For A Special Occasion

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

  • Carbone (Italian) – High-end takes on red-sauce fare await at this A-lister Italian restaurant in a retro-glam space
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Elegant, upscale, a place to see and be seen, sceney
    • Suggestions: Spicy rigatoni vodka, tortellini al ragu, meatballs 
    • Reservations: Required and very difficult to get. Reservations open for lunch and dinner 30 days in advance at 10:00am ET, exclusively via Resy
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion, when friends or family are in town, a romantic date 
    • Note: In my experience, Carbone has been equally rated as the best Italian restaurant in NYC and the most overrated Italian restaurant. In my opinion, there is no better spicy rigatoni than at Carbone. It’s absolutely to die for (pro-tip: if you’re craving the rigatoni, order out from Parm, it’s the same recipe). Carbone has wowed all guests I have taken there, but not just the food, the bill. It’s an expensive night out but worth it for a special occasion (i.e., when you can get a reservation) 
    • Sister Restaurants: Sadelle’s, Torrisi, HaSalon, Parm, The Grill, The Lobster Club, The Pool, Dirty French, ZZ’s Clam Bar, Crown Club

  • Cosme (Mexican) – Sleek Mexican spot with a big bar for locally sourced share plates, plus tequila & mezcal cocktails
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, dark, contemporary 
    • Suggestions: Duck carnitas, guacamole, margaritas 
    • Reservations: Required
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion, dinner with the parents, an anniversary 
    • Notes: Cosme was voted the 22nd best restaurant in the world in 2021. The duck carnitas are the best I’ve ever had. The menu is pricey 

  • COTE (Koran) – Upscale Korean steakhouse featuring tables with smokeless grills, plus an extensive wine list
    • Location: Flatiron 
    • Atmosphere: Dark, moody, loud
    • Suggestions: Any of the meats 
    • Reservations: Reservations open 30 days in advance at 10am. All of the grill top dining tables at COTE are sized for parties of 4 and up, so parties of 2-3 are only accepted in their first seating (5:00 – 5:30pm) or their last seating (10:30pm – 11:00pm)
    • A Good Place For: A special celebration 
    • Note: There is a speakeasy under the restaurant called Undercote. It’s small, the drinks are expensive but it’s worth stopping by 

  • Don Angie (Italian) – Updated Italian-American classics with wine and cocktails in a marble-accented space. Don Angie remains on permanent Notify status for many and for a good reason
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Vibey, fun, elegant 
    • Suggestions: Chrysanthemum salad, lasagna, stuff flatbread 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released online 7 days in advance at 9am. The bar is reserved for walk-ins, and bar seats are surprisingly attainable
    • A Good Place For: A special night out, small dinner groups, when the parents are in town 
    • Note: Don Angie was awarded a Michelin star in 2022 

  • Four Charles Prime Rib (Steakhouse) – Steakhouse by Brendan Sodikoff with contemporary offerings & vintage appeal
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Dark, romantic, contemporary, a place to see and be seen 
    • Suggestions: Any of the steaks, prime rib french dip, wagyu cheeseburger, mashed potatoes, golden fries, elote style corn, chocolate cream pie, sundae royale
    • Reservations: Required and very difficult to get. Reservations are released 21 days in advance with each new day becoming available at 9am on Resy. Reservations can be made for up to 6 people 
    • A Good Place For: A special night out, a dinner to impress someone, a nice steak dinner
    • Sister Restaurants: Au Cheval, Monkey Bar
    • Note: This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Everything about it is dedicant. The food is lavish and over the top, but the bill will match that

  • Indian Accent (Indian) – High-end Indian restaurant featuring a menu of creative meals, plus a robust wine list
    • Location: Midtown
    • Atmosphere: Sophisticated, high-end, elegant, timeless
    • Suggestions: Beef tenderloin, sweet potato shakarkandi, makhan malai
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion

  • Jeju Noodle Bar (Ramen / Korean) – Korean restaurant focused on ramyun (noodle soups) & starters in a warmly lit, contemporary space
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Minimalistic, modern 
    • Suggestions: Wagyu ramyun
    • Reservations: Required; reservations open up on Resy on a 2 week rolling basis 
    • A Good Place For: A special night out, dinner for 2
    • Note: Jeju has 1 Michelin star 

  • Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (Fine Dining) – Opened by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, Tatiana is a fine dining restaurant that serves food inspired by Kwame’s Afro-Caribbean-by-way-of-the-Bronx heritage (i.e., Afro Caribbean-inspired dining). Tatiana topped Pete Well’s “The 100 Best Restaurants in NYC 2023” list. You can read the restaurant review posted in the New York Times, HERE.
    • Location: Upper West Side (Lincoln Center)
    • Atmosphere: High-end, modern, fancy
    • Suggestions: Black bean hummus, honeynut piri piri salad, shawarma roasted chicken, bodega special; if you’re getting a drink, it’s worth trying their “boozy jellies”
    • Reservations: Required; Reservations are available 28 days in advance at 12pm. Their full-service bar does have 6 seats, which are used to accommodate walk-ins. I would suggest getting there at 5pm sharp to get a walk-in seating
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion, a celebration, a pre-show (ballet, opera) dinner

  • Misi (Italian) – Contemporary-chic Italian dining space dishing up elevated antipasto and  handmade pasta dishes
    • Location: Williamsburg 
    • Atmosphere: Modern, trendy, simplistic 
    • Suggestions: Mezze rigatoni, fettuccine with buffalo butter, whipped ricotta crostini, marinated butter beans 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are made available 30 days in advance at 10am. Some bar seats are reserved for walk-ins   
    • A Good Place For: A dinner with the parents, a special occasion, a nice date 
    • Sister Restaurant: Misi Pasta, Lilia

  • Rezdora (Italian) – Italian eatery highlighting handmade pasta, traditional meat & fish dishes plus local vegetables
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, seclusive 
    • Suggestions: Any of the pastas made in house; I really enjoyed the Anolini di Parma
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released 30 days in advance at midnight via Resy. Walk ins are welcome at the bar
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion, a small group (2-4 people), an upscale Italian meal
    • Note: Rezdora has 1 Michlin star

  • The Polo Bar (American) – 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

  • Torrisi (Italian) – Torrisi Bar & Restaurant is the most personal effort of the famed chef and Major Food Group Co-Founder Rich Torrisi’s career. At his new restaurant, the menu is inspired by the soul of Little Italy
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Warm, lofty, dimly lit, rustic, loud 
    • Suggestions: Cucumbers New Yorkese, scalloped potatoes, cavatelli with Jamaican beef ragu 
    • Reservations: Required; Reservations for the dining room are available 30 days in advance for parties of up to 6 guests exclusively on Resy. Torrisi takes walk-ins in the bar room on a first come first serve basis and will offer the full menu
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion, a really good Italian meal
    • Note: Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion. Any guest who does not appear sufficiently well-presented may be refused entry. Tailored shorts are permitted indoor and outdoors. Athletic wear is prohibited

  • Via Carota (Italian) – Italian trattoria serving traditional plates & apéritifs in a rustic, cozy space
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Rustic
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu is outstanding. My personal favorites are the brussel sprout salad (cavoletti), the cacio e pepe (the best I’ve ever had) and the lemon risotto 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made on Resy 30 days in advance at 10am. Pro tip: if you go to Via Carota ~30 minutes before they open and wait in line, it is likely you will get a reservation for later that even
    • A Good Place For: A delicious Italian meal, when the parents are in town, a lowkey birthday dinner 
    • Note: This is in my top 3 favorite Italian restaurants and I highly suggest it, if you can secure a reservation

  • Zou Zou’s (Mediterranean) – Stylish restaurant with an open kitchen dishing up Eastern Mediterranean bites and cocktails
    • Location: Hudson Yards
    • Atmosphere: Stylish, trendy, upscale, lively  
    • Suggestions: Dips, grilled artichokes, Yemeni Au Poivre kebab, charred pineapple 
    • Reservations: Required and can be made through Open Table 
    • A Good Place For: A group dinner, dinner with the parents, dinner to impress out of towners