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Air’s Champagne Parlor is All About the Bubbly
Beer, wine and even cider bars abound in NYC, but Air’s Champagne Parlor is one of the few area drinkeries devoted to bubbly. To be fair, the Riddling Widow briefly preceded it, but owner Ariel Arce was actually beverage director during its tenure, as well as Birds & Bubbles before that, and Chicago’s Pops for Champagne (not to mention Grant Achatz’s exclusive, original The Office) before that. Meaning her reputation as queen of Cuvèe absolutely proceeds her.
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Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest 2017
If you’re already mourning the loss of summer, Oktoberfest is a reliable way to get you over the hump. Essentially spanning the duration of fall (kicking off on September 16th this year & extending all the way to October 31st, allowing revelers to seamlessly transition to Halloween), the 16 to 18-day festival is a giddy saturnalia of German culture…
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Spotlight on the Finalists for the 2017 Vendy Awards
As a fun challenge to the James Beard Awards, the Vendy ceremony — now in its 13th year — is dedicated to honoring the very best in street food. So here’s who’s in the running during the September 16th event at Governors Island; from an artisanal twinkie baker to an upstart french toast sandwich maker, to a Chinese meat skewer purveyor, whose been tapped for the Vendy Cup…
Most Recent Dish
Kobe Club
68 West 58th St., btwn. 5th & 6 Aves. (212)644-5623 TYPE: Swanky Steakhouse VIBE: Clubby lounge dining OCCASION: A date or festive group gathering DON’T MISS DISH: Roasted bacon with black truffles DON’T BOTHER DISH: Crab cake “double stuffer” DRINK SPECIALTY: Netsuke fizz PRICE: $70 & up HOURS: Dinner, 6 days a week, Mon – Sat, 5:30 PM – 11:30 PM; Late-night dining menu, Thur – Sat, 11:30 PM – 2 AM (beginning in January). RESERVATIONS: Reservations highly recommended,...
Read MoreSpotted Pig Winner
Gail Grant has won a FREE DINNER for two at Michelin-starred gastropub, The Spotted Pig. Ken Friedman took NYC’s dining scene by storm last year when he opened this now, uber-impossible to score a table hot spot with Italian-accented delights, courtesy of chef, April Bloomfield. ‘Tis the season for giving, so stay tuned for the next dinner giveaway to be announced in Restaurant Girl’s Weekly Newsletter this Thursday, December 7th! Simply enter your email address in the SUBSCRIBE box to the...
Read MoreBar Martignetti
406 Broome Street, at Cleveland Place (212)680-5600 TYPE: American brasserie with a French bent VIBE: A definitively social spot OCCASION: A casual date, bar dining, or group gathering DON’T MISS DISH: Skate with cauliflower puree, maitake mushrooms & brussel sprouts DON’T BOTHER DISH: Tuna tartare DRINK SPECIALTY: Bar Gibson (the house favorite) PRICE: $45 & up HOURS: Dinner, 7 days a week, 6 PM – 2 AM; Lunch, Sat. & Sun., 10 AM – 5 PM; Lunch, Mon. –...
Read MoreThe Spotted Pig
Like plastic, Restaurant Girl Membership has its privileges! In celebration of Restaurant Girl’s new weekly newsletter, I’m giving away a FREE DINNER at Michelin-starred gastropub, The Spotted Pig. Ken Friedman took NYC’s dining scene by storm last year when he opened this now, uber-impossible to score a table hot spot with Italian-accented delights, courtesy of chef, April Bloomfield. To WIN DINNER AT THE SPOTTED PIG, simply forward Restaurant Girl to four of your friends, then email me at restaurantgirl@restaurantgirl.com...
Read MoreSasabune
Sasabune 401 East 73rd St., nr. 1st Ave. (212)249-8583 TYPE: Sushi VIBE: No nonsense UES sushi joint OCCASION: Serious sushi endeavors DON’T MISS DISH: Albacore sashimi, amberjack with ponzu sauce, crab hand roll – basically, the entire omakase menu. DRINK SPECIALTY: Sake & Japanese beer PRICE: $60 & up HOURS: Dinner, Mon – Sat, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM; Lunch, Mon – Fri, 12 PM – 2 PM. RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted, recommended for the sushi bar. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES:...
