Clotilde from Chocolate and Zucchini and Maxense are visiting NYC this week. Many of her readers sent in suggestions for where to eat and she created a NYC guide based on their comments.
There's an excellent list of restaurants, but I of course had some opinions as well. First, my recommendations. Then comments on the entries from her NYC page.
My recommendations
Gramercy Tavern A MUST. Best restaurant in the city. If you don't have reservations, eat in the tavern. (which is where I wind up eating all the time anyway)
Shake Shack A MUST for a burger and a hot dog. And it's outdoors.
Five Points bottom of the village. A must for Brunch or Dinner. My second favorite "take the out of towners". It meets lots of different expectations
Vynl Midtown West (Hells Kitchen): Great for brunch. I love it, but it's not always worth a drive for it.
Cafe Spice Village Excellent Indian. A "SHOULD GO", rather than a MUST.
La Lanterna Village Best Cafe in the city. A MUST
any of Frank's places LES. Frank, Supper are both excellent red sauce italian places
Artisanal Park and 32. delicious and fresh. best cheese in the city (for a restaurant)
Tao Midtown East. best big room pan asian
Josies Upper west side. Healthy and delicious
Pepe Giallo10th Ave and 24th st: Delicious cheap italian. Get a beer around the corner at Half King afterwards
Whole Foods Time Warner Center: Grab a picnic and head into the park.
On to the comments about her NYC Page
Union Square Cafe An excellent place, one of several Danny Meyer places mentioned. Not my favorite though.
Babbo is a great place to go if you're looking for an inventive Italian cuisine. In a way, it's very french in that Mario is looking for unusual combinations and wastes nothing.
Spice Market: I enjoyed going to Spice Market, but the food was second fiddle to the atmosphere.
The Boathouse Boo. By all means walk around the boathouse, but don't actually eat here. Perhaps, get a drink at the outdoor bar, but, in general, no.
Bistro Les Halles Doesn't do anything more than any number of bistros in Paris. I liked going and I love Anthony Bourdain, but ...
River Cafe Truly great views and the food isn't bad for the high price. Would rather go to Grimaldi's up the st.
The Modern A worthy choice for several reasons.
Lupa Otto vs Lupa, I'd be happy with either.
Tavern on the Green. Yes, it gets the big boo. If you insist on paying, I'll go and have a drink only please. It's a pretty room, but not worth it or feeling like they're doing you a favor by letting you in.
Cafe Lalo I used to love this place in the early 90's. I liked it when it was in the movie. I can't stand it anymore. Besides the crowds, it's just too, something.
City Bakery Umm, I guess. I wouldn't travel out of my way for it.
Norma's. I have to admit, Norma's is over the top, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. It's a hotel restaurant. Some of the more dramatic brunch entries around.
Pastis I'd go to either this or Balthazar to see how NYC like's it's bistros. On the other hand, Balth has the best chocolate bread in the world.
Blue Smoke I thought it was ok, but I'm not sure if a BBQ fan would love it.
Shake Shack. A must. My favorite outdoor restaurant right now. Best burger in the city.
burger joint at Le Meridien A fun hidden away and divy looking place, with good burgers. Not the best in the city.
Nathans, Papaya King, Greys Papaya. Go to the Shake Shack instead of any of these. Plus you don't have to spend an hour on the subway.
Corner Bistro is old school bar food. Go to Shake Shack instead.
Inoteca Fun italian meat sort of place.
Carmines Skip unless you have 6 or more people.
Da Silvano and Bar Pitti Fun for people watching, nothing special for food. Can be annoying on a beautiful night
Pizza Grimaldi's is where I'd go. Lombardi's perhaps or last case Johns. I live uptown, so wind up going to my local place or Patsy's (which many people think sold out but I think is still yummy). I'd suggest talking to Adam at http://sliceny instead of asking mere amateurs like us.
Bagel Just like pizza, I'd suggest going to H&H and getting whatever is hot. There's a billiion other places, all of which I'm quite sure are good.
Carnagie Deli Do yourself the biggest favor in the world and don't go here.
I'm skipping all of the Asian and Mexican reviews
Sixth St Indian While it's a great joke, I'd skip the street entirely.
Il Laboratorio del Gelato Excellent.
Jacques Torres Chocolate I NEED to go here
Brooklyn Ice Cream tastes delicious after Grimaldi's
Magnolia pretty good cupcakes. of course you'll stand in a line
Economy Candy and Dylans Candy fun to look at
Rice to Riches Worth going to. Don't eat too much, it expands in the stomach!
Amy's Bread Go to Chelsea Market. Amy's Bread is only ONE of the many excellent places there
Poseidon Bakery old school greek bakery
Beard Papa's creme pufs I'd agree worth having
Shopping Chelsea Market, Zabars and Union Square Greenmarket are Musts. Bleeker? Ugh. Pearl River is interesting, but not sure for several hours. Whole Foods is a staple (pick the Time Warner center one).
Chelsea Pier Walk along it and get a beer at one of the Cafe's.
Riverside Park Walk from 58th and 11th along the water as far up as you want
Ok, I ran out of time and am running off to meet them now.