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By Cuisine
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By Privy Member
- Adrian Hong
- Alice Wu
- Amanda Shi-Werts
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Archie Kao
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Arthur Chi'en
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B.D. Wong
- Caryl Chinn
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Daniel Wu
- Danielle Chang
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David Henry Hwang
- Eric Rhee
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Flowsik
- Ida Liu
- Jennifer Yen
- Jenny Lee
- Jin
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Kelly Hu
- Kim Phan
- Liliana Chen
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Lisa Ling (East)
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Lisa Ling (West)
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Lynn Chen
- Maria Tiu
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Marja Vongerichten
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Michelle Park
- Natalie Louie
- Patrick Chun
- Peter Kang
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Smith Cho
- Stella O
- Suk Park
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Vivienne Tam
Privy 5 New York Midtown
Put your two cents in on this Privy 5 List. Faves? Anything you want to add?
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Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Italian
400 5th Ave (between 36th St & 37th St) New York NY 10018(212) 613-8660
As soon as you step through their doors, Ai Fiori is completely accommodating. The wait staff are truly knowledgeable and will be able to describe and direct you to the perfect meal. No trip to Ai Fiori is complete without having their lauded Uovo and Lobster Vellutata. The dish is simply fantastic. The Trofie Nero is a combination of the home cooked black squid ink pasta with toasted bread crumb ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Cafe/Coffee/Tea/Bakery, Delis/Sandwiches, Desserts, Japanese, Japanese Sushi
18 E 41st St New York NY 10003(212) 779-0600
Upbeat and modern, Café Zaiya is a perfect blend of New York and the Orient. Although small, Café Zaiya is trendy and interesting with some of the best authentic Japanese food you are likely to try. It's difficult to short list the good stuff but we tried the spicy tuna onigiri, katsu curry, kabocha pumpkin pie (not always available) black sesame froyo and the mochi donuts, this was very good eati ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Halal
1319 Avenue of the Americas 53rd Street and 6th Avenue New York City NY 10079
In the downtown Theatre District (near the water feature) you will find the 53rd and 6th Halal Cart – it is great street vendor for late nights, and the white sauce is awesome, so you find queues lining up no matter the hour and this starts well before it opens at 7pm. This is street meat at its best with a lamb and chicken platter on rice with white sauce, costing a mere $6. The red sauce is hot ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Italian
11 E 53rd St (between 5th Ave & Madison Ave) New York City NY 10022+1 212 308 1099
It has been said that the best thing that happened at Alto was Michael White and the changes made seem to be working well. The rather strident reds in the old décor have been toned down somewhat with a pleasing green and oatmeal scheme now in evidence. The food, however, remains heavenly with old standards such as the seared scallops with marcona almonds, the veal chop and pancetta and criminally ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: French
57 East 57th Street Four Seasons Hotel New York City NY 10022+1 212 350 6658 / +1 212 758 5700
If you've even been curious to see and taste what Molecular Gastronomy comprises of head into the realms of French, Japanese, and myriad of cuisines at L'Atlelier de Joel Robucon at the Four Seasons. In NYC, this is the fourth of these global trotting establishments. The name L'Atlelier means "workshop", the chef is obviously Joel Robucon, the concept is attractive and artful, Japanese small plate ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Steakhouse
106 East 57th Street New York City NY 10022+1 212 752 7470
Midtown East is home to BLT Steak, one of NYC’s finest beef havens, and a favourite venue for the city’s steak lovers. Whether your leanings in steak run to the BLT 40 oz Porterhouse end of the scale or you are inclined to settle for miniscule flatiron Kobe portions, BLT delivers the goods. Of course, steak is not all BLT Steak does particularly well and visitors are regaled with exquisite side di ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Indian
232 East 58th Street (between Second and Third avenues) New York City NY 10022+1 212 688 4619
East 58th's Chola Indian restaurant is a long time favourite of genuine, down to earth Indian fare fans. The restaurants interior is always a bit of a let down with a rather bland white lime-wash look but that is definitely where the lack of authenticity ends. The menu is an extensive listing of some of the best authentic Indian food available in the city and features winners such as Chicken Cutne ... read more > -
Categories: Night Life, RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Raw, Vegetarian/Vegan
105 First Avenue (Between 6th and 7th) New York City NY 10003+1 212 982 5870
A chic organic wine and martini bar, as well as vegetarian bistro, which makes sense when you remember Vodka is made from potatoes! The aptly named Counter, decants herb infused vodka martinis and three hundred varied Earth-friendly wines. Owner, Deborah Gavito, grows her own organic seasonal produce from the confines of a roof-top garden, so produce doesn't get more local, or more organic. The ki ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Indian
210 East 58th Street (between Second and Third avenues) New York City NY 10022+1 212 355 7555