Read MoreKlee Brasserie
200 Ninth Ave., btwn. 22nd & 23rd Sts.(212)633-8033website TYPE: European AmericanVIBE: Homey brasserie OCCASION: A cozy date, bar dining or group dinnerDON’T MISS DISH: Swordfish steak with barbecued creamed chard DRINK SPECIALTY: Wines by the glass, carafe & bottle; Signature cocktailsPRICE: $40 & up HOURS: Dinner, Mon – Sat, 6 PM – 11 PM; Lunch, Mon – Fri, 12 PM – 3 PM (will begin the next couple weeks); Brunch, Sundays, 11:30 AM – 2 PM.RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted, recommended...
Read MoreThe London Bar
151 West 54th Street, nr. 7th Ave. (212)468-8889 website TYPE: Asian-inflected French VIBE: Modern elegance OCCASION: A mature date or civilized family affair DON’T MISS DISH: White onion veloute with duck ragout DON’T BOTHER DISH: Peekytoe crab with avocado & sweetcorn sorbet DRINK SPECIALTY: An extensive wine list & classic cocktails. PRICE: $70 & up HOURS: Breakfast, lunch & dinner, 365 days a year, 6AM – 11PM in the London Bar. High tea served every afternoon at 4 PM. ...
Read MoreMai House
186 Franklin St., at Hudson St. (212)431-0606 TYPE: Modern Vietnamese VIBE: Earthbound sleek OCCASION: A hip date or group dinner DON’T MISS DISH: Fresh dungeness crab DON’T BOTHER DISH: Duck leg confit DRINK SPECIALTY: Buddha’s eye cocktail PRICE: $55 & up HOURS: Dinner, Monday – Saturday, 5:45 PM- 11:30 PM. Lunch hours are imminent. RESERVATIONS: Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES (1-10): 7 (very good) FINAL WORD: Drew Nieporent of Nobu fame gets back in the...
Read MoreTwo New Restaurants Hit The NYC Streets
‘Tis the season for new restaurants and there’s countless to devoured. Here’s a sneak peek at two of the lastest newcomers. savorNY63 Clinton Street, btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts.(212)358-7125Website TYPE: Eclectic small plates VIBE: Inviting LES nook OCCASION: A casual date or neighborhood nibblesDON’T MISS DISH: Chinese bbq duckDRINK SPECIALTY: 35-bottle wine selection, all available by the glass ($7-$12), or the bottle ($26-$45).PRICE: $35 & up HOURS: Open seven days a week. Dinner, 4 PM – until the last diner...
Read MoreCafe Cluny
284 West 12th St. (at 4th St.) (212)255-6900 TYPE: French-American restaurant VIBE: Charming neighborhood haunt OCCASION: A casual date or group dining DON’T MISS DISH: Duck confit with baby brussel sprouts DON’T BOTHER DISH: Roasted cod DRINK SPECIALTY: 21-bottle wine list; 16 by the glass PRICE: $45 & up HOURS: Open seven days a week, 5:30 PM-12 PM; Brunch, Saturday & Sunday 10:30 AM-3 PM; Breafast, Monday-Friday, 8 AM-11:30 AM (starting November 13th) RESERVATIONS: Reservations are recommended, especially on...
Read MoreThe Crack of Cake
Cake Man Raven708-A Fulton StreetBrooklyn NY 11217718-797-2598718-694-CAKE (to pre-order cakes) I have accidentally stumbled upon the perfect slice, (no, not Di Fara’s pizza). Behold, Cake Man Raven’s sublime red velvet cake; a cake so decadently divine, it literally keeps me up at night. I suggest you get yourself to Fort Greene immediately for the slice of a lifetime. At the risk of playing the role of the playground drug dealer, this is one addiction I encourage you to indulge...
