-
Prune
Expect lines around the block on the weekend, when the hung over show up to cure their ills with Prune's brunches and excellent Bloody Marys (in nine varieties). The small room is always busy as diners pour in for roast suckling pig, rich sweetbreads and sausage-studded concoctions.
-
River Cafe
It takes a beating from purists who sniff the words 'tourist trap,' but they've probably never actually been to this floating wonder with beautiful views from under Manhattan Bridge. The seared mahi-mahi with almond crust and scallop seviche are just two of many innovative dishes the kitchen produces, and River Café's brunches are legendary for their bloody marys and perfect eggs.
-
River Room Of Harlem
Get a load of that view - the George Washington Bridge to the north, and a sweeping panorama of the Hudson River to the south. Add to that some delectable dishes - paprika grilled skirt steak, jumbo shrimp and gravy, corn mean and okra over market fish - let-down-your hair dancing (salsa in the bar), groovy music (fusion, acid and all types of jazz), and general bonhomie, and you have a real winner.
-
S'mac
If you're only going to do one thing, you've got to do it well - S'Mac hits the spot with mac-and-cheese lovers. The All-American has cheddar and Vermont jack, with bacon if you like, or you could try the gruyere mac-n-cheese or manchego and Cajun macs. Dishes come in four sizes and are served in cast iron skillets.
-
Sparky's
A pit stop for cheap, tasty, high-quality fast food, Sparky's has soy dogs and beef dogs, real ice cream or Tofutti sandwiches, grilled cheese, hand cut fries and, for breakfast, locally-made yogurts and granola with milk. Everything is organic and family farmed.
-
Tavern On The Green
Everything about Tavern on the Green screams romance - its location, its quiet ambiance, its bejeweled and bedecked gardens with sweeping views. It's a unique experience to dine there, but don't go expecting great cuisine. The menu's been the same forever it seems, and the kitchen's apparently just lost interest. But, don't let that fact spoil your view.
-
Tenement
The name refers to the past more than the present, because although it's housed in an old tenement (that became a bordello), this restaurant is a sleek and sexy place with gaslights on the walls and pierogies, po'boys, calamari, succulent racks of lamb, duck breast and glazed chicken dishes. The late-night bar menu is even better.
-
The Grocery
Even with the additional space, it's still hard to get a table at what's become Smith St's hottest eatery. Semolina crusted fluke, pan roasted monkfish, octopus, teenage greens, home smoked trout and spaetzle on the side are perennial favorites.
-
The Soda Shop
Lunch and dinner are great - full of American classics like hearty mac-n-cheese, spaghetti with rich, flavorful meatballs - but locals love the breakfasts. Soda Shop's homey interior is the perfect place to grab a short stack or fluffy omelette on the way to work.
-
Town
There are just so many choices at Town! Start your day with creamy eggs benedict, balanced with wobbly perfection on lobster hash, or drop in for a midday snack of diver scallops with sausage and ginger lettuce. And then there's dinner - quail with citrus arugula and foie gras fritters, duck steak with endive and soba buckwheat pilaf, a bounty of rich risottos and beautiful chocolate beignets for dessert.
-
Advertisement
-
Virgil's Real Barbecue
Rather than specializing in one specific style of BBQ (styles vary in sauce type and meat base throughout the US), Virgil's celebrates them all. Menu items cover the entire BBQ map, with Oklahoma State Fair corndogs, pulled Carolina pork and smoked Maryland ham sandwiches, and platters of sliced Texas beef brisket and Georgia chicken-fried steak. Meats are smoked with a combo of hickory, oak and fruitwoods, keepin' it all real.
-
Zaitzeff
Finally, healthy but quick organic eats in downtown Manhattan. A former Wall St trader opened this zippy spot and now sells all-natural beef burgers (turkey, too) on whole-grain Portuguese buns to former colleagues. Plenty of organic muffins, salads, sweet-potato fries and vegetarian options available too (also for takeout or delivery).
