New American$$$$midtownMon-Fri 11:45-14:00 & 17:00-23:00, Sat 17:00-23:00, Sun closed
Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi's restoration of the Seagram Pool Room runs mid-century power-lunch food in New York City. Honey-glazed duck, tableside Caesar.
Signature: Prime rib, Tableside Caesar
Order: Honey-glazed duck for two, carved at the table.
Tip: Lunch is the move; the same room without the dinner price ceiling. Dress code is enforced: no jeans, no sneakers.
Italian$$$$greenwich-villageTue-Sun 11:30-14:00 & 17:00-23:30, Mon 17:00-23:30
Major Food Group's red-sauce Italian-American room on Thompson Street in New York City turns 1950s tableside service into theatre. Priced at $$$$.
Signature: Spicy rigatoni vodka, Veal parmesan
Order: Spicy rigatoni vodka and the veal parmesan to share.
Tip: Reservations are notorious; the bar runs walk-ins from 17:30 and serves the full menu. Don't skip the Caesar.
French Fine Dining$$$$midtownMon-Thu 12:00-22:30, Fri 12:00-23:00, Sat 17:00-23:00, Sun closed
Eric Ripert's three-Michelin-star seafood room in Midtown New York City has held its stars since 2005. Tasting menu $268, mostly raw and barely-cooked fish.
Signature: Smoked salmon tartine, Black bass with herbed escabeche
Order: The Almost Raw, Barely Touched, Lightly Cooked tasting.
Tip: Lunch prix-fixe at $98 is the entry point; same kitchen, same plate, half the price of dinner.
New American$$$$tribecaTue-Sat 17:30-22:00, Sun-Mon closed
Chef Ronny Emborg's two-Michelin-star 12-seat Tribeca counter runs a foraged Nordic-inflected tasting menu in New York City. $345, 20 courses, single seating.
Signature: Foraged tasting menu
Order: The full tasting; the kitchen does not split orders.
Tip: One seating per night; arrive 19:00 sharp. Wine pairing skews European biodynamic and adds $245.
Italian$$$flatironMon 17:00-23:00, Tue-Fri 12:00-14:30 & 17:00-23:00, Sat-Sun 11:30-14:30 & 17:00-23:00
Chef Stefano Secchi's Flatiron pasta room runs Emilian hand-rolled pastas in New York City: tortellini in brodo, anolini, gramigna. Michelin star since 2022.
Signature: Tortellini in brodo, Tour of Emilia tasting
Order: The Tour of Emilia: five hand-rolled pastas, $98.
Tip: Reservations open 28 days out on Resy. The bar runs walk-ins from 17:30 and serves the same pasta tour.
French Bistro$$$sohoMon-Fri 17:00-00:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-14:30 & 17:00-00:00
Raoul's has poured Cotes du Rhone and seared steak au poivre on Prince Street in SoHo, New York City since 1975. The bar burger is the off-menu cult order.
Signature: Steak au poivre, Au poivre burger
Order: Steak au poivre or the off-menu bar burger.
Tip: Ten burgers a night, only at the bar, only after 19:30. Get there at 19:00 and put your name down with the bartender.