The Short List: Five of the Best Around
by: Todd Shaw (on SALT as toddscottshaw & toddscottshaw@gmail.com)
As the holiday season approaches, my favorite sort of commercial has started airing again. You know the one I’m talking about, where a brand new Mercedes is wrapped in a red bow and parked in the driveway of the most gorgeous home you’ve ever seen. That commercial would be so much more realistic for us New Yorkers if we actually had driveways. Alas, we do not.
So when you’re gifted a brand new car for this holiday season, my suggestion is to sell it and use the money on the five restaurants featured in this edition of The Short List. These are the restaurants that you save for special occasions, or when you just have a few hundo to blow. But in all seriousness, these restaurants are some of the best in New York City. If you love art, you visit the Met and MOMA. If you love food, check out these five places.
SUSHI NAKAZAWA: 23 Commerce Street, New York, New York
Lists to add to: West Village, Omakase, Date Night, Dining at the Bar, Special Occasions, Prix Fixe
First things first, if you’re going to Sushi Nakazawa you’re reserving a seat at the sushi bar. It truly is dinner and a show as you watch a half dozen sushi chefs perfectly slice and serve some of the best looking and tasting fish you’ve ever seen. Chef Daisuke Nakazawa is part sushi artist, part entertainer. Each of the 20 or so pieces of sushi will be amongst the best you’ve ever had. They only serve what’s fresh and top it all off with the world famous egg custard. I’d recommend watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi before going. It’s the story of Jiro Ono, regarded by many as the best sushi chef in the world. That’s who taught Chef Nakazawa. Or, as an alternative, watch the episode of Billions where Wags loses his mind when another diner has the nerve to try and dip some of Chef Nakazawa’s sushi in soy sauce.
BLUE HILL AT STONE BARNS: 630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills, New York
Lists to add to: Special Occasions, Prix Fixe, Date Night, Farm to Table
Located in Pocantico Hills, Blue Hill at Stone Barns is probably just far enough away from NYC that you’ll want to consider staying in a hotel nearby to fully enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. The restaurant is situated right in the middle of the working farm at Stone Barns. There is no menu at Blue Hill; however, you will be asked at the beginning of the meal to give your food preferences. But mostly, just sit back and enjoy the best vegetables you’ve ever tasted, the farm freshest eggs you’ve ever seen, and the most perfectly cooked meal you’re likely to ever experience. My recommendation is to spend the night and go back in the morning to their market. You can walk through the farm with a latte and a scone and reminisce about your meal the night before.
Save Blue Hill at Stone Barns to SALT
THE JAMES BEARD HOUSE: 167 West 12th Street, New York, New York
Lists to add to: West Village, Special Occasions, Date Night
As a die hard Top Chef fan, I’d always hear the James Beard references on the show, but never truly knew what it was. Then I learned that one of its many functions is as a West Village restaurant where a different culinary wizard from across the country (or the world) cooks each night. It’s open to the public, although members will receive a discount. They post the schedule of chefs online, along with the chef’s menu for their visit to the JBH. Reservations are made online. When you arrive, you’ll walk through the kitchen where the chefs are hard at work. Dinners usually start at 7:00 p.m. and begins with a cocktail hour (more like 30–45 minutes) of some insanely good passed hors d’oeurves and a specialty cocktail or wine. Dinner is usually 5 courses with a wine pairing (good luck staying sober). The chefs almost always cook their best and most creative dishes and the meal ends with a Q&A with the chef.
Save The James Beard House to SALT
MAREA: 240 Central Park South, New York, New York
Lists to add to: Columbus Circle, Special Occasions, Date Night, Tasting Menu, Italian/Seafood
There are many adjectives that can be used to describe Marea, but the one I’d go with is elegant. White tablecloths and beautifully plated decisions make the occasion feel special, even if its not. It’s basically a rule of thumb that someone or everyone at the table must get their signature fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow. Without a doubt one of the more memorable pasta dishes you can have. I’d recommend going with their four course prix fixe menu to ensure you get to try as many things as possible.
ATERA: 77 Worth Street, New York, New York
Lists to add to: Tribeca, New American, Special Occasions, Date Night, Chef’s Counter
Atera is truly one of the best dining experiences in New York City. You’ll sit at the chef’s counter, which seats about 13 people, and watch in awe as the chefs use amazing precision to prepare each bite of your 20 or so course meal at this “New American” establishment. You’ll sip on unique cocktails or teas for a great alternative to the more traditional wine pairing. You’ll listen to classics from Michael Jackson and Kurt Cobain throughout the meal and chuckle as they gently place your cellphone in a handmade napkin pocket to ensure maximum comfort for your portable device.
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