American

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

  • abcV – Plant-forward spot by Jean-Georges Vongerichten for seasonal plates, tonics, and cocktails, plus gluten-free fare
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Bright, modern, casual
    • Suggestions: Whole roasted cauliflower, avocado lettuce cups, wood roasted baby artichoke, potato dumplings
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with someone who is vegetarian or vegan, a last minute dinner, a casual but very good meal
    • Note: All of the food on the menu is vegetarian

  • American Bar – A TikTok popular West Village restaurant that looks like a trendy country club
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Preppy, country club
    • Suggestions: Peanut chicken salad, whipped ricotta, tower bar sundae
    • Reservations: Suggested
    • A Good Place For: Friends in town
    • Note: The food here is just mediocre but it’s hard to get a reservation because it’s one of those places that blew up on TikTok. I will say, the peanut chicken salad is worth the reservation

  • Au Cheval – Sister to the Chicago original serving elevated burgers and American dishes in a stylish setting
    • Location: Tribeca
    • Atmosphere: Converted warehouse, trendy, well lit, retro
    • Suggestions: The burger with bacon and farm egg, silky whipped potatoes
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get if booked in advance. Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance with each new day becoming available at 9am ET
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a casual meal
    • Note: I think this is one of the best burgers in NYC
    • Sister Restaurants: 4 Charles Prime Rib, Monkey Bar

  • Beauty & Essex – A pawn shop gives way to a happening restaurant & lounge serving creative American fare and cocktails
    • Location: Lower East Side
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, happening, romantic, upscale
    • Suggestions: Kale and apple salad, Korean style fish tacos, tortilla soup dumplings
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A third date, girls’ night out, large parties
    • Note: The food here was just average but the menu has creative offerings, and the atmosphere / speakeasy vibe makes it worth it

  • Bird Dog – Italian-Southern restaurant in the West Village with a room that feels like an NYC studio apartment
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Intimate, cozy, homey
    • Suggestions: Broccoli, burrata, bucatini
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made 14 days in advance, and each new day is released at 9am ET
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a unique cuisine experience
    • Note: Bird Dog offers three menu options: a family style Chef’s Tasting Menu, three course Pre-Fixe, or a Fried Chicken Dinner. They do not offer a la carte. All reservations for five or more people are required to get the Chef’s Tasting menu, complete table participation is required. All the food was fantastic, I would highly suggest Bird Dog

  • Corner Bistro – Historical establishment in the West Village serving what was at one point NYC’s best burger. Note, Corner Bistro is cash only
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, local bar, bohemian
    • Suggestions: Burger and fries
    • Reservations: Not required
    • A Good Place For: A quick meal, watching a sporting event

  • Electric Lemon – Equinox Hotel restaurant for veggie-forward dishes and crudos
    • Location: Hudson Yards
    • Atmosphere: Modern, high end
    • Suggestions: The pumpkin espresso martini is the best I’ve ever had. And coming in at $24, it better be
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A special night out, drinks before going out

  • Fairfax – Easygoing all-day cafe & bar offering classic & inventive eats, plus wines, beers & cocktails
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, cozy, relaxed
    • Suggestions: Burger, old bay tots
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested but not difficult to get if you book in advance
    • A Good Place For: A small group dinner, a date
    • Note: The best tater tots I’ve ever had are at Fairfax, don’t skip them!
    • Sister Restaurants: Joseph Leonard

  • Harlem Public – Cozy pub offering a huge selection of craft beers on tap plus spirits and cocktails
    • Location: Upper Manhattan
    • Atmosphere: Casual, trendy sports bars
    • Suggestions: Any of the hamburgers. The parmesan crusted sourdough bread is to die for
    • Reservations: Not required
    • A Good Place For: Brunch, bar food, watching sporting events

  • Hillstone – Upscale chain eatery serving burgers, steaks, and other American fare
    • Location: Kips Bay
    • Atmosphere: Stylish, dark, spacious
    • Suggestions: Any of the sushi rolls, grilled California artichokes, veggie burger, French dip
    • A Good Place For: A birthday dinner, dinner when friends are in town
    • Reservations: Suggested and need to be booked in advance
    • A Good Place For: A Sunday night meal, dinner with the parents

  • Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 – Elevated neighborhood dining to the West Village, serving New American cuisine
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Dark, homey
    • Suggestions: Black truffle toast, fusilli
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Parents in town, a corporate dinner

  • Joseph Leonard – New American fare served from breakfast to late-night in a rustic space with just a few tables
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, seasonal, a neighborhood spot
    • Suggestions: Burger on an English muffin
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Brunch, dinner with friends, a date
    • Note: Joseph Leonard is also a great brunch spot
    • Sister Restaurants: Fairfax

  • Loring Place – Upscale-casual American restaurant for seasonal, wood-fired dishes, handmade pastas, and pizzas
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Minimalistic, welcoming, cute casual
    • Suggestions: Everything is good; nothing is the best you will ever have but it’s all consistent and satisfying
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Large parties, a dinner date, a good back up dinner on the weekends when you can’t get into your top choice restaurant

  • Monkey Bar – Heartbeat of midtown dining with its timeless fare and iconic vibe, including retro murals and swanky furnishings
    • Location: Midtown
    • Atmosphere: Romantic, iconic, old-school
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu is great, highlights include French dip, any of the steaks, pommes frites, truffle tagliatelle
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance at 9am EST on Resy. Note that a $2.50 per person reservation fee is added to all reservations made online. Bar seating is available for walk-in guests
    • A Good Place For: Friends in town, parents in town, a date you are trying to impress
    • Note: This is a place to see and be seen. The food is wildly overpriced but it’s very good. It’s a place you go once and then go back only on a special occasion because it’s expensive and unhealthy
    • Sister Restaurants: 4 Charles Prime Rib, Au Cheval

  • The Polo Bar – American restaurant by designer Ralph Lauren, serving classic dishes, bar bites & drinks
    • Location: Midtown
    • Atmosphere: Luxurious, a place to see and be seen, romantic, equestrian themed
    • Suggestions: Burger
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are offered Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5:00pm to 10:30pm and Mondays and Sundays from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Reservations can be made one month in advance by the calendar date beginning at 10:00am by calling 212-207-8562
    • A Good Place For: A special celebration, dinner with the parents, impressing friends from out of town