Sam’s All Star NYC Restaurants
There’s a million ways to slice and dice restaurant recommendations. But when it all comes down to it, without applying any hueristic or limiting to any category, we all have our favorites. The “if you had one meal left” or “where you want to be for the best moments of your life” places.
These are mine.
Via Carota (West Village)
This spot is some of the best Italian food I’ve had outside of Italy. I also love that it’s two women (the chef from Buvette and i Sodi)! The food and atmosphere is rustic but really refined (i.e. they don’t rely on a bunch of pork fat and overdosing on cheese to make things taste good). They won a James Beard award recently and it’s totally deserved. I love how it can feel really special and simultaneously unpretentious. Must orders include the cacio e pepe (the classic) or the meyer lemon risotto (the unexpected), the green salad (to share, it’s huge!) the olives ascolane, and whatever vegetable is in season. Logistically, they don’t do reservations so get there at 5p to get your name on the list for a normal dinner time and then go across the street to Bar Pisellino (owned by the same people!) to kill time until it’s time to sit.
Union Square Cafe (Flatiron)
Union Square gets the credit that is very rare in New York of an incredibly consistency - any meal, any day, over years, they deliver. I’ve had amazing brunches, dinners, drinks with a bite here. It’s no surprise as Danny Meyer restaurants are dependably excellent - the energy is always fun, the service is awesome and the food is really top notch. Their bar has such a classic New York vibe (the bar at the original location of this restaurant was iconic) but they also deliver an excellent experience even at the big top tables in the main dining room. If you’re there for brunch, highly recommend the pastry plate. I had an incredible duck breast one time for dinner but I’ve truly never gone wrong.
Balaboosta (West Village)
Balaboosta wins in my book for it’s ease - the restaurant interior feels like California but the food is a really delicious, approachable Mediterranean/Israeli vibe. The food is so sharable and everything is light and delicious. They do an amazing job with things like pita, hummus, eggplant, etc but their wine list is also affordable and delicious. I’ve had a birthday dinner here, I’ve had a great dinner with a girlfriend and I’ve had drinks and a bite at the bar. Truly no way to go wrong.
Tokyo Record Bar (Greenwich Village)
Tokyo Record Bar is as much about the dining experience as the food. Don’t get me wrong the food is all great but this one is a full immersive experience. This spot is down a set of stairs through another restaurant. They only seat 14 people twice a night. Everybody selects songs from a list that are spun from real records thoughout the night so you are involved in the ambiance of the evening. It’s a set Japanese style menu (although they can accomodate allergies/restrictions) and the night ends with the ultimate final course, an unexpected one for a very asian inspired meal, a slice of pizza! Such a good special occasion or for just a fun night out and so creative. I purposefully do it rarely just so I make sure to enjoy it every time!
Thai Diner (Nolita)
This is a newer spot on this list, by the same people who used to run Uncle Boon’s. It’s Thai-meets-diner food. I have been here multiple times and every one of the meals has been fabulous. We particularly loved the Khao Soi, the chicken salad (just trust me!) and the Larb. I’ve also heard great things about the babka french toast for brunch! The interiors are vibrant and always full. This is a festive spot for a fun occasion or a good girls dinner!
Jeffrey’s Grocery (West Village)
Jeffrey’s is my corner spot (truly - I lived on the block for 3 years). It is from an excellent restaurant group (the same group has Bar Sardine, Joseph Leonard, Fedora, Simon and the Whale, The Jones) that specializes in great food in a sort of collected, rustic environment with a really cool curated vibe. Jeffrey’s is seafood-focused but totally low key. My must orders: the pancakes, the fried green tomato benedict, the old bay french fries, selections from the raw bar and THE BLOODY CAESAR. Best bloody mary variety (a Bloody Caesar has clamato juice in it which makes it a little more savory than a typical bloody mary) and I’d argue this is the best Bloody Mary in the city.
I Sodi (West Village)
I Sodi is an upscale experience - white tablecloths, sophisticated plating, and so on. But they have gotten this little spot so right. The lasagna is out of this world. If they’re serving the fried artichokes, you must. It’s very minimalist and so the food really speaks for itself. Its definitely hard to get a reservation here and walk-ins are borderline impossible so plan ahead if this is a spot you want to try!