Manhattan Progressive Dining Help

Next month, my wife and I are going on a short, kid-free, weekend trip to Manhattan to celebrate our anniversary (and both of our birthdays). Since we both have little interest in investing in one very expensive meal (and because my wife has a notoriously short attention span) I am thinking of planning a progressive dinner for the saturday night that we're there.

The idea is to have an extended meal, a dish or two at a time at a number of different locations: a few pieces of sushi and some sake at one spot, a small plate of pasta and wine at another, etc. etc., you get the idea. I've done this with success in a number of cities, but usually in an "ad hoc" fashion, without a real plan.

Here's what I'm trying to come up with:

• Upscale and inexpensive are both in play, but I'd prefer to skew mostly upscale
• Ideal restaurants are places that allow walk-ins to sit at the bar and have a dish or two (and a drink) from the full menu. Inexpensive restaurants should be places that we wouldn't feel guilty if we weren't ordering a full meal (counter service is usually best in this case, so we're not taking up a server's table).
• A couple things we don't want: burgers, hot dogs, Jewish deli, or "a slice".
• We'd probably hit 4-5 places, but it doesn't hurt to have a few more options ready if one place or the other is too crowded.
• Distance/location is not a huge issue. We're happy to hop on the subway or walk 10 blocks if we really need to, but I'd like to find some spots that are relatively close to each other.
• Dessert options are necessary.

There's a lot of intel out there about Manhattan restaurants, but it's hard to get an idea if the bar is "dining friendly" or not without having been there. I know there are many LTHers with a lot of Manhattan experience. Guidance is appreciated and a full report will follow, of course.

Thanks very much.

Best,
Michael

It would be a crime not to include Gramercy Tavern in a venture like this. The tavern room has a large bar and a good number of tables, all of which are fine for just drinking and nibbling. Some people have full meals there, but it's definitely not expected. The tavern room also houses the restaurant's very cool wood stove, where some of NY's best bread is being baked and delivered to your table. Great food and a classic NYC setting. I know you said no deli, but you would not be sorry if you ordered the pastrami from this menu..

Gramercy Tavern
(212) 477-0777
42 E 20th St

I'll take a shot Michael, all within easy walking distance of each other in the Village/Soho, but unfortunately I don't have any suggestions for dessert:

Pegu Club - artisanal cocktails and upscale/fun bar food
77 W Houston 2nd floor
212-473-7348

Na Thai - solid Thai in the neighborhood
138 West Houston Street
(212) 353-2338‎

Ushiwakamaru - high-quality sushi
136 West Houston Street
(212) 228-4181

Lopa Osteria Romana - one of Batali/Bastianich empire
170 Thompson Street
(212) 982-5089

Savoy Restaurant - Upscale small plates
70 Prince Street
(212) 219-8570

I've been to all but Savoy within the past couple years, but I hear really good things about Savoy so I thought I would suggest it.

Have a fun trip!

Davooda

Excellent suggestions, thank you both.

Hi - one of my friends did a split meal in NYC recently. I don't recall where the went to dinner (couldn't have been that memorable) but they did do dessert at WD-50. I have heard this dessert story told at least 10 times since then. I haven't been, but it has been higly recommended to me. Please be aware that it is a multi-course dessert tasting (sounded similar to what Tru was doing a while back at their bar).

Sounds like fun trip

Paul Barman wrote:Hi - one of my friends did a split meal in NYC recently. I don't recall where the went to dinner (couldn't have been that memorable) but they did do dessert at WD-50. I have heard this dessert story told at least 10 times since then. I haven't been, but it has been higly recommended to me. Please be aware that it is a multi-course dessert tasting (sounded similar to what Tru was doing a while back at their bar).

Sounds like fun trip

Pastry chef at WD-50? Alex Stupak, formerly the pastry chef at Alinea here in Chicago. It does sound like a nice way to end a progressive meal.

Interesting option. According to WD-50s website, they offer a 3-course, chef's choice dessert tasting for $38/pp (or a 5-course for $48). I'm not sure I'm too jazzed about spending $100 on dessert, but it's something to consider. Thanks!

Artisanal Bistro at Park Avenue and 32nd street is a pretty standard French bistro, but it has a great cheese program. I'd go there for a cheese platter with beer or wine. They have a nice bar area for walk ups where you can order anything off the menu.

Jonah

I would consider Sushi Yasuda for a sushi stop. Very easy to get in and out at the sushi bar quickly (but you should probably make a reservation just to be sure you'll have a spot).

Sushi Yasuda
204 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017-4713
(212) 972-1001

I second Artisanal.
Artisanal
2 Park Ave
New York, 10016
Reservations are a must 212.725.8585
The entrance is on 32nd between Park and Madison

"We had really good food here, but the service was typical NYC. I guess we stumbled into a new "it" place. It was very trendy, and Mayor Bloomberg was there. A woman next to us said that it was becoming a very popular place. It's a fromagerie, Bistro, Wine Bar. We had cheese flights and wine flights. Had a nice salad frisse with the most tender lardons, I have ever had. Both of us had the hangar steak with frittes, which was very tender and very reasonably priced. I would return to this restaurant, but with a reservation. We sat in the bar, which was very bistro looking, but the banquet was very uncomfortable. The food served is the full menu."
This was from my trip last year. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22786&p=247704&hilit=new+york+city+NYC#p247704

AB just mentioned it in his book too.