Read MoreRussian Tea Room
150 West 57th Street (between 6th & 7th Aves.) (212)581-7100 TYPE: Pan-global with a Russian bent VIBE: A grand theatrical affair OCCASION: A nostalgic trip down memory lane, family dinner or special occassion. DON’T MISS DISH: Foie gras pelmini DON’T BOTHER DISH: Soy butter poached maine lobster DRINK SPECIALTIES: Vodkas a plenty, classic cocktails and an elegant wine list. PRICE: $80 & up HOURS: TBD RESERVATIONS: Reservations recommended. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES (1-10): 7 (very good) FINAL WORD: Travel...
Read MorePicholine
Rich Saab has won a FREE four-course dinner for two with matching wines at Picholine, awarded three stars by the New York Times, personally prepared by famed chef, Terrance Brennan. Who doesn’t love a free meal? So, I’ll be giving away another FREE DINNER to officially celebrate my new Restaurant Girl newsletter. You’ll have to click on Restaurant Girl next Friday, November 10th to find out the restaurant and details! Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl **Don’t forget to...
Read MoreFrederick’s Downtown
637 Hudson St. (at Horatio St.) (212)488-4200 website LX.TV TYPE: Modern french bistro VIBE: Fashionably civilized dining OCCASION: A cozy date or group dinner DON’T MISS DISH: Creamy orzo with lobster & chanterelle mushrooms DON’T BOTHER DISH: Roasted codfish DRINK SPECIALTY: 28-bottle wine list; 16 by the glass; 1/2 and whole carafes also available. PRICE: $60 & up HOURS: Open seven days a week, 5:30 PM – 2 AM. RESERVATIONS: Reservations recommended, especially on weekends. BONUS: Outdoor seating’s perfect...
Read MorePicholine
Like plastic, Restaurant Girl membership has its privileges (again)! In celebration of Restaurant Girl’s new, once-a-week email campaign (coming next week), I’m giving away a FREE DINNER for two at Picholine, which earned three stars from the New York Times, to a lucky subscriber. So EMAIL me by Wednesday, November 1st, for a chance to win a four-course dinner for two with matching wines at Picholine, personally prepared by famed chef, Terrance Brennan. No need to fret if you’re not...
Read MoreMarkt No More…?
401 West 14th St. (at 9th Ave.) (212)727-3314 Markt Rumor mill has it that Markt, Meatpacking’s trendy and ever-crowded Belgian brasserie, may soon be a distant memory. Specializing in admittedly mediocre moules frites and a bevvy of Belgian beers, the airy, wood-decked restaurant, will be torn down to make way for an Apple Store when Markt’s lease comes up in January. Likewise, Swatch will take over the adjacent space, formerly home to Western Beef Grocery, a purveyor in all...
Read MoreSTK
26 Little West 12th Street (btwn. 9th & 10th Aves.) (646)624-2444 website TYPE: Modern steakhouse VIBE: Meatpacking madness OCCASION: Trendy dining DON’T MISS DISH: Sweet corn pudding DON’T BOTHER DISH: Shrimp rice krispy’s DRINK SPECIALTY: 230-bottle wine list PRICE: $70 & up HOURS: Open seven days a week, 5:30 PM – 2 AM. RESERVATIONS: Reservations recommended, especially on weekends. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES (1-10): 5 (average with standout sides) FINAL WORD: The closest thing to Las Vegas without leaving Manhattan,...
Read MoreThe Russian Tea Room – Reservation Lines Are Open
150 West 57th Street (between 6th & 7th Aves.)(212)581-7100 The Russian Tea Room’s phone lines officially opened at 9 AM this morning to accept dinner reservations, starting November 3rd. At 2 PM this afternoon, I was able to snag a table for two people at 8 PM opening night. I called back again and tried for 6 people at 8:30, but apparently they can’t handle parties larger than 4 on opening night. However, they could do a four-top at...
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