The Best of NYC Restaurant Week

I’ll be honest – I’m not a fan of Restaurant Week (heck of a hook sentence I know – just keep reading 🙂 ).  When my younger broke self first moved to New York, I would get super excited before the bi-yearly events and go on an opentable frenzy. I’d end up at restaurants I didn’t particularly want to try (because the new hot spots weren’t participating), ordering the dishes I didn’t really want to eat (because the signature ones were never on the Restaurant Week menu). I would almost always end up either frustrated or ordering additional plates, ‘cause you know, #fomo and I’m there! It’s like that extra pair of stilettos you kinda already have but the sale made you do it. I’m exaggerating, but I’ve realized that booking a worthwhile Restaurant Week meal requires a lot of research and curation. I’ve also learned that lunch deals are generally the best, and often outside of my usual “below-23rd-street” radius. This winter, Restaurant Week(s) offers lunch and dinner deals from January 21 until February 9, with participating restaurants offering 2-course lunch deals for $26 and/or 3-course dinner for $42. The full list of NYC Restaurant Week participants can be found here. Out of the 364 restaurants in the 42 New York neighborhoods, there are some great Restaurant Week deals out there, and my years of picky foodie experience are here to help you dig through them!

⇒ ABC Kitchen – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch only
35 E 18th St
Gramercy/Flatiron
♥♥♥♥
$$$

ABC Kitchen is probably the most popular Jean-Georges restaurant and what I consider the quintessential New York dining experience. I still think you’re better off ordering outside of the limited Restaurant Week menu and and share family style, but the vibe, food and and consistency make the $26 lunch deal worth it if you’re in the Gramercy area.

⇒ ABC Cocina – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch only
38 E 19th St
Gramercy/Flatiron
♥♥♥
$$$

Same as for ABC Kitchen but for Latin fare.

⇒ Ai Fiori –  Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch only
400 5th Ave #2
Midtown West
♥♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Ai Fiori is a super formal Michelin-starred staple in New York for Italian fine dining. Located inside Midtown’s Langham Place Hotel on Fifth Avenue, it’s the fancy white tablecloth kind of place that doesn’t have much charm to it, but serving the most exquisite food – for a very hefty price tag. This is the place where you would most probably only end up with your boss or father-in-law (i.e. when you’re not paying). The Restaurant Week lunch deal is a steal, $26 for 2 courses (instead of $49) or $32 for 3 courses (instead of $68). Only time of the year where I would consider eating at Ai Fiori and actually pick up the bill (I would still put it in the business lunch category though).

⇒ Aureole – Liberty Room Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner 
One Bryant Park
135 West 42nd Street
Midtown West
♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Name a good restaurant on 42nd street that’s not Aureole. Joker? That’s ’cause there aren’t many (aside from Gabriel Kreuther). Aureole is a Charlie Palmer New York staple, a restaurant that is totally old school and very pricey. I’d take a bet that 99% of New York millennials have never eaten there. In fact I haven’t either. But if there had to be one reason why I would consider strolling through New York’s 42nd street from hell, it would be to try Aureole during RW for its prix-fixe deals. I would also put this in the work-lunch category, especially to escape your Midtown West office or if you’re by Bryant Park.

⇒ Bâtard – Mon. – Fri. $42 Dinner
239 W Broadway
Tribeca
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Bâtard is one of the few good Tribeca Restaurant Week spots, and nothing less than a Michelin-starred, Modern-European, fine-dining, fancy-shmancy and other hyphenated-superlatives restaurant. It lacks consistency, but the $42 Restaurant Week dinner is a great way to discover Bâtard without the usual hefty bill.

⇒ Bluebird London – Mon. – Fri & Sun. $42 Dinner, Mon-Fri $26 Lunch
10 Columbus Circle
Midtown West/UWS
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menus here.

