A Glamour Girl’s Guide to NYC • Part Three

Welcome back! If you’ve been following along with my series, you’ve learned some of the basics for navigating the city as a first-timer as well as roughed out an ideal itinerary for your travels. But we have only just begun to discuss one of my favorite aspects of New York travel…can you guess what it is? Why, it’s the food, of course! (Did you really expect me to name my blog Breakfast at Taylor’s and not mention food in every post?) With one Michelin starred restaurant approximately every four miles, New York is one of the United States’s most culinarily advanced cities.

While New York might be most often thought of as the United States’ culinary breadbasket—home to the best of the best cheesecake and deli sandwiches—it’s equally unrivaled as a luxury dining destination.

Though iconic Manhattan delicacies take the form of “dirty water dogs” and oversized slices of thin crust pizza, there are more than enough opportunities for visitors to dine in style and indulge in virtually any variety of cuisine that tickles their taste buds. My first trip to New York was a low-key weekend focused on experiencing the magic of Midtown Manhattan and indulging in luxurious, pampering experiences after a whirlwind trip down the East Coast. Although I didn’t have much time, I tried my hardest to taste a little bit of everything…and my extensive research for my upcoming adventure (one week to go!) has given me a bird’s eye view of the city’s culinary landscape.

If you’re searching for the perfect place to buy a bagel or sit down for a multi-course meal, you’ll find the perfect spot in this guide.

I’ve included links to some of my favorite restaurants (and those I can’t wait to try!), but all opinions are completely my own. This post is 100% unsponsored—if I link it, I love it!

Street Eats

Grab-and-go options might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider luxury city dining, but one thing I’ve learned in my near-decade of epicurean travel is that the finest foods aren’t necessarily those which come with high prices and Michelin stars attached. (In fact, sometimes it can be the direct opposite.) I’ll admit—I prefer to dine rather than sample street food, so this isn’t my exact area of expertise. That being said, I lucked out with every option I sampled during my trip, and a few new “fast” food options are on my radar for my next (week !!) trip.

Deli Bites — One of my greatest regrets from my last trip was the fact that I didn’t visit a Jewish Deli. This time around, getting a proper pastrami sandwich (aside from the pure deliciousness that is Ralph’s Corned Beef Sandwich at the Polo Bar—more on that below) is top on my list for experiencing “authentic” New York. Katz’s Delicatessen on the Lower East Side is a classic, known as well for its use as a shooting location in When Harry Met Sally as it is for its sandwiches. However, lines are notoriously long and some feel it isn’t wort the hype. Personally, I’m excited to visit Pastrami Queen, which has received rave reviews from the likes of Anthony Bourdain and has a convenient Upper East Side location near the Metropolitan Museum of Art.They’re harder to find here than in other parts of the city, but independent businesses do exist—namely, Louis Martin Jewelers in Rockefeller Center. Established in 1978, the family-run business is known for its vast array of new and estate jewelry, as well as its exquisite custom work. While it’s no Tiffany’s, the quality here is on par with the avenue’s most notorious shops…and the prices are refreshingly more realistic.

Bagels — Let it be known that I’m not a bagel snob. If it has dough and an adequate amount of seasoning on top (salt for me, please) I’m pretty content. I don’t care if it was kettle-boiled or hand rolled or if its generations-old recipe came straight through Ellis Island on the latest ship from Poland. That being said, for all intents and purposes, Liberty Bagels are as authentic as they are amazing. Doughy, but with the perfect amount of both chew and crisp on the outside—I could eat a thousand. But the best part is the entire counter full of flavored spreads, some of which sound (and look!) more like ice cream flavors—think birthday cake and maple bacon. This trip, I’m also excited to try Broad Nosh Bagels’s Columbus Circle location—they have French toast bagels!—which is celebrated by reviewers for its friendly, welcoming managerial staff…and, did I mention, French toast bagels?