We just walked in and got to the bar, however, I have a feeling that a reso would have been so muc easier. The prices here are reasonable, didn't seem too over the top New Yorky...

Here's my heavy rotation from Midtown in no particular order, all within a pretty easy stroll:

Yasuda

Menchenko Tei (Ramen)

PJ Clarke's (clams, burgers, late night)

Aquavit

Grand Central Oyster Bar

Drinks facing the cathedral in the courtyard bar at the NY Palace, GILT (also a good place to stay, the Palace)

Wildcard: There's a very "fancy," incredibly old-fashioned NY Chinese place just behind the Palace on 51st St., Tse Yang. I can't quite explain the place. It's mabybe what Kow Kow and other north shore Chinese places dream about when they are kids the way we dream we can fly like Superman. It's filled with white shoe regulars who live in places like the towers at the Waldorf or whatever. The whole fish ain't bad. Menu is in French as well as Cantonese and they have a long wine list. But it's still an old school Chinese place and you can get fried rice and a rum drink if you have the nerve to order it. Have fun. I'd jump on the train to Astoria the next day....

Assuming they'll have you as part of a progressive dinner (and assuming you can get in), Aldea, the outstanding Portuguese restaurant in the Flatiron District.

Hi Michael. Here are a couple of wild cards for you to consider:

Hawkers. A new little Flatiron/Union Square bar/restaurant featuring S.E. Asian street food. Nice variety of small plates and entrees. Everything we had (lumpia, tamarind-glazed ribs, crispy duck buns) was delicious. We grazed amply with Asian beer for around fifty bucks.

Casa Mono. Just east of Union Square, this is one of my faves in all of NYC. Wonderful Spanish small plates and entrees. Plus, their Bar Jamon next door has outstanding Spanish wine, hams, cheeses and nibbles.

Oh, and if you're near Chinatown and in the mood for a real vintage cocktail, find Apoteke. Hidden away down a narrow alley, it's a former opium den. The bartenders (mixologists) wear white lab coats and whip up some tasty and (trust me) potent concoctions. Hint: quiet and pleasant at cocktail hour; evenings get noisy and crowded.

Have fun and welcome to town!

Hawkers
225 E. 14th St (bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.)
212-982-1688

Casa Mono
52 Irving Pl. (bet 17th & 18th St.)
212-253-2773

Apoteke
9 Doyers St.
212-406-0400

For that smaill plate of past you mentioned, you might hit the bar at Babbo.

Babbo
110 Waverly Place
New York, NY

BR wrote:Assuming they'll have you as part of a progressive dinner (and assuming you can get in), Aldea, the outstanding Portuguese restaurant in the Flatiron District.

I'll second Aldea and add that it is probably not too far to walk from Eleven Madison Park, which has stellar cocktails and offers a limited bar menu (PDF Link). Note that they are currently closed for some renovations...but will be reopening September 7th.

I strongly recommend a trip to Momofuku Ssam Bar. It's very much like Avec in terms of design and a meal at the bar is no problem. They also have very good cocktails. Try the Ginger Rogers if you like Dark and Stormy's. It was named the 26th best restaurant in the world by the people who compile lists (http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners ). It may not be the 26th best restaurant in the world, but it's pretty darn good. Try the pork buns and make sure you get one order per person because you won't want to share.

For lunch, you can dine at Jean Georges for $29 for two course or Eleven Madison Park for $28 for two courses ( which are the 52nd and 50th best restaurants in the world, respectively) and are really amazing values at lunch.

On my most two most recent trips to NYC, I have had barbecue at Fette Sau in Brooklyn. The pork cheeks on my last visit made me weak at the knees. A rotating selection of 5 meats, long communal tables and good beer and whiskey make me want to return here asap. It was a relatively easy train/walk to get here from where I was staying.

Momofuku Ssam
207 Second Avenue, at 13th Street, New York, USA. 212 254 3500 http://www.momofuku.com

Jean Georges
1 Central Park West (at Columbus Circle) 212-299-3900 http://www.jean-georges.com/

Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 718-963-3404 http://www.fettesaubbq.com/

How about Serendipity III for dessert.

Serendipity 3
225 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 838-3531

deesher wrote:For lunch, you can dine at Jean Georges for $29 for two course or Eleven Madison Park for $28 for two courses ( which are the 52nd and 50th best restaurants in the world, respectively) and are really amazing values at lunch.

Last Friday was the last day the two course lunch was offered at Eleven Madison Park. When they reopen for lunch on Wednesday, you'll have the choice of three courses for $56 or eight courses for $95.

I'm sorry to hear that EMP is no longer giving away lunch. Given a choice, I would probably switch to the $70 three course lunch at Le Bernardin (the 15th best restaurant in the world). I had lunch there recently and it was really outstanding.

787 7th Ave # Conc1
New York, NY 10019-8103
(212) 554-1515
7th Ave. at 53rd street

I really enjoyed my all-Japanese progressive dinner in New York earlier this year and would endorse any of the stops for inclusion on your night out. If you do end up at Yasuda, don't miss the eel spines.

-Dan