Bluebird London is a great Restaurant Week option for several reasons: firstly because this London staple opened its first NYC outpost a year ago. Secondly because it’s semi-fancy, i.e. totally pricey, so it’s worth taking advantage of the affordable RW menus. Most importantly, because they offer RW deals at almost every meal except weekend brunch at Saturday dinner (good early Sunday supper idea)! And lastly, because it’s a great spot to enjoy a power meal with Columbus Circle and Central Park views.

⇒ Boucherie  – Sun.- Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner
99 7th Ave S
West Village
&
225 Park Ave S
Union Square
♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menus here.

Boucherie is a popular steakhouse for a French classics and timeless bistro favorites. The two locations have ample seating and beautiful brasserie decor, and you’re guaranteed a somewhat satisfying comfort meal. However, prices are usually NY-Steakhouse high (overpriced imho) so restaurant week deals are definitely worth it (unless you were eyeing the Porterhouse for 2), especially since they work on Sundays as well!

⇒ Catch  – Mon.- Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner | Sun. $42 Dinner 
21 9th Avenue
Meatpacking District
♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

I know, I know, Catch is the overpriced rendez-vous for the Meatpacking Bridge & Tunnel crowd. But that’s why Restaurant Week is when it’s acceptable to go! Firstly, because the seafood and sushi are actually good (but yeah, so overpriced) and mostly because Catch has a rooftop where you can actually have their discounted RW lunch and/or dinner on global warming days! Book your table and invite your friends Vinny and Chanelle to catch up! Also applies for Catch Steak.

⇒ Cafe Boulud  – Sun.- Fri. $26 or $31 Lunch (3-courses)
20 E 76th St.
Upper East Side
♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Boulud is participating in Restaurant Week in all of his restaurants, but Cafe Boulud is the best deal. Firstly because it’s the most elegant (and expensive) of them all and the one that best showcases Daniel Boulud’s French cuisine (well, apart from Daniel of course), and this year they included a Sunday brunch deal. So book that $26 UES lunch with Nana or Aunt Susan while you can.

⇒ Le Coq Rico –  Tues.- Sun. $26 Lunch | Sun.-Mon, $42 Dinner
30 E 20th St,
Gramercy/Flatiron
♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week lunch menu here.

Le Coq Rico is a NYC transplant of the renowned Paris bistro, famed for its sophisticated poultry-centric menu. It’s really good, but I never got over paying $99 for roast chicken… The Restaurant Week menus are a great deal, especially since Le Coq Rico is offering some of their staples (like the Quarter Brune Landaise and the incredible île flottante dessert – the best in the city and a must order). This year, they are offering a deal for basically meal every meal outside of Saturdays.

⇒ Hearth –  Mon. – Fri. $42 Dinner | Sun. $26 Brunch & $42 Dinner 
403 E 12th St
East Village
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Hearth is probably the East Village staple for casual fine dining, and has been for over a decade. The restaurant is welcoming and cozy, and the food consistently good. The RW deals are worth it, especially on Sundays with both a brunch and a dinner deal.

⇒ Il Mulino Downtown – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch. Dinner and Sunday deals in other locations
86 W 3rd St,
Greenwich Village
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

You can find Restaurant Week deals at all the Il Mulino Manhattan locations, but this Downtown spot is their flagship restaurant and has been a NYC staple for classic Italian cuisine for over 30 years! The regular menu is extremely pricey, so the RW deals make it worth trying, especially since you still get their complimentary quarter wheel of Parmesan Reggiano tasting and amuse-bouches perks! Good for a downtown business meal.

Also head to the Tribeca or Uptown Il Mulinos for RW dinner and Sunday deals.

⇒ Indochine –  Sun.- Fri. $42 Dinner 
430 Lafayette St
Noho
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

The only Vietnamese fare for Restaurant Week, the only good spot in Noho, and one of the only restaurants still surviving after over 25 years! And it’s still overpriced AF! But the Pan-Asian food is consistently very good. I haven’t been in years and not really planning to, unless it’s for the RW $42 dinner, which looks a bit boring but hits the Viet craving spot.

