December 5, 2008
Best restaurants for holiday dining
Top tasting menus
In a town so full of dining options, it's challenging enough choosing a place to eat out, let alone knowing what to order once you get there. For a little peace of mind, try leaving the decision to the chef. Here, a list of some of the city's best tasting menus.
Family-style dinners -- with or without the family
While you might want to take a break from your family after the holidays, family-style dining can still be lots of fun. Whether it's big bowls of pasta to pass around, appetizer-like dishes to share or endless salad bar selections to choose from, restaurants that cater to serving groups help keep up the convivial feel of the night. So grab some friends -- or family, if you dare -- and dig in at one of these places:
Ring in the new at brunch
You survived the count down to midnight, avoided the crowds at Times Square, and drank your fair share of champagne. Instead of hiding out in bed the next day nursing a hangover, why not continue the celebration and head directly to brunch? Restaurants around town are offering a variety of festive New Year's Day options. Here are a few best bets.
Tavern: a jewel on the green
It's a tradition among New York's glutterati to dismiss Tavern on the Green as an overdecorated tourist trap that serves catering-hall fare.
Sustenance for a shopper
Come December, the city¹s department stores become second homes for many New Yorkers. Welcome to the holiday season.
Pumpkin season: where to indulge a seasonal taste
So much more than a squash, the colorful pumpkin is now in season. The familiar orange gourd, thought to originate in North America, lends itself well to a variety of preparations, both savory and sweet. And though I¹m sure you¹ll still crave classic pumpkin pie, here¹s where you can taste pumpkin in other culinary creations.
Steak frites to die for
While you can¹t throw a stone without hitting a French bistro in this town, the same can¹t be said for a quality serving of steak frites. This en francais version of meat and potatoes calls for soft, fall-off-the-bone-tender beef, and thin, crisp fries. Here's where to get them.
Lobster your way
Lobster -- broiled, steamed, stuffed, or mixed with mayo in a salad -- is the quintessential taste of summer. Here are some of our favorite places to find it.
Beer Gardens, Wine Bars -- and a Margarita Cafe
There's nothing better than a late-afternoon break for an ice-cold bevvie and a snack.
They're the tops
Even the most plebian of rooftop restaurants takes on a certain glamour based solely on its distance from street level. Here are some of our favorite places at the top of the town.
Red, white and BBQ
When New Yorkers do something, we do it right, and nowadays, the city is one of the country's best BBQ towns. You can find every style of pit-smoked pork and beef here, and it's all good.
Shore thing: 10 places to dine by the water
Here is a selection of places to eat -- or just sip a drink -- by the water's edge.
Lobster: on a roll
As the weather heats up, we go looking for that ultimate New England treat: lobster rolls. Here's where we found them.
Street food without the street
If you think the San Gennaro festival is your only shot at scoring delectable street foods--think again: upscale eateries are serving festival foods like cotton candy, zeppole, and corn dogs to comfort-food craving customers. Here's where you can find the tasty treats:
Mac and cheese, please
When it comes to macaroni & cheese, we're just kids at heart. This all-American dish is the ultimate comfort food: cheap, cheesy, and easy to love. Here's New York's finest mac & cheese, both takeout and dine-in.
Oysters however you like them
Since oysters are supposed to be an aphrodisiac, what better time to indulge than on St. Valentine's Day? Here, some of our favorite place to get them.
New steakhouses in town
Steak is the new salmon, judging by the number of steakhouses that have opened in the past year or so. Herewith, a quick look at some of our favorites among the newcomers.
Where To Get A Good Breakfast
Forget the leftover pizza, here are 10 places to chow down on a hearty breakfast.
Bountiful Brunches
Whether you're bringing a crowd or settling in for a Sunday-morning meal for two, here are ten of our favorite brunch places.
Turkey with no trouble
You say you want tradition, but you don't want to bother cooking the dinner? Never mind, the city's top chefs will do it for you. All you have to do is make a reservation. Do it soon, though. Plenty of other people have got the same idea.
Where to go for latkes
As they used to say, "You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's." And you don't have to be Jewish to love latkes. This is the season to eat them, so we've listed seven restaurants where you can get them.
Dinner by the fireside
'Tis the season to get cozy. Here are eight of our favorite places where you can snuggle up in front of a fire while you chow down on anything from a tasty burger in the Village to a family-style Italian feast in Queens.
Healthy food for a healthy new year
Party's over, and it's time to get healthy. Herewith, a guide to 10 spots where you can eat a little better in the new year.
10 places to take a house guest
Everybody loves the city this season. So, if you have guests from out of town, here are a choice of places to take them.
Where to find holiday cheer
You deserve a little holiday cheer, whether you go out or stay home. Here, five places to imbibe a holiday cocktail. Plus, recipes for good cheer, just in case you'd rather snuggle up at home.
10 good reasons to celebrate the season
There are plenty of reasons to go out this season, whether you're looking for a romantic evening a deux or a little time with the kids. Here are some of our favorite places -- and some terrific excuses to stay out of the kitchen.
Romantic Restaurants
Romance comes in all shapes and styles, whether you find it in a Bronx auberge or Midtown power spot.
Dumplings for the New Year
With celebrations of the Asian New Year in full swing this week, what better way to get into the spirit of the holiday than by getting out and taste testing some delicious dumplings. Most New Yorkers have a favorite place they go to for their fix of these tasty meat- or vegetable-filled morsels. Here are a few of ours:
