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Arthur Asks:
“I am looking for a nice restaurant in midtown. The key requirement is a good wine list (red wine).”
While I am not, by any means, an aficionado when it comes to wine (something I plan on correcting in the very near future…) I think I can point you in the right direction. Not knowing exactly how nice you’re looking for — or how ‘midtown’ for that matter — I’m going to take the liberty of assuming very nice (read expensive).
Not that it’s any secret, but Eric Ripert’s Le Bernadin (http://www.le-bernardin.com/), on 51st between 6th and 7th, is some of the best fish that you will ever eat. The service is also impeccable, which of course comes along with excellent sommeliers armed with a fantastic wine list. The wine pairings with your fish will likely favor whites, but I know they can do a great job with reds.
A little hipper (and pretty much just as expensive) is The Modern (http://www.themodernnyc.com/) , inside of MOMA. The food is great — appropriately modern cuisine and the sleek, minimalist space is really fun. Their fantastic wine selection is cased in a glass wall running along the entrance to the restaurant, an important introduction to the overall feeling of the restaurant. The menu also favors a bolder, probably more red-friendly wine selection.
Salute!
Michelle Asks:
“I’m looking for a fun restaurant to celebrate a friend’s 25th birthday. We’re looking for good food, great drinks and a lively atmosphere in the east 50’s-60s.”
In terms of some fun places around there with food that I like, there are only a handful of places that come to mind. Both of the ones I’m going to recommend are Mexican… because it doesn’t get much more fun than melty cheese and margaritas. Both are also a bit pricey for Mexican and are satellite locations of their downtown originals. They’re actually pretty similar in a lot of ways… but it’s all I have for now.
The first is Rosa Mexicana on 58th st. and 1st Ave. I like the atmosphere here a lot. Food is great…the table-side guacamole is awesome and they make some fantastically different margaritas. It’s a fun, energetic vibe, and you’ll be able to hear each other at the table.
The other is the newest of the Dos Caminos restaurants on 3rd Ave. between 50th and 51st. Dos Caminos is probably marginally cheaper than Rosa Mexicana… and the food slightly less perfect. If your focus is drinks and there will be many of them, you might want to consider it. It’s also a lot louder and frantic but it can also be a good thing if you’re in the right mood or actually want to talk to people other than the ones at your table.
Well I hope you like Mexican food - that’s pretty much all I have for you for fun places in the area. ¡Comer con gusto!
Jed asks:
“I am looking for a place where I can get a good steak for not an absurd amount of money. Thanks for the help!”
There are a couple of really great places that I love for steak in the East Village… all of them relatively affordable. I think the key to getting a well-priced steak in the city is by avoiding the standard “steakhouse”. Check out some of the Argentinian, French Bistro, and Brazilian barbeque spots.
One of my favorite places for a simple steak (especially late-night) is Jules Bistro on St. Marks and 1st Ave. It’s a cool jazz bar where a lot of young Parisians hang out. The bistro food is really solid and the music is great. I think steak frites is under $20.
Another great spot is Buenos Aires on E. 6th street, between A and B. It’s a little place with some really great Argentinean grub including a lot of great steak options for under $30.
I know there are some Brazilian barbecue places in the area, too… they’re slipping from my memory right now though. Maybe some commenters can help me out? Buon Appetito!