⇒ ilili – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner 
236 5th Ave
Flatiron
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

I actually discovered ilili during Restaurant Week years ago, and it’s still a spot I enjoy when I’m craving Lebanese food or need a last minute reservation for large party. The RW dinner here is the best deal, offering a generously portioned 4-course meal for $42.

⇒ Leuca–  Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner | Sun. $42 Dinner
111 N 12th St
Williamsbrug
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menus here.

One of the only good RW spots in Williamsburg, Leuca is a good option if you’re in Brooklyn for weekday lunch or dinner, or Sunday night supper. 2 reasons to go there this winter for Restaurant Week: their signature Malfadini and Sicilian Pistachio Cake are on the RW menus, and the William Vale rooftop is just a few flights up for a pre- or post-game!

⇒ Limani – Sun.- Fri.$26 Lunch & $42 Dinner
45 Rockefeller Plaza
Midtown West
♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

If you’re looking for upscale Greek dining in Midtown, Milos is your first choice. Avra is your second. And Limani is your third. So Restaurant Week is a good occasion to try Limani out, especially since they serve a Sunday dinner deal too (although again, this is more of a corporate meal place). I’d go with their organic fish and meat dishes!

⇒ Lupa – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch
170 Thompson St
Greenwich Village
♥♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Lupa was one of the hottest Italian restaurants about – 15 years ago, but is still one of the best in Greenwich Village. The $26 RW lunch deal is a steal, especially since a Secondi is usually around that price. And best part is they offer an optional wine pairing deal for $15!

⇒ Milos – Mon. – Fri. & Sun. $26 Lunch
125 W 55th St
Midtown West
&
Milos Hudson Yards 
♥♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here and here.

If you’re looking for the best, upscale Greek dining in New York, you can’t beat Esiatorio Milos.. As the off-shoot of a Montreal bistro, it has been a Midtown Manhattan favorite since 1997. But it’s also the most expensive Greek restaurant in New York City, which naturally attracts an older, corporate crowd. Milos is a good Midtown option for a business meal, or a pre-theatre dinner with the parents (i.e. when you’re not the one paying), ooooor for the Restaurant Week $26 lunch or Sunday brunch deal! The newest Hudson Yards location is great too although it offers a 3-course $32 lunch deal all year long.

⇒ Morimoto – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner
88 10th Ave
Chelsea
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

I know, Morimoto is so five (ten?) years ago. But I used to looove this spot when I first moved to NYC (as did any respectable SATC fan!) and although the trend factor has gone to zero, it’s still here!. And still super expensive. And one of the only West Chelsea restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. All of the above make me happy to pretend I’m in 2005 and this is still a hot spot. Also an excuse to go back to play Iron Chef at Morimoto for RW without spending the unworthy big bucks.

⇒ The Musket Room – Sun. – Fri. $42 Dinner
265 Elizabeth St
Nolita
♥♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

The Musket Room is an awesome Michelin-starred New-Zealand restaurant (only one in the city!?) in a beautiful dining space. And one of the only really good RW spots in Nolita. The best way to truly appreciate The Musket Room is with their full tasting menu, but the RW deal is a great, more affordable introduction.

Great idea for a Sunday dinner date!

⇒ Nobu Downtown – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch
195 Broadway,
Financial District
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Well, it’s Nobu... So obviously super expensive but also super old-school. But If you’re working in FiDi, the $26 RW lunch deal is a steal instead of getting your sushi fix on Seamless!

⇒ Nougatine at Jean-Georges – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner | Sun. $42 Dinner 
1 Central Park West
Midtown West/ Columbus Circle
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Nougatine is the informal sister restaurant of the acclaimed 3-Michelin-star Jean-Georges, located on the ground floor of the Trump International Hotel, in a beautiful classy space overlooking Central Park. Nougatine is usually always best for their lunch prix-fixe, but this Restaurant Week they are stepping it up a notch and even offering a Sun-Fri dinner deal! I would take advantage of the RW dinner menu this season. (During the summer RW, you can even get the full Nougatine menu at the Terrace at Jean-Georges, their beautiful outdoor patio designed by Philippe Starck).