Dawat tends to elicit different impressions from it's patrons that typically range from "the very best" to "one of the very best" Indian restaurants in NYC. Simply put, you won't go far wrong with this one. Dawat's menu bears the characteristic stamp of Indian cookbook author, Madhur Jeffery, and features old faithfuls such as bhaja, matter paneer and one of the best chicken tikka masalas you'll e ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Steakhouse
1221 Avenue of the Americas (at 49th Street) New York City NY 10020+1 212 575 5129
Another of Midtown’s great steak venues is Del Frisco’s Steakhouse. Staunch supporters claim there is no better steakhouse in the city and once seated in the cavernous dining area it quickly becomes apparent why. The service is attentive but discrete and the fare is all prepared with obvious care and attention to detail; not often encountered in venues this popular. Del Frisco’s Steakhouse is home ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean, Seafood
125 West 55th Street Between 6th and 7th Avenues New York City NY 10019+1 212 245 7400
Outdoor Dining is not always easy to find in NYC - dine Al Fresco, at Estiatorio Milos which is not only a lofty seafood restaurant, patrons pay prices by the pound and can almost reel in their own fish. Waiters will welcome you to claim your entrée from an ice clad collection of fish which may add the element of surprise to the size of your bill but its all part of the dramatically Greek experien ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: American (New)
24 West 55th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) New York City NY 10019+1 212 767 0555
Haute California is the cuisine at Michael's Midtown fine food purveyors. Bearing this in mind, Michael McCarty's skill with a fish skillet attracts media moguls, publishers and anyone who has the desire to schmooze. Michael's epitomizes the "power lunch" with its conference room chrome, track lighting, Breuer Cesca seating, collection of contemporary art and wall to wall carpets. Everyone one who ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Burgers, Fast Food, Food Stands
Near Madison Avenue and East 23rd Street Southeast corner of Madison Square Park New York City NY 10010+1 212 889 6600
When it comes to ice cream, hamburgers, or hot dogs, nobody does it better than Shake Shack. Shake Shack is a hot spot, has a notable chef, and is kid friendly. Danny Meyer, the "Yoda" of Shake Shack is responsible for this all-American snack-bar grub, but be prepared to queue or fast the whole day and go late in the afternoon. Then sample everything on the menu. Start with a purple Grape Crush co ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Chinese Cantonese
155 East 55th Street (between Lexington and Third avenues) New York City NY 10023+1 212 371 8844
Forget the white cardboard container and take a trip down memory lane to the days when people went out to eat Chinese and journey to Shun Lee Palace. Once in a long-ago-time when Chinese was considered cheap, they introduced delicate Asian cooking to New York. Sample the won-ton soup, it has a broth so delicately flavored that it will rekindle your passion for Chicken with three different nuts. Sh ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Steakhouse
210 East 46th Street (between Second and Third avenues) New York City NY 10017+1 212 687 4855 / +1 212 687 4806
Located in the tastefully refurbished Don Sparks pub, Sparks Steakhouse is one of the older steakhouses in New York. The interior is cozy and creates a perfectly relaxed ambiance to enjoy some of the best steak available in the US. And good they are with a perfectly prepared and presented fillet mignon and excellent porterhouse cuts standing out. The side dishes include mushroom caps, German potat ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Mexican
251 W. 50th St. (Between Broadway & 8th Ave) New York City NY 10019+1 212 581 1818
Toloache is nothing to look at from the street, but Broadway has a way of life imitating art, or art imitating life, so nothing is ever as it seems to appear. This is a dedicated Mexican tavern decorated in silver lanterns and hand painted tile. Co-owner chef Julian Medina goes to town on the guacamoles which are mashed to order at the bar, as for the rest, he skips and hops all over Mexico. Oaxac ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Japanese
251 West 55th Street near Broadway New York City NY 10019+1 212 245 4555
Grilled rare chicken on a stick is tame fare at Yakitori Totto, but is the featured dish; you can even order chicken sashimi. If you are not sufficiently adventurously inclined to attempt chicken which is traditionally not cooked through or freshly prepared tofu in dark miso sauce with seafood, which seems a shame, then stick to noodles and soup. Authentic sojou and sake does find tame Americans i ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Cafe/Coffee/Tea/Bakery
57 East 57th Street The Four Seasons New York NY 10022(212) 758-5700
The lobby/lounge of the mid-town Four Seasons Hotel doubles as one of the more vibrant NYC afternoon tea venues. This hotel has their very own "tea sommeliers" to ensure that no tepid, stewed brews are on their menus. The ritual of afternoon tea is reaching new heights and we are talking "four course" tea tasting menus which include Tung Ting, Fragrant Taiwan Oolong, and other loose-leaf teas. The ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Cafe/Coffee/Tea/Bakery
700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street The Peninsula Hotel New York NY 10019(212) 956-2888
The old-school Asian connection and charm is not overlooked in this NYC version of the Hong Kong Peninsula, luxury hotel chain. Extensively renovated and located in the Landmark Beaux Arts building on Fifth Avenue. Snagging a cab may be difficult, but not if you are the Osbornes, this is Ozzie and Sharons' favorite New York haunt. Perhaps its way they brew the Earl Grey which attracts them. If not ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: French
