The Works

Trying new restaurants across New York City and sharing them as I go.

[theworksnyc-blog]

Vanguard Wine Bar

WEBSITE

WHERE: UWS

WHAT: Wine Bar

HOW MUCH: $$$

RATING: 8.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: (or drink!) any of the small plates and the wines

NOTES: Vanguard opened its third location in New York on the UWS this past year. It’s created some buzz on the UWS and is a great addition to the neighborhood. I would recommend this bar for a drink and a bite to eat before a later dinner or a show at Lincoln Center. (Dinner recommendations: Café Luxembourg, Salumeria Rosi, Crave Fishbar)

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Parm

WEBSITE

WHERE: Upper West Side

WHAT: Italian

HOW MUCH: $$$

RATING: 7/10

WHAT TO EAT: Crispy Zucchini, Fusili Bolognese, Chicken Parm Dinner, Baked Ziti,

NOTES: As a new resident of the UWS (and obvious foodie), I was ecstatic when I heard the famous LES Parm was opening on the UWS (typically a dead zone for great restaurants). I waited a couple weeks before going to check out some reviews on Yelp and was disappointed to see the many 2-3 star reviews. Parm tends to be on the pricier side for “simple diner Italian”, but some of the dishes (pastas and parms) do not disappoint. However, a couple members of the staff do need some serious attitude readjustments.

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Sunday Supper

WEBSITE

WHERE: Williamsburg

WHAT: Farm to Table (literally…)

HOW MUCH: $$

RATING: 10/10

WHAT TO EAT: Whatever they serve you… it’s all fresh picked!

SUNDAY SUPPER:  Join us for our Sunday Supper dinner series at our new location as the sun sets over the underneath the Williamsburg Bridge. A three-course farm-to-table meal where the distance between the two is less than 20 feet highlighting the freshest produce of the season. We believe in root-to-leaf dining: in using every part of the plant, in highlighting the beauty of fresh vegetables. Take eating locally to the next level. Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly. Drinks are provided. 

ABOUT NB FARMS: North Brooklyn Farms reshapes unused land into public green spaces where people connect with nature and one another through agriculture and find access to sustainably-grown produce. Our new location on the footprint of the iconic Domino Sugar refinery building marks the first time that stretch of the East River has been open to the public in over 150 years. Views of the Williamsburg Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline serve as a backdrop for weekly farm stands, dinner series, volunteer and education opportunities and as a private event space.

NOTES: This was by far one of the most interesting and unique dining experiences I’ve had in NYC. In the city, you expect the best of the best, but never did I think I would be eating farm to table under the Williamsburg Bridge from food that was grown 10 feet away. It was an experience unlike any other and I highly, highly recommend it.

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Jukai

WEBSITE

WHERE: Midtown East

WHAT: Japanese

HOW MUCH: $$$

RATING: 8.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: The chef’s tasting menu. All the food is delicious and fresh- best to go with a friend and try a little bit of everything. For dessert, the black tea panna cotta J

NOTES: Jukai is a great minimalist Japanese eatery on 53rd street. This cozy spot features chef's tasting menus, hot pot, sushi & seasonal entrees.

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Note: it was so dark that none of my pictures came out so I borrowed from others.

WEBSITE

WHERE: West Village

WHAT: American Comfort Fare

HOW MUCH: $$$$

RATING: 7.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: The steak was great as well as the salmon carpaccio.

NOTES: Waverly Inn is frequented by many celebrities including Anna Wintour, Beyonce and Madonna. The service is impeccable and I think one of the reasons people keeping coming back. The food is amazing, but very pricey for what we were getting. They are known for their truffle mac & cheese, but we didn’t splurge on it as it’s $96 (completely absurd). The steak was around $60, our Beaujolais was around $72 (market price is $9). I’m glad I went, because it’s a NYC staple, but I most likely will not be back. 

