Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
While tourists bumble into Sbarro looking for a New York slice, pizza aficionados have been busy colonizing this pedigreed collaboration between Kesté’s Roberto Caporuscio and his Naples mentor, Antonio Starita. The stellar wood-fired pies range from standards such as the Margherita to more creative constructions. The main event, however, should be the habit-forming Montanara Starita, which gets a quick dip in the deep fryer before hitting the oven to develop its puffy, golden crust.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Don Antonio
309 W 50th StWhile tourists bumble into Sbarro looking for a New York slice, pizza aficionados have been busy colonizing this pedigreed collaboration between Kesté’s Roberto Caporuscio and his Naples mentor, Antonio Starita. The stellar wood-fired pies range from standards such as the Margherita to more creative constructions. The main event, however, should be the habit-forming Montanara Starita, which gets a quick dip in the deep fryer before hitting the oven to develop its puffy, golden crust.
Esca is the area’s slickest and most creative choice. Part of the Batali–Bastianich empire, the menu takes a whirl through Southern Italian seaside cooking. Start with the signature raw antipasti, called crudi, then move on to excellent, shareable pastas.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Esca
402 W 43rd StEsca is the area’s slickest and most creative choice. Part of the Batali–Bastianich empire, the menu takes a whirl through Southern Italian seaside cooking. Start with the signature raw antipasti, called crudi, then move on to excellent, shareable pastas.
Warm woods and soft lighting evoke a turn-of-the-century general store at this midtown eatery and gourmet emporium. The restaurant, tucked behind the retail shop hits its stride when tangy Mediterranean spreads—vinegary artichoke dip, hot-pink beet skordalia—hit the table. Resist the urge to make a meal of Kashkaval’s impressive roster of charcuterie; entrées are not to be missed.
47 recommandé par les habitants
Kashkaval Garden
852 9th AveWarm woods and soft lighting evoke a turn-of-the-century general store at this midtown eatery and gourmet emporium. The restaurant, tucked behind the retail shop hits its stride when tangy Mediterranean spreads—vinegary artichoke dip, hot-pink beet skordalia—hit the table. Resist the urge to make a meal of Kashkaval’s impressive roster of charcuterie; entrées are not to be missed.
This small Hell’s Kitchen canteen by husband-and-wife team David and Vanida Bank of Land Thai Kitchen is a gem among the dozens of Thai–American restaurants lining Ninth Avenue. Foodies rave about this authentic hole-in-the-wall serving budget-friendly wok dishes and crowd pleasers like the Ratchaburi homemade egg noodles with crab and roasted pork.
102 recommandé par les habitants
Pure Thai Cookhouse
766 9th AveThis small Hell’s Kitchen canteen by husband-and-wife team David and Vanida Bank of Land Thai Kitchen is a gem among the dozens of Thai–American restaurants lining Ninth Avenue. Foodies rave about this authentic hole-in-the-wall serving budget-friendly wok dishes and crowd pleasers like the Ratchaburi homemade egg noodles with crab and roasted pork.
Thanks to Bird and Branch, coffee drinkers can get a bit of downtown-cool right in midtown. The on-trend, pastel café, is lined with succulents and white-brick walls in its window-lit space. Order a latte with housemade almond-macadamia milk, or the Robin with turmeric, ginger and cinnamon along with Asian-style goodies like a sesame brownie and yuzu-ricotta toast.
Bird & Branch
359 W 45th StThanks to Bird and Branch, coffee drinkers can get a bit of downtown-cool right in midtown. The on-trend, pastel café, is lined with succulents and white-brick walls in its window-lit space. Order a latte with housemade almond-macadamia milk, or the Robin with turmeric, ginger and cinnamon along with Asian-style goodies like a sesame brownie and yuzu-ricotta toast.
Chef Andy D’Amico (Nice Matin) explores the interplay of French and Italian influences along the Mediterranean at Nizza (Italian for Nice). The sleek, mod space is an ideal pre- or posttheater spot, provided you don’t spend too much time navigating the extensive menu.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Nizza
630 9th AveChef Andy D’Amico (Nice Matin) explores the interplay of French and Italian influences along the Mediterranean at Nizza (Italian for Nice). The sleek, mod space is an ideal pre- or posttheater spot, provided you don’t spend too much time navigating the extensive menu.