Chestnuts — Love them or hate them, but I love them…it’s not sweater weather in New York City without a bag of hot roasted chestnuts from a Fifth Avenue street vendor. Not only are they a Manhattan classic (the smell alone could transport you into any 80’s holiday rom-com) but they’re also delicious. Warm and popping out of their shells, they practically melt in your mouth and tempt your taste buds with the tastes of the season.

Desserts — One of the United States’s most beloved shopping districts, Midtown practically begs shoppers to stop off for a sweet treat to keep their blood sugar from dropping while they’re shopping. Thankfully, there is no shortage of dessert shops, the variety of which enables them to cater to any sweet tooth’s need. One of my favorites is Van Leeuwen’s Ice Cream, which originated as a NYC food truck and has locations sprinkled all throughout Manhattan, including several Midtown locations. (My favorite ice cream company of all time, Salt & Straw, also opened its first NY location on the Upper West Side.) If you’re not an ice cream fan, Levain Bakery, Ladurée, Angelina, and Magnolia Bakery are all favorites for a cookie, pastry, hot chocolate, or pint of banana pudding.

Take Time for Tea

London might be the world capital of afternoon tea, but New York does its best to compete, and many of Midtown’s luxury hotels have their own version of this old-money “happy hour”. Spots such as the Plaza are the most notorious for offering this daily ritual, but there are more modern, innovative options as well. Look for afternoon teas offered by celebrity chefs like Daniel Boulud or in partnership with luxury brands, such as Baccarat.

Baccarat Grand Salon — As a brand, Baccarat is known for its crystals, fragrances, hotels, and…afternoon tea? Sharing a cuppa in the Baccarat’s New York hotel salon is nothing short of a luxurious experience, made even more so by the (expectedly) crystal serviceware and innovative canapés, such as beef tartare on a potato chip. Named after some of history’s most notorious royals, different levels of tea service range from sweets-only to full-service…champagne and caviar included!

The Blue Box Cafe — If tiered trays are your thing, Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe gives you two different options for a storied dining experience. The most traditional, its “Tiffany Tea” features scones, sandwiches, and petits fours—and its exclusive black tea blend (which you can also buy by the canister exclusively at Tiffany’s). However, when I visited, I lived out my Holly Golightly dreams by ordering the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, which featured several of celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s signature pastries as well as savory snacks. It might sound like a gimmick, but it’s a truly decadent and delicious experience and one I enjoyed so much I wrote an entire article about it, too!

Majorelle — Dior and afternoon tea? Where do I sign up! One of my greatest regrets for this upcoming trip is the fact that I don’t have time to experience the Lowell Hotel’s signature tea experience, inspired by beloved Christian Dior. If you’re a foodie, a fashionista, or simply appreciate the finer things in life, the Lowell is your place to go to experience the epitome of luxurious decor and an arguably impressive list of tea blends.

Mandarin Oriental — Hovering high above Columbus Circle and overlooking Central Park West, the tea lounge at the Mandarin Oriental is worth a visit for the views alone. However, the menu, developed in collaboration with luxury perfumer Frédéric Malle, is equally breathtaking. Each petit four reflects the notes of a specific scent, resulting in a truly innovative and unique flavor profile that reflects the MO’s Asian roots and East Coast tradition.

Nubeluz — Celebrity chef José Andrés puts a tongue-in-cheek spin on the afternoon ritual, offering “high tea” (pardon the faux pas) every weekend from his restaurant’s perch atop the Ritz-Carlton NoMad. But this isn’t your Queen Victoria’s high tea—it’s innovative and invigorating, with savories such as tomato tartare and pastrami sandwiches and sweets flavored with candied violets or miso. And did we mention the views? Let’s just say Nubeluz means clouds and light in Spanish.

Keeping it (Sort of?) Casual

Depending on where you live, casual dining in New York will likely look a little different than what you’re accustomed to. Don’t be surprised if even basic brassieres and cafés feature elegantly set tables and well-dressed waitstaff. Coming from my small hometown where dressing up typically involves wearing one’s cleanest pair of denim pants, I was surprised and delighted that even “casual” lunches offered a touch of elegance.