151 E 58th St (between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave) New York NY 10022(212) 644-0202
If Henry Kissinger and Condoleezza Rice, Government big-guns, can be seen in serious talks over dinner at Le Cirque - it is highly recommended as a hushed business dinner/lunch venue. The cuisine is French, the décor is reserved, but it does look out over the impressive stone courtyard of the Bloomberg corporate headquarters. Don't let the name fool you, this is not a restaurant for over exuberant ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Chinese Shanghainese
10 E 38th St (between 5th Ave & Madison Ave) New York NY 10016(212) 448-1199
Big and bustling, the Evergreen Shanghai carries a menu the size of a telephone directory; the choices are dizzying. It is also a popular sushi spot and regularly satisfies lunch and early dinner crowds (Asian) in search of the authentic Shanghai sweet and sour chicken. Bean curd "mock-duck" stuffed with mushroom is not to be missed, Shanghai sticky brown rice with roast pork and soy bean paste pr ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Chinese Sichuan
1049 2nd Avenue New York NY 10012(212) 355-5855
Where string beans are secondary elsewhere, in the Grand Sichuan International Eastern they are a main attraction. They also offer a "fresh" chicken menu and this does not mean "never frozen" it means freshly slaughtered; the Auzhou spicy chicken is as fresh as it gets. This restaurant is part of a mini-chain which has blazed a chili trail through NYC and every one turns out first rate, well price ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Japanese Izakaya
137 E 47th St (between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave) New York NY 10017(212) 980-7909
The Donburiya profile is Japanese fast food, but it's much more than mere fast food, even if it only takes half an hour to eat. Tonkatsu, fish cakes with wasabi, grilled smelt, ochazuke, fresh raw tuna, stir fried beef, deep fried oysters and crispy fried tempura are heaped up on deep bowls of rice as the name suggests. This is fresh, satisfying food which is served quickly, where casual lunch tim ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
40 W 57th St (between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas) New York NY 10019(212) 757-3000
Nobu 57 is one of the many in a chain owned by sushi Supermen Robert De Niro and Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. You will find it on 105 Hudson St. and the cuisine is an eclectic combination of Japanese/Sushi, South American. Make a reservation as this notable hot spot is considered to be in the top 40 NYC restaurants. The dishes created in the 90's have stood the test of time with tuna tartare on a bed of cr ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Korean
9 W 32nd St (between 5th Ave & Broadway) New York NY 10001(212) 216-9487
Diverse and delicious, Kunjip is a small wood outfitted spot with Korean newpapers for wallpaper, where diners cram themselves in elbow to elbow and nobody minds. This is as Korean food should be and it teems with patrons who come to make inroads on an extensive menu. Fiery ox-bone stews, with floating globules of chunky blood and gobdol bibimbap, crunchy and crisp at the bottom of the stone bowl. ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Korean, Korean BBQ
17 E 32nd St (between 5th Ave & Madison Ave) New York NY 10079(212) 683-2200
Asian, modern, dark and chic sophistication, Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar is one of the more up-market spots in K-town. Be warned, even though the grill is at your table, Dons' Bogam has a unique take on Korean BBQ – they grill it for you, and you have to shimmy down into your seat! The BBQ short ribs are a winner and the wine marinated pork belly, tasty and sweet, with side dishes of crab cakes, ki ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: French
3 E 52nd St (between 5th Ave & Madison Ave) New York NY 10022(212) 752-1495
French restaurants in NYC may pride themselves with being as Parisian as possible, but none other than Le Grenouille can claim fame to a genuine Parisian garret. Charles Masson paints and retreats to this garret between his restaurateur duties, like his father did before him, and having an artist on site, is a long standing tradition of this building as is having fresh flowers in every corner. Le ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Seafood
240 Central Park S New York NY 10019(212) 582-5100
Marea means "tide' in Italian and you will struggle to find a more aptly named seafood spot, under the guiding hand of chef Michael White. He has the innate ability to combine Italian with seafood and his own special techniques. From Italy’s Adriatic coast you will find brodetto di pesce soup, you may even be lucky enough to score a new FedEx fish arrival from Greece. Marea is a seafood emporium w ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Japanese Soba/Udon
150 E 46th St (between Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave) New York NY 10017(212) 922-9677
You will find oodles of Japanese noodles and curries at Udon West, good broths and subtle udon flavors, as well as virtually anything on the menu where east meets west. Shrimp tempura, pork tonkatsu with Japanese curry, and Nabeyaki the udon dish all went down well. Order the Nabeyaki and this comes with fish cake, vegetables, pork meat, a poached egg and two tempura shrimp, plus patrons may enjoy ... read more > -
Categories: RestaurantsNeighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Cafe/Coffee/Tea/Bakery, Korean
12 Park Ave (between 34th St & 35th St) New York NY 10016(212) 213-1001
If you are seeking enlightenment a serene atmosphere and a Korean, temple-styled, traditional tea room in the middle of New York, you aren't looking for a needle in a haystack; sample Franchia. Principally this is a vegetarian restaurant which makes use of green tea in virtually every meal, including thank goodness, the meditative high tea ceremony. Franchia offers a Korean high tea ceremony, rice ... read more > -