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WEBSITE

WHERE: Meatpacking District

WHAT: New American

HOW MUCH: $$$$

RATING: 9.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: Honestly anything. This place is amazing! Try to get one dish from each section if you can

NOTES: Catch has to be one of my top favorite restaurants in the city (and it’s also a favorite of Kim & Kanye). Not only does each floor have a very different vibe, the food is amazing and they always have a great list of specials. The menu can be overwhelming so I recommend you tell you waitress what you like and have them make some suggestions. Per usual (due to my obsession with marshmallows) I recommend the s’mores pizza.

Baked Pretzel Bread with Dijon Mustard Butter

Feta and Watermelon Salad

Special Roll of the Day

Grilled Octopus

Parm Truffle Fries (le duh)

Fish of the Day

Mahi Mahi Tacos

The Smores Pizza (with Burnt Marshmallow Ice Cream... unlike anything I’ve ever had before!)

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WEBSITE

WHERE: Upper West Side

WHAT: New American

HOW MUCH: $$$

RATING: 8.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: Any of the fresh vegetables, the hanger steak and the Telepan Smore (to die for!). For those of you trying “Meatless Mondays”, they have an entire new menu for Mondays

NOTES: Telepan is a great neighborhood restaurant located on the UWS and is usually quite busy with the pre- and post-theater crowd. Telepan is known for being one of the biggest proponents of the Greenmarket movement and they source all ingredients form local farmers and fair trade cooperatives. The dishes are fresh and delicious and I highly recommend this restaurant (especially if you’re going to be at Lincoln Center). Don’t forget to get the Telepan Smore!

Beet Salad (pickled and mixed beets, bulgar and buttermilk dressing)

Hanger Steak (garlic potato hash & seasonal vegetables

Telepan S’more (graham cracker ice cream, marshmallow & dark chocolate brownie)

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WEBSITE

WHERE: Hells Kitchen

WHAT: American

HOW MUCH: $$$

RATING: 8.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: The burrata. The deviled egg tasting. The Wagyu Steak Skewers. The sea scallops. The chocolate caramel torte.

NOTES: Cookshop is an amazing restaurant and definitely a great place to “take out of towners” after you’ve taken them for a stroll on the High Line. They are better known for their brunch, but their dinner was delicious! The Wagyu steak skewers were great, but the other steak was not as great. I recommend you stick with the appetizers and fish. Enjoy!

Burrata Cheese, salsa verde, sugar snap peas, capers, sourdough toast

Deviled Egg Tasting

Wagyu Steak Skewers

Roasted Long Island Bluefish tzatziki, cucumber, mint, fennel, harissa marinated summer squash 

Chocolate Caramel Torte dark chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, soft bruleed caramel meringue, honeycomb bits

Chocolate and Birthday Cake Ice Cream with honeycomb

[theworksnyc-blog]

WEBSITE

WHERE: Midtown East

WHAT: Italian/American

HOW MUCH: $$

RATING: 7.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: meats & cheeses, burger, bolognese

NOTE: This is a great inexpensive wine bar that I highly recommend you check out for happy hour. 

[theworksnyc-blog]

WEBSITE

WHERE: Bowery

WHAT: New American

HOW MUCH: $$$$

RATING: 9/10

WHAT TO EAT: any of the meats! and definitely try a fun cocktail

NOTE: I've been dying to go to this restaurant for a while and it 100% met my expectations. The atmosphere is amazing and every room is so different and has such great character. This is a great place to take friends from out of town (even if just for a drink) or your parents.

Here is the great story on their website:

Saxon, a stately black racehorse, was the first to wear New York tobacco heir Pierre Lorillard’s signature racing colors of cherry & black. The stallion won the Belmont Stakes in 1874 and sired more winners in retirement. Saxon’s career, respectable as it was, paled in comparison to his unassuming stable mate: the indefatigable PAROLE.