Of course, there are plenty of places with a more relaxed vibe, but the places where I lunched were beautifully outfitted, despite their simple menu offerings of sandwiches and salads. If you’re looking for something that’s delicious and unpretentious, I’ve staked out a few can’t-go-wrong spots to try, too.

Casual Flair — If starched tablecloths and dressed-up waiters aren’t your thing, many of Midtown’s more creative restaurants offer top-tier food without the fussiness. Empellón puts an all-American spin on Mexican cuisine, and Nougatine is Michelin-starred chef Jean George’s outpost for pasta, burgers, and a host of tantalizing appetizers. Maison Pickle on the Upper West Side is the comfort food restaurant from all of our wildest dreams. Downtown, The Nines is a swanky piano bar with a creative menu of cocktails, mocktails, and light bites. Nothing striking your fancy? Check out this list of NYC’s Bib Gourmand restaurants—they’re affordable, approachable, and Michelin Guide approved.Or, depending on where you’re staying, forget going out at all and stay in—many of NYC’s finest hotels have some of the most luxurious bathrooms you’ll find outside of a multimillion-dollar penthouse. Pop some bubbles in the tub, order room service, put on your favorite soothing spa playlist, and spend the evening soaking in the hidden serenity of the city.

BG Restaurant — It’s good for lunch, a drink, or more afternoon tea, and its views of Central Park from the top floor of Bergdorf Goodman can’t be matched. Entrées here are hit or miss (skip the bone-in roast chicken and go instead for the exceptional Gotham Salad) but the bread—herbed focaccia—delivered to your table by an impeccably dressed waiter (it is a Bergdorf Goodman restaurant, after all) is worth the trip all on its own. Make your reservations early, because tables fill up fast!

Bryant Park Grill — Bryant Park Grill gets mixed reviews online, but my experience there last year was so positive that it’s one of only two restaurants I plan to revisit on my upcoming trip. Perhaps that’s because anything could satisfy an empty stomach after hours spent strolling the Bryant Park Holiday market, perhaps it’s because of the classic three-martini-lunch atmosphere, or perhaps it’s because their quartet of breads with piquant vegan spreads is flat-out good. You can’t go wrong with the Bryant Park Grill—or its Fifth Avenue location behind the New York Public Library.

The Plaza Hotel — Whether you dine in the Champagne Bar or the Palm Court, a meal at the Plaza is essential to the perfect Plaza princess vacation. Available to hotel guests and tourists alike, both locations are posh, plush, and perfect for a midday pick-me-up. (Their mocktails are reliably good, too.) I’ll admit that, short of a culinary overhaul, the food isn’t going to win the hotel restaurants a Michelin star any time soon, but it’s reliably good and (almost) worth the outlandish prices. However, if you’re going for afternoon tea, you can probably do better.

The Polo Bar — Breakfast at Tiffany’s? What about Dinner at Ralph’s?! When Ralph Lauren opens a restaurant, foodies and fashionistas alike take note. That’s probably why, nearly a decade after it first opened its doors, the Polo Bar is one of New York’s most notoriously difficult-to-get reservations. However, if you have a good hotel concierge (Thanks, Plaza! Thanks, Trump!) they can work some magic and score you one of the most sought-after seats in the Midtown dining circuit. The food here isn’t anything special (we’ll get to fine dining here in a bit) but, in keeping with Ralph Lauren’s signature style, it is classically, reliably iconic. I consider myself a hamburger snob, but theirs was so good that I wrote all about it for Evie Magazine…and I already have my reservation booked to experience it all over again!

Food with Flair

If channeling your inner restaurant critic and checking out a few of the restaurants in the Michelin Guide that come with stars is what you have in mind for your trip, then prepare yourself for some of the most difficult (and delicious!) decisions of your foodie life. New York is home to a total of four three-star establishments (the highest Michelin rating a restaurant can obtain) as well as a dozen two-star and over fifty with one star. Additionally, the guide recognizes over three hundred other restaurants that all have that little “extra” that fine dining demands. So grab your designer pumps and spritz on a bit of luxury perfume (or, if you’re a serious connoisseur, don’t) and prepare yourself for a culinary journey that might just rival your entire trip.