⇒ Perry St – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner | Sun. $42 Dinner 
176 Perry St
West Village
♥♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Another Jean-Georges staple and one of the only legit Restaurant Week deals in the West Village. It’s a bit stuffy and with a menu stuck in 2002, but I would go still for their weekday dinner $42 dinner deal, or even better, for Sunday Supper. Get the Molten Chocolate Cake of course.

⇒ Philippe by Philippe Chow – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner
33 E 60th St
Midtown East/Upper East Side
&
355 W 16th St
Chelsea
♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menus here and here for uptown and here for downtown.

Phillipe is the former Mr. Chow’s chef’s own spot (which is better than Mr. Chow if you ask me!) serving sophisticated Beijing food. If you’re craving (fancyish) Chinese food for a business lunch or dinner this is the spot.

⇒ Public Kitchen –  Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner / Sun. $42 Dinner 
215 Chrystie St
Lower East Side
♥♥♥
$$
Winter Restaurant Week menus here and here.

The Jean-Georges restaurant (opened during Summer 2017) is one of his most disappointing ones, BUT the RW dinner deal is worth trying this winter before or after attempting to get in the Public Hotel rooftop. Also, one of the few good Restaurant Week deals in the Lower East Side, and with a Sunday dinner deal.

⇒ Wayan – Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch 
20 Spring St
Nolita
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

This newly (ish) Indonesian restaurant got a lot of hype in 2019, not only because the chef is no other that Jean-Georges’ son Cédric Vongerichten, but also for its unique fusion cuisine and beautiful exotic dining space. The food is hit or miss but this lunch deal is unbeatable in the Nolita area, even though the menu doesn’t include signature dishes like the lobster noodles.

⇒ Scarpetta –  Mon. – Fri. $26 Lunch & $42 Dinner | Sun. $26 Brunch & $42 Dinner
88 Madison Ave
Nomad
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menus here.

Do you really need Restaurant Week to go to Scarpetta? No. But it’s a good excuse to check out its new Nomad location, and it’s one of the few legit Italian restaurants to offer RW deal for weekday lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

⇒ Smoke Jazz and Supper Club –  Sun. – Fri. $42 Dinner
2751 Broadway
Upper West Side/Harlem
♥♥♥
$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Smoke is an iconic Jazz venue in Uptown Manhattan. It’s always a good stop if you’re looking for live music on the Upper West Side, whether it be Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin… You generally need to book a table to enjoy the concert and order some of their mediocre food. But with the Restaurant Week $42 dinner special, the live show is a steal and the food a bonus! Go Mon-Thurs to avoid an extra cover charge.

⇒ Tamarind–  Sun. – Fri. $26 Lunch
99 Hudson St
Tribeca
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

Taramind is a delicious modern-Indian restaurant, but the sort of place I would only go to during Restaurant Week. Firstly because it’s not really authentic Indian food, and secondly it’s one of those big, staged, upscale-but-trying-to-be-trendy but charmless restaurants. But like I said, the food is inventive and very satisfying, so if you work in the Tribeca area or want a Sunday lunch with a kick, go for it!

⇒ Zuma –  Sun. – Fri. $26 Lunch
261 Madison Ave
Midtown East/Murray Hill
♥♥♥
$$$$
Winter Restaurant week menu here.

I used to love going to Zuma in London, but for some reason I never found it justifiable to spend that much money for the one in New York. Maybe it’s the neighborhood that gives off too much of a doochy-men-in-a-suit vibe. Nevertheless, it’s very good Japanese Fusion food, generally very pricey, but the $26 RW lunch deal makes it worth trying again, especially since they extended it to Sundays this year.22-2