This post is about some of the places I think you cannot miss out on if you’re visiting NYC. From service and decor, to location and ease of booking. Here’s an overall list of my 5 favourite food and drink venues (in no particular order).
Carmines
Before we visited New York, I was absolutely adamant that we had to visit a nice authentic Italian restaurant. My mind first went towards little Italy but on the day that we fancied Italian food, we really didn’t fancy going too far from our hotel. I had a look online for Italian restaurants near Times Square and stumbled across the gem that is Carmines. Almost in the centre of Times Square. This place just screams Italy, I’ve got a lot of family in Naples and I love everything about the food, this place has nailed it!! All of the staff we spoke to had an American Italian accent which was so cool. They all knew exactly what they were talking about and were able to reccomend food and drinks based on what you tell them you like. They’re all smiles and nothing you ask for is too much hassle! The portion sizes are monstrous as they’re reccomended for sharing between 2-4 people. When they bring your food to the table they then dish it out onto plates for you all which is a lovely touch! The meatballs are some of the best I’ve ever tasted and the venue is decorated like a super cool 90s Italian joint that you would see in the movies! Though be warned, you might want to pre book as this place is notoriously busy!
Raines law room at the William
This bar is located in midtown, a short walk from Madison Avenue and Times Square. We were asking many locals for speakeasies they’d reccomend with a prohibition vibe and this place did not disappoint. It’s located above a pub and when you enter you’re greeted by a friendly member of staff who asks what you’re in for. (Presumably to find whether or not you know about the law room). We said we’d like to have a drink in Haines law room, she left us for about 5 minutes and returned saying that wouldn’t be a problem. Leading us through an inconspicuous door on the left which took us in. The room is rather small and would fit around 20/30 people which we liked, it felt exclusive. The bar staff were so welcoming and had a great knowledge of cocktails to offer.
Black tap
There’s a few of these venues in the city. We visited the one in Soho which is on Broome Street. From the moment we entered it was almost like we’d known the staff for ages, like we were all friends. It has a really cool atmosphere with great music playing. Our waiter was such a cool guy and really had that New York/Brooklyn coolness about him. We got here pretty early on in the day as my partner had done some research before our holiday and learned that it was really really busy. Like queues going down the street kind of busy! We ordered burgers, fries, mozzarella dippers and crazy shakes. The food was beautifully cooked and well portioned. The shakes could feed a family for a week. We ate in a downstairs section due to refurb work upstairs in the main restaurant- didn’t feel like we missed out though! Customers came in throughout our meal and you knew when someone had a shake brought over to their table because you heard WOW or OH MY GOSH from somewhere in the room. One woman actually looked over at our food and asked the waiter to completely replicate our order for her table because it all looked so good- That’s definitely a first! Just make sure you’re on the lookout when you’re nearby as this place isn’t very big and could be quite easily walked past.
Rainbow room
We actually found out about this place by accident. We were leaving the NBC studios when I noticed a sign that said “Rainbow room & bar upstairs”. After missing out on Jimmy Fallon tickets which we queued for 9 hours for. I really needed a beer! We followed the sign to an elevator and a member of staff who was very polite and helpful in explaining exactly what the rainbow rooms were with prices/availability etc. She said she had space for us up there so we could get straight into the elevator. It’s 65 floors up and you’re there in a matter of seconds, when you get there you’re greeted with a warm welcome as the escalator doors part. I believe there is somewhere to eat up there though we only drank at the bar, it was unreal, the sun was setting as we arrived and the sky had a gorgeous orange/pink contrast on the horizon. Prices were what you’d expect at such a great venue at the top of New York. Very modern and fancy decor, staff all hold themselves very professionally and seem to love their jobs. A great selection of local-only beers. One particular Brooklyn lager stuck with me as I remember telling the bartender that it might be my new favourite. There’s a real buzz and hip feel to the place like this is where it’s at.
The view
I booked a table here for my partners birthday 2 months in advance which was really simple and easy to do. I had my reservations, if you will, about this restaurant because as much as I’d heard it was a cool, revolving restaurant. I couldn’t find any photos or videos which really showed the views and “Rotating top”. It certainly didn’t disappoint. Located at the top of the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, the elevators are all in the centre of the building and aren’t in shafts so you can see them shoot up and down to the top. (Such a cool touch).
Inside the elevator you get a view of the lobby and all hotel happenings as you’re launched up to the restaurant. Our waiter greeted and seated us and we began taking in the view. The top floor rotates and any table you sit at will have a revolving view of Times Square (Eliminating my initial concerns). The food was a 3 course set menu for $90 per person. Each course was absolutely heavenly, the fillet Mignon was the best steak I’ve ever had and the potato gratin was full of flavour. Our waiter actually wrote us a list of cool and exclusive things to do whilst in New York which was really nice of him. Places which tourists may not have otherwise known about. His friendly chat and lovely service was so memborable. Lovely restaurant and full of class!