Born in 1873, PAROLE had the physical bearing of a field horse. He was hardly expected to be a champion—but win he did, all around the nation and across the Pond too. The English labeled him the “Yankee Mule,” and described him as “light-necked, rough-coated, leggy and curby knocked”. PAROLE quickly became one of the few American horses ever to win prime English events. When he retired at twelve, he had earned more money than any racehorse in America. He inspired a feverish new interest in racing—even inspiring an NYC crafted spirit, “PAROLE Whiskey.”

Wagyu carpaccio, quail egg, crispy shallots, radishes, cress, pickled onion

Roasted bone marrow, parmesan-caper crust, watercress salad, toasted brioche 

The special of the day that Andy split with his dad. It was a bone in rib-eye steak with bearnaise sauce and asparagus/mushrooms.

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Website

Where: Midtown

What: New American

How Much: $$$$

Rating: 9/10

What to Eat: tasting menu if you can, any fish or greens!

Note: My boss and I went to Betony for our holiday lunch and it was absolutely delicious! Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is so different and not something you would expect in midtown.

Amuse Bouche

Paparadelle & Oxtail

Sauteed Ocean Trout, Sweet Potato

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Website

Where: East Village

What: American/Vegetarian

How Much: $$

Rating: 7.5/10

What to Eat: market vegetables, fried eggs, burger, huevos rancheros

Note: Great brunch spot in East Village. The menu is extensive, but there are about 100 different choices of market vegetables to choose from, so definitely a great place for vegetarians. They also have a good happy hour.

Ps. forgot to take pictures so these are “borrowed”.

Photo Credit: Westville

Photo Credit: Westville

Photo Credit: VeggieNextDoor

Photo Credit: Yelp

Photo Credit: lovesmith

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WEBSITE 

WHERE: Lower East Side

WHAT: Brunch

HOW MUCH: $

RATING: 8.0/10

WHAT TO EAT: go for the $20 2 hour brunch! Great food and all you can drink Mimosas for 2 hours.

NOTE: What a great find Anna! This place recently opened and is a great new, inexpensive brunch spot. We got lots of food and the waiters were super friendly.

Photo Credit: Liz Jones!

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WEBSITE 

WHERE: NoHo

WHAT: Italian

HOW MUCH: $$$$

RATING: 7.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: Short rib ravioli, prosciutto dish, italian wedge

NOTE: A top restaurant in this area right now. The food was really good, but expensive for what we were getting... you could get great Italian at Sauce, Franks, Salumeria Rosi for a lot less.

The Prosciutto we got was delicious, but not enough mozza

Short Rib Ravioli

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WEBSITE 

WHERE: Midtown East

WHAT: American/Classic NYC

HOW MUCH: $$

RATING: 8.0/10

WHAT TO EAT: Onion Strings, the burgers and tater tots!

NOTE: A classic NYC establishment... one of my favorite places in the winter when it's unbearable outside and you need a good french onion soup.

Onion Strings

French Onion Soup

Tuna Tartare Tacos

The burger

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EBSITE 

WHERE: Upper West Side

WHAT: Mexican

HOW MUCH: $

RATING: 8.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: Barbacoa and Chorizio tacos were amazing!

NOTE: Super casual Mexican spot… they have locations all over NYC!

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WEBSITE 

WHERE: Alphabet City

WHAT: Southern

HOW MUCH: $$$

RATING: 9.5/10

WHAT TO EAT: Everything! It is all so good... definitely get the chicken and deviled eggs. This restaurant serves it up "sharing style" (my fav) so go with a few friends and try a bite of everything.

NOTE: Hot spot right now as Southern food is becoming trendy in the city. Both chefs are from Top Chef and are bringing the South to the North! 

The Chefs

Drunken Deviled Eggs. Handsome brook farm catskills NY eggs, pickled roots and chips.

Grilled Romaine Wedge Salad. Grilled corn, tomatoes, avocado, root chips, pickled shallots & buttermilk blue cheese dressing.

Forgot to snap my own picture, but here is the Half Crispy Free Range Bird... delicious!

Chocolate crusted pecan pie.