One of the city’s hipper Middle Eastern restaurants, this lusty space is a welcome oasis on the western fringes of midtown. Flickering candles, a tiled open kitchen and a working stone oven offer a nice backdrop to the piquant, Pan–Middle Eastern cuisine.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Taboon
773 10th AveOne of the city’s hipper Middle Eastern restaurants, this lusty space is a welcome oasis on the western fringes of midtown. Flickering candles, a tiled open kitchen and a working stone oven offer a nice backdrop to the piquant, Pan–Middle Eastern cuisine.
Drinks & Nightlife
This Restaurant Row gem serves dual symbiotic purposes: Whether you’re an actor in need of a stiff drink, or a Great White Way fan looking for a dose of backstage gossip, head to the swank watering hole. The elegant space comes alive after curtain call, and drinks—such as pricey martinis and Manhattans—are competently made and ample. Despite this grievance, Bar Centrale succeeds because it exudes a quality that often escapes the geeky world of theater: It’s cool.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Bar Centrale
324 W 46th StThis Restaurant Row gem serves dual symbiotic purposes: Whether you’re an actor in need of a stiff drink, or a Great White Way fan looking for a dose of backstage gossip, head to the swank watering hole. The elegant space comes alive after curtain call, and drinks—such as pricey martinis and Manhattans—are competently made and ample. Despite this grievance, Bar Centrale succeeds because it exudes a quality that often escapes the geeky world of theater: It’s cool.
Outside, a smiling, six-foot fiberglass pig beckons—apparently unaware that, inside, his porker brethren are being doled out for free in the form of glistening hot dogs, gas-station food-mart style. The huge selection of beers (including house brand Rudy’s Red Ale), the strong well drinks and the rock-and-blues-heavy jukebox bring together khaki-clad office types and grizzled neighborhood regulars. Don’t bother asking for a fancy cocktail—it ain’t that kind of place.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Rudy's Bar & Grill
627 9th AveOutside, a smiling, six-foot fiberglass pig beckons—apparently unaware that, inside, his porker brethren are being doled out for free in the form of glistening hot dogs, gas-station food-mart style. The huge selection of beers (including house brand Rudy’s Red Ale), the strong well drinks and the rock-and-blues-heavy jukebox bring together khaki-clad office types and grizzled neighborhood regulars. Don’t bother asking for a fancy cocktail—it ain’t that kind of place.
Inspired by the combination of old and new architecture in Hell’s Kitchen, the team has stocked this wine bar’s strong international list with a combination of established classics and less common selections from up-and-coming producers. The design, too, mixes past and present, with a look that includes a wine wall modeled after the neighborhood’s iconic fire escapes.
26 recommandé par les habitants
Ardesia
510 W 52nd StInspired by the combination of old and new architecture in Hell’s Kitchen, the team has stocked this wine bar’s strong international list with a combination of established classics and less common selections from up-and-coming producers. The design, too, mixes past and present, with a look that includes a wine wall modeled after the neighborhood’s iconic fire escapes.
Legend holds that Hell’s Kitchen got its fiery name during Prohibition, when veteran policeman “Dutch Fred” witnessed a neighborhood riot with his rookie partner and proclaimed, “Hell’s a mild climate. This is hell’s kitchen.” The owners tap into the era and legacy of its namesake with this 1920s-style Hell’s Kitchen cocktail bar, decorated with mosaic tile floors, framed portraits of Fred himself and flat screens showing black-and-white films.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Dutch Fred's
307 W 47th StLegend holds that Hell’s Kitchen got its fiery name during Prohibition, when veteran policeman “Dutch Fred” witnessed a neighborhood riot with his rookie partner and proclaimed, “Hell’s a mild climate. This is hell’s kitchen.” The owners tap into the era and legacy of its namesake with this 1920s-style Hell’s Kitchen cocktail bar, decorated with mosaic tile floors, framed portraits of Fred himself and flat screens showing black-and-white films.
From after-work drinks to killing time around Times Square, this subterranean surf shack is a solid card to play when faced with all manner of midtown conundrums. Though there’s kitsch aplenty, including colorful bathing suits strung up on the walls, the under-the-radar drinkery has its bona fides in order.
85 recommandé par les habitants
Reunion
544 Union AveFrom after-work drinks to killing time around Times Square, this subterranean surf shack is a solid card to play when faced with all manner of midtown conundrums. Though there’s kitsch aplenty, including colorful bathing suits strung up on the walls, the under-the-radar drinkery has its bona fides in order.