NYC Restaurant Week® Dining in Midtown East
Published 07/16/2018
Though rightly renowned as a bustling business district, Midtown East features pockets of serenity, from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to hushed side streets lined with limestone townhouses. The neighborhood also holds sanctuaries like the Museum of Modern Art and the Morgan Library & Museum—as well as several upscale restaurants that provide a calming refuge. Check out some of our favorite dining spots during NYC Restaurant Week with our picks below.
1
Armani/Ristorante
1
760 Madison Ave.
As you’d expect, this sleek, modern dining room reflects the aesthetics of the designer label. Take the elevator to the third floor of the brand’s Fifth Avenue complex and sink into a curvy booth. The impeccable Italian menu includes cavatelli with king crab, heritage chicken breast with walnut purée and classic, ethereal tiramisù.
2
Astor Court
2
St. Regis Hotel
Everything about Astor Court is sumptuous and civilized. This chandeliered haven with a frescoed ceiling is found off the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel. Look for Champagne risotto with 24k gold leaf, Hawaiian-style poke, prime filet and scallops in mushroom truffle broth.
3
Casa Lever
3
390 Park Ave.
Few restaurants can rival the artistic treasures on display at Casa Lever, its walls lined with original Warhol portraits. The Milanese-style dinner menu ranges from classic to modern, including spaghetti cacio e pepe, osso buco and skate wings with morels and black garlic.
4
Cipriani Dolci
4
89 E. 42nd St.
Fans of the original Harry’s Bar in Venice will feel at home at this polished spin-off overlooking the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal, one of the most beautiful transit hubs in the world. Begin with a signature Bellini, of course. Braised osso buco with risotto Milanese, baked tagliolini with ham and roasted branzino are fine entrée choices.
5
Empire Steak House – East 50th Street
5
151 E. 50th St.
This establishment has a relaxed saloon up front and a spacious, plush dining room in back. Start with sesame seared tuna before moving on to dry-aged, good-as-it-gets steak.
6
Felidia
6
243 E. 58th St.
Open since 1981, Felidia was celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich’s first restaurant and occupies two levels of a handsome townhouse. The tried-and-true menu consistently holds up: enjoy pear and pecorino ravioli, baked branzino and grilled yellowfin tuna. Desserts are phenomenal, from seasonal gelato to fruity crostata.
7
The Gin Parlour
7
InterContinental New York Barclay
This hideaway off the lobby of the luxurious InterContinental New York Barclay hotel is an elegant stop for a cocktail and a meal. Behind the oval bar is an impressive collection of Dutch and English gin. The international menu includes falafel, seared Maine scallops, big salads and a mighty burger with mushrooms.
8
Massoni
8
11 E. 31st St.
Dale Talde is one of the hottest chefs in NYC, his talents on display at this eatery inside the Arlo NoMad hotel. Settle into the graffiti-tagged Massoni for his twists on robust Italian food, including deep-fried biryani rice balls; bucatini with bacon, marinara and chilies; and crisp, square-shaped pizza topped with French onion mascarpone and smoked mozzarella.
9
Mr. Chow
9
324 E. 57th St.
Andy Warhol, David Bowie and John Lennon were all fans of Mr. Chow, a theatrical Chinese restaurant that debuted in 1979. The sunken dining room still glitters with famous faces and well-heeled regulars who come for the chicken satay, tender duck with steamed pancakes, and prawns glazed with Grand Marnier.
10
Shun Lee Palace
10
155 E. 55th St.
For a fine-dining Chinese feast, book a table at this institution, flourishing since 1971. The carpeted, red-accented dining room is overseen by jacketed waiters who will steer you toward popular house specialties like spare ribs, Shanghai soupy dumplings, crispy shredded beef and “slippery” chicken with ginger and garlic.
11
Smith & Wollensky
11
797 Third Ave.
This low-lit, iconic steakhouse is unparalleled for dry martinis, dry-aged sirloin and prime rib, the beef butchered in house. Service is cordial yet formal, a quintessential NYC experience. Crisp hash browns, creamed spinach and surf ’n’ turf are among the timeless classics. The luscious coconut layer cake is an excellent choice for dessert.
These restaurants are taking part in NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2018; however, not all the dishes mentioned are guaranteed to be on the special Restaurant Week menus. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek.