1. The Dutch – fashionable bistro by Andrew Carmellini is a cool scene with nouveau comfort food such as pork chops, steak & roasted chicken plus we love the oyster sliders and of course the oyster bar. Its really hard to get a table but we are always on the list (131 Sullivan St)
2. Locande Verde – Another of Andrew Carmellini’s restaurants that combines the French Brasserie with Italian homestlye cooking. Located in Robert DeNiro's old Ago space the food is homestyle and about half of its dishes are presented as cicchetti (snacks) or antipasti. SO lots to share and enjoy! Also another tough reservation so start autodialing now! (379 Greenwich Street)
3. Red Rooster– Marcus Samuelsson has found a real home in this Harlem Brasserie. This “top chef” has created an ethnic diverse restaurant in both clientele and menu from Fried Chicken to Caesar Salad, Crab Cakes, to amazing signature meatballs, Dirty rice and shrimp curry & delicious version of macaroni and cheese. Another YOUAREONTHELIST.com must is the scene its high energy, loads of people making the rounds trying to get int the hottest restaurants in NYC. We love it! (310 Lenox Ave)
4. Boulud Sud – Daniel Boulud's homage to mediterranean cuisine is his best restaurant in years. Its located on the UWS right near Lincoln Center so its packed during NY Fashion Week but also because its amazing and with shareable tapas, amazing entree like dry-aged rib-eye steak for two, linguine with razor clams, and delicate scallops dish. There are so many choices with very few misses we cannot barely scratch the surface. Just go maybe two or three times. (20 West 64th St.)
5. Minetta Tavern – What would a must go to list be with out a Keith Mcnally restaurant. FIrst its impossible to get in. Well thats the only complain I hear. We love Minetta it keeps to the McNally formula of waiting, impossible to get into, amazing energy, great food ( Steak is our favorite ) and of course celebrities. Get on the List if you can dare! Be prepared for a buzzy, exclusive, and properly chaotic atmosphere. But the well edited menu has brasserie favorites (stuffed pig’s trotter, steak tartare, lobster salad) and hefty, old-fashioned tavern fare (marrow bones speckled with sea salt, two kinds of hamburgers, a $104 côte de boeuf for two) We j'adore!! (113 Macdougal St)