat packing district. Rooftop lounge - Plunge in the http://www.hotelgansevoort.com/ is a pretty chill place on a nice night. Not my top place though, drinks are way overpriced (as it is everywhere) but imo other than the view, there's not a lot there.

Thanks to Labrit, we've been to onelw12.com a bunch of times and had fun every single time. The crowd dies out after 130-2am or so but until then, it's always been good times.

I have never tried Bungalow 8 but I have heard good reviews. marqueeny.com usually has a good crowd also.

We'd sometimes go out in the lower east side. We've been to some strange but hip bars that were pretty cool. E Houston and Eldridge St, around those parts...

That's all i have for now, back to work.

 

There are some fun ones, but they definitely cater to a different crowd. Still a lot of fun; most of them are music venues...

http://www.pianosnyc.com/

http://www.livingroomny.com/

http://www.crashmansion.com/

And these places are just fun in general...

http://unclemings.com/Home.htm

http://thefatblackpussycat.com/pg2.html

 

Last time I was there I went to Prey and Lotus and I'm heading back up there tonight, I think I'm doing Lotus again and maybe another bar/club! I'll put a review up in the next few days.

Lotus (http://www.lotusnewyork.com/)

I've been here twice in 3 weeks on a Saturday night, both times I got there 12:30 and 2am you needed to get a table or know someone on the guest list, we did so I'm not sure how it would work if you didn't know someone.

The club has 3 floors, the top 2 are playing the same music and the basement has a different dj and soundsyste. Tons of tables and booths for parties and bottle service. The main floor has a huge dance area and is usually going strong from at least 12:30-4ish I've closed it out at 4:30 both times there. They play a good mix of everything, the main floor is usually popular stuff remixed and popular dance/techno. The basement varies, last night it was like 80's while I was down there for a party. The crowd is very diverse and fun. Prices for beer (all I've had there) isn't to bad, $14 for a Stella and Amstel. If you guys have any questions feel free to ask.