Eisenberg’s
A funny, funky old-fashioned soda fountain on 5th and 22nd. Great old New York place. Get matzo ball soup and half a sandwich (we vote for the BLT, tuna melt or a grilled cheese). Amazing French fries too! And babka!
Gramercy Tavern
Julia goes here way too often with her Aunt Debby who says it’s “the greatest place to have lunch in New York and why go anywhere else?” Well then, okay!
Eataly
We love Eataly! Batali and Bastianich’s Italian mega-market is just so damn good. They have an incredible selection of imported cheese, salumi, olive oil and other Italian products. Their rotisserie chicken is to-die-for. Not to mention all of their dine-in-options: we love their fish counter for a fried fish sandwich or a fritto misto and a glass of Bastianich’s Friuli. And their pizza ain’t bad either. All in all, Eataly is a win win.
ABC Kitchen
Our dear friend Dan Kluger is the most dedicated farmers’ market advocate we know. He helms the kitchen at this Jean-Georges restaurant located right inside ABC Carpet + Home. His toasts—including crab, chicken liver, and roasted squash and tomato when in season—are not to be missed. Neither are the ginger margaritas. Or the salted caramel sundae.
Num Pang
Awesome Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches!!
Jivamuktea
The cafe in the Jivamukti yoga studio is a real gem! Truth be told, we only ever go for the food, never the yoga. But this place serves great vegan options: we love the yogi’s choice bowls and the daal. Along with delicious juices and smoothies. Namaste.
Maialino
Danny Meyer’s restaurant in the Gramercy Park Hotel is based off of a Roman trattoria. The food is consistently good but the braised suckling pig is outstanding.
Corkbuzz
When this wine bar opened on 13th Street it was a real welcome addition to the neighborhood. Laura Maniec, a Master Sommelier, serves delicious wine by the glass and the food is no shrinking violet either. Good for a light bite, their pastas deserve a special shout-out. Get the amatriciana if they have it.
Gotham Bar + Grill
Such a great New York restaurant. Stepping inside makes you feel like you walked back into the late nineties, but in a good way. Every dish is consistent and classic and we especially love the seafood salad and the steak (and the famous, crispy onion rings that come with it!). This is a place to start with a martini and end with a whiskey and we couldn’t love it more.
Strip House
This slightly-cheesy steak house could easily be written off, but the steaks are delicious and the sides are super yum.
Eleven Madison Park
Fancy time! Life’s too short to not try it. Go with a few people so you can try most of the menu.
Shake Shack
Danny Meyer’s great burger chain always delivers.
Weird & Ravenous 