For the past month or so, I have been in NYC on a near-weekly basis. During my trips, I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in some amazing food and enjoying many new, exceptional experiences.
Dynamic forces, startling revelations, and an unforgiving pandemic have led to the shuttering of a few of my favorite places: Porsena, The Spotted Pig, and the once formidable Gotham Bar & Grill were among the losses. The Aviary from The Alinea Group, a Chicago-based hospitality industry tastemaker, is, sadly, no longer an option for a pre-rendezvous drink to shed any nervousness. (Not to worry, though - we can always fly to Chicago to visit the original outpost for a fancy nightcap!) Given how many livelihoods have been impacted by these closures, it is hard to consider there to be a bright side. Still, saying farewell to old favorites has incentivized me to find new ones.
Luckily for me, discovering new gems alongside great company has made the process much more enjoyable. For example, on a full moon evening a few weeks ago, a wonderful gentleman and I stepped off the busy street near Grand Central Station and ascended up the stairs into an indoor garden for dinner. Le Pavillon’s dining room is Daniel Boulud’s imagined oasis at One Vanderbilt. High ceilings, gorgeous chandeliers, and an awe-inspiring view of the Chrysler Building made the food feel that much more fresh and inspiring - a true accomplishment, especially considering how faithful Boulud remains to the incredible standard of French cuisine. Further downtown, on another day, I grabbed an early dinner at ABC Kitchen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The succint description of the grass-fed burger belies its excellence: it was the best I’ve had in a long, long time. I still can’t stop thinking about it, weeks later!
Thus, I felt a sort of obligation to revisit my date suggestions for NYC:
Contra, Le Pavillon, The Grill, and Thyme Cocktail Bar are among new favorites.
The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare now tops my wishlist, even over the exceedingly distinguished Per Se, just as it tops the Opinionated About Dining Top 100 North American Restaurants List at number 2. Sushi Amane is another addition to my wishlist, but if reservations prove difficult to secure in a pinch, so is its other half, Mifune.
Dinner might sound boring, but there’s a reason why it’s regarded as the standard for a good date: mutual gastronomic pleasure, sustenance, and excellent conversation fulfill the desires of both the flesh and the mind. Let’s satisfy them all together. I’d love to be your luxury dinner date companion in NYC. I’m available in New York City, or anywhere in the world you wish to have me, and exclusively yours - all you have to do is extend the invitation.