The River Cafe — My most memorable dining experience in New York last year was neither the Polo Bar nor Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe. It was actually a different cafe—The River Cafe, a longtime recipient of one Michelin star. I could write an entire post on my disappointment and disbelief over the recent loss of their ranking, because this decades-old restaurant is nothing short of magical. Hovering over the banks of the East River with a view of the Manhattan skyline spanning from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to Lady Liberty, the River Cafe is a New York City icon. The only restaurant on my list located in a different borough, The River Cafe is well worth the journey into Brooklyn for atmosphere and cuisine alike. The prix-fixe tasting menu offers a contemporary spin on classic dishes (there is a full vegetarian menu, too!) and service is impeccable.

Dining With a View — If you’re not up for a jaunt into Brooklyn, there are other places where you can feast your eyes along with your stomach, such as the two Michelin-starred SAGA, located on the sixty-third floor of an art deco skyscraper in the Financial District. Nothing but the best for you and your party? Don’t miss Per Se from Chef Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame), located in Columbus Circle with stunning views of both the city and Central Park. It has a grand total of three Michelin Stars and is one of the most coveted reservations in the city. (It also comes with an introductory price tag of nearly four hundred dollars, but a glamour girl can dream, can she not?)

French Favorites — It’s a bit difficult to classify any food as “French” in New York. Many of the city’s most celebrated celebrity chefs hail from this country (or at least possess French heritage) but the city’s version of French cuisine has, quite often, become synonymous with elevated fine dining. Take Jean-Georges, for example, the eponymous restaurant of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, which is French by nature but offers dishes with Asian flair, such as crispy rice with uni or yuzu-sesame sweet potatoes. Slightly more traditional, Daniel (the namesake restaurant from the aforementioned Daniel Boulud) is lauded as the last great fine dining restaurant of New York City, outlasting old standbys such as Le Cirque and La Grenouille. Here, flavors are ambitious, but the dining format is redolent with old-world flair…I’m especially looking forward to the artisan cheese cart which makes its rounds at the end of the meal. For a dining experience that challenges our American perspective on French cuisine, consider paying a visit to Gabriel Kreuther in Bryant Park. Its food has definite French overtones, but chef-owner Gabriel Kreuther’s Alsatian heritage lends dishes a bit of a German flair.

Counter Culture — If flavor is your priority and you aren’t afraid to skimp on atmosphere, New York’s list of innovative dining experiences broadens exponentially. Some of the best meals can be found at chef’s counters. No longer reserved for quick service or casual fare, bar dining reservations can be some of the most revered in the city. Take Masa (three stars), one of New York’s most expensive reservations, where no photography is allowed and diners are taken on a serene—almost sacred—sushi journey through upwards of twenty courses at the chef’s omakase counter. Similar meals exist at Atera and Atomix, both of which boast two stars each. These are some of the city’s most lauded dining experiences, featuring chef’s tasting menus and highly interactive experiences. Be prepared to feel like you’ve lived an entire lifetime over the course of a meal. (A good thing, because many of these menus come with a once-in-a-lifetime price tag, too.)

Mignardises (AKA “Final Thoughts”)

If you aren’t familiar with a mignardise and you’re planning on visiting one of the Michelin-starred restaurants I mentioned above, you might want to do a bit of research. Similarly, if you’re planning on going to any restaurant in New York City…do your research. I’ve highlighted some of my own favorite spots (and places I can’t wait to go) but there isn’t enough space for me to call attention to The Modern, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park…you get the point! Consider your own palate and price tag as you plan your culinary expedition through Manhattan, but one thing is imperative—don’t forget to pack your appetite!

PS — if you’re looking for some true foodie inspiration, then please enjoy this scattering of snapshots of everything I sampled while eating my way through New York City. (Better yet, tell me which one you’d try first in the comments below!)